For first-time visitors to Greece the highest-impact excursions are Athens from Piraeus (the Acropolis and Parthenon are among the most significant ancient sites in the world), Santorini (the caldera views from Oia and Fira are unlike anything in the Mediterranean), and Ancient Olympia from Katakolon (the birthplace of the Olympic Games). If your itinerary includes all three ports you will have covered the essential Greece in a single cruise. Private Shore Trips offers dedicated shore excursions at every major Greek cruise port - each with a licensed local guide and private vehicle exclusively for your group.

Piraeus cruise port is approximately 20 minutes from downtown Athens by private vehicle. The port is the largest cruise port in Europe and handles several ships simultaneously. Your licensed English-speaking guide meets you at the pier exit and transfers you directly to Athens - no shared bus, no fixed group schedule. A half-day Athens shore excursion covers the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Plaka old town. A full day extends to Cape Sounion, the Temple of Poseidon, or Ancient Corinth.

Cruise ships anchor in the Santorini caldera and tender passengers ashore to the old port at Skala, directly below the village of Fira. From Skala you take either the cable car, donkeys, or the 588-step path up to Fira. Your Private Shore Trips guide will meet you at the top of the cable car. The tender schedule is managed by the cruise line and can affect timing - your guide monitors the situation and adjusts the day's itinerary accordingly to make the most of your time ashore.

Yes - most guests book private excursions in Greece at every port on their Eastern Mediterranean itinerary. Private Shore Trips coordinates all ports from one booking - one point of contact, one set of confirmations, and one back-to-ship guarantee covering every Greek cruise port on your itinerary. Whether you are stopping at Piraeus, Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu and Rhodes in a single sailing, or adding Katakolon and Patmos, we have licensed local guides at every port ready to meet your group at the pier.

Our back-to-ship guarantee means that if an unforeseen delay during your private Greece excursion prevents you from returning to the cruise port before your ship departs, we will arrange and cover the cost of transportation to your next port of call. This guarantee applies to all private shore excursions and Greek island excursions booked through us. In over 20 years of excursions in Greece we have never had a guest miss their ship. Your tour must be scheduled to return 1.5 hours before the ship departs.