Greece is an iconic place to honeymoon. The islands, long in myth with stories of love, are ideal for those seeking seclusion and romance. The food and wine add a touch of tradition and warmth, while the people and the villages add a spark of fun. Greece offers honeymooners a hundred places to go; I’ve listed several itineraries below.
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Honeymoon in Greece – Detailed Itinerary Ideas
Greece Honeymoon Itinerary 1: 10 days (Athens, Mykonos, Santorini)
- 2 nights in Athens
- 4 nights in Mykonos
- 3 nights in Santorini
10 nights in Greece means your honeymoon can encompass more than just an island. Begin with two nights in Athens, head to Mykonos for four nights of sunshine and sand, and end with three nights on Santorini for that wow factor.
Hotel Grande Bretagne: A truly grand hotel, decorated in the classic 19th-century French style, with large comfy rooms, a courtyard garden, spa, indoor pool, and great views from the rooftop terrace. Ideally located in Syntagma, you’ll be surrounded by courteous staff who go the extra mile to make your honeymoon special. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
St George Lycabettus: An elegant hotel with views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill from the rooftop restaurant/bar and pool area where Sunday brunch and Full Moon parties can be enjoyed. With newly refurbished rooms and nothing too much trouble for the staff, be sure to explore all floors of this hotel as each is themed with an exhibition of Greek culture. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Things to do in Athens:
- Athens Acropolis: do not miss this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples on the Acropolis rise steeply above the city, surrounded by ancient Athens and ruins of the agora. The theatre of Dionysus, Propylaea, Erechtheum, and Parthenon are just some of the major attractions. Click here to book a skip-the-line guided tour to the Acropolis.
- Plaka and Monastiraki: these two ancient neighborhoods at the base of the Acropolis are the perfect place to stay. They’re both super central, have charming boutique hotels, and are home to some of the city’s best restaurants.
- Lycabettus Hill: Walk, take a taxi, or use the funicular to reach the top of Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in Athens. The views from the top at sunset are truly incredible, gaze out across the city’s rooftops to the Saronic Gulf with a glass of wine or even a romantic dinner, there is a bar/cafe at the top as well as a restaurant.
- National Garden: Escape the hustle and bustle of the city by finding a quiet corner in the National Gardens to relax in before you resume sightseeing. Covering 16 hectares, follow the paths admiring the wide variety of plants and trees, statues, and ancient remains that you come across, being sure to stop and watch the turtles in the pond and the exotic green parrots in the trees!
- The Temple of Poseidon: Travel 70km south to Cape Sounio to see the impressive 5th century BC Temple of Poseidon and the Temple of Athena before enjoying another stunning sunset, this one enjoyed either through the Doric columns of the temple or down on the beach. If time permits, you can enjoy dinner in one of the nearby restaurants. Click here to book a half-day trip to watch the sunset from the Temple of Poseidon.
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Osom Resort: Stay in the village of Ornos, and get an entire sea view suite to yourselves which feels very private. A shared pool area and attentive staff are on hand to help you enjoy your stay with the closest tavernas are a 10-minute walk and Mykonos Town a 10-minute drive. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Semeli Hotel: Just seconds away from Little Venice, this high-end modern hotel boasts outstanding service. Relax by the charming pool, at the spa, or make your way 500 meters to the beach. Some rooms have a hot tub and there’s a restaurant serving up delicious Greek and Italian cuisine on the sea view veranda. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Things to do in Mykonos
- Alefkantra aka Little Venice: this 18th-century neighborhood in the main town on Mykonos transports you back to Italy, with Italianate mansions and balconies overlooking the sea. Mykonos’ famous windmills are just above Alefkantra. This is where the sea captains of the 18th and 19th centuries lived and the neighborhood remains a delightfully quiet residential area.
- Beaches: Mykonos has so many wonderful beaches! If you have a car or scooter, you can and should explore at your leisure. Some of the beaches are organized with umbrellas, chairs, and dining options. Others are unorganized and you should take what you need with you.
- The Windmills: Enjoy the view of the fishing boats and town from the Venetian windmills at sunset with a bottle of wine or a few beers and some tasty snacks. Built in the 16th century the windmills no longer operate but are an icon of the island and afford an incredible view. Afterward, consider making your way to the outdoor cinema to enjoy a romantic film.
- Day Trip to Delos: Head out on a boat trip to visit the sacred site of Delos, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece where you’ll find the remains of a sanctuary dedicated to Apollo and Artemis together with a museum containing artifacts discovered on the island. Be sure to visit on a day when the sea is calm to avoid seasickness! Click here to book a guided tour to the island of Delos.
