1st time going to Greece

I recommend Naxos or Paros.

Definately do not rent a car in Athens. That was the most congested city I have ever been in with no real good infrastructure. Public transportation is definately the way to go. We loved Mykonos and Santorini. Plenty to see and do in Athens for a couple days. Have a good trip!!

When? Weather or crowding to could affect island choice.

All of you would probably benefit from the information at this RS link about Greece here on his website: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/greece

Ewww! factors:

1. Greece's sewer systems have not kept up with their population and tourist growth. As a result, the pipes can't handle TP being flushed down them. So used TP of all kinds must be put in the trash next to the toilet.

2. Public toilets like at the Acropolis usually don't have western seats, largely because they are stolen. You'll be sitting on the porcelain. Likewise soap is rarely there for the same reason.

3. Toilet facilities inside museums are usually okay for seats and soap, but still require that the used TP go in the trash and not be flushed.

I mention this icky stuff because many visitors to Greece aren't aware of it or told about it or can't believe it's really true or think somehow it doesn't apply to them.

We just returned from a trip with two teens (16, 19) to Istanbul, Athens, and Santorini. I unfortunately can't give insight to other islands, but did want to specifically answer your point re: let the kids explore without Mom. On Santorini we stayed in Fira and were very comfortable with our teens walking around without us. They need a good sense of direction! (or google maps). My son's favorite activity was the walk/hike from Fira to Oia along the coast. Amazing views the entire way. April was definitely not beach weather, and i am not sure Santorini is a good fit for beaches and being on a budget, but it was a good spot for teens to do some exploring on their own. Good luck with your planning!

Don’t worry about the bathroom issues. The wastebaskets are covered. In your hotel, they are emptied daily. You quickly become accustomed to it. But It is important to be aware of this so you don’t cause problems.

Rather than start your trip in Athens for a few days, most Greek travelers recommend that you save Athens for the end of your vacation, since you should be in Athens one night before your flight home. Ideally you will be able to catch a flight to your island a couple of hours after landing in Athens.

As for island choice, Mykonos and Santorini are definitely not budget-friendly and both can be mobbed by cruise ship passengers. With just five days, you want to stick with just one island. I think Naxos is best for beaches & teens. Get a hotel along St. George Beach, which is adjacent to the main town, and let them wander. Easy day trips are available by bus so you won’t need a rental car to see the island.

If you give us specifics including dates of your trip & time of flight arrival in Athens, we can help you sort this all out.

We are planning on being there 5/28 or29 and leaving 6/9. Naxos and paros both look absolutely beautiful and thank you for the information on the St. George Beach. Any information on transportation, day excursions and "must see places" would be appreciated .

Thanks again

Many experienced Greece travellers recommend you save Athens to the end of the trip. Get out to your first island immediately after arriving in Athens. Why? Getting over jet lag on a relaxing island is way better than doing it in Athens which is hectic and there is so much to see and you have not recovered from the flights. You did not let us know where you are flying from. If you have done a transatlantic your energy levels will be low.
Second, I count 8 days in your plan 2 in Athens then 5 on an island and one night back in Athens for the end of your trip. If you did Athens at the end of the trip for the 2 sightseeing days you can add an additional day to your Island visit.

I would fly to Naxos immediately on arrival. Actually at this time Aegean has no economy seats Athens to Naxos on either the 28 or 29th. Sky express does seem to have some seats left. I understand hotels and flights are very difficult to find as they are getting booked up. If you want to do this trip you need to act now.

Naxos town will hold a lot of interest and activities. St george beach is actually part of Naxos town so it makes sense to find a hotel there.
Naxos has lovely mountain villages, great beaches, hiking and some antiquities. With 5 nights you will not even come close to fully experiencing Naxos. The local bus KTEL does have a couple of around the island tours. Check with teh bus depot office as soon as you arrive and see if thy have availability for you. Thats going to be your best bet to visit the most important sites in Naxos countryside.
Here is what Naxos is like.
Around Naxos town 2022 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720299959098
Back to Naxos 2022 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720299940917
St George Beach https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720299943096

Trip around Naxos https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157634605629689

Great info, thank you. We are coming from Arizona, USA.

How is Nexos for water activites (kayaking, fishing, ect)?

And it looks like we would arrive 5/27 in Athens around 1pm, if i get that flt what are suggestions do you have to get to naxos?

Thanks for the help

And it looks like we would arrive 5/27 in Athens around 1pm, if i get
that flt what are suggestions do you have to get to naxos

There are no more seats available on ATH → Naxos flights during the afternoon for 27/05.
But there are still seats available (overpriced) for ATH → Paros on 2 flights: at 4 p.m. with Sky Express or at 4:55 p.m. with Olympic.
You will be in Paros 45 minutes after take-off.

By ferry you can take the Blue Star Naxos which leaves at 5:30 p.m. from Piraeus and arrives at 9:45 p.m. in Paros and then at 10:45 p.m. in Naxos.

The main water sports that can be practiced in Naxos or Paros are surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and, if the sea allows it, kayaking and boating. Local travel agencies organize fishing tours for tourists, otherwise you can meet a friendly fisherman and get up very early in the morning to go fishing with him (less easy than the organized fishing tour).

Since stanbr posted links about Naxos, to balance here are some more about Paros.
The years are mixed and it's always a bit the same, beaches, white houses, old taverns, cats, and dishes that make you hungry..

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EHVn2vM531MXcopY7

In response to arriving at naxos on 1045pm, is there transportation available to get to hotel, which I'm currently looking for?

