Greece’s Cyclades Islands: Naxos & Paros
9 days | 12 days with Crete & Athens extension |
Savor Greece’s iconic eats and history—all perfumed by an Aegean breeze.
If you’ve heard of the islands of Mykonos and Santorini, you already know of the Cyclades. But what about Naxos and Paros? With all the dazzling whites and soothing blues of its famous siblings—and only a fraction of the traffic—they’ll rapidly become some of your favorite destinations. Begin this small group tour in Athens, the cradle of Western civilization, before zipping off to vineyard-covered Paros. Then, sail to Naxos and tour its olive mills and villages before making your way home. Or, get even more out of your time in the sun with an optional stay on historic Crete and stand in the shadows of the legendary Minoan civilization.
Your tour package includes
- 7 nights in handpicked hotels
- 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 3 dinners served with beer or wine
- 1 wine tasting, starring Paros’ two most beloved varietals
- 2 tastings of olive oils, cheeses, and other Greek favorites
- 1 hands-on cooking class, teaching you Naxos’ spin on Greece’s cuisine
- 2 sightseeing tours, leading you from gem to coastal gem
- 1 expert Tour Director, your storyteller and cultural insider
- 2 local guides, ready to bring each stop to life
- Pre-booked transportation, including 1 private deluxe motor coach and 3 ferry transfers
- Entrances to museums, landmarks, and more—so you can skip the lines
Included highlights
- Contrasting the ruins atop the Acropolis of Athens with the modern city below
- Biting into syrupy-sweet loukoumades while walking the markets of Monastiraki
- Tasting Paros’ two most popular wines at a family-run vineyard
- Tracing the production of Greece’s famous olive oil, from fruit to press, at a museum on Naxos
- Standing beneath the marble Portara and imagining the grandeur of the incomplete Temple of Apollo
- Tasting the fresh flavors of the Cretan countryside in Chania (if you add the extension!)
Itinerary

Overnight Flight
Day 1: Travel day
Board your overnight flight to Athens today.
Athens
Day 2: Arrival in Athens
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Welcome to Greece! Touch down and transfer to your hotel. Then, get to know your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.
Reviews
Showing 1-6 of 65 traveler reviews
I write this a positive review for the whole EFtour. What I love and appreciate is the non thinking I have to do. I make many decisions in my work and I like to not think about how to get here there etc. what to do eat etc. How well the plan is done including problem solving...
I traveled with a good friend and had a wonderful time on this tour. Our tour leader Alexandra was knowledgeable, helpful and a delight to spend time with. The weather in October was perfect for spending time outdoors: warm -but not hot -during the day, and cool evenings. For...
EF Go Ahead Tours
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re so glad to hear that you and your friend had a wonderful time and that Alexandra made...
8 people found this review helpful
I’m Hooked on Greece!
4 people found this review helpful
Absolutely amazing trip! I honestly can’t boast enough about how wonderful it was. Every single detail was planned out perfectly. The excursions were so much fun. They were perfect for every age group. The restaurant selections were top notch. We did not have one single bad...
EF Go Ahead Tours
Thank you for your glowing review! We are so happy to hear that your trip was such a fantastic experience from start to finish. It sounds...
2 people found this review helpful
I had a great time in Greece! It is a beautiful place to be, everything that Sandy planned for us turned out great. I loved the cooking class and the dinner and party afterwards. The restaurant that we went to to eat and do the plate breaking was kind of taken over by...
4 people found this review helpful
Great experience on both islands, I think the trip should be a little longer and have a some more free time. Alexandra was top notch!
Showing 1–6 of 65 reviews
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.


















































































