Red seaside cliffs form an arch over the turquoise ocean in Koufonissia, Greece.
A traditional white-walled chapel seen from the exterior on a blue-sky sunny day
A Greek temple seen from an aerial drone view with ocean and mountains in the background
closeup of artichokes with a slide of lemon
A view of Patmos and its medieval town of Chora behind more modern white buildings and green trees.
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Europe Mediterranean Cruise

Unexplored Greek Islands Cruise

This off the beaten path Greece cruise explores the most authentic Cycladic and Dodecanese islands. Discover unknown gems with rich history, incomparable light, translucent water, fjords, caves and heavenly beaches. Ten island destinations are on this unique Unexplored Greek Islands itinerary that aims to offer a more nourishing side of the country and a taste of true Greek culture. These are places where people take pride in offering hospitality—in line with the ancient custom of filoxenia, love of strangers—and where things are done with meraki, love and soul.

Visit the fountain of youth of Ikaria, Patmos (the “Jerusalem of the Aegean”), Kalymnos with its 1,300 hiking routes and islands so small they have a population of four. Passage is aboard the 49-guest Panorama, a Greece-flagged yacht staffed with local expert guides who are eager to share their beloved country with you. And while you’ll visit a Greece off the beaten path, embarkation and disembarkation are conveniently located in Athens, Greece, for ease of travel logistics.

Included are swim & paddle stops, visits with locals, plus plenty of time at port to dine out and explore at leisure. Optional activities and sightseeing tours may be added on to this Unexplored Greek Islands Cruise at an additional price, or simply enjoy time in port on your own. Call the experts at AdventureSmith Explorations for recommendations on which activities may best suit your travel interests and to book your trip to these less visited Greek Islands with ease and our expertise.

Whether Greece has always been on the top of your bucket list or whether you are returning for yet another visit, the Unexplored Greek Islands cruise will show you a magical land with endless beauty, so be prepared to experience it all with new eyes.

Read on for details about this Greece off the beaten path cruise, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Greek Island small ship cruisesMediterranean small ship cruises and Mediterranean trips.



Itinerary

Unexplored Greece: Aegean Islands Itinerary

Sail Greece off the beaten path on this 8-day cruise that begins and ends in Athens. Visit the fountain of youth of Ikaria, Patmos (the “Jerusalem of the Aegean”), Kalymnos with its 1,300 hiking routes and islands so small they have a population of four.

Map showing the stops of the Unexplored Greek Islands Cruise roundtrip from Athens.
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Day 1
FRI - Embark Athens, Greece, to Cape Sounion

Embark at Marina Zeas, Piraeus, in Athens between 2:00 and 3:00pm, and set sail for the most authentic and less visited Greek Islands! Your first stop is the nearby Cape Sounion for sunset cocktails and a welcome dinner al fresco under the ancient Greek temple of Poseidon. Overnight at sea on your way to the island of Ikaria.

Accommodations

Panorama

Meals

dinner

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Day 2
SAT - Ikaria

In the morning, stop for a refreshing swim at the Seychelles beach of Ikaria Island, best accessible by yacht. Enjoy the translucent blue waters and bright white pebbles covering the sea bottom. Enjoy a BBQ lunch on board while the ship docks in Ikaria’s quaint port.

Ikaria is an island-phenomenon unlike anywhere else in Greece or the world. People here live much longer than the population on other islands and on the mainland. In fact, people here live on average 10 years longer than those in the rest of Europe and America. Join an included tour discovering authentic villages that march to a different drummer. Enjoy a hike in wild landscapes followed by a dip in one of the eight natural thermal springs. Or join a cooking class in a family’s country home, kitchen and garden in an ancient village for a personalized experience cooking and learning about life and the secret to the inhabitants’ famed longevity in Ikaria, the Blue Zone Greek Island. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure, or at one of the village traditional fairs.

Accommodations

Panorama

Meals

breakfast, lunch

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Day 3
SUN - Patmos & Lipsi

Sail early to arrive in Patmos, an island revelation with a touch of the divine. Surrender yourself to the mysticism and tranquility of the island of the Apocalypse. Morning discovery of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Grotto and Monastery of St. John and the historic center of the medieval town of Chora, filled with grandeur and serenity. Patmos has been frequented by intellectuals, artists, royalty and discerning visitors from all over the world. Small and secluded yet spectacular all the same, it is the “Jerusalem of the Aegean.”

