Greece Honeymoon: Where to Go & What to Do

By Anthia Vlassopoulou
Co-founder and CEO of Greece Insiders, writing about Greek travel since 2012

A Greece honeymoon is more than worth the effort to organize. Greece is just perfect for a romantic escape. Scenic islands, history, world-class hospitality and the opportunity to relax in one of the most beautiful countries in Europe! You can enjoy a golden sunset from a caldera in Santorini or spend your nights in quiet taverns in hidden villages. Everything depends on you.

In this guide we will outline the best places to visit for a Greece honeymoon. We will offer tips on how to choose the right destination and how to make the most of your time there. Lastly, we include an estimate of costs and practical information that can make all the difference.

Is Greece Worth It for a Honeymoon?

Greece is one of the top honeymoon destinations for a reason! It offers a combination of the most beautiful turquoise color waters, ancient history and romantic settings that few places have.

Variety in your honeymoon? Greece has it! From Athens and its ancient ruins, to the whitewashed houses and unique landscapes of Santorini, and then to the wonderful and peaceful beaches of Crete. All this in the span of one week to ten days, for a price that is more affordable than other top destinations.

Best Places in Greece for a Honeymoon

Greece is not a single-island honeymoon destination. With different rhythms and postcard-like locations, each region of Greece has its own unique charm. The best way for a couple to plan a trip is to pick two or three locations that fit their style of a romantic getaway, and then arrange the rest of their trip around those locations. Here’s a closer look at the top honeymoon locations in Greece.

Santorini: Best for Iconic Caldera Views

Santorini is the most famous island of Greece and for good reason. It is the perfect destination for a honeymoon in Greece. The whitewashed villages cling on top of volcanic cliffs above the blue Aegean sea. Oia on the west side of the island is famous for its breathtaking views of the sunset in the caldera. Cave hotels with private pools are a very indulgent and fun way to spend a few days on the island, alongside the quieter villages and wineries away from the crowds. Couples will love it. However, prices are higher and it can get very crowded during summer months.

Mykonos: Best for Nightlife and Beach Clubs

Mykonos is ideal for couples keen to experience the energy of a glamorous holiday destination. They can enjoy beautiful beaches and be stylish during the day, and then browse boutiques in Mykonos Town. A day trip to the ancient ruins of Delos is also recommended. An unforgettable nightlife rounds off an idyllic day. Mykonos combines relaxation and a lively, social atmosphere with top class, luxury accommodation. The price tag would be similar to Santorini.

Crete: Best for Food, Adventure and Longer Stays

For couples with more time on their hands, Crete offers more than just a holiday. It’s the largest of Greece’s islands, with stunning pink-sand beaches, deep gorges, and a fantastic food scene consisting of tons of family-run tavernas instead of big resort restaurants. Explore Samaria Gorge, go wine tasting at a few of the island’s small vineyards. There’s tons to see and do. And because it’s not as popular with honeymooners as places like Santorini and Mykonos, it’s a lot more affordable.

Milos & Paros: Best for Couples Who Want Privacy

Milos and Paros are not as well-known as Santorini but they are beautiful and deserve more attention. The coastlines of Milos are moonlike, lined with secluded coves. The island of Paros is more authentic and Cycladic. The villages are made entirely of white stone and feel real, not just another tourist attraction. The island of Paros is therefore ideal for honeymooners who are looking for the true Cyclades without the crowds of tourists.

Athens: Best for History and City Romance

Athens is not just a stopover on your trip, it deserves to be a stop in itself. Take a stroll up to the Acropolis together to watch the sunset, explore the narrow streets of the Plaka, and have a romantic dinner on a rooftop with the Parthenon all lit up in front of you. As the central point for flights and ferries, most itineraries include a stop in Athens anyway.

How to Choose Your Greece Honeymoon Destination Based on Your Travel Style

There are many choices depending on how you want to spend your days. If you are looking for nightlife and energy then Mykonos is ideal. Santorini is good for the classic caldera-view romantic break. If you are looking for a relaxing getaway with good food then Crete is the best choice. Milos and Paros are perfect for honeymooners looking for privacy rather than polish.

Most couples don’t want to limit themselves to just one island for their honeymoon. They’d rather combine a lively island with a quieter alternative, or a beach destination with the cultural hub of Athens. If a mix like this sounds like your kind of trip, explore our Greece vacation packages or request one built around the islands and pace you want

Sample Greece Honeymoon Itineraries

When traveling to Greece, the amount of time you spend in the country can greatly affect your trip. In trying to fit in as many islands as possible, you are likely to end up feeling frustrated due to the many ferry transfers and check-in days in between. To see the sites and relax, we recommend the following three different itineraries of varying lengths of stay in Greece. Each features a realistic number of destinations to visit.

7-Day Itinerary for a Quick Escape

A week is the perfect amount of time to experience Greece without any pressure to see everything. We recommend two nights in Athens to see the Acropolis and experience traditional Athens dinners in the old town. Then, four to five nights on the idyllic islands of Santorini and Mykonos. Alternatively, you can spend the week exploring Santorini or Mykonos at a more leisurely pace.

