Map of Europe Greece and Italy’s Best Group Travel Destinations

Greece and Italy remain two of the most visited travel destinations in Europe, attracting millions of tourists each year. In 2024, Greece welcomed over 36 million visitors, generating €21.7 billion in tourism revenue, a 5.4% increase from 2023. Similarly, Italy received nearly 49 million international tourists, with Rome, Venice, and Florence ranking among the top 5 most visited cities in Europe.

For group travelers, both countries offer a blend of history, stunning landscapes, and cultural experiences. Using a map of Europe, Greece, and Italy can help plan an efficient and well-structured itinerary for a seamless and unforgettable trip. For those interested in group travel in Italy and Europe, there are several agencies that specialize in curated group itineraries, offering guided tours and customized trips.

This guide explores the best group travel destinations in Greece and Italy, covering historical landmarks, cultural hotspots, and practical travel tips to help travelers make the most of their journey.

1. Athens, Greece: The Cradle of Western Civilization

Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world. In 2024, more than 6.5 million people from other countries came to visit. It is the most popular place to visit in Greece and one of the top 5 cities in Europe for tourists. In 2025, even more people are planning trips to Athens, especially with easier travel rules and new tourist services.

The Acropolis and Parthenon

The Acropolis is a famous ancient site on a big hill in Athens. The Parthenon, a beautiful old temple, is part of it. These are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In 2024, around 2.5 million people visited them. In 2025, new things like virtual guides and online tickets make the visit easier and more fun.

Plaka – The Oldest Part of Athens

Plaka is a beautiful old area near the Acropolis. It has old-style houses, small streets, and many shops and cafes. You can walk around, buy handmade gifts, and eat Greek food. In 2025, the area is cleaner and more peaceful, as cars are not allowed in most parts.

National Archaeological Museum

This museum is the biggest in Greece. It has more than 11,000 old objects from ancient times. You can see old statues, gold items, and even an early kind of computer called the Antikythera Mechanism. In 2025, the museum has added touch screens and easy language guides for kids and tourists.

Public Transport in Athens

Athens has a good metro system that helps people travel easily. About 1.2 million people use it every day. In 2025, you can buy tickets on your phone, and many signs are now in English too. There is also a 24-hour metro service on weekends, which is great for night trips.

2. Rome, Italy: The Eternal City

Rome is one of the most famous cities in the world. It is the second most visited city in Europe. Every year, over 15 million people from other countries come to see its amazing sights. In 2025, Rome is still growing as a travel hotspot, with more walking tours, cleaner streets, and better travel apps for visitors.

The Colosseum

The Colosseum is a huge old stadium where gladiators once fought. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Around 7 million people visit it each year. In 2025, there are new guided tours, faster entry tickets, and better signs in many languages, making it easier for tourists.

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is a beautiful fountain in the middle of Rome. Every day, people throw around €3,600 worth of coins into the fountain. They believe this will bring them back to Rome one day. In 2025, the fountain is cleaned more often, and special night lights make it even prettier after dark.

Vatican City

Vatican City is a small country inside Rome. It is the home of the Pope. More than 6 million people visit each year to see St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, which has paintings by Michelangelo. In 2025, visitors can use audio guides on their phones to learn about the art and buildings easily.

Food and Restaurants

Rome is a great city for food lovers. There are more than 8,000 places to eat, from small pizza shops to fancy restaurants. In 2025, many restaurants offer menus in English, gluten-free options, and easy online booking. Popular dishes include pasta carbonara, supplì (fried rice balls), and gelato.

Easy Ways to Explore Rome in Groups

If you are travelling with friends or family, Rome has many ways to explore together. You can take walking tours, hop-on-hop-off buses, or private guides. In 2025, many group tours now offer mobile bookings, discounts for large groups, and multilingual guides, making the experience better and easier for everyone.

3. Venice, Italy: The Floating City

Venice is one of the top 5 most visited cities in Europe. Every year, about 5.5 million people come to see this amazing city built on water. In 2025, Venice is working to protect its old buildings and canals, while making travel easier for visitors with new mobile apps and group tour options.

Gondola Rides

Taking a gondola ride is one of the best things to do in Venice. A gondola is a long, narrow boat, and the person who rows it is called a gondolier. There are over 400 gondoliers working in the city. In 2025, gondola rides can be booked online, and some now include local music or storytelling during the trip.

St. Mark’s Basilica

St. Mark’s Basilica is a big, beautiful church in Venice. It has golden domes and amazing wall art. This church is very old and built in a Byzantine style. About 4 million people visit it each year. In 2025, the basilica offers shorter waiting times, easy online entry tickets, and guided tours in many languages.

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is the most famous bridge in Venice. It is made of stone and crosses the Grand Canal. People love to take pictures here. The bridge also has shops and market stalls, where you can buy gifts and local food. In 2025, the area around the bridge has more safety signs and cleaner walkways for tourists.

Food in Venice

Venetian food is known for being fresh and tasty, especially the seafood. Some popular dishes include sarde in saor (sweet and sour sardines) and cicchetti (small snacks like tapas). In 2025, many small restaurants now offer group menus, vegetarian options, and local wines.

