Embark on a walking adventure on two of the volcanic Cyclades Islands
Spend 8 magical days exploring the Greek islands of Naxos and Santorini. This self-guided walking holiday takes you from the cliffs on the spectacular coastline to the ancient mountains.
You’ll love island-hopping in the famous Cyclades and taking daily walks that explore two beautiful islands. This tour will immerse you in ancient culture as you explore the towns and villages along your route. You’ll also discover fascinating volcanic formations, scenic olive groves, and the famous whitewashed houses, all within view of the gorgeous sapphire seas.
Highlights of the Island Walking on Naxos and Santorini Tour
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Island Walking on Naxos and Santorini Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Take the Ferry to Naxos
Your journey today begins with a transfer from the Athens airport to the ferry port at Piraeus. You’ll take a late afternoon ferry to the island of Naxos. The boat ride is five and a half hours, so you’ll arrive in time for an evening stroll on the island.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Naxos
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Explore Central Naxos
To begin your first walk, you’ll take the public bus or a taxi to Chalki. From here, you’ll start your walk through the olive groves to the Fortress Ano Kastro. A marble quarry invites you to take a break, and later you visit an unfinished statue that dates back to the 6th century. This trail has two optional sections to prolong your hike up to 14 or 19 km.
Your walk finishes in the village of Melanes, where you can explore before catching a bus or taxi back to your hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Naxos
Distance: 3.5 hours, 10km, 150m of ascent, 150m of descent
4.5 hours, 14km, 300m of ascent, 300m of descent
7 hours, 19km, 400m of ascent, 400m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Hike Mount Zas
You’ll start your day with a bus or taxi ride to the village of Filoti, which sits in the foothills of Mount Zas. As you begin your walk to its summit, you’ll follow mythological paths that include the cave where Zeus was nursed by an eagle.
After enjoying the incredible views from the top, you can either walk back or continue your journey along the saddle of Mount Fanari.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Naxos
Distance: Shorter: 4.5 hours, 13km, 500m of ascent, 500m of descent
Longer: 7 hours, 19 km, 900m of ascent, 900m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Travel to Santorini
The ferry to Santorini doesn’t usually leave until noon, so you’ll have the morning to explore the castle in Naxos or relax on the sandy beaches. The three-hour ferry to Santorini crosses over the underwater volcanic crater, and you’ll watch in awe as the boat draws you closer to the famous white buildings clinging to Santorini’s cliffs.
Spend the evening exploring Santorini.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Santorini
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Walk the Ancient Roads to Akrotiri
You’ll be collected from your hotel and driven to Perissa today, where you’ll begin your walk up into the windy hills. You’ll walk to Thira, which was the ancient capital of the island during Roman times. The old path will wind through quiet vineyards and villages of the island’s interior.
The route finishes with a walk along the black sand beach at Akrotiri village.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Santorini
Distance: 5.5 hours, 13km, 580m of ascent, 550m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Follow the Mule Path to Oia
Begin your day with a bus or taxi ride to Fira. Spend some time exploring the capital, with its bright white houses perched at the clifftops. After visiting some of the museums in town or wandering the charming streets, you’ll begin your walk in the afternoon. The trail is the famous path between Fira and Oia, a mule path that follows a spectacular ridgeline overlooking the water.
A transfer will meet you in Oia to bring you back to your hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Santorini
Distance: 3 hours, 13km, 300m of ascent, 400m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Visit Akrotiri and Return to Athens
This morning, you’ll have free time to explore Akrotiri. You may want to stop and visit their archeological site, which preserves a settlement destroyed by the volcanic eruption in the 1600s.
