10 Day Private Tour in Santorini, Crete, Mykonos, Delos

Athens gives this 10-day private tour its strongest opening: you see the Acropolis and Parthenon with a private guide, then connect those ancient stones to the Acropolis Museum and modern Athens. From there, ferries carry you to Mykonos and Santorini, while Crete adds Knossos, Rethymnon, Arkadi Monastery, and a local olive oil tasting.

I like two things here. First, the company takes care of the awkward links between airports, ports, and hotels, which matters in Greece. Second, you get a useful mix of guided sights and free time, so you can explore Plaka, Little Venice, Oia, or Crete at your own pace. The main drawback is the pace: four destinations in 10 days means several early starts, ferry rides, and hotel changes.

• Acropolis and Museum: A private guided visit covers the Parthenon, Theatre of Dionysus, Caryatids, and major museum displays.
• Island connections included: Fast ferries link Piraeus, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete, with a domestic flight back to Athens.
• Nine hotel nights and breakfasts: Accommodation and daily breakfast are included, with four-star lodging available at a higher package level.
• Crete beyond Knossos: The program adds Rethymnon, Arkadi Monastery, Margarites village, and an olive oil tasting.
• Optional sea days: Delos with Rhenia and a Santorini caldera cruise with barbecue lunch are extra-cost additions.
• Private transport: Drivers handle airport, port, and hotel transfers for your group rather than placing you on a shared coach.

A Greek sampler with a lot packed into 10 days

This is a private, multi-stop trip for people who want Greece’s headline sights without arranging every ferry, driver, hotel, and airport transfer themselves. You move from classical Athens to party-minded Mykonos, volcanic Santorini, and culturally layered Crete.

The price is $3,450.43 per person. That is not a cheap island vacation, but it covers nine nights of accommodation, nine breakfasts, private transfers, ferry tickets, a domestic flight from Crete to Athens, the Acropolis and Museum tour with tickets, and the Knossos visit with olive oil tasting. If you were paying separately for all those moving parts, the package would become expensive quickly.

The value depends on how much you prize convenience. Independent visitors can often save money by booking basic hotels and public transport, but you would also be handling port transfers, ferry schedules, luggage, and airport timing. Here, the practical work is assigned to drivers and the tour office.

The arrangement is best for couples, families, and small groups who want private service. Room sharing is set up for two people in a double room, three in a triple room, and one person in a single room. Confirm that arrangement before paying if your group has different needs.

Day 1: A simple Athens arrival

Your driver meets you at Athens International Airport and takes you to your Athens hotel. The transfer is listed at about 45 minutes, though actual time depends on traffic and your hotel’s location.

There is no sightseeing scheduled on arrival day, which is sensible. Athens can be tiring after a long flight, and keeping the first day light gives you time to settle in, eat, and prepare for the early start ahead.

The listed meeting time is 6:00 am, so do not treat this as a late-rising holiday. Ask for the exact pickup time in the detailed itinerary sent before departure.

Day 2: From the Parthenon to the Panathenaic Stadium

Day 2 is the historical heart of the Athens portion. Your private driver takes you from the hotel to the Acropolis, where you meet your guide for about two hours.

You walk through the Theatre of Dionysus, see the Porch of the Caryatids, and visit the Parthenon. A private guide is especially useful here because the Acropolis is more than a photo stop. The buildings, damage, repairs, and changing uses make much more sense when someone explains what you are seeing.

The Acropolis Museum follows, with about an hour inside. Its displays include sculpture and objects from the Erechtheum, Temple of Athena Nike, and Propylaea, along with material from Roman and early Christian Athens. A glass floor lets you look down at archaeological remains beneath the building.

That pairing works well. The hill shows you the monuments in place, while the museum helps you study their decoration and surviving pieces in a calmer setting. Admission to both the Acropolis and museum is included.

The private driver then gives you a panoramic tour of Athens. You see the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Syntagma Square and the Hellenic Parliament, and the Panathenaic Stadium, the marble stadium associated with the first modern Olympic Games.

At the end, you can return to the hotel or be dropped in Plaka. I would choose Plaka if your energy holds up. Its old buildings, narrow streets, and souvlaki shops make it a practical place for an evening walk, though the tour does not include a meal.

Day 3: An early ferry and free time in Mykonos

The Mykonos transfer begins early. Your driver takes you to Piraeus for the 7:00 am ferry, scheduled to arrive in Mykonos at 9:40 am. A local driver then meets you and takes you to the hotel.

The ferry ticket and transfers are included, which removes one of the more annoying parts of island travel. Still, a departure before sunrise can be demanding, especially after a full Acropolis day. Keep your luggage compact and have breakfast plans ready, since the hotel breakfast schedule may not match the port departure.

