Luxury Greek Island Small Ship Cruises

Ports of Call for Greek Island Cruises

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  Athens

  Considered the birthplace of western civilization, Athens’ heart will take you back to 5^th-century BC. Walk in the footsteps of ancient greats like Plato and Socrates while exploring Acropolis Hill and iconic monuments like the Parthenon, which can be seen from many vantage points across the city. Other places of interest are within easy walking distance of each other, concentrated in a small area surrounding Syntagma Square and the city center, with Monastiraki and Thissio to the west and the Plaka district to the south. In between, enjoy watching while sipping Greek wine at trendy sidewalk cafes and browsing lively markets.

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  Mykonos

  Cosmopolitan Mykonos is renowned for its beach parties and clubs that draw international jet setters, including supermodels and yachters. It hosts luxurious resorts, upscale shops that stay open past midnight during the peak season, and a wide range of fine dining restaurants, often with menus focused on Mediterranean dishes featuring fresh-caught seafood. The nightlife is practically nonstop in the summer, bringing opportunities to dance ‘til dawn. But it’s also a great place for outdoor activities like swimming, sailing, sea kayaking, kite surfing, hiking, biking, and 4X4 tours. History buffs can enjoy everything from the famous Venetian windmills to the ruins of the 13^th century Gyzi castle.

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  Santorini

  Santorini is one of the most popular islands, a favorite among honeymooners, and at the top of many travel bucket lists. It’s known for its unique wine, stunning sunsets, blue-domed churches, and whitewashed buildings that spill down the steep caldera. Those precipitous cliffs are what visitors first encounter when sailing in by ferry. Dating back to at least the Bronze Age, the crater was formed when the volcano collapsed. The massive 1646 BC volcanic eruption covered the old city of Akrotiri in ash, leaving it well-preserved similar to Italy’s Pompeii. Discovered in the 19^th century, it’s one of the Aegean’s most important prehistoric settlements.

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  Nafplion

  The seaport town of Nafplion is one of the most picturesque in the eastern Peloponnese, complete with a 15th-century Bourtzi Castle in the middle of its harbor. Built as a defense for pirate raids, it’s kept watch over the bay’s entrance for over five centuries. The town dates back to prehistoric times, and with the Venetians, Turkish, and Frankish all-conquering it at one point, their influences can be seen throughout. That includes the architecture that lines the winding streets with everything from ancient walls, medieval structures, and Ottoman fountains to Venetian and neoclassical buildings, more than enough to please any architectural or historical buff.

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  Olympia

  The history of Olympia dates to the 2^nd millennium BC, with archaeological evidence of dwellings uncovered from the period. Located on the Peloponnese Peninsula, the small town is best known for the archaeological site nearby where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC. The flame for the modern Games is still lit here today, using the reflection of sunlight in a parabolic mirror. Visitors can explore remnants of the stadium that hosted the competitions, and the 5^th-century BC Temple of Zeus that once held one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a 43-foot-high gold-and-ivory statue of the god.

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  Paros

  Boasting diverse and beautiful landscapes, including lush valleys, Paros is particularly known for its sandy beaches contrasted by clear turquoise water. There are stretches for nearly everyone, from Pounds Beach known for hosting music and parties to Golden Beach offering outstanding water sports, and unspoiled Faragas, providing seclusion and stunningly scenic surroundings. The island draws many to enjoy wind sports like kitesurfing and windsurfing, while scenic trails call to hikers. Although it has plenty of luxury boutiques and buzzing nightlife with a bit of a Mykonos vibe, it’s more laid-back. The marble streets of the main port are fun just to get lost in.

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