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Where to stay in Santorini:
Kapari Natural Resort: With those iconic views looking out across the Caldera from picturesque Imerovigli and staff who treat you like family, this small hotel with an infinity pool and restaurant serving up Mediterranean cuisine is one you won’t want to leave! Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Andronis Boutique Hotel: Unwind in pure luxury and get treated like a celebrity at this amazing boutique hotel located in the picture-postcard village of Oia with incredible views in every direction and unique architectural features. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Things to do in Santorini:
- Visit Akrotiri: Akrotiri is a Bronze Age Minoan settlement, where there is evidence of habitation into the 5th millennium BCE. Akrotiri was first excavated in 1867 although modern excavations in the late 1960s revealed the true extent of the site. Akrotiri is considered the source of the Atlantis myth because it was destroyed in the 16th century BCE eruption that wiped out the Minoans.
- Hike the trail between Fira and Oia: The hiking trail between Fira and Oia is a popular one, especially around sunset. Be sure to end in Oia for the best views. The trail winds along the caldera rim and has epic views of the sea. Bonus? You’ll work off all the delicious food and wine!
- Volcano Trip: Take one of the daily cruises across to the dormant volcano on the lava island Nea Kameni where you can hike up to the crater before proceeding to another lava island and swimming in the healing green waters of the hot springs of Palea Kameni. Click here to book a trip to the volcano. Alternatively, you can opt for the sunset cruise you’ll enjoy dinner on board, whilst a daytime cruise will include snorkeling and beach time. Click here for more information.
- Wine Tour: Santorini’s white volcanic wines are unique due to the strange combination of lime, sulfur, salt, and pumice in the soil due to the volcano erupting sometime around 1614BC. Taste the wine, learn its history, and see the grapevines on a tour of some of Santorini’s vineyards. The wine tours book up fast so be sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment on your honeymoon. Wine, not your thing? Head to the Santorini Brewery Company to learn about the making of Donkey Beer instead! Click here to book your half-day wine tour.
- Book a Honeymoon Photoshoot: Book a private honeymoon photoshoot with a professional photographer that is catered to your tastes and you’ll get some amazing photos of the two of you in front of the iconic scenery, without the crowds that you’d encounter when trying to take romantic selfies! Click here for more information.
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Greece Honeymoon Itinerary 2: 10 days (Athens, Crete, Santorini)
- 2 nights in Athens
- 4 nights in Crete
- 3 nights in Santorini
If Mykonos’ party scene isn’t your vibe, Crete offers more of an adventure. It is the largest of the Greek islands, located southeast of Athens.
Begin your honeymoon with two nights in Athens. See my paragraph above for things to do in Athens. Then either fly or take the ferry to Crete for four nights. Upon leaving Crete, ferry to Santorini for your final three nights.
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas: Located in a beautiful bay with a private beach and close to Agios Nikolaos, enjoy the views from the infinity pool at this luxury hotel that provides world-class service. Book a suite and you’ll be able to enjoy your own private pool! Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Domes Noruz Chania: Located 4km from Chania, this adults-only beachfront boutique hotel is modern, stylish, and relaxed with friendly staff happy to go the extra mile. All rooms have either a hot tub or plunge pool. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Things to do in Crete
- Knossos: home of Minotaur and King Minos, the Palace of Knossos was one of the world’s largest palaces. The Bronze Age site is the largest archaeological site on Crete and one of the world’s oldest cities.
- Phaistos: Another Bronze Age city and palace, located about 62km south of Heraklion. Phaistos would have been a dependency of Knossos, also inhabited from about 4000 BCE.
- Visit Spinalonga aka ‘The Island’: Made famous by author Victoria Hislop, take a boat trip from Elounda, Plaka, or Agios Nikolaos to the former leper island of Spinalonga in the East of Crete. With incredible views across the peninsula, see the abandoned buildings where the lepers lived from 1903-1957 and learn the much older history of the island, it being fortified by the Venetians.
- Visit Balos Lagoon: Take a boat trip to the incredible Balos Lagoon on the North-West of the island and marvel at how it suddenly seems like you’re in the Caribbean! With patches of pink sand (this beach not to be confused with the so-called pink sand beach of Elafonissi), golden-white sand, and azure water, it’s a true paradise. Be sure to climb the steps which lead up to the car park to admire the iconic birdseye view back down across the sand and water.
- Explore Rethymno’s Backstreets: The 3rd largest town on the island, get lost in the narrow backstreets of the Old Town taking in the incredible architecture. Keep your eyes peeled for the Ottoman mosques and minarets, admire the view from the Venetian Fortress, and enjoy a romantic seafood dinner by the Egyptian lighthouse.
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Greece Honeymoon Itinerary 3: 12 days (Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos)
- 2 nights in Athens
- 3 nights in Santorini
- 3 nights in Mykonos
- 3 nights in Naxos
A 12-day honeymoon allows you to add a little bit more to the itinerary. Begin with 2 nights in Athens, 3 nights in Santorini, and 3 nights in Mykonos before taking the ferry to Naxos for your final three nights. Naxos is the largest of the Cycladic islands, but it often flies under the radar compared to Mykonos.