To maximize your time on the islands, we recommend flying between them, rather than relying on ferries. This amount of time is ideal for a couple with limited days of vacation, but who still want to experience a true island in Greece.

10-Day Itinerary for Island Hopping

The ten days version allows for a trip that includes three destinations instead of two. Typically, one or two nights in Athens, then four nights in Santorini and then three or four nights in Mykonos or Crete. In this version of the trip, each of the islands is given enough time for a couple to get a true feel for the locale and its culture. In other words, this is great for a couple that wants variety in their travels and is looking for a hassle-free and easy-to-plan trip.

14-Day Itinerary for the Full Experience

A two-week honeymoon is what most people think of when talking about island hopping in Greece. This well-paced trip starts in Athens and then continues through the different islands of the Cyclades. The last part of the trip is spent in Crete, where you can spend the final days of your honeymoon at a more relaxed pace. With two weeks of time, the ferry between the islands is practical again. This way, you can add an extra day or two to the places you prefer the most.

How Much Does a Greece Honeymoon Cost?

Greece is an affordable destination for a honeymoon. A budget-conscious honeymoon can start from around $1,500 – $2,500 per person for a 7-10 night trip. However, a luxurious island hopping itinerary can cost up to $4,000+ per person. The costs can vary greatly depending on which islands you choose to visit, how early you book your flights and whether you travel during the peak summer months or during the shoulder season.

Santorini and Mykonos are at the higher end of the cost spectrum for a honeymoon in Greece, whereas Crete, Paros and Milos will offer more bang for your buck without sacrificing any romance. Below is a rough breakdown for a 7-10 night itinerary for two people.

Greece Luxury Honeymoon Ideas

If you are looking for more than just a great hotel room for your Greece luxury honeymoon, then there are lots of ways to elevate your trip. For example, you could rent a private villa with an infinity pool in Santorini or Mykonos. The privacy of your own villa far exceeds that of the best hotel suite. Many villas come with a host or chef to look after you need.

History lovers might opt for a private after hours visit to the Acropolis or Knossos, for example. That way they can visit these famous sites without the usual throngs of tourists. Some people even have a vow renewal ceremony at a picturesque clifftop or ancient site, organized by a local planner.

Fine dining in Greece is a small but growing market and includes some excellent restaurants in Athens and Mykonos. These restaurants serve tasting menus using local produce and excellent seafood. For a really special honeymoon these restaurants are worth a detour from a generally mid-range priced holiday.

Best Time for a Greece Honeymoon

Many travel articles simply suggest late spring through early fall. But, of course, the best month for a Greece vacation is the month that best suits your goals: warm weather for swimming, fewer tourists, or lower prices for your Greece trip.

September is a great month for honeymoons in Greece. The sea is still warm from the summer months and there are fewer people on the islands. Also, prices have dropped from their peak summer rates. For those who have included Athens and the island of Crete in their travels, late April and early May would be a great time to visit as the weather is comfortable for walking. Not so much for swimming though.

Practical Tips Real Couples Wish They Knew

A few details rarely make it into standard honeymoon guides, but they make a real difference once you’re there.

• Ferry crossings can get rough. The Aegean is calm most of the summer, but afternoon winds (locally called the meltemi) can make certain routes bumpy in July and August. If either of you gets seasick, book morning ferries or opt for flights between islands instead.
• Pack for church visits. Monasteries and some churches require covered shoulders and knees, even in peak summer heat. A light scarf or cover-up saves you from being turned away at the door.
• Ask hotels directly about honeymoon perks. Many boutique hotels and villas offer complimentary upgrades, champagne, or late checkout for honeymooners, but only if you mention it when booking, not just at check-in.
• The most photographed spots get crowded fast. Oia’s sunset viewpoints and Mykonos’s windmills are packed by late afternoon in summer. Arriving an hour early, or choosing a quieter viewpoint nearby, gets you a similar view with far fewer people in the frame.
• Cash still matters in smaller villages. Card acceptance has improved across Greece, but smaller tavernas and shops on less touristy islands like Milos or Paros sometimes prefer cash.
• Book popular restaurants ahead, even in the off-season. Well-reviewed tavernas and fine-dining spots in Santorini and Mykonos fill up days in advance during peak months.

Romantic Places Beyond the Famous Islands

Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes and Corfu are the classic honeymoon islands, but some of the most romantic corners of Greece are quieter. Folegandros gives you cliffside villages and slow evenings, Milos has castaway beaches you reach by boat, and Naxos, Paros, Skopelos and Symi each have their own gentle charm. On the mainland, consider the Byzantine town of Monemvasia on its rock above the sea, the monasteries of Meteora on their stone pillars, or the stone villages of Zagori in the mountains of Epirus.

Start Planning Your Greece Honeymoon

Greece honeymoons reward couples who plan with little intention. Instead of choosing 5 islands to visit instead opt for 2 and visit Greece in September instead of August. With the above destinations, itineraries and costs, you will have a realistic starting point to create the perfect trip, based on your preferences and on how you want to spend your time together.

If you’re ready to turn this into an actual itinerary, Greece Insiders can help you build a day-by-day plan tailored to your islands, budget, and travel style, so you’re not stuck piecing it together from a dozen different sources.