Mediterranean in 12 Days: 3 Recommended 12-day Itineraries to Mediterranean

Check out our 12-day Mediterranean itinerary ideas below.

Start in Dubrovnik and explore one of the world’s best preserved medieval cities; Game of Thrones fans will instantly recognize the city as the fictional Kings Landing. Head south to Montenegro and visit Kotor, a charming medieval city on a fjord giving it Norway-meets-the-Adriatic vibes. Follow the sparkling coast south into one of Europe’s hottest new destinations—Albania and enjoy a free day to explore the capital, Tirana. It’s back to the coast to Saranda, on the Albanian Riviera where you’ll catch the ferry to one of the buzziest Greek islands, Corfu. Enjoy the vivid island nightlife and spend your days relaxing (recovering) on the beaches or checking out the sights. Ferry back to the Greek mainland and visit the famed Byzantine monasteries of Meteora and the ancient ruins of Delphi before finishing in Athens with a trip to the Acropolis of course! See all 12-day Mediterranean tours.

If you explore just one country on a 12-day Mediterranean itinerary plan, let it be Greece. Start by taking a dive into 3,400 years of history in Athens. Begin with an exploration of the Ancient Agora and the mighty Acropolis to admire the Parthenon and the panoramic views of this ancient city. Later, wander the streets of Plaka and enjoy an al fresco dinner of gyros or souvlaki. More ancient wonders await at the impressive archeological site of Delphi, before continuing to Meteora to visit the Byzantine monasteries including the iconic clifftop Holy Monastery of Great Meteoro. It’s back to Athens to catch the ferry to arguably Greece's most coveted island, Santorini. Surrounded by sapphire seas and home to whitewashed villages (including charming Oia) and blue-domed churches, there’s an insta-worthy shot at every turn. Next it’s on to Crete. Explore the Palace of Knossos and check out the impressive Venetian Harbor in Chania. A day trip to Rethymno is highly recommended, wander the cobbled streets of the old town and enjoy a delicious fish lunch at the harbor before a return flight to Athens. See all 12-day holiday packages to Greece.

With this 12-day Mediterranean tour, you can tick off the highlights of Italy and Greece. Snap a selfie at the Trevi Fountain, climb the Spanish Steps and grab an authentic Roman pizza for dinner. Before departing, discover your inner gladiator on a tour of the Colosseum. Make your way to Florence, Italy’s Renaissance wonder, stopping at Assisi and Siena along the way. Enjoy a full day to explore Florence or even consider a half day trip to Pisa. Depart Florence, stopping in Bologna—one of Italy’s great foodie destinations before arriving in Venice. Grab a nightcap and enjoy a free morning before catching your flight to Athens. In the morning, transfer to the port to begin your magical Greek Island cruise. Spend three unforgettable days island hopping between Mykonos, Patmos, Crete and Santorini before returning to Athens where you’ll have a full day to check out the sights before your trip ends. See all tours of Italy and Greece.

Getting around the Mediterranean can be surprisingly challenging despite a range of transportation options including flights, buses, car hire and ferries. Flights can be useful to hop long distances, but are only available to and from major destinations (it is not possible to reach all islands in Greece by air). Car hire can be useful for a few days of exploring but is complicated if you’re visiting multiple countries. Ferries are a great way to get around but again juggling timetables can be a real headache. If you are looking to spend 12 days in the Mediterranean, covering multiple countries, signing up for a fully-planned and logically assisted private tour or a guided group tour will save a lot of hassle. For a personalized itinerary, check out our tailormade Mediterranean holidays that can be tweaked as per your liking.

More information:
5 days in the Mediterranean
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