Island Hopping: Naxos & Santorini Self Guided Walking Tour

Island Hopping: Naxos & Santorini

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.4 Read 16 reviews

The amazing views from the high cliffs of Santorini’s caldera
Walking to the summit of Mount Zas
Wandering through scented olive groves which date back 1000 years or more
Enjoying a chilled glass of local wine as the sea turns from blue to gold
Exploring Fira, the iconic whitewashed town perched high on the cliffs of Santorini

Island hop between two of the most beautiful Greek Islands, Naxos and Santorini and discover the best of these island paradises on foot. After arriving in Santorini, catch the ferry to Naxos, where the walking is sublime. Wander through ancient olive groves, along cobbled paths, past a venetian fortress, and climb the mythical Mount Zas. Tearing yourself away from Naxos a two hour ferry journey brings you to beautiful Santorini. This sun kissed island conjures up images of whitewashed villages clinging to the cliff top, blue roofed churches in improbably beautiful settings and amazing sun sets. Enjoy a last couple of wonderful days of relaxed island walking before heading home.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

Walk, relax, eat and enjoy yourself as you explore two of the most captivating of the Greek Islands. The walking is flexible and can be tailored to your fitness and experience.

Tour Type:

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Islands

Activity Level & Terrain

This walking holiday is graded moderate overall. Daily walks range between 2 and 7 hours but average 3-5 hours. Most days have an option of an easier or tougher walk. The walk to the summit of Mount Zas would be graded more as moderate-strenuous. The walk on Santorini from Perissa to Akrotiri does have a couple of quite exposed sections and therefore would not be suitable for vertigo sufferers. However it is possible to skip the first section of this day to avoid the worst parts. The walks follow a mixture of gravel roads, footpaths and minor roads. A few ascents and descents are steep.

Navigation

The walks are mostly waymarked but we provide detailed route notes and maps so you will have no problem following the route.

Accommodations

Spend 4 nights in a 3* hotel in Naxos and 3 nights in a 4* hotel with garden views in Santorini. During high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodation if our standard accommodation is fully booked. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described in the itinerary.

Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.

Meals

A delicious breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included but available at your hotel or nearby restaurants.

Included

4 Nights in a 3* hotel in Naxos and 3 Nights in a 4* hotel in Santorini in garden-view rooms
7 Breakfasts
Transfers from Santorini Airport to the port and from Naxos port to the first nights accommodation on Day 1
A transfer from the last nights accommodation to Santorini Airport on Day 8
Taxi transfers Akrotiri-Perissa and Oia-Akrotiri on Santorini
Santorini-Naxos-Santorini ferry tickets in tourist class
24-hour telephone assistance from our local representative
Detailed pre departure information pack, route description and maps

Excluded

Flights to/from Santorini
Dinners
Lunches
Travel Insurance
Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
Any items not specifically mentioned in the program

Extras

Additional nights during the holiday and extensions.
Upgrade to sea view rooms

When To Go

This walk is available to start any day of the week between April and October. April to June and September and October are the best time for walking as July and August are very hot. Please note that at the very beginning and end of the season (early April and end of October) any swimming pools at accommodations may be closed and restaurant offerings may be more limited during this time.

Getting to the Start

Direct flights to Santorini Airport from the UK are available from easyJet, flythomascook, Thomson Flights and Meridian Flights. Direct flights from other European destinations are also available. Once you arrive a private transfer will take you to the port of Santorini to catch your onward ferry to Naxos. It takes approximately two hours and upon arrival in Naxos you will be transferred from the port to the accommodation by a taxi or a minibus (owned by the accommodation).

Getting from the End

Upon departure a transfer is included from your last night’s accommodation to Santorini Aiport for your onward journeys. It is also possible to travel by ferry between Athens and Naxos or there are some flights with Olympic Airlines from Athens to Naxos too. If you wish to travel this way please let us know so that we can co-ordinate your transfers accordingly. As transfers at the beginning and the end of the tour are included please provide us withy your flight arrival and departure information as soon as possible.

General Information

Transfers: Most transfers are included in your trip including; roundtrip transfers on Naxos and Santorini, taxi transfer Akrotiri-Perissa and Oia-Akrotiri on Santorini and Santorini-Naxos-Santorini ferry tickets in tourist class. The bus and taxi transfers to and from the start/end of the walks not mentioned in the inclusions are not included and need to be paid locally.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How fit do I need to be?

How far in advance do I need to book?

What equipment do I need?

When is the best time of year?

What happens if I can’t walk a stage?