10 nights in Santorini & Mainland, early April or May 2025-1st time

Nights 4-5: Nafplion (2 nights IF we go to Greece for 10 nights -
otherwise only stay here 1 night)

One night in Nafplio? It's not even worth going there. Two nights is the bare minimum if you're in a hurry.
Especially since after Athens → Nafplio you will take the same route in the opposite direction to go to central Greece. 4 hours of non-stop driving to Delphi.

My opinion: It's too many places and too much time on the road You will see these "Gorgeous scenery, mythology, archeology medieval type villages, beautiful architecture, local artisans' work" from your car.

That being said, it's a way like any other to visit a country

Have you bought your plane tickets yet? Unless you’re flying nonstop from the US to Athens then I can see flying from Athens to Santorini. If you fly from Europe to Athens, it’s possible you can fly also fly nonstop from anywhere in Europe to Santorini meaning you don’t have to transfer in Athens.

Hi. We have not bought our plane tickets yet. We were planning on flying to Santorini right after landing in Athens. I even considered going to Santorini, one more island (Naxos), and Athens, eliminating both Napflion or Meteora. It’s just too much driving and no relaxation. Greece is hard because there are so many amazing things to see.

Early May -- say the 10th - 22 -- is perfect. Wildflowers everywhere, days getting longer, rains are over ... and you can even chance a swim in Nafplio .. I've done it many a time. Everythings' open, nothing is crowded.

Skip Meteora and treat yourself to 3-4 nights in Nafplio... you'll thank us afterward. Actually I suggest limiting Santorini to 48 hours --- it's really all about the Famous Caldera View. I"ve taken "newbies" there at least 6 times, and that's enough for all of them. SOme people fly back, get car, go to Delphi first ... then next day, retrace route p artway, go over corinth Canal at Isthmus, and stop at NEMEA en route to NAFPLIO. There's SO much to do/see in & around Nafpllo!! Hike, swim, visit top of Palamidi (DRIVE up back, walk DOWN). Ruins, museums, Old Town architectture, beaches, fab sunsets (way better than Santorini). On last morning, drive EAST across Peloponnese "Thumb" to see Ancient Epidaurus en route to Athens, & drive up the coast road to Iisthmus/Corinth... avoids bcktracking.

Meteora iw waaay out of the way for a 10-day trip, Rent a good video at the library, and if you're still determined, do it next trip.

Thank you so much. I realized last night that Meteora is just too much. I like your proposed travel plan a lot more. Hugely appreciated.

Glad you llked my suggestion ... I've done a longer version of this (adding islands because we had 15-16 days) several times with Greece "newbies" ... and they liked the sequence. It's also stress-free because on mainland for return to Athens. While driving you'll probably use Google or Michelin or similar cybermap, but for browsing, try this online gem -- https://tinyurl.com/zekuft9 Click & it gets huuuge & use side-slides to navigate. Clearly shows route right from Aiirport to Nafplio; modern intercity highway bypasses Athens, no stops or turns until after Corinth Canal. Also the return-trip up the sea road, where u can stop to photo Canal before rejoining Big Highway. The only return Must: = turn LEFT at Elefsina to get on bypass to Airport. avoid truck-heavy city route.

Since you're also a Philly girl, you get my bonus tips for optimal trip:

FLIGHTS - take that AA late-aft nonstiop, gets you in 9:30 am or so, always on time. For return, don't book earlier than 10 am, you have to be in airport line 2 hr ahead, takes about 1 hr Central Ath - Airport. Too-early rise will interfere w celebratory last-night dinng. For Santo flight, either Aegean or Sky Express is fine.. allow 2-hr layover for passport line/baggage claim. Easy process, only one termnal, just take escalator to departure, you'll have time for an ATM stop, maybe a beverage. For best rates, join Aegean "newsletter (promotion email alert) - early 2025 they'll have 30% off sales. Get 8 or 9am flight back to ATH to pick up car rental -- our reliable go-to agency is Athens-Car Rental, - good cars good service, better rates than Big Names.

NAFPLIO - you've probably already discovered this superb noncommercial website - http://www.visitnafplio.com/ -- run by a Scandinavian expat who's lived there 20+ years, read every link!! her advice is GOLD. Also check out highlights by my friend & photo ace "STanbr" https://www.flickr.com/photos/visitnafplio/sets/72157626483407223/ DOINGS - my fave swims = cute Arvanita "town beach" + hidden-away Asine/Kastraki instead of crowdy Tolo. HOTEL: If u r lucky snag balcony rooms @ Agammemnon, the BEST location, only one directly on seafront & (at least on my last visit 2019) moderate rates. Another well-situated family-run place - Omorfo Poli. Booking dot com will show exact locations; These r in demand even in May so reserve early w free-cancel; in these cases, agency may be best because doing direct sometimes requires bank-transfer deposit, easy for EU, but a hassle for us.

