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Highlights
Follow ancient footsteps on this walking holiday through Athens and Kea
Visit ancient sites like the Acropolis, the temple of Poseidon, the “smiling” lion, and Karthaia.
Walk to the summit of the Profitis Ilias mountain for amazing panoramic views.
Experience the flavours of Greece on a culinary walking tour that features the best dishes of Athens.
Immerse yourself in Greek island culture as you stay in the historic and picturesque town of Ioulida.
Discover the cradle of western civilization on this self-guided walking holiday in Greece. You’ll have two days to explore the incredible sights of Athens before leaving for the tranquil shores of the island of Kea.
While in Athens, you’ll be treated to a culinary walking tour that shows off the sights and tastes of Athens. Then, cruise on a scenic drive down the coast to catch the ferry to Kea. While on the island, you’ll take beautiful walks through this quiet paradise. Each trail will reveal ancient ruins and scenic views! For a relaxing and culture-filled 8 days, look no further than the Walking Athens and Kea Island Tour.
Discover the cradle of western civilization on this self-guided walking holiday in Greece. You’ll have two days to explore the incredible sights of Athens before leaving for the tranquil shores of the island of Kea.
While in Athens, you’ll be treated to a culinary walking tour that shows off the sights and tastes of Athens. Then, cruise on a scenic drive down the coast to catch the ferry to Kea. While on the island, you’ll take beautiful walks through this quiet paradise. Each trail will reveal ancient ruins and scenic views! For a relaxing and culture-filled 8 days, look no further than the Walking Athens and Kea Island Tour.
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Walking Athens and Kea Island Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Explore Ancient Athens
You have today free to explore the wonders of this historic city that conceived democracy. Wander the streets or visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon, and be sure to sample all the amazing local delicacies you come across!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Athens
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Walking Culinary Tour of Athens
If you didn’t visit the Acropolis Museum yesterday, be sure to stop by this morning. Your walk today begins around three in the afternoon, in time to see the changing of the guards in Syntagma Square.
You’ll then begin a progressive dining experience that takes you through the famous sites of Athens, including the Olympic Stadium, the Dionysos theater, the temple of Zeus, and the Roman and Greek Agora. Along the way, you’ll stop at designated restaurants and tavernas to enjoy a different course of traditional Greek cuisine at each stop.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Athens
Distance: 6 hours, 5km, 150m of ascent, 150m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 3 Take the Ferry to Kea
This morning, your driver will collect you from your hotel and drive you on the scenic coast to Cape Sounion. You’ll have some time to stop and visit the temple of Poseidon or to enjoy a coffee and magnificent views.
Then, you’ll travel to the Lavrio port and take the ferry to Kea. In the town of Ioulida, the island’s capital, no cars are allowed, so you’ll feel immediately relaxed in the quiet island atmosphere.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kea
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Walk the Ancient Paths of Kea
Today you’ll walk from Ioulida along the historical paths that used to be the only roads to navigate the island. Follow these ancient paths to the carving of a lion that dates back to 600 B.C.
Your walk will take you through hills and valleys until you reach the sandy beaches of Otzia Bay. You can decide if you want to take the public bus or a taxi back to Ioulida.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kea
Distance: 2 hours, 6.6km, 120m of ascent, 380m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Explore the Ruins at Karthaia
You’ll take a taxi to the hamlet of Stavroudaki to begin your walk today. Follow in the footsteps of ancient Greeks as you walk along the kalderimi, which are cobblestone paths built hundreds of years ago.
You’ll find your way to the secluded beach of Poles and the site of Karthaia. Here you’ll find ancient ruins including the temple of Athena and Apollo. Take some time to explore before you start the return circuit to Stavroudaki.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kea
Distance: 2.5 hours, 7km, 350m of ascent, 350m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Walk to Korissia
Today, you’ll be exploring the lush green valley of Mylopotamos on your way to Kea’s port. Along your route, you’ll visit the remains of ancient water mills and the well of Flea. Enjoy the downhill route and the scenic views as you arrive in Korissia.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kea
Distance: 3 hours, 9km, 350m of ascent, 600m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Follow the Kalderimi and Climb Profitis Ilias
You’ll find yourself walking the historic kalderimi again today as you begin your walk up Profitis Ilias. The views from the top of Kea’s highest mountain stretch across the water to nearby islands- worth a photo or a few!
