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Highlights
Embark on a walking adventure on two of the volcanic Cyclades Islands
Take in the spectacular sight of the famous white houses perched atop Santorini’s dramatic cliffs.
Explore the lush landscapes and olive groves of Naxos and the vineyards of Santorini.
Experience the show-stopping views from the summit of Mount Zas and the saddle of Mount Fanari.
Relax at the beach after your walks or with a refreshing dip in the sparkling seas.
Spend 8 magical days exploring the Greek islands of Naxos and Santorini. This self-guided walking holiday on Naxos and Santorini takes you from the cliffs on the spectacular coastline to the ancient mountains.
You’ll love island-hopping in Greece's famous Cyclades Islands, 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.
Spend 8 magical days exploring the Greek islands of Naxos and Santorini. This self-guided walking holiday on Naxos and Santorini takes you from the cliffs on the spectacular coastline to the ancient mountains.
You’ll love island-hopping in Greece's famous Cyclades Islands, 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.
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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
2026 Pricing for Island Walking on Naxos and Santorini Tour
The departures are available from April 1 to October 27, 2026
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.
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)
- How hard is the Island Walking on Naxos and Santorini Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Greece?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Are meals included on the Island Walking on Naxos and Santorini Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Athens to start this tour?
- Is the Island Walking on Naxos and Santorini Tour guided?
- Where does the Island Walking on Naxos and Santorini Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Greece?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Greece?
- When is the best time to travel to Greece for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. This tour is best suited for people who are comfortable walking for about 5 hours per day. The trail surfaces are predominantly unpaved walking trails with the occasional cobblestone mule path and paved roadway.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
7 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
You can fly to Athens International Airport (ATH). You will be picked up from the airport.
No, this is a self-guided tour. You will be provided with route maps and a destination guide in English.
This tour ends at your hotel in Athens. Your departure transfers are not included.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Greece for walking is during the warmest months of the year (May-September) but know that it can get very hot mid-summer. This tour is available from April to October.
Customer Ratings
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.
Welcome to Greece!
