8 days in Greece & Cesme Itinerary

Crete's largest city, Heraklion remains best known for its proximity to a sprawling Bronze Age archaeological site, once the center of a vanished Minoan civilization.

On the 6th (Tue), get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Cretaquarium - Thalassocosmos and then see the interesting displays at Kazantzakis Museum. Keep things going the next day: delve into the distant past at The Palace of Knossos, then learn more about the world around you at The Natural History Museum of Crete, and then take an in-depth tour of Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

To see photos, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Heraklion holiday maker app.

Madrid, Spain to Heraklion is an approximately 7.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train and bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Madrid to Heraklion is 1 hour. When traveling from Madrid in July, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Heraklion: temperatures range from 34°C by day to 26°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can ride a ferry to Fira.

Fira, the busy capital of Santorini, sits on the very edge of a volcanic caldera.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Thu): kick back and relax at Red Beach, then delve into the distant past at Akrotiri, then do a tasting at Boutari Winery, and finally get a dose of the wild on Santorini Sailing.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, go to the Fira trip planner.

You can ride a ferry from Heraklion to Fira in 2.5 hours. July in Fira sees daily highs of 35°C and lows of 27°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Thu) early enough to ride a ferry to Mykonos Town.

A holiday in Mykonos Town offers a chance to relax on picturesque beaches and explore a labyrinth of charming streets lined with traditional white houses.

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Fri): discover the deep blue sea with GoDive Mykonos PADI Diving Resort, then don't miss a visit to The Windmills (Kato Milli), and then take a stroll through Little Venice.

To see photos, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Mykonos Town travel itinerary planner.

Ride a ferry from Fira to Mykonos Town in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly. In July, daily temperatures in Mykonos Town can reach 33°C, while at night they dip to 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Fri) so you can travel to Athens.

One of the world's most ancient cities, Athens remains Europe's undisputed historical and cultural capital.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Sat): admire the masterpieces at National Archaeological Museum, then take a stroll through Plaka, and then explore the world behind art at Benaki Museum. On the 11th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the ancient world of Acropolis of Athens, then appreciate the history behind Erechtheion, then appreciate the history behind Temple of Olympian Zeus, and finally take an in-depth tour of Acropolis Museum.

To see ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Athens vacation planner.

Traveling by flight from Mykonos Town to Athens takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and taxi. When traveling from Mykonos Town in July, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Athens: temperatures range from 38°C by day to 28°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sun) to allow time to travel to Cesme.

The ancient coastal town of Cesme has managed to preserve its natural beauty, even after many years as one of the most popular beach resorts in Turkey's Aegean Region.

Kick off your visit on the 12th (Mon): identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, then find something for the whole family at Aqua Toy City, and then learn about winemaking at Gemici Winery.

For ratings, maps, reviews, and tourist information, read our Cesme trip builder tool.

You can do a combination of flight, taxi, and ferry from Athens to Cesme in 4.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive. In July in Cesme, expect temperatures between 36°C during the day and 26°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 13th (Tue) to allow time for travel back home.