Sail through the stories of the Gods: 7 Greek mythology locations to visit on a luxury yacht charter in Greece

Get ready to set sail on your own unforgettable Greek odyssey with Edmiston, a luxury yacht charter in Greece is your golden pass to a world of legends and myths, transporting you to islands soaked in folklore in places of such undeniable beauty it’s easy to believe the gods themselves created them.

For the Ancient Greeks, myths were a way of understanding the world around them, from the natural landscapes that shaped their environment to their place within it, offering a moral compass by which to live their lives.

Today, a classic Greek yacht charter from Athens to Delos, through Crete, Ithaca, and beyond offers the chance to explore these places that inspired a culture of rich storytelling, without sacrificing the level of comfort, privacy, and exclusivity to which you are accustomed.

As experts in curated Greek yacht charters, Edmiston is well placed to design unique mythology-inspired itineraries taking in ancient sites that are so iconic it feels like they can’t possibly be real.

Get ready to set sail on your own unforgettable Greek odyssey with Edmiston.

Gods, heroes, and hidden bays: What to expect on a Greek mythology yacht journey

With an enviable contacts base throughout the isles, our experienced team can arrange everything for your mythological tour of Greece, from private visits to UNESCO landmarks accompanied by revered historians to tables at the most awe-inspiring clifftop restaurants. 

Whether you are planning a family charter to bring the storied landscapes to life for inquisitive young minds or an enchanted romantic holiday, here are seven of the top Greek mythology locations to factor into your luxury yacht charter.

1. Athens – Gateway to the Gods

Most Greek yacht charters begin and end in Athens, a city that takes its name from Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war.

As one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens has an abundance of ancient sites, including the iconic Acropolis, an old citadel and one of the best known ancient sites of Greece, which stands in remarkable ruin above the modern-day city.

It was in the Parthenon temple within the old city that Athena won patronage of the city over her rival Poseiden, god of the sea and patron of seafarers, with the event even depicted on the temple’s pediments.

After exploring the city’s main sites, anchor off Cape Sounion for a sunset dinner beneath the Temple of Poseidon – a monument later built in honour of the god to bring good luck to sailors departing from their homeland of Attica.

The next morning, before setting sail for the first of your Greek isles, take an inland excursion to the Temple of Delphi, the site of the Oracle of Apollo – a highly regarded religious institution in Ancient Greece.

2. The Island of Delos – Birthplace of Apollo and Artemis

As the supposed birthplace of two of the most famous Greek gods – Apollo and his twin sister Artemis – the small island of Delos is one of the most visited of all the Greek mythology locations.

Even before the birth of the twins, Delos was a sacred place, and in a bid to preserve it as an eternal island of purity and light following the mythological event, no one has been allowed to be born or die here since.

Anchor nearby and take the tender to shore to wander this magnificent place, home to ruins of temples, a theatre – even private homes – where a sense of divine stillness pervades.

3. Naxos – Dionysus’s island of seduction and wine

According to the Ancient Greeks, the isle of Naxos was the sanctuary of Dionysus, the god of wine, theatre, and ecstasy.

It is supposedly where he found and wed Ariadne after she was abandoned by Theseus and there are plenty of cultural landmarks that pay homage to the legend.

Dionysus would probably be pleased by the modern island too, as there are lots of local vineyards where you can taste some excellent wines on your Naxos yacht charter, between beach visits and tours of mythical caves and picturesque mountaintop villages.

Don’t miss a visit to Portara, a huge marble doorway that’s a remnant of the unfinished Temple of Apollo within easy access of Naxos marina.

The best time to come is at golden hour when the setting sun hits the monument with a warm glow as though by divine intervention. This ethereal effect is perhaps why so many people still believe that if you make a wish here, Apollo will make sure it comes true.

4. Crete – Labyrinth of the Minotaur & Palace of Kings

The isle of Crete was pivotal to many Greek myths, not least the story of King Minos who ruled from the city of Knossos, the oldest city in Europe.

A tour of the ruined Palace of Minos will help you picture the legendary labyrinth built by Daedelus on the orders of Minos to trap the Minotaur – a half-man, half-bull beast who fed on sacrificial victims in retribution for the death of the king’s son  – more vividly. It was here that Icarus, son of Daedelus, attempted to slay the beast and in a bid to escape the labyrinth himself, ignored his father’s warning and flew too close to the sun, and perished.

