The 15 Best Shore Excursions in Greece

1.Mykonos Shore Excursion with Pickup from Cruise Ship Terminal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 766 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $83Our pick

This four-hour English-language shore excursion takes you from the cruise terminal to Armenistis Lighthouse, Kalafati Beach, Ano Mera, the windmills, Little Venice, and Panagia Paraportiani. Guides such as Christina, Dora, and Andrea bring local stories and humor, while the tour ends at Mykonos Town’s waterfront.

“This was a great tour. Very easy pick up at the cruise terminal. Andrea was a fun guide and we felt like we got a good view of the island.”

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2.Paleokastritsa Beach and Old Town Bus Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 704 reviews · 5 hours · from $44

Spend two hours at scenic Paleokastritsa Beach, with time for swimming, the Virgin Mary Monastery, or an optional €15 boat trip. Then hear Corfu’s story on the drive to Old Town, where you have 1.5 hours to shop, eat, and explore before a cruise-port return.

“We loved having so much free time at each place. Thank you”

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3.Athens Shore Excursion: Athens and Piraeus Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 617 reviews · 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.) · from $26

Use a 24 or 48-hour mobile voucher on open-top buses linking Syntagma Square, the Acropolis, Piraeus, and the Athens Riviera. Choose up to three routes, listen to commentary in 13 languages, and hop off near museums, ruins, beaches, and cruise terminals. The Piraeus and Riviera routes operate April through October.

“Great way to see Athens and spend time where you want. Picked us up at cruise port and took us back. Easy, staff is very friendly and helpful!”

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4.The Best Santorini Small-Group Shore Excursion for Cruise Ships

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 344 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $83

See Santorini’s blue domes, Caldera views, whitewashed Oia, quiet Megalochori, and black-sand Perivolos Beach with a local English-speaking guide. Groups are limited to 19, transport is air-conditioned, and the route is planned around your ship’s return time.

“Really nice tour of Santorini. We had a great experience with our guide who was extremely accommodating and friendly. I would recommend this tour for anyone who wants to get a really nice taste for the island.”

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5.Athens Private Transfer: Piraeus Cruise Port to Central Athens

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 249 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Meet an English-speaking driver at Piraeus Cruise Port, identified by a name sign, then ride in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to your central Athens hotel, apartment, or Airbnb. Drivers such as Chris and Alex have helped with luggage and shared useful city tips, though port timing requires careful coordination.

“Wonderful information by a great guide. Knew exactly what we should see. Highly recommend and the private tour was worth the value.”

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6.Ancient Olympia Half-Day Tour from Katakolo Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 228 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $14Best value

Meet GREKALAND TRAVEL staff near Katakolo Cruise Port, ride about an hour to Olympia, and explore independently for three hours. Guides such as George and Chrysi may provide helpful commentary and lead you to the ticket office, but no licensed guide joins you inside the monuments.

“Very reliable transportation. On time departure and comfortable seating. We knew in advance there was no tour guide. No problems!”

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7.Essential Athens Full Day Private Tour – Best Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $229Top rated

Spend 8 to 9 hours seeing Athens with a private English-speaking driver, from the Acropolis and Ancient Agora to Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Lycabettus Hill. Pickup is available at central Athens hotels, residences, and Piraeus port. Site tickets and an optional licensed guide cost extra.

“Makis is great (A+). He explained the history of Athens, the acropolis, the culture and the food. We are very happy with the tour. He timed the stops perfectly and we made it back to our cruise on time. I highly recommend this tour with Makis.”

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8.Athens Private Transfer: Central Athens to Piraeus Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 163 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Book a private, one-way ride from a central Athens hotel, apartment, or Airbnb to Piraeus cruise port. An English-speaking driver collects your group, handles luggage, and drops you near the correct terminal in about 30 minutes. Vehicles range from taxis to larger vans for groups of up to 12.

“The driver was on time, helpful and friendly. He made the trip to the port very easy. The car was clean and comfortable”

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9.Panoramic Island Highlights Van Tour from Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 140 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $57

From Corfu Cruise Port, you ride in an air-conditioned minivan to Paleokastritsa, its monastery and beach, then stop at a kumquat shop, Kanoni, and Old Town. Expect free time rather than a full guided tour, with drivers such as Christos or Kostas providing transport and local pointers.