The afternoon’s sailing is to Lipsi Island, a time capsule of authenticity in the Dodecanese. Enjoy lunch al fresco and a swim stop among a glittering necklace of 24 islets, protected by the Natura 2000 network, making an ideal refuge for the shy Mediterranean monk seal. Your evening is at leisure to enjoy the setting of the local harbor at sunset, and perhaps a seaside dinner with home-cooked traditional recipes made of local produce. Overnight in Lipsi.

Accommodations

Panorama

Meals

breakfast, lunch

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Day 4
MON - Kalymnos

Stop for a morning swim on the way to Kalymnos, a hidden gem island for those who crave simplicity and authenticity. Home of the famous sponge divers, this island in the Dodecanese is ideal for modern-day adventurers with 1,300 hiking routes to be explored. Join an optional tour to engage with the locals harvesting sponges and producing about 30,000 sponges annually. Witness the numerous species of sponge and the various stages they go through before reaching the market. Your afternoon is at leisure to enjoy a hike or marvel at the Esperidon Fjord, perhaps the most beautiful fjord in Greece. Overnight in Kalymnos’ quaint port.

Accommodations

Panorama

Meals

breakfast, lunch

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Day 5
TUE - Levitha & Amorgos

Today the ship sails towards the white and blue Cyclades. Enjoy a stop at Levitha Island, inhabited by a family of four, raising animals. In the summer the family also runs a small but spotless restaurant for the visiting yachts. They grill to perfection fresh fish and meat. Enjoy a hike on one of the island’s goat paths. On top of the island there is an abandoned World War II Italian outpost.

Midday, sail to Amorgos, the island of Luc Besson’s “Big Blue.” Mellowed with traditions, firewater and laid-back villages, Amorgos is like stepping back in time. Enjoy an afternoon with locals learning how to make the island’s famous “Psimeni Raki,” a local homemade liquor with the flavor of honey and clove made since ancient times on Amorgos. Your evening is spent at leisure to enjoy the breathtaking medieval capital, situated roughly 1,300 feet above sea level. Overnight in Amorgo’s quaint port of Katapola.

Accommodations

Panorama

Meals

breakfast, lunch

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Day 6
WED - Amorgos, Koufonissia & Iraklia

An early morning optional excursion takes you to the impressive monastery of Chozoviotissa, built in 1088, inside the rocky cliffs of the mountain. Visit monks’ cells, which are open to visitors and contain important heirlooms and artifacts, and drink a glass of Psimeni Raki and a local sweet while enjoying magnificent views of the Aegean.

Return on board for a short sail to the Small Cyclades. Enjoy a swim in Koufonissia and take out the ship’s kayaks and paddleboards to explore sea caves only accessible by yachts. Your yacht then takes an afternoon scenic cruise around the nearby island of Schinoussa before reaching Iraklia, a tiny hidden island gem in the middle of the Aegean. Part of the Natura 2000 network of natural habitats, it enchants with the superb views offered by its mountainous footpaths and the variety of its coastline. There is no supermarket on the island, and deliveries come by ferry from the nearby island of Naxos. Your evening is at leisure to enjoy the true laid-back Greek island life. Overnight in port.

Accommodations

Panorama

Meals

breakfast, lunch

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Day 7
THU - Serifos

In the morning reach Serifos, a quintessentially Cycladic island of brilliant light, clear water and steadfast traditions. Enjoy a swim in one the island’s remote beaches accessible best by small ship. Barbecue lunch on board, followed by an afternoon stroll to explore the island’s picture-perfect “Hora” castle-village. Join an optional tour to a local winery offering unobstructed views to the Aegean, or get creative in the island’s ceramic studio where you can master the basics of pottery, and bring as gifts back home. A final farewell dinner will have you reminiscing about all the hidden gems of Greece with your fellow passengers. Midnight sailing back to Athens.

 

Accommodations

Panorama

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 8
FRI - Disembark Marina Zeas, Athens, Greece

After breakfast, disembark at 9:00am at Marina Zea, Piraeus, Athens, Greece, and transfer to the airport for flights home or continue your journey in Athens.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Accommodations in double or twin cabins with private bathroom and air conditioning; select shore excursions (Amorgos half-day walking tour & Patmos half-day tour); 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 2 dinners: buffet breakfast and 1-2 additional meals daily, including welcome sail-away reception, local themed evening, fun BBQ lunch (weather permitting) and captain’s dinner; regular filter coffee, tea and drinking water free all day; complimentary wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner on board; local delicacies/treats on board; use of fishing and snorkeling (mask, fin, snorkel) equipment, kayaks, water toys & stand-up paddleboards (subject to availability); English-speaking cruise escort.

