Hi everyone,
We are 4 seniors ( in good health) planning to spend a week in Greece in September 2022. Trying to figure out the best way to plan our time, how many nights in Athens, should we plan a night or two in Nafplio or Hydra and how many nights we should spend in Santorini. Getting overwhelmed a bit trying to sort it out so any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
One week isn’t enough to visit all you list. Athens needs a minimum of three nights( that equals two full days.) Then either Napflio or an island. Santorini is the only place in Greece I do not like, too touristy and crowded. Others like it though. I would visit Athens and Paros or Naxos or Athens and Napflio. Can’t you give Greece more time?
I agree with the first post - Santorini is far too over rated and Disneyfied.
With just a week you should stay on the mainland and spend four nights in Athens and include a day trip to Hydra and then go to Nafplio for three nights and rent a car one day and drive to Mycenae and Epidavros.
If you do go to Santorini skip seeing Hydra and Nafplio. It would be best if you could fly into one place i.e., Santorini and out of Athens.
A week much too short for yr wish-list. Why not more time? You are all retired - you don't have to be back at office. 3 -4 more days, works MUCH better. For 10 days, I'll even plan your itinerary on the spot. How? Because I've done your trip half a dozen times successfully, with newbie companions. Plus I'm a Senior too. To Start, a couple of MUSTs:
1 MUST - FLIGHT -- take a flight that's nonstop from N America (Delta-AA-United-UAE-AIr Canada). Why? These all leave late in day, arrive between 9 -10:30 AM. These are 99% on time, & avoid changes in Europe where delays occur; shortest overall flying time. If you start talking about "my points" then be prepared for longer trips, change-over delays, hassle, just to save a few $.
*2 MUST -SEQUENCE -- Do Athens LAST. After o'nite flight u are too groggy to sightsee busy Major Capital. Instead Reinvigorate in a low-key lovely places, relax, learn Greek ways; u'll then be ready to tackle the Partheon etc etc.
DAY ONE -- ARR 9:30 -10:30 -- allow 2 hrs overlap, get Domestic flight to SANTORINI, arr 1-2 pm. Book Hotel w views; I Personally favor FIROSTEPHANI (locate on good google map)-- Plenty of Caldera-view hotels,away from hubbub of FIra, but easy 15 min walk to its attractions. U can be on yr balcony by 3 pm. Wander along rim path, have dinner w a view (sunset is 6:45 or so).
DAY TWO -- TAXI Or Rental Car by 8 AM to OIA, for 2-3 Hours of enjoying beautiful OIA; when huge crowds invade, leave for other adventures. Museums? Akrotiri? Wine-tasting tour? Another sunset dinner, maybe with music. That's it for Santorini - unless you're archeologists, it's all about the view, and 48 hours is enough to gaze your fill.
DAY THREE -- Fly ATH Airport arr by 11. Get rental car, head for NAFPLIO on modern divided intercity highway (very easy). Just after Corinth Canal, hop off highway 3 miles to spend 1 hr @ ANCIENT NEMEA = overlooked "OLympia runner-up" w. temple ruins and amazing stadium, NO crowds. LAte in Day, stroll & Explore NAfplio Old Town, enjoy splendid Sunset on seafront (better than Santorini!). My hotel pick: AGAMEMNON (One of v few on seafont, fab view, moderate rates, elevator).
DAY FOUR - FIVE - NAfplio, Palamidi & ancient sites. Study BEST website http://www.visitnafplio.com/ - click read EVERY link. For ancient sites, consider hiring "tours by locals"; be sure guides are licensed. And have a swim! Handy beaches & water's divinely warm in Sept. HIghlights of Nafplio & area - http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094108982/
DAY SIX - Leave after breakfast drive E. to ANcient EPIDAURUS, mainly for stunning Stadium (15K seats!). Drive up seashore road to ISTHMUS, get off to see CORINTH CANAL. Then join BIg Intercity highway to Airport. Drop car, taxi to center CIty hotel.
