11 days in Crete, Santorini & Athens Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Greece trip planner
Start: Washington DC
Fly
1
Hersonissos
— 3 nights
Taxi to Heraklion, Ferry to Fira
2
Fira
— 3 nights
Fly
3
Athens
— 4 nights
Fly
End: Washington DC
Mon, Sep 12 - Thu, Sep 22
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View full calendar
Hersonissos — 3 nights
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Wholeheartedly dedicated to tourism, Hersonissos remains best known for its vibrant nightlife, its bars and clubs attracting partygoers from around the world.Get out of town with these interesting Hersonissos side-trips: Snail Farm and Fun (in Tylissos), Heraklion (Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Nerium Oleander, &more) and Spinalonga (Kalydon) (in Elounda). There's much more to do: delve into the distant past at The Palace of Knossos, take an in-depth tour of Historical Museum of Crete, admire nature's wide array of creatures at CRETAquarium, and examine the collection at Lychnostatis Open Air Museum.
To find out how to plan a trip to Hersonissos, use our trip itinerary maker.
Washington DC, USA to Hersonissos is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Washington DC to Hersonissos is 7 hours. In September, daily temperatures in Hersonissos can reach 82°F, while at night they dip to 64°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Thu) early enough to travel to Fira.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 12 — 15:
Highlights from your trip
Fira — 3 nights
Fira, the busy capital of Santorini, sits on the very edge of a volcanic caldera.Fira is known for nightlife, wineries, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the ancient world of Akrotiri, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, stroll through Ekklisia Theoskepasti hiking trail, and enjoy the sand and surf at Red Beach.
To find more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Fira road trip planner.
Do a combination of taxi and ferry from Hersonissos to Fira in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Traveling from Hersonissos in September, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Fira, with lows of 70°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Athens.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 15 — 18:
Highlights from your trip
Athens — 4 nights
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The Birthplace of Democracy
One of the world's most ancient cities, Athens remains Europe's undisputed historical and cultural capital.Athens is known for historic sites, museums, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: delve into the distant past at Acropolis of Athens, explore the world behind art at Museum of Cycladic Art, take in nature's colorful creations at National Garden, and take a stroll through Monastiraki.
For traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, read Athens trip builder website.
You can fly from Fira to Athens in 2.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of ferry and taxi; or ride a ferry. In September, daytime highs in Athens are 84°F, while nighttime lows are 69°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Thu) early enough to fly back home.
Find places to stay Sep 18 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
Crete travel guide
Great Island
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete offers travelers more than just sun, sea, and sand. Famed for its warm hospitality, outstanding infrastructure, and contrasting landscapes, the island represents one of the world's richest areas in terms of history and culture. Crete burst onto the world scene over 4,000 years ago, when it served as the center of the Minoan civilization, one of Europe's earliest organized societies. Despite the island's wealth of developed beaches, the traces of the mysterious and enchanting Minoan empire remain Crete's top attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world. The island capital Heraklion provides an ideal base for exploring a renowned Minoan palace complex, the site of Europe's oldest city.
Santorini travel guide
Wine Island
Known for dramatic views and romantic sunsets, the island of Santorini draws visitors with its long string of black, white, and red beaches. The largest and most significant of a small group of volcanic islands located just 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece's mainland, Santorini boasts just over 15,000 permanent residents. Created by a massive volcanic eruption that likely destroyed a single large island, the archipelago still features an active volcano, which saw its last eruption in the 1950s. The easiest way to explore Santorini's craggy coastline is on foot. Start by visiting the archaeological sites on the island's southwestern side, which offer a chance to discover the area's ancient past with unobstructed views of the famed volcano.
