Welcome to Hooked on Walking holidays and our walking holidays in Greece. This particular hiking vacation is a self guided walking tour taking you to Naxos and Santorini. You can discover Athens on foot and explore two of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades in one trip! The Cyclades is a Greek island group in the Aegean Sea, South-East of mainland Greece.

Explore the historical centre of Athens with its Ancient Acropolis and the most famous New Acropolis Museum. Set sail to the island of Naxos and climb the highest mountain of the area: Zas. From its summit you enjoy breathtaking views of olive orchards around you that are in sharp contrast with the deep blue Aegean Sea. Naxos is an island of contrasts: on the one hand the lively town and beaches near Naxos town offer excitement and entertainment where on the other hand you encounter the rural countryside where life is still very traditional.

Santorini is the most photogenic place of Greece. The steep cliffs with layers in all colours are the result of an explosion of the Thira volcano thousands of years ago. In de flooded “caldera” of Santorini there is still volcanic activity, as you can see during your visit to the Kammeni Islands. White washed villages on the cliffs, interesting ancient sites and excellent wines guarantee a perfect stay. And what better way to discover this unique landscape than on foot?

Available daily 1st April to 31st October
level 2-3 self guided tour

Day 1    Arrival in Athens
Meet your taxi driver and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Athens that is located in the vicinity of the Acropolis and next to the ancient area of Pnyx, where Democracy was born. You will have time to explore the ancient city centre or enjoy dinner in the authentic Plaka area.

Day 2    City Walk Athens
A surprising walk will show you the hidden secrets of the town. Enter the old city centre via the Holy Road that used to connect Elefsis with Athens. Walk along the Pnyx theatre and Philipappou Hill from where you have a most wonderful view on the Acropolis. Walk to the Acropolis and admire the Parthenon. Descend via the ancient theatre of Dionysos and visit the Acropolis Museum. Head to the National Gardens and the Olympic Stadium where the first new Olympics took place in 1896. Through the lush Royal Gardens, walk towards Syntagma Square and climb the Lycabettus hill from where you will enjoy a panoramic view over the City of Athens. After this walk you can go back to the hotel for a rest. Walking time 3.5 hours

Day 3   From Athens to Naxos
You get an early morning transfer to the port of Piraeus from where you leave per ferry boat to Naxos. The ferry trip takes around 5,5 hrs and you arrive around noon on Naxos. You get a transfer to your hotel where you have the rest of the day to relax and to explore Naxos town.

Day 4  Walk from Chalki to Melanes
You take a taxi or public bus to Chalki, located in the center of the Tragea plain. Today you explore this fertile inner land of Naxos with olive groves and rich vegetation. There are some olive trees that are over thousand years old! You walk on cobbled paths via the Venetian Fortress Ano Kastro to an ancient marble quarry where you find a 10m height statue of an unfinished Kouros from the 6th century BC! The walk ends in the nearby village Melanes from where you take a taxi or public bus back to the hotel. Walking time 3.5 hours.

Day 5  Walk to Mt. Zas
Todays walk starts from Filoti that you reach by taxi or public bus. From this village, built at the foothills of Mt. Zas, you start your walk to the summit of this legendary mountain. You may witness the cave in which according to the legend, Zeus, the father of all the gods, was nursed by an eagle. After your descend you optionally continue the walk to Apiranthos. From Apiranthos you may walk back via the saddle of Mt. Fanari to Filoti; a beautiful walk with breathtaking views! Walking time 4.5 or 7 hours.

Day 6    From Naxos to Santorini
You travel  from Naxos to Santorini. The ferry usually departs around noon and arrives 3 hours later on Santorini. In the morning you may want to visit the Castle in Naxos town (Chora) and visit the museum here. Or you can relax on the sandy beach of Agios Georgios.
You enter the submersed crater of this old volcano by ferry boat and this is an unforgettable experience. You will be impressed by the steep coloured cliffs and the whitewashed villages on top. It is said that the eruption, 3.600 years ago, ended the Minoan Civilization.

Day 7    Walk from Kamari to Akrotiri
A transfer will take you to Kamari from where you start climbing via an old path to a windy saddle. This part is one of the very few places that exists from before the devastating volcanic outburst. You walk up to Ancient Thira: the capital of the island in Ancient and Roman times. The location is really fantastic! Then you descend via an old path to the quiet inner parts of the island. You walk through vineyards (Santorini produces top class wines!) and along picturesque villages. Through this landscape of volcanic ashes and along the black beach you walk back to Akrotiri village. This walk may also be done vice versa. Walking time 6 hours.

Day 8    Walk from Fira to Oia
You travel per public bus to Fira, the capital of Santorini. Here you can explore the narrow alleys of this whitewashed town, built on the top of the volcanic cliffs. It houses a couple of interesting museums, such as the museum of prehistoric Thira and the Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon you make the famous walk from Fira to Oia. This walk allows you fabulous views of the lagoon and the spectacular cliffs with its massive drops. Most of the walk is via a really nice wide mule-path.
From Oia you will be picked up and get a transfer back to the hotel. Walking time 3 hours.

Day 9    Athens and departure
You get a transfer to the airport where you take your flight to Athens. Upon arrival at Athens Airport you will get your international flight back home.

Accommodation
2 nights in Athens-Acropolis Hill.
3 nights on Naxos – Naxos Resort
3 nights on Santorini – Kalimera Hotel
Difficulty
Level 2-3 self guided tour although most walks are level 2.

2012 Prices

How to get there
Fly to Athens airport where transfers are included to your hotel. Return flight Santorini – Athens- home/onward.

To view other Greek walking holidays Mount Olympus , West Crete

Click below to view our
Cycling Holidays in Greece

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