All accommodations are accustomed to late arrivals, and 10:45 p.m. in Greece is not very late.

If your hotel is located near the port, you may be able to get there on foot. Either way, ask the hotel. Personally, I have only known hosts who picked us up at the port for free, but some charge for the trip.

Sorry if my questions sounds all over the place. I am looking at accommodations and wondering any thoughts on hotels compared to airbnb's, and what recommendations you have?

In the Greek islands, there are more types of accommodation such as apartments, studios and villas than "hotels" in the strict sense of the term.

Before the Internet, owners waited for travelers at the port with "room to let" signs. Nowadays these accommodations are referenced everywhere, sometimes as a "hotel" on platforms such as booking.com while at the same time being listed on Airbnb or having their own website.
It is therefore difficult to compare one to the other.

Personally, after more than 30 years of traveling in the Greek islands (never in July or August) we have never been to a "hotel" but have always stayed in apartments or villas equipped with a kitchen or kitchenette and a outdoor space like terrace or garden in which we stay at least 5 nights.

As for Naxos, unlike stanbr, Naxos Town and surrounding areas is the only place I avoid staying. I prefer renting a car and going to places in the middle of nowhere, if possible close to unorganised beach without any sunbed or beach bar.

So my recommendations would probably not suit your teenagers who need more "action", unless they are agoraphobic hermit style -:))

To make this as simple as possible, book a hotel on St. George beach, tell them your arrival time and ask for assistance getting from the ferry to the hotel. Do this quickly as places are booking up.

They may offer to meet you or else they will arrange a taxi. Either way, someone will be waiting with a sign with your name or the name of your hotel. There is no more welcome sight after a long travel day!

At the far end of St George Beach (opposite the port) is a place called Flisvos Sports club, where your teens can find windsurfing (and possibly other water sports) equipment for rent.
They can run down the beach & check it out the next morning.

Edited to add: when looking for hotels on Booking.com, St. George Beach is Agios Georgios.

I know that you are going on vacation, but just in case you need to get work done: internet connections on islands can be spotty.

Not to jump on @hetter1 original post. I would think this is good for all reading here.

I too am planning a family trip, July 27th - August 4th are our on ground days, to Greece and the Islands.
Planning to fly from ATH to Chania, Crete early on the 27th. Going to stay there through the 30th.
Question regarding the airlines as that is the current plan to save time, the carryon bag allowance is tiny (40cm x20cm x25cm). Looking at Ryan Air, have not seen that airline mentioned.

Are they real sticklers for the size of the carryon?

Is Ryan Air a good airline?

On Crete, do you recommend renting a car? I recognize it is a large island so this is probably best?
So, we are looking at moving north to Naxos from there by ferry. Is ferry a good idea, or should we look at flights?
Trying to find where to stay on Naxos. I have heard mountains are a wonderful option, maybe more affordable?
I have also heard we should rent a car here as well.

So much to think about and coordinate when jumping from location to location.

The sizes allowed for cabin baggage vary depending on the company and the aircraft.
If the flights you have found are on ATR72 turboprops (with Sky Express or Aegean/Olympic , the dimensions allowed are smaller than on Airbus or Boeing.

There are sizers at the airport to determine if you can take your baggage with you.

For personal and ethical reasons, I never fly on the low cost airline Ryanair.

Greek domestic flights are very well provided by Sky Express or Aegean/Olympic which are very reliable airlines and do not overcharge the slightest glass of water

We are arriving in athens 26 May, around noon and have tickets for ferry at 1700. How do we get from airport to ferry port? I know taxi is very expensive, are there any other options?
Thank you

Here are the 3 options to get from the airport to the port of Piraeus:

1/ The X96 bus

The buses are located on the arrivals level between exits 4 and 5. There is a ticket booth outside next to the bus departure area.

The ticket costs 5.5€, a bus approximately every 20 minutes.

The journey time to the port is around 1h10 depending on traffic.

2/ The metro line 3 (blue line) and its new extension which goes to the port of Piraeus

The metro station itself is located just outside of the main terminal. Follow the signs "to trains"
Go up to the upper floor (departures level) and take the footbridge until you reach the metro station where you can buy your tickets (booth or vending machines).

There are two platforms with display boards showing train destinations.
Take the one that goes to Piraeus (terminus Dimotiko Theatro)

Once at the Piraeus station take the "Kallimassiotis Coast" exit which takes you directly to the quays.

There is a metro every 36 minutes. The journey takes 58 minutes.
The ticket costs 9€. Keep your ticket you will need it to exit

3/ A pre-booked taxi (e.g. with welcompickups)

The driver will be waiting for you at the exit holding a sign with your name on it
The trip for 4 people costs around 62€.

I assume you will take the Blue Star Naxos.
It leaves at 5:30 p.m. from Gate E7.
It is about 5 minutes walk from the metro exit or the X96 bus stop

If you take a taxi, indicate gate E7 to the driver who will drop you off directly in front of the place where the ferry leaves.

My advice is to take the X96 bus.
Once you have gone through the formalities, it will take you about 15 minutes to go to exit 4-5, buy your tickets and you will be on the bus less than 10 minutes later.

In addition you will not have corridors, stairs or escalators to take while dragging your luggage like in the metro, it is more pleasant to see the landscape than the interior of a tunnel and it is the cheapest .

Another vote for the X96 bus. These busses are super convenient and easy to catch and the price is right! Watch for pickpockets, though!