SANTORINI - stay in FIROSTEPHANI -- plenty of rimside-view hotels, half the price of OIA, away from tour group & cruise crowds. It's at north fringe of FIRA town, away from hubbub, but easy stroll down rim path to attractions/ nightlife. To view OIA serenely, book 7:30 or 8 AM taxi, you'll have 2 hrs before huge throngs invade -- then you catch bus to Fira, see museum, maybe tour Akrotiri. For uncrowded sunset dining, I like REMVI Cafe in Firostephani... or top-floor terrace at STANI in Fira.

ATHENS - I like staying South of Acropolis - check this "browsing map" https://tinyurl.com/2mutz9mu Area is Makrigianni -- by Acrop. Museum (#24 on Map), & long car-free promenade where locals do"volta" (stroll) with baby carriages tricycles, a balloon man, ice-cream cart, like a postcard! Moderate hotels = Hotel Hera, Phillipos, Herodion, Airotel Parthenon. Plus Booking dot com now llsts pvt apts here AND in Plaka area at prices better than hotels -- often 1 BR + 2 livroom daybeds. Rules & safeguards - in Greece safe than airbnb.

FINAL TIPS firm up flights, ttransport before hotels. Research! Free Libe has shelves of Guidebooks -- I like ROUGH GUIDE best for background, but take home an armful to check out, photocopy pages. Happy Homework!

Janet, I am following your advice to the t! I am a project manager so very organized, but planning our Greece trip has been exhausting. You just saved me a lot of stress and time. I clearly don't need a travel agent either. My remaining challenge is finding hotel rooms in each location with twin beds. My husband and son will share one room and my daughter and I will share the other room. We are what I guess you could call mid-priced travelers - level of a Hilton Garden Inn. For Greece we will pay more to get great locations and less stress - plus free breakfasts.

I also want to hire private tour guides for Parthenon and Delphia at a minimum. A good tour guide is the difference between an OK and fabulous trip, as I have discovered in the last few years.

I can't thank you enough for sharing your advice. I have posted reviews and shared info on TripAdvisor for years, but my friend said Rick Steves is better for Europe, and I agree.
Marvi (Ambler)

Glad that this approach makes sense to a project manager! Been there/done that (communications) now retired but sometimes have bad dreams, am back in biggie Manhattan agency and everything is Going Wrong. Now, back to Greece my Happy Place:

ATHENS HOTELS - those I list were (at least in 2020 or so), mid-priced & by being so foresighrted you can find those twin rooms -- you might even try my Bargain Gem, Hotel Phaedra, 21 rooms, not a fancy, plain lobby, breakfast just continental, but THE best location of all, crispy fresh linens, good beds, all balconies w Acrop view, PLUS roof terrace open 24/7 --I've praised it for so long it's now getting hard to book, tell them Janet from Philly sent you.

SANTORINI - in Firostephani, my top-value pick is Hotel MYLOS, all rooms have caldera-view balcony, v handy. My Bargain Gem, 20 yards from rim-view Path, 12 rooms cute & Comfy VILLA FOTINI, tell Maria Janet Sent you... dont miss a sunset meal 100 yards away at oldest Taverna in Santorinii, AKTAION, table right by rim wall (these days u need to reserve ahead)

DELPHI - the TOP guide based there is Georgia Hasioti -- booked far far ahead (local rates a couple yrs ago, €60 hr 2-hr min, she's worth every penny; she'll tell u when best to meet her at site to avoid bus crush). If u stay o'night, Hotel Pan was bargain surprise for us -- we were asked, is 1st floor OK? we went to see; on balcony, hawks were circling BELOW us, sheer drop down mountain to sea. Any hotel ok on downhill side.

ATHENS GUIDES:
The best group-guide outfit is ATHENS-WALKS, run by handsome Greek God I knew 15 years ago when we were fellow TripAdvisor "experts" . Only prob is, A-W groups start 8:30 or 9, biggest crowd. However they also do private tours, a good value for 4. with one of their excellent guides. Then you can go late-day, 5pm or so, great lighting, not over-hot in May. For other places, R Steves Website has good FREE step-by-step audio downloads for Ancient Agora and Nat. Arch. Museum: Tip: download before you go, listen, get the hang of it. No Audio for Acrop Museum, but available for sale online... also it's got good signage.

SANTORINI -- No guide needed for small/good Arch. Museum; for Akrotiri, often licensed guides at entry will take your group of 4. These benefit from guidance, even i f you've read up.

RICK STEVES BOOK -- RS almost doesn't do Greek Isles (I think because his tours don't go to any). But his book is quite Good on Athens & Peloponnese for quick study and Must-See -- and I fins his QUICK SURVIVAL Phrase list the best of any major guide - I photocopy it for every travel pal..

TIMING -- Now looking at Calendar, your absolute best timing weather-wise would be DEP Thurs eve May 15 - back Sun 5/25. 2nd best DEP May 8. Why? Because u are going to Worlds most Crowdy Island -- tell your daughter to do Google Image "photos OIA Crowds" And time with Least cruise ships is Friday Aft thru Sunday.

