Greece Cruise from Piraeus — 22 Days

21 nights · Greece · Departs Piraeus-Athens (Greece) · Visiting Syros Island, Mykonos Island, Santorini Island, Pylos, Kotor, Gallipoli, Hvar Island Croatia, Rijeka, Venice, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Corfu Island, Volos, Thessaloniki, Milos Island, Nafplio · Aboard MSC Explora Journeys on the MSC Explora 2

MSC Explora Journeys logo
MSC Explora 2
Piraeus Cruise Port Áno Sýros Cruise Port Mykonos Cruise Port Santorini Cruise Port
17 Photos

Image courtesy of MSC Explora Journeys ©

Cruise lineMSC Explora Journeys
ShipMSC Explora 2
Duration21 nights
Port calls17
From fare$14,480 per person
Year built2024
Guests1473
Cabins461
Crew640
Length248 m
Beam32 m
Cruising speed18.0 kn
  1. Day 1

    Piraeus-Athens, Greece

    Piraeus is Athens’ working harbour, not a resort port—and that is its appeal. From here, the capital’s ancient landmarks are within reach, while the waterfront keeps its own busy, distinctly Greek character. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, then linger over grilled fish in Mikrolimano, a small harbour lined with tavernas. Metro connections make central Athens straightforward. Or stay near the water and watch ferries depart for the islands.

  2. Day 2

    Syros Island, Greece

    Above Ermoupoli’s busy harbor, Áno Sýros keeps the quieter face of Syros. Its medieval lanes climb toward the Catholic Cathedral of Saint George, past whitewashed houses and small tavernas. Go on foot in shoes with grip, pausing for views across the Aegean and down to the neoclassical capital. This is a place for unhurried exploring, not a beach day.

  3. Day 3

    Mykonos Island, Greece

    Mykonos rewards an early start: whitewashed lanes, blue-domed churches and waterfront cafés are quieter before the cruise crowds arrive. In Little Venice, old captains’ houses lean over the Aegean, while the island’s windmills stand above the harbor. Beyond town, beaches range from lively Psarou to the broad sands of Elia. Take a short boat ride to Delos, where ancient sanctuaries and marble streets mark one of Greece’s great archaeological sites.

  4. Day 4

    Santorini Island, Greece

    Few Greek islands make an entrance like Santorini, where whitewashed villages crown a volcanic caldera above the Aegean. Most cruise ships anchor offshore, and tenders land at the old port below Fira. Ride the cable car, or climb the steps, to reach the island’s capital and its celebrated views. Beyond Fira, Oia’s blue domes, the archaeological site of Akrotiri, and volcanic wines reward a longer day ashore.

  5. Day 5

    Pylos, Greece

    Pylos stands above the sheltered waters of Navarino Bay, where a deep natural harbor shaped centuries of maritime history. At the town’s southern edge, Niokastro fortress commands the entrance; its Ottoman walls date to 1573. The 1827 Battle of Navarino, fought in the bay, helped secure Greek independence. Nearby, the Palace of Nestor reveals Mycenaean life, while Voidokilia’s crescent beach curves beside Gialova Lagoon. Explore this coast at an unhurried pace.

  6. Day 7

    Kotor, Montenegro

    At the head of Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, the old town sits beneath steep mountains. Enter through the Sea Gate and follow stone lanes to St Tryphon’s Cathedral. Venetian-era walls frame squares, churches, and cafés within a compact UNESCO-listed center. For a broader view, climb toward San Giovanni Fortress; the steps are demanding. Take water and allow time for the ascent, especially in summer heat. From the harbor, the bay’s changing light makes a memorable arrival and departure.

  7. Day 8

    Gallipoli, Italy

    Gallipoli lies on Salento’s Ionian coast. Its old town fills an island joined to the mainland by a seventeenth-century bridge. The harbor still serves fishing boats. Narrow lanes lead to the Baroque Cathedral of Sant’Agata and palazzi that recall centuries of trade. Beyond the walls, clear water and sandy beaches offer an easy change of pace. Stay for sunset, when the Ionian Sea turns the waterfront gold.

  8. Day 9

    Hvar Island Croatia, Croatia

    Hvar Town combines a handsome harbor with stone lanes and a lively island setting. From the waterfront, climb to St Stephen’s Square and its Renaissance cathedral. Continue uphill to the Spanish Fortress for a commanding view over town and Pakleni Islands. Water taxis link the harbor with the nearby islands, weather and schedules permitting. Choose a table along the port, or find a quieter lane above the square. In summer, book ahead; Hvar’s waterfront is among Croatia’s busiest.