“The beach and city were fun to see. The bus was nice and comfortable. More talking points about Corfu throughout tour would have been nice. We mainly had conversations with other guests due to guide not explaining much. We also were rushed at end and didn’t get to see much of the city due to cave tour taking so long to start.”

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10.The Best Mykonos Small-Group Shore Excursion for Cruise Ships

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 112 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $83

Spend about four hours seeing Mykonos beyond the cruise port. A local driver-guide takes you to Armenistis Lighthouse, Ano Mera, and Kalafati Beach, then a professional guide leads a walking tour through Mykonos Town, the windmills, Little Venice, and Panagia Paraportiani. Max 18 people.

“With the walking tour, if you are traveling with someone who has feet or knee issues you may want to consider stopping about 1/4 way on the walk, have a cup of coffee and enjoy the view. You can then pick back up with them on their return.”

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11.Skip Gondola Shore Excursion: No Cable Car, Water Taxi Provided!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $54

Cover Santorini’s major sights in about six hours with an English-speaking guide such as George, Nicolas, Alex, or Lisandros. The route links Fira, Oia, Pyrgos, Megalochori, Perivolos Beach, and Red Beach, with air-conditioned transport, bottled water, WiFi, and water service to and from the old port.

“It was a little confusion regarding the tour and where we were going but our guide Giannis was great and figured it out! We stopped at some beautiful places and took lots of photos and he made sure he captured the moments for us. He got us where we needed to be, was very knowledgeable and gave us a bit of history regarding Santorini. Overall he was a great guide/driver and would recommend!”

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12.Argostoli: Shore Excursion to Caves with Local Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 82 reviews · from $43

Visit two remarkable Kefalonia caves, ride a small boat across Melissani Lake, stop at Myrtos Beach viewpoint, and spend 105 minutes tasting local wine by the sea. Guides such as Maria add island stories, while pickup is available from Argostoli Port and selected hotels.

“OMG! What a lovely day and what a brilliant host Mary. One of the highlights of our 52 day holiday. Kefalonia is magic!”

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13.Best Rhodes Tour with Wine Tasting Experience from Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 78 reviews · from $65

Travel from the cruise port or hotel to Lindos, Kalathos, a local winery, and Rhodes Old Town with an English-speaking guide such as Diana or Georgos. You’ll have free time in Lindos and the medieval city, plus tastings of wine, olive oil, and honey. The Acropolis of Lindos costs €20 extra.

“Overall, this was a fine tour however I do feel the description was a little misleading. Our tour guide was wonderful so nothing on that and the bus was nice and ac’d. The issue was the “Greek lunch” supplied with the trip. We were not expecting anything fancy here but we did Read more”

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14.Santorini 8-Hour Private Tour with Hotel & Cruise Port Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $392

Travel across Santorini with a private English-speaking driver, stopping in Oia, Firostefani, Prophet Elias, Perissa, Red Beach, the lighthouse, and Fira. You’ll taste four wines at Estate Argyros and have time for swimming, lunch, photos, and village walks.

“We had 12 travelers & they were able to accommodate our group in a very nice van. They were also able to shift to an alternative port pick up at the last minute when there was a power outage at the main port with the funicular. Our guide was able to show us the whole island, avoid the crowds & do a wine tasting all in 6 hrs. Fabulous day! Definitely recommend doing a private tour with them on Santorini. Very worth the price! Slight hiccup at the end of the day with a super long line for the funicular due to the earlier power outage & 5 cruise ships…”

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15.Corfu Cruise Port: City Highlights tour & Old Town visit

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 62 reviews · 4 hours · from $41

You’ll tour Corfu by air-conditioned bus with an English-speaking guide and six-language audio options, stopping at Kanoni, Mouse Island, Mon Repos, Garitsa Bay, and Corfu Old Town. Allow time for St. Spyridon Church, Liston cafés, shopping, and Corfiot food.

“Provider canceled tour. We didn't go, they sent email canceling. So I need a refund please.”

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