Exclusions

Airfare; port charges ($385 per person in 2025); beverages (except those mentioned above); crew tips; personal expenses such as laundry, boutique items, etc.; insurance of any kind; medical expenses; shore excursions (except those mentioned above); use of onboard Wi-Fi (available at a charge); expenditures incurred ashore; and anything not mentioned in cruise program. All onboard charges are in Euros.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 120 days – € 120 (Euro) / US $140 cancellation fee (may be applied to future trip by trip operator)
119 to 90 days – 15% of total trip cost
89 to 60 days – 25% of total trip cost
59 to 30 days – 50% of total trip cost
29 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Unexplored Greek Islands cruise begins and ends in Athens, Greece (ATH). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Athens by 10:00am on Day 1 of the itinerary. Plan flights to depart Athens no earlier than 1:00pm on Day 8. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit ourBooking Flights resource page.

Activities

Activities aboard include swimming, fishing and snorkeling from the vessel, and may include kayaking. Shore excursions are not included in this cruise’s listed rates (except where noted in Inclusions). This helps keep the cruise fare low while providing flexibility for guests to choose the tours they wish or to explore independently. Shore excursions are available per the cruise schedule and ports of call visited. Contact an AdventureSmith Specialist for the most up-to-date information regarding shore excursions prior to departure. Details are also available upon embarkation in your cabin and are reviewed daily by the onboard Cruise Coordinator. We find that most guests prefer to wait until they are on board to purchase shore excursions to take advantage of local conditions. Shore excursions are subject to shore and weather conditions and based on a minimum participation.

Room Configuration

Panorama: Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so upon availability at a 50% supplement of the per-person listed rate in Category C & B or 75% in Category A. Third person rates are available at 30% reduction of the double occupancy rate for Category B aboard Panorama.

Families & Children

Families with children 5-17 years old are eligible for the following special offers on select departures, upon request and on first-come, first-served basis. For a single parent with 1 or 2 children in the same cabin, the parent pays the Single cruise fare and children cruise for free. For a couple with 1 child sharing the same cabin, a child 5-10 years old is free and a child 11-17 years old receives a 50% fare reduction. For a couple with 2 or 3 children, both cabins will be charged at the Single cruise fare. Port charges are not discounted and apply for all passengers, but optional excursions for children are offered at a 25% reduction.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. For best value and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, consider purchasing a policy at time of booking. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; swim stops and barbeques are weather permitting. Itineraries can be changed at the discretion of the cruise operator and of the vessel’s captain in case of adverse weather conditions (winds of 6/7 beaufort or more depending on the vessel), on port authorities not allowing a vessel to leave port or in case of other extraordinary conditions. Such itinerary changes do not entitle passengers to any refunds, but the cruise operator guarantees that passengers are disembarked at the advertised port of disembarkation on time for their flights.

Mediterranean Cruise Ships

The vessel listed in Cruise Rates & Dates is the primary small ship operating the selected departure of this Greece off the beaten path cruise; however, the operator reserves the right to substitute another comparable vessel in certain instances.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

May 16 - May 23, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3590USD
Per Person
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May 23 - May 30, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3590USD
Per Person
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May 30 - Jun 06, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3590USD
Per Person
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Jun 06 - Jun 13, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3590USD
Per Person
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Jun 13 - Jun 20, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3590USD
Per Person
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Jun 20 - Jun 27, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3590USD
Per Person
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Jul 04 - Jul 11, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3590USD
Per Person
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Jul 11 - Jul 18, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3590USD
Per Person
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Jul 25 - Aug 01, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3590USD
Per Person
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Aug 29 - Sep 05, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3590USD
Per Person
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Accommodation

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Mid-Sized Cruiser
Panorama

Discover a three-masted motorsailer that can accommodate up to 49 passengers in 24 cabins. This cruiser has performed several Atlantic Ocean crossings and has sailed from the Seychelles to Monte Carlo and from the Black Sea to Tunis.

Deal

Current Deals on This Trip

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