Iphimedeia Luxury Hotel & Suites: A small family-run hotel with staff who go out of their stay to ensure your stay is everything you hoped for. Close to Naxos port, the interior design at this place set in olive trees is stunning with all the amenities you need. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Archetypo Villas and Suites: Close to Naxos Castle, these private villas and suites are beautifully decorated with a gorgeous garden filled with hammocks. A home-away-from-home with wonderful owners ready to make your stay unforgettable. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Things to do in Naxos
- Beaches: don’t miss the beaches of Naxos. Beautiful, secluded, and unspoiled – the beaches of Naxos are much calmer compared to the beaches of Mykonos. Honeymooners who want a little adventure can have it here — Naxos is known for its windsurfing and kitesurfing.
- Temple of Demeter: Also known as the Temple of Sangri, the Temple of Demeter is a late Archaic temple, one of the earliest Ionic temples. It was built around 530 BCE but largely destroyed by the 6th century CE when the stone was used to build a basilica on the same site.
- Explore The Picturesque Villages: If you love looking around traditional villages with their beautiful narrow streets, old churches, and picturesque doorways there are 3 mountain villages to add to your must-see sightseeing list; Apeiranthos, Filoti, and Halki.
- Watch Sunset From The Portara: Although it gets crowded in summer, you must get some photos of the pair of you at sunset standing in front of the iconic ‘Great Door Temple’ known as the Portara. Built in 530BC, this is a temple to Apollo that was never finished. When the photos are done, sit down and lap up the incredible view hand in hand!
- Charter a Boat & Explore The Coastline: Forget those day trips where you’re crammed in with a ton of other people – Charter your own private boat, whether you opt for a catamaran, sailing boat, or simple motorboat, and explore Naxos’ stunning hidden coastline for the day, perhaps even venturing to the nearby islet of Koufonissia.
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Greece Honeymoon Itinerary 4: 15 days (Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes)
- 2 nights in Athens
- 3 nights in Santorini
- 4 nights in Mykonos
- 5 nights in Rhodes
If you’ve got the time, 15 days for a Greek honeymoon offers more time and more exploration. I suggest the same two nights in Athens, three nights in Santorini, four nights on Mykonos, before including five nights in Rhodes.
Rhodes is far closer to the Turkish coast than it is to the Greek mainland, and for that reason, it has many Turkish influences. Five nights here is enough to cover most of the island’s sights whilst still relaxing and enjoying your honeymoon.
Mitsis Lindos Memories Resort & Spa: A stunning adults-only hotel with modern rooms (featuring a Nespresso machine) ideal for a quiet and relaxing stay. Located a few minutes from Lindos town, the hotel has a private beach, infinity pool, and incredibly helpful staff. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Atrium Prestige Thalasso Spa Resort & Villas: This gorgeous beachfront hotel has beautiful rooms with stunning sea views which can also be enjoyed from the infinity pool. Located close to Prassonisi with complimentary transfers to/from the resort it boasts 4 on-site restaurants. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Things to do in Rhodes
- Medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see! The fortified city still stands as it did when the Knights Hospitaller built the walls in the early 14th century. However, Rhodes had defensive walls even prior to that time because of its strategically important position in the Aegean. It was here, in the 4th century BCE, that the Ancient Wonder the Colossus of Rhodes was built.
- Acropolis of Lindos and Rhodes: the Acropoli of Lindos and of Rhodes are two more important sites on the island. The Acropolis of Rhodes is near the main city of Rhodes and has temples dedicated to Athena, Zeus, and Apollo. The Acropolis of Lindos is on the east side of the island, near a popular tourist resort. In the 8th century BCE, it was an important trading site. The acropolis was fortified over time by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. Visitors can see remains of Greek and Roman temples as well as a castle of the Knights of St John (Knights Hospitaller).
- Day Trip to Symi: There are numerous boats departing the port of Rhodes for the nearby island of Symi. Head out on a day trip to see the monastery of Panormitis located in an idyllic bay before docking at the main harbor where you can explore the Chora with its colorful neoclassical mansions. Be sure to walk up the steps to admire the view back down across the bay – truly stunning! Click here to book your day trip to Symi.
- Swim at St Paul’s Bay: Located in Lindos, be sure to walk to the far side of the village to swim in secluded St Paul’s Bay (aka Agios Pavlos) so-called because it is claimed that St Paul landed here in 51 AD to preach Christianity to the Rhodians. The beautiful bay with crystal clear water has 2 beaches, both with sunbeds to rent, the larger beach has golden sand and the smaller beach is shingle and sand.
- Visit The Butterfly Valley: Nature lovers will adore a trip to the butterfly valley nature reserve, otherwise known as Petaloudes Valley. The best time to visit to see the most butterflies is during August when the Oriental Sweetgum Trees (Liquidambar Orientalis) host hundreds of Panaxia Quadripunctaria butterflies that have swarmed into the valley to mate but you can still enjoy this tranquil area with wooden bridges crossing small lakes at other times of the year, the opportunity to see the butterflies lasting from May-September.
For more information, you can check:
The best things to do in Rhodes
The best beaches in Rhodes
Things to do in Rhodes Town
Things to do in Lindos.