If you like, you can take a side trip to visit the Monastery of Episkopi, where you can see the church next to the ancient remains of the original temple. When you’ve reached Ellinika, it’ll be about time to turn around and take the dirt path that leads back to Ioulida.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kea
Distance: 5 hours, 14km, 500m of ascent, 500m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Return to the Mainland
Take the ferry back to the mainland, where a driver will meet you at Lavrio port to take you to the Athens airport. Depending on flight plans, you may need to depart Kea the night before or spend an additional night near Sounion or Athens. These hotels can be added depending on your plans for onward travel.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Departure on April 1st – 24th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1305
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1140
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR800
- Sharing a triple room: EUR640
Departure on April 25th – May 25th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1445
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1285
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR860
- Sharing a triple room: EUR680
Departure on May 26th – June 24th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1590
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1430
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR935
- Sharing a triple room: EUR725
Departure on June 25th – July 26th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1665
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1500
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR970
- Sharing a triple room: EUR750
Departure on July 27th – August 29th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1735
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1575
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR1005
- Sharing a triple room: EUR775
Departure on August 30th – September 24th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1520
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1355
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR900
- Sharing a triple room: EUR705
Accommodation on the Walking Athens and Kea Island Tour
This tour is based in 3-star hotels. Both hotels offer comfortable rooms with great locations. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travellers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
If you are a solo traveller or prefer a single room, the required supplements are included in the listed price.
What’s Included in Walking Athens and Kea Island Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts and 1 lunch are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Athens are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport for you and your luggage is included from Athens to the Lavrio Port, and from the Lavrio Port to the Athens airport.
Also Included
- 24-hour emergency telephone assistance
- Walk & Dine tour in Athens, includes 4 courses with each course at a separate restaurant
- Route guide and maps
- Ferry from Lavrio to Kea
- Ferry from Kea to Lavrio
- Digital route notes and maps
- GPS App
- Walking map of Kea
Not included
- Tourism tax to be paid locally at each hotel (amounts range from 0.50 to 3 Euro per room per night)
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Visas if required
- Personal equipment
- Fees not mentioned as included
- Gratuities for servers and drivers if desired
Optional Extras
- Solo traveller supplements
- Any additional nights before, after or during the tour
- Airport transfers
- Upgrade to 4-star hotels
- Printed tour materials (in addition to digital)
- How hard is the Walking Athens and Kea Island Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Greece?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Are meals included on the Walking Athens and Kea Island Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Athens to start this tour?
- Is the Walking Athens and Kea Island Tour guided?
- Where does the Walking Athens and Kea Island Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Greece?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Greece?
- When is the best time to travel to Greece for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. This tour is suitable for anyone comfortable walking three or four hours a day. The trails are mostly unpaved footpaths or cobblestone tracks.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
7 breakfasts and 1 lunch are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
You can fly to Athens International Airport (ATH). You can add airport transfers as a supplement or arrange your own transportation.
No, this is a self-guided tour. You will be provided with route maps and a destination guide in English.
This tour ends at the Athens airport on Day 8. You can choose to extend your stay in Athens or Sounion or depart Kea on Day 7 to suit your flight times.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Greece for this tour is the late spring (May and June) or early fall (September). July and August can be much busier and warmer.
Customer Ratings
S-Cape Travel Greece is a Greek outdoor company, established in 1994 and member of the S-Cape Group of companies since 2010.
At S-Cape Greece you find a varied portfolio of active and adventure trips that offer you a hands-on experience of Greece, having time to slowing down and appreciate the details: view the sites and landscapes, savor the specialties, meet and mingle with the locals and learn about the culture.
All our trips and itineraries are developed by our team of professional walkers and cyclists who have a keen eye for great trails, exciting itineraries, breath-taking scenery and good quality accommodation that share our vision on sustainable travel.
If you travel on one of our self-guided trips, you receive a Destination Manual with information on the country and a state-of-the-art Road Book with detailed route description, turn by turn diagrams of each crossing and explanatory text. On top, you can navigate the route in your own smartphone via our excellent S-Cape Travel App.
Welcome to Greece!
