Greek Island Hopping | Gap Year 18-22 | 2026
- Overview
- Itinerary
- What's Included
- FAQ
- Dates
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with the "Greek Island Hopping | Gap Year 18-22 | 2026" tour, exploring the enchanting beauty of Greece's iconic islands. Begin your journey in Athens, where vibrant streets and local cuisine set the stage for an epic holiday. Sail to Mykonos for stunning beaches and lively nightlife, then discover the traditional charm of Paros with its scenic coves and villages. Experience the breathtaking views of Santorini, famous for its blue-domed churches and black sand beaches, before unwinding in the laid-back atmosphere of Ios. Enjoy seamless ferry transfers and comfortable accommodations, ensuring a smooth and relaxing trip. With opportunities for guided tours, local culinary delights, and vibrant nightlife, this tour promises an exhilarating blend of culture, relaxation, and adventure.
Highlights
- Explore the vibrant streets of Athens and enjoy the local cuisine.
- Experience the stunning beaches and nightlife of Mykonos.
- Discover the charming traditional villages and scenic coves of Paros.
- Visit the iconic blue-domed churches and black sand beaches of Santorini.
- Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and beautiful landscapes of Ios.
- Take a guided walking tour of Mykonos by night.
- Swim at Perissa Beach and taste local specialties in Santorini.
- Explore the fishing village of Naoussa in Paros.
Mode of Transport
Accommodation
Optional Activities
Wi-Fi on Ferries
Room Sharing Preferences
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
- Athens: What kind of seat will I have on the ferry? You’ll find a standard seat reserved for you while you’re sailing between the mainland and islands. (Mhm, travelling just like the locals!)
- Athens: Will the ferries have Wi-Fi? Looking to disconnect from the world (and connect with your new travel pals)? Ferries are the place to be. The Wi-Fi and phone signal when sailing between islands (understandably) tends to be weak. That’s why we always recommend using an e-SIM or getting a local SIM so you can have continued connectivity. But there’s no need to worry if you don’t have one. All accommodations throughout the trip will have Wi-Fi available - so you can keep your Insta followers updated on all the fun!
- Athens: Do all of the hotels have pools? Almost every time. Most of our accommodations tend to have pool facilities. But hey, you’ve got the sparkling Aegean waters of Greece by your side. So if you wanna take a swim, you’ve got the entire sea to explore.
- Athens: Can I know what time the ferry will depart & arrive? Ferry departure & arrival timings tend to change for every trip. So if you’d like to know the exact time, you can contact our 24/7 customer service centre.
- London: Can I share a room with my partner on this trip? Your Trip Manager will advise you on who you’ll share your room with. On this trip, you’ll stay in a multi-share room with other travellers of the same sex.
- London: What does a modular trip mean? A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
Included Experience
- Mykonos: Paradise Beach in Mykonos is one of the most iconic beaches, not only in Greece, but in the world! And this resort is right on the beach. Think gorgeous sunset views and direct access to the beach.
- Athens: All aboard! Time to sail from Athens to Mykonos, checking out that glittering sea view as we go. Includes reserved seating.
- Athens: Don't spend another second worrying about how you'll get around. We've got that covered with a private transfer from the hotel to the port.
- Mykonos: We'll set sail from marvellous Mykonos to perfect Paros, with reserved seating included.
- Paros: We'll board the ferry in Paros and set sail for the sultry island of Santorini. With reserved seating included.
- Santorini: Don't worry about getting from the hotel to Fira, we've got you covered. (It's what we do best after all.)
- Santorini: We'll board the ferry in Santorini and set sail for inspiring Ios. Includes reserved seating (think of us as your Ferry Godmother.)
- Ios: We'll board the ferry in Ios and head back to where we started: the lovely Athens. Includes reserved seating.
- Athens: Don't spend another second worrying about how you'll get around Athens. We've got that covered with a private transfer from the port to the hotel.
Destinations
- Europe
- Greece
Tour Types
- Island Hopping
- 18-30 somethings
- Beach Tours
- Walking
- Foodie and Wine Tours
- Sailing
Location: Athens
Hello island lovers! Welcome to Greece, and welcome to the best holiday of your life. It's a big call to make on day 1, but we're making it! Take a minute to unpack in settle in to our hotel before we meet up this evening. First your Trip Manager will give you the rundown of what to expect over the next 10 days, then you will head out for a get-to-know-you dinner with your Contiki fam at a local taverna.
Accommodation Name: Hotel Evripides (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Location: Athens, Mykonos
With no time to waste, we'll start our Greek island hopping adventures today with our first destination: Mykonos. Let's do this! Two nights on the island of Mykonos, how did we get so lucky? Even the boat ride across the Aegean will have you awe struck and in love.