A transfer will bring you to the port, where you’ll take the 8-hour ferry ride on a modern, comfortable boat to Piraeus. A transfer vehicle will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Athens.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Athens
Distance: 1.5 hours, 5.5km, 135m of ascent, 120m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Final Day in Athens
Your tour officially ends after breakfast when you check out of your hotel. If you have time today, explore the city and visit the Acropolis before you leave Athens.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
The departure is available on any day of the week. Prices below are per person:
Departure on April 1st – 24th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,250 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,125 USD
- Double/twin room: $825 USD
- Triple room: $775 USD
Departure on April 25th – June 9th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,295 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,195 USD
- Double/twin room: $875 USD
- Triple room: $775 USD
Departure on June 10th – 28th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,350 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,250 USD
- Double/twin room: $895 USD
- Triple room: $825 USD
Departure on June 29th – July 14th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,425 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,295 USD
- Double/twin room: $950 USD
- Triple room: $850 USD
Departure on July 15th – August 31st, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,550 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,450 USD
- Double/twin room: $1,025 USD
- Triple room: $925 USD
Departure on September 1st – 25th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,350 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,250 USD
- Double/twin room: $895 USD
- Triple room: $825 USD
Departure on September 26th – October 26th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,295 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,195 USD
- Double/twin room: $875 USD
- Triple room: $775 USD
Accommodation on the Island Walking on Naxos and Santorini Tour
This tour is based in simple 3-star hotels. The hotels offer basic accommodations at locally operated hotels in great locations.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
If you are a solo traveller or prefer a single room, the required supplements are included in the listed prices.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Anixis in Naxos ★★★
Spend the night at this great hotel next to the Naxos Castle. Most of the simple and welcoming rooms have a lovely sea view.
Kalimera Hotel in Santorini ★★★
You'll receive a warm welcome at this simple family-run hotel. The rooms are basic, and the hotel has a beautiful garden with a pool to relax by.
Acropolis Hill Hotel in Athens ★★★★
This modern hotel has small but comfortable rooms. It is in a lovely green space within walking distance to the Acropolis.
What’s Included in the Island Walking on Naxos and Santorini Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Athens are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport for you and your luggage is included starting with pickup from Athens Airport and ending in Athens. This includes 3 ferry transfers and 8 road transfers. Please note, that there are also several public transport or taxi transfers (as indicated in the itinerary) that are not included. The services end in Athens and if you require a transfer to the airport for your departure, it is available as an optional extra.
Also Included
- Roundtrip transfers on Naxos and Santorini
- Ferry tickets as outlined in the itinerary in tourist class
- 24-hour emergency telephone assistance
- Digital route notes and maps
- GPS App
- Taxi transfer between Athens airport or hotel and Piraeus
- Round trip transfers on Naxos and Santorini
- Taxi transfer from Akrotiri to Perissa and return from Oia to Akrotiri
- Taxi transfer between Piraeus and Athens hotel
Not included
- Tourism tax to be paid locally at each hotel (normally no more than 3 EUR per traveller per night)
- Departure transfer
- Public transportation or taxi costs, where indicated on the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist taxes if applicable
- Visas if required
- Personal equipment
- Fees not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Accommodations in Athens before or after the tour
- Single room supplements
- Printed tour materials (in addition to digital)
Frequently Asked Questions about Island Walking on Naxos and Santorini Tour
S-Cape Travel Greece is a Greek outdoor company, established in 1994 and member of the S-Cape Group of companies since 2010.
At S-Cape Greece you find a varied portfolio of active and adventure trips that offer you a hands-on experience of Greece, having time to slowing down and appreciate the details: view the sites and landscapes, savor the specialties, meet and mingle with the locals and learn about the culture.
All our trips and itineraries are developed by our team of professional walkers and cyclists who have a keen eye for great trails, exciting itineraries, breath-taking scenery and good quality accommodation that share our vision on sustainable travel.
If you travel on one of our self-guided trips, you receive a Destination Manual with information on the country and a state-of-the-art Road Book with detailed route description, turn by turn diagrams of each crossing and explanatory text. On top, you can navigate the route in your own smartphone via our excellent S-Cape Travel App.
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Maria has worked in the Athens office of S-Cape for nearly 4 years. She’s discovered an even deeper love for her country through the process of helping others explore it.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to lead and why?
- A: My favourite trip is Crete “Coast to Coast” because you discover unspoiled Crete while following walking paths through wildflowers, lush valleys, and gorgeous gorges. You get to know the locals, drink wine with them, and taste the famous Cretan food in local taverns. You meet the locals of this village in the “kafeneion” and drink a “Raki” with them. You get to stay in a beautiful old restored house and enjoy views of the White Mountains whilst having breakfast. Explore the White Mountains and walk at an altitude of 1,300m gazing at the white peaks surrounding you. On the south coast, you walk through beautiful gorges. It’s just wonderful!
- Q: What are guests most surprised about in visiting your country?
- A: You hear how good the food, the sun, and the people are. It’s even better in real life!
- Q: What is one local dish anyone visiting should try?
- A: Greek salad, tzatziki, stuffed tomatoes, fried zucchini, and traditional souvlaki, of course!