DAY SEVEN - EIGHT - NINE -- Explore Athens. A FUN 40-minute orientation for €5 = http://www.athenshappytrain.com/ WIth 4, you might consider PVt Guide for a day -- Acropolis, Acropolis Museum. Check this R Steves site For FREE audio downloads to tour Agora & Nat. Arch Museum. More museums- Musical instruments, Jewelry, Childrens Art, etc. Performances? Dora Stratou Folk-Dance Theatre, Concerts in Ancient Acropolis stadium -- you name it!
A DAY On WATER ?-- Don't do Hydra, please -- long trip in Closed-in Ferry, no deck, no views. Instead, have a 1-hour Greek Ferry Adventure! Taxi to PIraeus, take conventional Open-Deck ferry 1 hr to nearby isle, AEGINA. Enjoy seacape -- huge liners, cruise ships, schooners, speedboats, tiny sloops. Explore town, rent car to visit awesome hilltop temple, beach villages (quick dip?) back to port to wander back streets, then sunset ferry. NOTE - early start or this because open-deck ferrys only @ 8:30& noon. PIX album of Aegina day trip - https://www.flickr.com/photos/36264706@N03/sets/72157621604646139/detail/
That's it! -- you're welcome.
I like Janet's itinerary but would add at least one more day to your trip and stay in Santorini another night. Unlike earlier posters, we loved Santorini.
With just one week I would limit the trip to Athens and only one other destination.
Athens deserves a minimum of two days with three better. Huge amount to see, do and experience in the city.
Nafplio on the mainland is often recommended as it's one of Greece prettiest towns and a great base to explore nearby world class archeological sites. The Old Town is truly lovely.
If you need an island experience there is a day cruise from close by Tolo that goes to Hydra/Spetses.
Santorini is the most hyped and over touristy of the Greek Islands. Some like it others don't.
If you truly only have a week, I agree you should only do two places. I think that is why you are overwhelmed. It just isn't possible.
I would spend three nights in Santorini and four in Athens and make a day trip from Athens. You could go to another nearby island or go to Delphi, for example.
If you can manage more time, I do like Janet's plan except I also would add a night to Santorini. You will be jet lagged and it is hard to see as much that first day. We spent 3 nights on Santorini after we first arrived in Greece and thought it was a good amount. I would do that over a trip from Athens to another island as it is simpler logistically.
We went to Santorini and Naxos when we were in Greece. It is true that Santorini is not as authentically Greek as other islands but it is beautiful and we very much enjoyed visiting. Everyone spoke English which made for a soft landing in Greece.
I think Beth in paragraph 2 means Delphi ... and I would not recommend a tour-bus day trip... if you could rent a car, it might be better. Be aware that it takes about 3 hrs ... and at least 4-5 busses arrive at about 11 AM... There's enough room on the ruins site, but during t 12:30 - 1:30 all of them try to cram into museum, ruins the experience. IF u decide on Delphi, strategize to avoid this... and also unless u are all Ancient history buffs, hiring a licensed guide makes it more meaningful (local, meets u at site, typical fee €60/hr, 2 hr minimum.
As for 3rd night Santorini, it wd depend on your budget, but would not want to shortchange Athens to get that extra night.
I edited my post to not confuse people! Thanks Janet.
Four nights in Athens and three on Santorini - history and culture in the city and beauty and relaxation on the island.
I agree with the gist of Janet's post and we two seniors enjoyed Santorini thoroughly in May and were glad we chose Firostephani as our base for reasons mentioned. I recommend the Ellinon Boutique Hotel and specifically the room called Clio, which is a killer view of the caldera right in front of your enclosed small patio with hot tub. Take your breakfast tray and eat overlooking that view and pinch yourself.. Free parking for our rental car about 200' from the Hotel. We found driving on Santorini quite easy and were glad we had a car to explore all sides of the island. The main town of Fira is very touristy and crawling with cruise ship passengers who don't venture any further than Fira.
Two thumbs up for Napthlio. We had little trouble driving in the Pelopennese and also enjoyed Kardamyli, Monemvasia, and the Lousias Gorge and the Monastery hanging from a cliff! You won't encounter many if any, tourists there. A wonderful small hotel in the village of Dimitsana is Amenities Guest House.
Why not take a second week? You won't regret it. It's very rewarding to have a rental car to be able to explore.