Group Travel in Venice

Venice is a great place for groups. You can take walking tours, private boat rides, or join a history tour. In 2025, group trips now come with earpiece guides, online maps, and discounts for students or seniors. This makes it easy for everyone to explore Venice together.

4. Florence, Italy: The Heart of the Renaissance

Florence is the fourth most visited city in Italy. In 2024, it welcomed about 16 million tourists from around the world. In 2025, even more people are coming to enjoy the city’s art, old buildings, and delicious food. Florence is small enough to walk around easily, which makes it perfect for group trips.

Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in the world. It has paintings by famous artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli. In 2025, the museum offers skip-the-line tickets, audio guides in many languages, and family-friendly tours for group visitors.

Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio is an old bridge with small shops on it. These shops mostly sell handmade gold and silver jewellery. The bridge also gives you great views of the river. In 2025, lights and safety signs have been added to help tourists walk safely, especially in the evenings.

Florence Cathedral (Duomo)

The Florence Cathedral, also called the Duomo, is a big church with a red dome. It is one of the most famous buildings from the Renaissance period. You can climb to the top for an amazing view of the city. In 2025, new mobile tickets and timed entry slots help reduce long queues.

Cooking and Food Experiences

Florence is a great place to learn about Italian food. There are over 150 cooking schools where you can learn to make things like fresh pasta, Tiramisu, and Tuscan bread. Many group classes now include wine tasting and market visits. These are great fun for families, students, and food lovers.

Easy Ways to Explore Florence in Groups

Florence is best seen on foot, because most of the streets are small and full of history. In 2025, there are more walking tours with local guides, and many offer headsets so everyone can hear clearly. Group travelers can also book priority entry to museums and multi-site passes to save time and money.

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5. Santorini, Greece: A Picturesque Island Escape

Santorini is one of the top 5 most visited islands in the world. About 2.2 million people come here every year to enjoy the views, beaches, and local food. In 2025, Santorini is working hard to protect the island by limiting crowds and offering more eco-friendly tours.

Oia and Fira Villages

Oia and Fira are two of the most beautiful villages in Santorini. They have white houses, blue-domed churches, and amazing sunset views. People love to take photos here. In 2025, some areas now use timed visits to reduce crowding, and walking paths are being made safer for tourists.

Red Beach and Perissa Beach

Santorini has special beaches with black or red sand, because of old volcanoes. Red Beach is famous for its red cliffs, and Perissa Beach has soft black sand and water sports. In 2025, there are more lifeguards, cleaner beach areas, and better places to rent umbrellas and chairs.

Boat Tours and Cruises

More than 500,000 visitors take boat trips each year around the island. You can visit volcanic islands, swim in hot springs, and enjoy views of the caldera (a large sea-filled crater). In 2025, boats use cleaner fuel and offer quieter rides to help protect sea life.

Wine Tasting in Santorini

Santorini is known for its local wine, especially a white wine called Assyrtiko. There are over 20 wineries on the island. In 2025, many wine tours include vineyard walks, tasting sessions, and local food pairing. Group tours can be booked online with discounts.

New Travel Rules for a Better Experience

In 2025, Santorini has new rules to stop overtourism. These include limiting big tour groups, suggesting less busy times, and promoting new spots away from the crowds. Visitors are asked to book their tours and activities in advance, use eco-friendly transport, and respect local rules.

What is the Average Cost for a Group Trip to Greece and Italy?

A budget-friendly group trip can cost around €1,800–€2,800 per person for 10 days, while luxury trips exceed €6,000 per person.

Conclusion

Exploring Greece and Italy as a group offers an unparalleled blend of history, culture, adventure, and relaxation. With Athens and Santorini ranking among the top 5 most visited destinations in Europe and Rome, Venice, and Florence leading the way in Italy, these cities provide diverse experiences for all travelers.

Recent developments have introduced sustainable tourism policies, particularly in Greece, where short-term rental restrictions aim to protect local housing availability. To make the most of their journey, group travelers should consider booking tours in advance, using public transport, and traveling during the off-season to enjoy a cost-effective and enriching experience.

FAQs

1. What are the best places to visit in Greece and Italy for groups?

• Greece: Athens (Acropolis, Plaka, Museums) and Santorini (Oia, Beaches, Wine Tasting).
• Italy: Rome (Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Vatican), Venice (Gondola Rides, St. Mark’s Basilica), Florence (Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio).

2. How much does a group trip to Greece and Italy cost?

• Budget: €125–€225 per day.
• Mid-Range: €320–€560 per day.
• Luxury: €970+ per day.
  A 10-day budget trip costs around €1,800–€2,800 per person.

3. When is the best time to visit Greece and Italy?

Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) have good weather and fewer crowds.

4. How do groups travel around Greece and Italy?

• Greece: Metro, ferries, buses.
• Italy: High-speed trains, buses, walking tours.

5. How can groups save money on travel?

• Book flights and hotels early.
• Use public transport.
• Buy city passes.
• Travel in the off-season.
• Choose group tours for discounts.