Janet, if I knew where you lived and you were nearby I would buy you lunch to say thank you!!! I am saving all of your advice to my online Greece travel folder. Now I just have to book everything. I really can't thank you enough!!
Marvi

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@Janet,

I am reading this thread with interest as I will be visiting Greece for 3.5 weeks from last week of September to 3rd week of October.

I'd be interested in knowing if Olympia is doable as a day trip from Napflion? I want to base in Napflion for 5-6 days to see the town as well as day trips to Mycene, Epidvaros, Olympia, the Pelopponese thumb and perhaps Mani peninsula before heading back to Athens.

I am assuming car is the best way to see Pelopponese? If so, is picking up the car in Athens on the way out to Napflion and dropping it back in Athens on return the best way to go?

Thank you.

In May 2022 we visited Greece, and I planned an awesome itinerary thanks to Janet. So you are very wise to follow her advice. At Janet's suggestion, we stayed at Blue Dolphin Suites in Firestefani on Santorini, and we loved our stay there. Our rate at that time was about $230 per night for a lovely room with a deck overlooking the caldera. We had awesome meals at Aktaion and Remvi. We rented a car for a day to explore Santorini. Visited Akrotiri Archaeological site, red sand beach, and black sand beach. We spent 3 nights on Santorini, which gave us time to explore Oia, Fira, Firestefani, and Imerovigli. And then another day to drive around Santorini.

We spent 5 awesome nights in Nafplion, and again at Janet's suggestion, we stayed at Omorfi Poli, which we loved. A lovely B&B in the pedestrianized area. We really enjoyed our delicious breakfasts on their patio. We parked our rental car in the large commercial parking lot nearby. Never had a problem finding a parking space.
https://www.omorfipoli-pension.com/

In Athens we stayed at the Airotel Parthenon for about $140 per night. The location is very convenient, right around the corner from the Plaka and about 5-10 minutes from the Acropolis. The breakfast buffet is mediocre but there are plenty of restaurants nearby.

We also used Athens Walks for a guided tour of the Acropolis, and we were very happy with our knowledgeable and friendly tour guide.

And to Pam, since you are spending a lot of time on the Peloponnese, I strongly recommend visiting the Byzantine ruins of Mystras. It was the highlight of our trip for me.

kmkwoo, thank you for this additional guidance. Adding it to our trip planning notes.
Marvi

Responding to Pam who is "piggybacking" on this thread (NOTE: be aware, sometimes "regulars" will miss a tacked-on query like this, because they are not interested in original question). Regarding Olympia -- no, it is NOT a day trip... I advise clicking the map link I gave Marvi... even visually y ou will see it's across the entire pelopS and trying to do diagonal involves Mountains! Do consider NEMEA, just off Main Highway just S of Corinth -- a "Sister games site" with wonderfully intact stadium. I took fast express bus from Athens-Olympia and it took me 6 hours. Worth it for me, after much ancient history research/postgrad classes, etc. Otherwise, the ruins can be baffling... and the Nemea stadium just as good as Olympia IMO. And you say 3.5 weeks in Greece, what's your hurry -- is all allotted to islands except 1 week or so?

As for car rental -- most newcomers I advise are doing Nafplio area after flying back from islands, so I advise renting car at airport and returniong it there, avoiding all driving in traffic-choked confusing Athens. Doing that, and then using flat-rate taxi or car service (same price at about €43) to a Central athens hotel is much less stressful. NO place to park in Athens, the very few garages are super expensive, and remember, street signs are not only in different language.. different alphabet!

Night 6: Somewhere near Delphi

If you are interested in historical architecture, you could go to Hosios Loukas, one of the three well-preserved Byzantine imperial monasteries in Greece (alongside Nea Moni on Chios and Daphné near Athens) with wonderful mosaics. You could spend the rest of the day on one of the beaches of the Corinthian Gulf - it's half an hour's drive over a small pass in the coastal mountains.

Want to add that we did exactly what Janet recommends regarding the rental car. We flew from Naxos to Athens, where we picked up our rental car at the airport, and then drove the very easy 2-hour drive to Nafplion. When we left Nafplion, we returned our car to Athens Airport, and then took a taxi from the airport to our hotel in central Athens. All very easy and stress-free!

Excellent..... Curious - have any of you done this trip in early April? We need to avoid Easter (April 18-21) and Labor Day in Greece (May 1). I really dislike crowds and we don't plan to spend any time on the beaches - much more interested in seeing the sites, museums, villages, etc. Thinking that early April might be ideal. (We were in Portugal in April of this year and hit an early heat wave for a few days - afraid that might happen if we go to Greece around May 8-19).

Thanks again for all of these incredibly helpful posts.
Marvi

Thank you Janet and kmkwoo for your responses and suggestions. Rather than further polluting this thread, I created separate thread with my itinerary if you have any more feedback: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/greece/greek-itinerary-feedback

Pam