Accommodation Name: Paradise Beach (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Mykonos
Get ready for a day full of viewing coastal windmills, stuffing your face with olives, feta, and tzatziki. We'll stroll down storybook streets dotted with those gorgeous blue domes and we'll pick up some evil eye ornaments along the way to keep the bad vibes away. And this is all before you've even taken a dip in the ocean! Doesn't get much better than this... The day is yours to soak up the sunshine and play in the sea. Tonight, you'll have the option to join an exploration of Mykonos by night on a locally guided walking tour of the town's cobbled streets.
Accommodation Name: Paradise Beach (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Paros
This morning we're on to our next Greek island, Paros. Let's spare a thought for all those travellers who only get to visit just one Greek Island, and then remember how lucky we are. Beaches, naturally sculpted swimming coves, a Byzantine church and traditional villages: we must be in Paros. You're free to get into the sun and sea vibes. Those who feel like exploring can sign up for an optional trip to a traditional village where you'll visit a local family-run bakery and shop the local handicrafts.
Accommodation Name: Asterias (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Paros
Another day, another Greek Island delight. Hold tight - today you have the chance to visit Paros and some of the stunning islands around it - for a full day of sunbathing, swimming, relaxing, soaking-up-the-sunshining. Tonight, you'll have free time to explore the local area and find yourself some dinner, before heading out to sample the local nightlife.
Accommodation Name: Asterias (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Paros, Santorini
Paros, it's been magical – but today we're taking to the seas again, this time in search of Greece's most insta-famous island: Santorini. Santorini, we have arrived! Tonight you'll have an included transfer to Fira to explore Santorini's capital and roam the cobbled streets.
Accommodation Name: Kalipso Villas (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Santorini
Rise and shine, Greek Island travellers! The island of Santorini won't explore itself. Today is your day to take a swim at Perissa Beach, eat the local specialty of fried tomato balls known as domatokeftedes, or roam and explore. You can even opt to take a visit to incredible Oia followed by a visit to the black sand beach of Santorini.<br/>
Accommodation Name: Kalipso Villas (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Location: Ios
A bit more rugged and remote than Santorini and Mykonos, Ios will prove a nice change of scenery for our final Island night. And thankfully, there will be no change in the good vibes or the time spent ocean side. We'll join together for an included dinner tonight, with another free evening on the cards afterwards.<br/>
Accommodation Name: Far Out Beach Resort (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Location: Ios
Our final Island day, and your last chance to soak up the Greek sun and frolic in the sand without a care in the world. Now is your chance to get some adrenaline in with a speedboat safari, or take a leisurely stroll around the pretty village of Ios Chora and enjoy some stuffed zucchini flowers or baked feta drizzled with olive oil at a local cafe. It's a free evening tonight, so you're going to need the fuel if you want to hit the party scene of Hora until the break of dawn.<br/>
Accommodation Name: Far Out Beach Resort (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Ios, Athens
While choking back the tears and waving a sad goodbye to the dreamy islands of Greece, try to think positive thoughts: we have a boat ride to enjoy this morning, as well as one more night together in the city of Athens. Ready for one more dose of Athens and one last chance to hang out together? We'll soak up the last rays of the Mediterranean sun this afternoon before an optional farewell dinner together.
Accommodation Name: Hotel Evripides (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Athens
And just like that, it's the final day of our Greek islands trip. As sad as they are, at least you have the memories. And another 300 Contiki trips to jump aboard! Make the most of your last free breakfast before you kick on to your next port of call and for those of you that have the time, there's an optional city tour and Acropolis visit.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
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Ferry Transfers
-Reserved seating is included for all ferry transfers between the islands and Athens.
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Private Transfers in Athens
-Private transfers are provided from the hotel to the port and vice versa in Athens.
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Transfer to Fira in Santorini
-An included transfer is provided to explore Santorini's capital, Fira.
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Transport Description
-Travel between the stunning Greek islands with ease, enjoying reserved seating on ferries from Athens to Mykonos, Mykonos to Paros, Paros to Santorini, Santorini to Ios, and back to Athens, ensuring a smooth and scenic journey.
Not Included
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Optional Activities
-Optional activities such as the Mykonos night tour, village visit in Paros, and farewell dinner in Athens are not included.
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Wi-Fi on Ferries
-Wi-Fi is not guaranteed on ferries between islands.
-
Room Sharing Preferences
-Room sharing preferences with partners are not guaranteed and are subject to the Trip Manager's arrangements.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
05-Jul-2026
for 0 Nights |
Multi-share (Mixed sex) | £1711.00 | |
|
16-Aug-2026
for 0 Nights |
Multi-share (Mixed sex) | £1639.00 |
