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15 Day itinerary in Greece, Europe

Jump from island to island in an unknown archipelago!

Discover the lesser- known -off the beaten track - islands of the eastern Aegean sea and savour the local cuisine and fresh fish!

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EmmanouelaKaterinaChristina

By Emmanouela, Katerina and Christina

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Easy
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Kos

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Self-driving

Visit markets

Meet local people

Hiking

Island Hopping

Snorkeling/Diving

Sun & Beach

Walking tour

Culture & History

Water & Coastline

Food & Culinary

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Explore the cosmopolitan beaches and peaceful coves of Kos.

2

Discover the authentic island of Astypalea with its unspoilt landscapes.

3

Visit the castle and the emblematic windmills of Leros.

4

Admire the architecture and sacred sites of Patmos.

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Welcome to the heart of the Dodecanese

Welcome to Greece!

You have landed in Kos, in the heart of the Dodecanese. This trip will allow you to discover three enchanting islands located at the easternmost point of the Mediterranean.

An archipelago full of contradictions where cosmopolitan beaches, offering a range of facilities and services (parasols, deckchairs, water sports), contrast with peaceful coves, where you can swim in crystal-clear waters far from the crowds.


Free time to enjoy the beaches of Kos. The impressive beaches of Kardamena, Mastichari, Tigaki, Marmari, Kefalos and Paradise will also delight you.

Day 2

place Welcome to Astypalea!

This butterfly-shaped island has a desert-like appearance, as two thirds of Astypalea are still untouched. It offers mountainous landscapes, pretty white villages, a majestic Venetian fortress and crystal-clear sea wherever you look. 

This island is recommended for curious travelers in search of authenticity and eager to escape mass tourism. Even in August, it is easy to find uncrowded beaches and isolated coves. A real luxury on the Greek islands!

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3

place Getting lost in the Chora and the Venetian fortress!

A day of relaxation 

Getting lost in the maze of alleyways is a real pleasure: small white houses with blue shutters, spiral staircases, flowering bougainvillea and breathtaking views.

The windmills lining the main square add to the charm of the place.

The taverns, cafés and restaurants are packed in summer. The town is lively until late in the evening.

 Of course, Kastro is also a must-see. This Venetian fortress dominates the city and is reputed to be the most beautiful in the Dodecanese. It is permanently open to the public.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4

place Boat trip

If you are spending a few days on holiday in Astypalea, we strongly recommend a day trip by boat to Koutsomitis and Kounoupes, two neighbouring islands.

This boat trip is a very pleasant way to spend the day: a relaxing atmosphere, deserted beaches and crystal-clear sea. Most operators offer lunch on board. You'll see, the water is incredible blue!!!

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5

place Enjoy the beaches of Astypalea

Among the most beautiful beaches of Astypalea, we recommend:

 

Agios Vasilios: not very organized, quiet and with crystal-clear waters.

 

Vatses beach: characterized by pebbles and deep waters. Most of the route is along a dirt track.

 

Kaminakia beach: This is a large beach where you will find sun loungers and two tavernas. It can be reached by a dirt track or by sea from Pera Gialos.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6

place Welcome to Leros

This island in the Dodecanese, in the eastern Aegean, is, according to legend, the place where the goddess Artemis retired.

 

Today, it offers visitors the same escape they need for their holidays. It is a dream refuge made up of beaches and well-sheltered bays, with charming traditional and neoclassical houses. 

The main port, Lakki, still amazes visitors today like a veritable open-air museum, with its wide streets lined with eucalyptus trees and remarkable Art Deco buildings of great artistic value, as they are the only examples of authentic rationalist architecture outside Italy.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7

place Discover the castle and the iconic windmills of Leros

No trip to Leros would be complete without a visit to the island's castle (also known as the Castle of the Virgin).

Perched at the top of Pityki hill, 200 meters above sea level, it was built by the Byzantines on the site of an ancient fortress.

You will enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the bays of Agia Marina and Panteli appearing between two peaks, fields and valleys.

It houses the miraculous icon of the monastery of the Virgin Mary which, according to legend, appeared rising out of the sea and is said to have healing powers.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8

place Dive in and stroll through the small fishing village of Panteli

What else is there to do in Leros? Discover its fishing villages!

The picturesque Panteli has little else to offer to charm you.

It is so beautiful and charming that you will immediately feel as if you are on the set of an 80s Greek film, in a world preserved from time, just waiting to be discovered.

 

Seaside fish taverns, boats, happy faces savoring the local cuisine and fresh fish, traditional cafés and a beach with crystal-clear waters where you can swim.

