Deciding on Greece or Spain

I've been to both and prefer Greece. Santorini lives up to its hype and Nauplio is beautiful.

Its funny how a place like Santorini is somewhere I am glad to have seen, but is not a place I hold dearly or think was a special experience. When I planned my trip to Greece, it wasn't even on my list, until I came here and people talked about it as a bucket-is place, and then I thought, well, if Im going all that way.... So we went, for 3 nights, 2 1/2 days. It was interesting geologically, and it was pretty, but it also had the strongest feeling of Greece marketing of everywhere I went, and so.many.tourists (although you will not have this, so may have a magical experience after all).

I did love Naxos. It did strike me with that magical feeling. Mostly once you get out and away from the beaches, where it is all oil, sunburns and tourists (again, not for you in May). But the mountains of Naxos, and the villages, yeah, really great, even in July when we went

But I am someone who does not appreciate the very polished tourist experience. I liked the grungier, real-world and old world parts of Greece more.

We fell in love with Hreece and have been there twice. The reason most travelers warn about Santorini is the crowds and a less Greek experience you receive there. We loved sparks.
Tops for us also are Greece’s two prettiest towns/ small cities, Napflion on the Peloponnesean, two hours drive from Athens and Chania, Crete.
We have been to Spain more times and love it there. It is large so pick a region with only nine days. Basque Country in the north, Andalucia in the south . Or just visit Madrid and Barcelona, an easy combination. Good day trips are available from both cities.

I prefer Spain, particularly for early May, when the weather in Greece could still be cool and wet.

In nine days (is this time on the ground or your total time away from home?) you could have 4 nights, 3 full days in Seville. You could then head to Cadiz and try some sherry tasting in Jerez, then head to Granada to see the Alhambra.

Santorini is my least favourite Greek island - it’s too Disneyfied. Crete has a good mix of history and beaches. If you just want beaches and chill time in restaurants, walking, people watching etc, Lefkas, Kefalonia, Skopelos and Alonnisos are all islands that I have enjoyed. The Pelion is a stunning region on the mainland.

I'll be going to Greece this May, but later in the month. I agree that early May would be perfect for Spain, particularly Andalucia.
I've been there twice and the Basque region once, which was probably my favorite, but in early May I'd choose south.
If you go with Greece, I'd fly to Crete or stick the mainland.

We spent five nights on Naxos 4 years ago and absolutely loved it! No cruise ships (like Santorini); large open beaches, a walkable town; friendly people. You won't regret it!

Greece!!

I mean I do love Spain (especially Andalusia) but Greece is a magical destination to me, and I keep coming back to it...