Mykonos is presented here as a free day rather than a guided sightseeing day. You can walk through Little Venice, follow the narrow streets of Matogiannia, shop for local items, or spend time at the hotel. The island is known for beaches, nightlife, and strong winds, so your experience will depend heavily on where your hotel is located and how much activity you want.

This free time is useful. A private itinerary should not fill every hour, and Mykonos is a place where simply walking, stopping for a drink, and watching the light change can be more enjoyable than rushing between formal sights.

Day 4: Delos ruins and Rhenia swimming time

The Delos and Rhenia day is optional and costs extra. If you add it, a local driver takes you from the hotel to the port for a boat trip lasting about six hours.

At Delos, you get approximately 1.5 hours to explore temples, mosaics, and monuments. The island is linked in Greek mythology with Apollo and Artemis, and its archaeological remains make it one of the most meaningful historical stops in the Cyclades.

The time allowance is worth noting. Ninety minutes gives you a useful introduction, but it is not an exhaustive archaeological visit. Wear practical shoes, carry sun protection, and expect limited shade based on the open-air nature of the site.

After Delos, the boat serves a barbecue lunch. The route continues toward Rhenia, where you have about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or resting on the beach. This makes the optional outing a good balance of ruins and sea time.

Ask for the full extra cost before adding this day. The base price does not include it, and the listing does not give a fixed supplement.

Day 5: Mykonos to Santorini by ferry

Your driver takes you to Mykonos Port for the noon ferry to Santorini. The crossing is scheduled at about 2.5 hours, followed by a local transfer to your hotel.

Santorini is the most visually dramatic stop on the route. You get free time to walk the narrow streets, shop for souvenirs, and choose a restaurant or drink with a view over the sea. The description focuses on places built above the water, so hotel location matters. A convenient base can save you time and make your free evening more enjoyable.

There is no guided Santorini town walk included. That is a limitation if you want detailed explanations of the island’s geology or villages, but it is also a chance to set your own pace. Your detailed itinerary should identify the hotel and pickup arrangements before departure.

Day 6: Santorini’s volcanic coast by boat

The Santorini cruise is another optional extra-cost excursion. It lasts about six hours and begins with hotel pickup.

The route includes the hot springs at Palea Kameni, where you can swim, and boat views of Aspronisi, the Ancient Lighthouse, Akrotiri, and Indian Rock. You also visit Red Beach and White Beach, with White Beach accessible only by boat.

A barbecue buffet is served onboard, with seafood, grilled meats, salads, and desserts. The day ends with a sunset view in Oia, when the caldera and village catch the evening light.

This is likely to be one of the most memorable add-ons for anyone who wants Santorini from the water rather than only from the cliffside towns. It is not ideal for every passenger. Swimming is part of the appeal, and the boat day may feel long if you prefer museums, village walks, or quiet time.

The cruise is not included in the package, so treat the advertised itinerary as a framework with optional upgrades, not as an all-inclusive trip.

Day 7: Santorini to Crete at the end of the day

You are transferred to Santorini Port for the 5:45 pm ferry to Heraklion. The scheduled arrival is 7:40 pm, followed by a driver transfer to your Crete hotel.

This is a travel-heavy day with free time before the ferry. Plan your luggage and meals carefully. The late arrival means you will probably have little time for Heraklion that evening, but the route is efficient because it avoids sending you back through Athens before Crete.

Ferry times can depend on availability and seasonal schedules. The company states that updated pickup times and hotel names are supplied before departure, so check the final version rather than relying only on the initial schedule.

Day 8: Pottery, resistance, and Rethymnon

The Crete touring day is marked optional. It starts at Margarites, a village known for traditional pottery. You can watch potters work and buy handmade pieces, which gives the day a more local, craft-based feel than the major archaeological stops.

Next comes Arkadi Monastery, a 16th-century religious site and a symbol of Cretan resistance to Ottoman rule. The monastery is also described as a European Freedom Monument. Its setting includes olive groves, vineyards, pine, cypress, and oak trees at an altitude of about 500 meters.

The final and longest stop is Rethymnon Old Town, with around three hours. The route takes in the Venetian Fortezza, Venetian Loggia, Rimondi Fountain, Arkadiou Street, Vernardou Street, the Nerantze Mosque, and streets lined with Venetian and Ottoman-era buildings.

Rethymnon is where the different chapters of Crete meet most clearly. You see Venetian planning, Ottoman influence, religious buildings, shops, cafés, and old homes with balconies and decorated doors. The route is mostly a walking exploration, so comfortable shoes are a good idea.

Because these visits are marked optional, confirm exactly what your package includes. Do not assume the driver day, admissions, or any extra guide service is covered by the $3,450.43 price.

Day 9: Knossos, olive oil, and the flight to Athens

Your final full day begins with a visit to Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. The Knossos portion is listed at about two hours, but admission is not included.

