The 10 Best Cruises in and Around Greece

Known for offering an authentic Greek experience, Celestyal Cruises offers a seven-day, all-inclusive cruise in the Aegean Sea. Departing from Lavrio port, the cruise travels around the Aegean and includes stops in Santorini, Izmir (Turkey), Nafplio, Chania, Rhodes, Cesme (Turkey) and Mykonos before heading back to the home port. Celestyal Cruises offers many excursions in Greece, including three-, four- and seven-day voyages.

Forget the islands. The Greek mainland is an important treasure trove that deserves your attention. With this Antiquity to Byzantium cruise, you will go on a thrilling adventure around the coast of Peloponnese, discovering a new destination every day. Plunge into the peninsula’s rich history and visit world-renowned sites such as the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, Ancient Olympia, Mycenae and Delphi. But your exploration doesn’t stop there. You will get to admire the enchanting Nafplio, relax in picture-perfect Monemvasia and discover hidden gems, such as Gytheio and Pylos, via small ships. Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime?

Ready to brush up on your history knowledge while sailing across blue waters and rugged coastlines? Azamara Club Cruises takes you onboard its sturdy Azamara Journey, equipped with all the luxuries and amenities you need to have a pleasant voyage across the Aegean. With a guest lecturer open to answer all of your questions, the seven-day cruise will take you on a historical journey from Piraeus to Mykonos, Chania, Patmos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, and Santorini before taking you to the Athenian port.

If you want to explore all the jewels of Classical Greece, look no further. This eight-day thematic cruise will take you on a journey across the Cyclades (and the open-air museum on Delos) and Crete, where you will get the chance to tour the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Afterward, you’ll get to visit lesser-known gems such as Kythira, as well as Monemvasia, Nafplio and the Saronic islands of Hydra or Spetses. It’s a relaxed cruise for anyone looking to let go of the planning and just enjoy the ride.

Go back in time and visit some of the world’s oldest attractions with this 11-night cruise around Greece and Israel. Tour the ancient marvels of Greece, such as Mycenae, Patmos and Rhodes, without forgetting unmissable stops such as Santorini and Mykonos, and combine it with sacred locales such as Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem. This captivating voyage across the Mediterranean is a unique opportunity for history lovers and curious minds alike.

Adventure Life’s round trip across the Cyclades Islands, departing from Piraeus, is an 11-day cruise to discover the wonders of the Greek islands. You’ll be able to explore magnificent Santorini and its caldera, the mystical Patmos – where the Book of Revelation was written – as well as other islands such as underrated Sifnos, party-paradise Mykonos and laid-back Naxos. With several onboard and ashore activities such as wine tasting, helicopter tours or excursions, this Aegean Sea cruise is definitely a must-do.

If you want to combine classic destinations with lesser-known horizons, this Silversea cruise might just be what you need. On this seven-day excursion, you will get to travel to the cosmopolitan island of Hydra from Athens, visit Mykonos, Kos and Santorini, before setting sail towards Turkey and seaside resort Kusadasi and the ancient city of Ephesus. Your voyage will take you to the often-forgotten Volos, where delicious cuisine and laid-back urban life awaits, before heading back to your departure port.

Embark on a dreamy journey from Athens to Dubrovnik with this unique cruise. Explore forgotten gems such as the Corinth Canal, Galaxidi and the nearby ancient sanctuary of Delphi, as well as Zakynthos and the under-the-radar mainland town of Parga, before saying goodbye to Greece and setting out for Montenegro and Croatia. Want to add a touch of adventure to this? Combine your cruise with a relaxing road trip back to the Greek capital before flying home.

The world of cruises includes a plethora of thematic trips, but this ballet cruise with soloists from the Bolshoi Theatre is one in a million. Combining island hopping and ballet performances, this voyage is perfect for those who are looking to escape their daily routine and admire the grandeur of ancient Greece while revelling in the talent of two ballet stars of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre. With stops in Monemvasia, Agios Nikolaos (Crete), Marmaris, Kusadasi, Mykonos, Mytilene (Lesbos) and Piraeus, this one-of-a-kind cruise will definitely leave you with a head full of memories.

Set sail across the Aegean Sea from Athens’ main port, Piraeus, with Star Clippers. The cruise will take you on a fantastic journey to the Dodecanese and the Turkish coast, with the first stop being in Rhodes, where you will explore the old harbour and the medieval historic centre of Rhodes Town. Bodrum is on the schedule for the next day, before exploring the Dalyan River. The day after, you will embark on a trip across the sea to visit the marvellous island of Santorini, one of the most romantic destinations in Greece. As your last stop before heading to Piraeus, the picture-perfect island of Hydra will welcome you with open arms, making you fall in love with its charming amphitheatre-style harbour town.