  9. Day 10

    Rijeka, Croatia

    Rijeka is Croatia’s working seaport, set at the head of the Kvarner Gulf beneath steep green hills. From the quays, Austro-Hungarian façades and lively Korzo make a compelling first encounter. Visit the Central Market for local produce, then head to hilltop Trsat Castle for views across the harbor and islands. Beyond the waterfront, Roman remains, grand civic buildings, and everyday cafés reveal a city shaped by many eras.

  10. Day 11

    Venice, Italy

    Arrive in Venice by water, where the lagoon’s canals replace ordinary streets. St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace anchor the celebrated Piazza San Marco. Take a vaporetto along the Grand Canal, then explore a quieter neighborhood on foot. Confirm your ship’s terminal and transfer arrangements before setting out; cruise access varies. Near Rialto, the market and bridge offer a lively glimpse of the city’s trade. Give yourself time to leave the main routes and follow smaller canals.

  11. Day 12

    Zadar, Croatia

    Zadar pairs a compact old town with a clear Adriatic setting. Roman streets, Venetian gates and medieval churches tell the story of a city shaped by centuries of trade. On the seafront, the Sea Organ turns waves into music through stone pipes. Nearby, the Sun Salutation gathers solar energy and shines after dark. Beyond the walls, Nin’s salt pans and the island-dotted coast reward a closer look.

  12. Day 13

    Dubrovnik, Croatia

    Spend a day inside Dubrovnik’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, best explored on foot. Walk the city walls for close views of fortifications, roofs, and harbor. Then follow Stradun to Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan monastery. Book wall access in advance during busy months, and start early in summer. Mount Srđ offers a higher view, reached by cable car or road. Leave time for side lanes; their quieter corners reveal the city’s daily rhythm.

  13. Day 14

    Corfu Island, Greece

    Corfu rewards visitors who look beyond the beach resorts. Its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, bears the marks of centuries of Venetian rule. Walk the arcaded Liston, then climb to the Old Fortress for views across the rooftops and Ionian Sea. Beyond town, cypress-lined roads lead to Paleokastritsa’s coves, while the Achilleion palace recalls an imperial past. Allow time for lunch; Corfiot cooking pairs Ionian seafood with Italian and Greek influences.

  14. Day 16

    Volos, Greece

    Volos sits at the head of the Pagasetic Gulf, with Mount Pelion rising behind the city. Its waterfront cafés and lively tsipouradika serve the local ritual of tsipouro with small plates. The Archaeological Museum displays finds from Thessaly, including rare Neolithic objects. Beyond town, Pelion villages offer stone mansions, shaded squares and mountain paths. Take the historic narrow-gauge railway through the hills, or follow the coast to clear-water beaches.

  15. Day 17

    Thessaloniki, Greece

    Thessaloniki rewards travelers who look beyond the waterfront. Greece’s second-largest city layers Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history into a lively modern center. Walk the seafront to the White Tower, then explore Byzantine churches and monuments recognized by UNESCO. The Roman Rotunda and Arch of Galerius reveal the city’s imperial past. Make time for Ladadika’s tavernas and Modiano Market, where northern Greek flavors take the lead.

  16. Day 19

    Mykonos Island, Greece

    Mykonos rewards an early start: whitewashed lanes, blue-domed churches and waterfront cafés are quieter before the cruise crowds arrive. In Little Venice, old captains’ houses lean over the Aegean, while the island’s windmills stand above the harbor. Beyond town, beaches range from lively Psarou to the broad sands of Elia. Take a short boat ride to Delos, where ancient sanctuaries and marble streets mark one of Greece’s great archaeological sites.

  17. Day 20

    Milos Island, Greece

    Arrive at Adamas, Milos’s sheltered ferry port, and you step onto an island shaped by fire and sea. Its volcanic geology has carved pale cliffs, sea caves, and beaches across the coast. Visit Sarakiniko’s sculpted white rock, then climb to Plaka for island-wide views and a quiet evening. At Tripiti, visit the early Christian catacombs and ancient theater, near where the Venus de Milo was found in 1820.

  18. Day 21

    Nafplio, Greece

    Nafplion is the Peloponnese at its most inviting: a seafront town shaped by Venetian, Ottoman and Greek histories. In the old quarter, cobbled lanes lead to Syntagma Square, lined with historic façades and cafés. Above the rooftops, Palamidi Fortress commands the view; offshore, Bourtzi guards the harbor. Come ashore for a compact, walkable city, then linger over lunch beside the water.

  19. Day 22

    Piraeus-Athens, Greece

    Piraeus is Athens’ working harbour, not a resort port—and that is its appeal. From here, the capital’s ancient landmarks are within reach, while the waterfront keeps its own busy, distinctly Greek character. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, then linger over grilled fish in Mikrolimano, a small harbour lined with tavernas. Metro connections make central Athens straightforward. Or stay near the water and watch ferries depart for the islands.

MSC Explora 2 Cruises

Published August 23, 2026
Last updated October 20, 2026
Author: J. Richard

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