
Taking a cruise to Greece is definitely a way of travelling that is becoming increasingly popular. A number of cruises depart from the main ports in the Mediterranean, calling at numerous locations and allowing you to organise a trip in comfort and tranquillity, without too much organisational stress. Numerous companies now depart from the main ports and allow one to discover Greece and its beautiful islands.
Those who decide to take a cruise have the opportunity to explore not only different Greek cities, but also different islands and numerous sites of interest. Moreover, cruising also allows one to carve out time for relaxation thanks to the presence of swimming pools, spas, wellness centres and other activities for entertainment. Currently, there are different types of cruises on the market: from luxury cruises to all-inclusive cruises, from cruises for singles to those suitable for families with children.
In addition to cruises lasting several days, day cruises are becoming more and more popular, allowing one to discover the main Greek islands at more affordable prices. By participating in day cruises, you can first fly to your destination, shortening your travelling time, and then once there choose boat trips to take each day to discover the most interesting sites.
If the idea of spending your days and nights on a ship does not appeal to you but you would like to experience some mini-cruises, you can choose day boat trips. In particular, you can set off to your destination and once there organise day trips. The main Greek cities and islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Zakynthos) all offer well-equipped ports with companies that allow you to organise short cruises to discover the wonders of the area.
Athens is certainly one of the best-connected Greek cities with a port from which many daily cruises depart. In particular, from the Greek capital it is possible to reach the beautiful islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina in the Saronic Gulf. A cruise with lunch on board will allow you to swim in the crystal-clear waters of Hydra, admire the villages of Poros and discover the town of Aegina and the small island of Moni Aegina.
Another place you can visit by boat from Athens is Agistri, the smallest island in the Saronic Gulf and also the least frequented. It is possible to get here by boat and then explore this area by bike.
If you are in Santorini, one of the most romantic Greek islands, you cannot miss a beautiful catamaran cruise. By boat you can reach the Caldera, an ancient crater created more than 10,000 years ago after a violent volcanic eruption. There are four small islands in the Caldera: Thirasia (the only inhabited island), Nea Kameni, Palia Kameni and Aspronisi.
If you choose to take the day cruise, a stop at the hot springs of Palia Kameni is a must, where the waters are warm and coppery in colour due to the high presence of iron and manganese. The tour can continue to the island of Therasia, an unspoilt and peaceful corner of paradise. Few people come here, but the village of Manolas with its traditional houses and numerous stairways is not to be missed.
By boat, you can also easily reach magnificent Santorini beaches such as Red Beach and White Beach where you can snorkel inside sea caves. After a wonderful day of relaxation, you can reach the town of Oia to admire one of the most beautiful sunsets on the island. The tour can continue with a drink as the sun goes down while admiring the beautiful scenery, followed by an excellent dinner on a boat.
During a stay in Crete, don’t miss the chance to explore some wonderful corners of this area that can only be reached by sea. Among the stops that can be visited by boat are the island of Gramvousa where the Venetian fortress is located and the island-fortress of Spinalonga.
You can also reach the island’s wonderful beaches by boat, such as the lagoon of Balos, the beach of Sweet Water (Glyka Nera), the beach of Marmara where there are wonderful caves for snorkelling and the village of Loutro.
Crete is an island with a wealth of places to discover, so the advice is to set aside several days to spend on a boat. In addition to the destinations already mentioned, you cannot miss a stop at the island of Elafonisi and the island of Dia, both of which are washed by crystal-clear waters.
If you are in Mykonos for a holiday, carve out some time to join a day cruise to discover the Cyclades. In particular, off its coast you can visit the island of Rhenia, an uninhabited wilderness but bathed by crystal-clear waters. Here, a relaxing swim and snorkelling are recommended to admire the extraordinary seabed.
A few miles from Mykonos is also the island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A territory with a very ancient history, Delos was a famous religious centre and still houses the sanctuary dedicated to Apollo and Artemis as well as important mosaics from the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods. If you feel like walking, don’t miss a hike up to the summit of Mount Kynthos, which, at an altitude of 112 metres, offers truly breathtaking views.
From the island of Corfu by boat you can reach two beautiful Greek islands that are still little known to mass tourism: Paxos and Antipaxos. Thanks to a one-day cruise, you can land on Antipaxos, an island that has no hotels but only beautiful beaches where you can relax in tranquillity. Some beaches are equipped while others are free but all are bathed by crystal-clear waters. By boat, you can reach the main caves on the coast and snorkel in peace.
From Antipaxos you can reach the larger island of Paxos in no time at all, with the pretty village of Gaios, the capital of the island. Here you can stroll through quaint streets, eat excellent fresh fish or relax at the island’s beautiful beaches. By boat from Corfu you can also reach other beautiful locations such as the historic Papanikolis cave, the Blue Lagoon beach and the small fishing village of Syvota.
Zakynthos is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Shipwreck Beach, which is easily accessible by boat. Here the waters are turquoise while the beach boasts fine, soft sand. Accessible only by sea, this beach became famous after the Panagiotis shipwreck in 1980. After a swim in truly Caribbean waters, you can continue to the hidden beach of Sfogio where you can explore the Blue Caves.
Another day cruise you can take in Zakynthos is to the island of Marathonisi where, in addition to white sandy beaches, you can swim with Caretta turtles. You can then continue along the southern coast of Zakynthos and stop for a swim at the Keri Caves.
During a stay in Rhodes, don’t miss the opportunity to organise a cruise to visit the beautiful island of Symi. Here you can visit the village of Symi with its neoclassical houses, small shops, cafes, taverns and small shops selling local handicrafts. You can choose to eat excellent fresh fish at one of the on-site tavernas or have lunch by boat. Once you have explored Symi, you can take a scenic cruise around the west coast of the island and stop for a swim at St George’s Bay and other picturesque coves.

Numerous cruises depart from Europe from the main Mediterranean ports with various companies. Among the major cruise companies are Celebrity Constellation, MSC, Costa, Odyssey of the Sea and Norwegian Breakaway. Traditional Greek cruises usually last between 8 and 15 days and, in addition to visiting various Greek locations, there may also be stops in Croatia and Turkey. Cruises are a very comfortable way to travel because usually at night, while passengers sleep, the ship sails to a new destination so that in the morning you wake up in a new location ready to explore.