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Feedback on Greece Itinerary

Posted by (Washington DC) on

I would love feedback on this 13-night itinerary in April. Though I have been to Crete, we are otherwise first-timers. Have hotel in Athens and Naxos booked. Working on the others. I'm thinking we might want a third day in Athens. While two is often recommended, it does seem tight considering the sights and just being able to appreciate the city.

Athens arrival. Check in and late dinner.
Athens. Acropolis Museum. Rick Steve's Walk around Athens. Visit Acropolis late in day.
Athens. Agora. Lunch around Psyrri and Central Market (Rick Steves Walk). National Archaeological Museum.
Naxos. Blue Star 7:25 ferry. Arrive at 12:45. Kastro/Chora/Apollo. Car rental.

Naxos. Drive to villages. Demeter, Halki, Filoti, Apiranthos.
Naxos. Drive to Marble Atelier, Olive Oil Press at Eggares, Alyko Beach, Dinner at Apolafsi or Axiotissa.

Naxos. Some plan here. (Or cut this day and add elsewhere)
Santorini. Morning in Naxos. Blue Star 13:00 ferry. Arrive 15:30.
Santorini.
Transfer day/Delphi. 8:50 Aegean flight from Santorini to Athens. Rental car to Delphi (2.5 hours). Museum/tour. Overnight at Delphi.
Napflio. 3.5 hour drive. Stop at Mycenae en route.

Napflio. Sidetrip to Epidaurus.

Napflio. Sightseeing/Good Friday events.

Transfer to Athens. Early departure from Napflio. Possible stop at Temple of Poseidon en route? Return rental car at airport. Flight at 13:45.

Posted by
2536 posts

I'm thinking we might want a third day in Athens. While two is often
recommended

I don't know who can recommend only 2 days in Athens, you could easily spend a week in Athens which is not only archaeological sites and museums. It reminds me of what I once read on a forum: "Athens is very small, a few hours are enough"

The metropolitan area of ​​Athens is more than 3 million inhabitants and not only Plaka and its surroundings
So if you want to add a day it will not be wasted.

That being said you could also add a day or two in Naxos without wasting them. I don't know anyone who spent 5 days in Naxos and said it was too long.

Anyway with 13 nights it's Athens + 2 islands maximum. Adding Nafplio is in my opinion a mistake.

Possible stop at Temple of Poseidon on the way?

The temple of Poseidon is not on the way Nafplio→Athens, going there from Nafplio is a detour that adds more than 2h30 of driving (not counting the time of visit) . Also note that it will be the Easter period, there will be quite a few people on the roads. I would not plan a return to Athens from Nafplio to take a 13:45 flight, it is a bit risky.

Posted by
420 posts

I second what JoLui said about Sounio. It's not on the way from Nafplio.

We drove from Nafplio to the Temple of Poseidon in august and it took a long time. We were staying in Artemida that night (20 miles north of Sounion as the crow flies) before our flight home and thought "oh we'll just pop over before going to the hotel". It added multiple hours of driving to the trip. On the map it looks like it is so close to both Athens and the airport, but the roads are windy and it is slow going.

You could always save it for next time, it will give you a reason to come back!

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