After a day delving into macabre mythological tales, enjoy some of Crete’s famous farm-to-table cuisine at Salis in the old town of Chania. The next morning, allow yourself time to digest all you’ve learned with a slow morning at anchor in one of the island’s stunning coves.

5. Ithaca – Home of Odysseus

Known for his epic journey, as depicted by Homer, Odysseus had one quest in mind when he set off from the fallen city of Troy: to make it back to his home of Ithaca and his beloved Penelope.

Located off the northeast coast of Kefalonia, in the Ionian Islands, it’s no wonder Odysseus was so keen to return, as Ithaca is a place of breathtaking natural beauty, where a lush interior is framed by a necklace of pretty pebbly beaches, and hushed harbour towns are met by glistening emerald sea.

There can be no more fitting tribute on a Greek mythology charter than to retrace the final part of Odysseus’s journey and explore the sites linked to his story, such as the Caves of Nymphs, where is said to have hidden the treasures given to him by the Phaeacians on his return home.

Today Ithaca is a quiet island that hums with the sounds of daily life. Drop anchor in Polis Bay, said to be the site of Odysseus’s farm, and spend a day or two kayaking, swimming and diving as you try to absorb some of the authentic atmosphere.

6. Rhodes – The Sun God’s Fortress

The largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes was once home to the Colossus of Rhodes, an enormous statue of Helios, the god of the sun, that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Though the statue was destroyed in an earthquake centuries ago, other sites of antiquity remain, including two ancient cities that are home to temples, a stadium and a theatre. The medieval city of Rhodes is also an architectural delight and tells of a later period in the island’s history when it was occupied by the Knights of St John.

There are several sheltered anchorages to be found, including in Lindos Bay positioned beneath the Acropolis of Lindos, while trips in the tender will get you closer to some of the island’s dramatic coastal scenery.

7. Santorini – Echoes of Atlantis

One of the most enduring myths of all time is that of the lost city of Atlantis. Described by Greek philosopher Plato as a place founded by Poseidon, Atlantis grew to become wealthy and powerful, but its greed proved its downfall. For this it was punished by the gods with a series of catastrophic disasters that caused it to become submerged and lost to the sea forever.

While many people believe Plato was telling a parable rather than describing a real-life event, others link the myth to Santorini’s volcanic past and believe he may have been describing the loss of the Minoan settlement of Akrotiri.

Like Pompeii, this city was once lost beneath layers of volcanic ash, but was rediscovered in the 19th century and is a haunting place to discover.

Finish your day with a sunset dinner back on board overlooking the island’s caldera – a crater of Herculean proportions, whose collapse resulted not only in a lost city but in some unusual geological features.

Your floating Olympus – featured yachts for a mythical journey

For the ultimate Greek odyssey, it’s essential you charter a yacht that matches the needs of you and your party, whether you are looking for talented chefs, serene wellness spaces, or options for more immersive experiences.

For a luxurious, high-fashion setting and an abundance of amenities, including a 200-bottle wine cellar, that could keep even Dionysus sated, book a yacht charter aboard MARIU.

SILVER ANGEL yacht has exterior spaces that seem designed for taking in the gorgeous Greek views at anchor, with a large swim platform making it hard to resist the temptation of the water, four outdoor bars and a cool counter-current pool.

Meanwhile, for some historical elegance as you effortlessly hop from one isle to the next, try MALAHNE yacht whose stately interiors befit those looking for sumptuous comfort on their heroic adventure. 

Planning your Greek mythology yacht charter tour with Edmiston

Chartering a private yacht in Greece in spring and early autumn allows you to enjoy all the above with fewer crowds but the summer season is rightly popular due to the warm seas, higher temperatures and favourable sailing conditions.

With a team of brokers and charter managers specialising in Greek charters, Edmiston is also well placed to arrange private access to sites and VIP experiences.

For more inspiration for your yacht charter in Greece, explore itineraries for a Greek Island Hopping adventure, and learn where you can visit some of the best beach bars in Greece.