 

If you like snorkeling, don't forget your mask!

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9

place Take a boat trip to the small island of Archangelos

Visiting Archangelos, a small island just outside Partheni Bay on the north coast, is one of the locals' favorite excursions.

 

Home to a few wild goats, the island has been designated a refuge for local wildlife.

Once there, you can call the only tavern, Stigma Archangelos, and they will come to pick you up.

 

You can then explore the island and swim in the clear blue waters of the beach where you were dropped off.

If you want to have lunch, the tavern table will be reserved for you, where you can enjoy ‘saganaki’ with ouzo.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10

place Next stop: Patmos, the ‘sacred’ and cosmopolitan island.

Inspiration and revelation.

This is Patmos, famous throughout the world for the magnificent architecture of its Chora, the monastery of St John the Theologian and the Grotto of the Apocalypse.

A sophisticated, cosmopolitan but gentle island, increasingly recommended by the foreign media as one of the best destinations in the Aegean.

 

Built around the monastery of St John, which sits enthroned at the top, Chora has buildings, some of which date back to the 15th century, or even the 12th century. The narrow streets, which were deliberately built to be very narrow, not only cut the wind, but were also designed to slow down attacks from pirates and Turks.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11

place The island of the Apocalypse, the Jerusalem of the Aegean

Patmos is a point of reference for the Christian world.

 

The first thing you notice on Patmos is the monastery of Agios Ioannis the Theologian, the most important monastic complex in the Aegean, with a remarkable history and architecture. Built at the top of the mountain, probably on the site of the temple of Artemis, the monastery dominates the whole island and is reminiscent of a Byzantine palace.

 

The Cave of the Apocalypse, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is now accessible to all. It was in this cave, where the hermitage of St John the Theologian was located, that the last text of the New Testament was written.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12

place Patmos, wild beauty

Patmos has ancient paths that connect the towns to the hermitages, the sacred places and the rural areas. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a fascinating experience by walking along these paths and discovering the island's magnificent landscapes, its ancient and modern monuments, its monasteries and its natural environment. It is well worth walking along the road that leads to Afortiano, the ancient port that connects Chora to the harbour.

 

The rugged coastline, the hills that betray a volcanic past, the numerous bays against a blue background... Everything is there to seduce lovers of beautiful landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 13

place A gastronomic ‘paradise’

The island is a gastronomic destination!

"Rich" in fresh fish, from lobster to scorpion fish and from grouper to millet, you can enjoy fresh fish in a variety of ways. In the traditional taverns, you can enjoy snacks on the beach, with taramosalata, eggplant salad, bean salad and cheese with Kos wine. Grilled octopus and marinated anchovies are among the suggestions of Parisian cuisine. Local fruits and vegetables, as well as the famous Patmian cheese pies stuffed with local cheese, are among the tasty delights Patmos offers.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14

place Return to Kos

The island of Kos has welcomed many cultures over the centuries. Traces of this history and its many influences are still very much present today in the capital of Kos.

The old town of Kos, which is entirely pedestrianized, starts at Eleftherias Square and ends at Diagoras Square. It is always lively, especially from April to October, when the island is full of visitors.

Visit the municipal market of Kos, an impressive Italian building, the archaeological museum and the Defterdar mosque. Don't miss the site of the Asclepion, originally a temple dedicated to the Roman god Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and son of Apollo.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 15

place End of your stay

Free time to enjoy your last walks

You drive to the airport

Return flight

Thank you for your trust.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (14)

Transport expand_less

  • rental car-category C with CDW
  • ferries

Extras expand_less

  • Paper documents, itinerary booklet, maps, recommendations
  • Civil liability insurance
  • Taxes
  • VAT
  • Personalised itinerary and reservations

Not Included expand_less

  • Personal expenses.
  • Fuel and comprehensive car insurance
  • Complementary travel insurance
  • Anything not expressly mentioned as being included
  • Flights
  • Guided tours and entrance tickets to archaeological sites
  • Drinks, tips and main meals, unless otherwise stated.
  • Tourist tax to be paid directly to the hotel (between 0.5 and 5 euros per room per night)

About Emmanouela

TEAM LEAD

+2 Local experts

verified Baboo Certified

star_outline 5 (5 reviews)

Expertise: 

Hiking

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Yoga

Meditation

Culture & History

Nature & Wildlife

Food & Culinary

Purposeful Travel

Water & Coastline

I’m a big believer of direct contact & substantial acquaintances in small groups, creating teams & friendships that are worth holding on to after the trip is over. This is why we have a network of locals that respect their homeland and their guests.

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$2,588.00 USD