Knossos is valuable because it gives physical scale to the Minoan palace complex. The site flourished for roughly two thousand years and included palace buildings, workshops, and tombs. A guide can help you sort ancient remains from modern reconstruction, but the supplied details confirm a guided private tour of Knossos and the olive oil visit, not necessarily museum guiding. Ask for clarification if the museum is important to you.

The next stop is Koronekes Olive Mill, where staff explain olive cultivation and oil production. You taste three types of olive oil with Cretan delicacies and balsamic vinegar. This is a good food-centered counterpoint to the monuments, and it gives you something concrete to take home beyond photographs.

Your driver then takes you to Heraklion Airport at about 4:00 pm for a 5:20 pm flight to Athens, arriving around 6:15 pm. A driver meets you in Athens and transfers you to your hotel.

The flight time is listed as depending on availability, so keep the final confirmed schedule handy. This is also why the package’s transfer planning has real value: you are moving from a rural archaeological site to an airport, then across the country and back to a hotel in one afternoon.

Day 10: A straightforward airport transfer

The last morning has one job. Your driver takes you from the Athens hotel to Athens International Airport according to your flight details.

That final transfer is included, as are the arrival and port transfers throughout the trip. For a trip with multiple ferry crossings and one domestic flight, having a named transport plan can reduce worry, particularly for a group carrying luggage.

What the $3,450.43 price really covers

The package includes:

• Nine hotel nights
• Nine breakfasts
• Private airport, port, and hotel transfers
• Fast ferry tickets between Piraeus, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete
• A domestic flight from Crete to Athens
• Private Acropolis and Acropolis Museum tour with guide and tickets
• Private Knossos tour and olive oil tasting

It does not include optional excursions, gratuities, or hotel city tax. The stated city tax is €45 per person for four-star accommodation or €32 per person for three-star accommodation.

The strongest value is the transport network. Greece looks simple on a map, but the sequence of ports, ferries, island arrivals, hotel transfers, and airport departures takes time to arrange. The package also provides daily breakfasts, which is useful on a schedule with early departures.

The price is harder to justify if you want long stays in each place or prefer basic accommodation. Four islands and mainland stops in 10 days gives you a broad first look, not a slow holiday. The strongest written accounts describe sea-view rooms, punctual drivers, well-chosen hotel locations, and reliable ferry and flight arrangements. Those are precisely the details that can make or break a trip like this.

Who should book this private route

I would choose this tour if you want Greece’s major names in one organized trip and value door-to-door movement. It suits a small private group, honeymooners, families, and people who would rather spend their time sightseeing than comparing ferry companies.

It is also a good fit if you want private guiding at the Acropolis and Knossos but still want free evenings in Mykonos and Santorini. The company uses WhatsApp for quick communication, and a final updated itinerary with hotel names, pickup times, and other details arrives about one week before departure.

I would hesitate if you dislike early mornings, ferry travel, or frequent changes of hotel. I would also price the optional Delos, Rhenia, and Santorini cruises before booking, since they can change the final cost considerably.

The cancellation policy is fairly strict near departure. You receive a full refund when canceling at least six full days ahead, 50 percent when canceling two to six days ahead, and no refund for cancellations less than two days before the start time.

Should you book this 10-day Greece tour?

Book it if convenience, private transfers, and broad coverage matter more to you than a relaxed pace. The strongest features are the well-organized connections and the combination of major ancient sites with island free time and Cretan food and craft stops.

Skip it if you want to linger in one island, choose every hotel yourself, or avoid extra-cost excursions. Before booking, confirm the hotel category, room arrangement, exact optional-tour prices, Knossos admission, and final ferry and flight times. For the right small group, this is an efficient and well-supported first trip through Greece.

FAQ

How long is the private Greece tour?

The tour lasts approximately 10 days and includes nine nights of accommodation.

Which destinations are included?

The route includes Athens, Mykonos, Delos as an optional excursion, Santorini, and Crete.

Are airport and port transfers included?

Yes. Private transfers to and from airports, ports, and hotels in each area are included.

Are ferry tickets included?

Yes. Fast ferry tickets between Piraeus, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete are included.

Is the domestic flight included?

Yes. The flight from Crete to Athens is included, with the exact flight time depending on availability.

Are hotels and breakfast included?

Yes. Nine hotel nights and nine breakfasts are included.

Is the Acropolis tour guided?

Yes. The private Acropolis and Acropolis Museum tour includes a guide and admission tickets.

Are the Delos and Santorini boat trips included?

No. The Delos and Rhenia excursion and the Santorini cruise are optional tours with an additional cost.

Is the Crete day trip included?

The visits to Margarites, Arkadi Monastery, and Rethymnon are marked optional, so confirm their cost and inclusion before booking.

What city tax must I pay?

The stated hotel city tax is €45 per person for four-star accommodation or €32 per person for three-star accommodation.