What a wonderful treasury of information you all are! We have just decided to add on an additional four days in Greece (our first time) to our 10 day tour of Israel. Our flight into Athens lands at 7:30am on October 30, and we will leave from Athens very early on November 4. What would you do with only four days at that time of year? My original thought was to go to an island for 2 - 3 days and return to Athens for a day or two to visit there before leaving for home. I was interested in more off-the-beaten-path locations (no cruise ships), and would consider a day trip to an additional island. Now I am wondering if any of the islands would be touristy at that time? Without tourists, would everything be closed up - shops, restaurants, ferries, etc? Would we be better off seeing sites on the Peloponnese Peninsula and not seeing any islands? I've read so much, my head is spinning. We are in our 50's and traveling alone to Greece, and I know we'll be exhausted after our Israel tour. I'd love to find authentic experiences that get us among the little streets and native people and cooking, but I also don't want to miss seeing the must-sees, either.
I know --- I can't have all of Greece in four days!
Thank you for considering advising me.
Posted by
11569 posts
Spend your time in Napflio on tne Peloponnesean Peninsula. It is a beautiful waterfront small city near amazing and significant antiquities. It is large enough that it won’t close down like the islands.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Part of the issue is that the island begin to shut down in early October. Some hotels, restaurants just close for the winter on the islands. And airline schedules become very restricted. So you need to check all of those things very carefully. I would be inclined to stay in Athens and hit the island another time. Cruise ships are not a problem at that time of year. You will be luck to see one.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1441 posts
Athens will take you 4 days easily so just stay there. If you want a side trip consider renting a car and driving to Delpi and perhaps add on Meteora. Both are amazing sites.
Athens http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632121475515/
Olympia Delphi Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157645469717811/
And as mentioned Nafplio is also a good thought as it has several good ancient sites nearby.
Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094108982/
Posted by
NH (USA)
1222 posts
I would agree with stanbr that your best option is to stay in Athens for your 4 days. It will take a minimum of 3 days to fully explore, experience and see everything one goes to Athens for plus all the other side areas.
Check out this website for Athens info:
https://www.athensguide.com/
If you want to do a day cruise to an island then the nearby island of Aegina would be ideal. It has archeological sites, nice waterfront town, abandoned Byzantine Village in the hills, open-air market on the waterfront and lots more. You can take an early morning ferry, spend a few hours, have lunch on the waterfront, then get back to Athens late afternoon and still have time for a night out in Athens.
Posted by
585 posts
You can stay in Athens and still get a good Greek experience - pick one of the many hotels in the Plaka area of Athens. Situated at the foot of the Acropolis it will give you easy access to the most of the major sites in Athens. In addition to the Acropolis you have the Ancient Agora, the Roman Forum, Temple of Zeus etc. all within walking distance, as well as good transportation links (metro and buses). You also have the Acropolis Museum and other Museums in the area and it will also provide you with the little winding streets and restaurants that you are looking for. I know I could easily spend all my time in Athens .
Hotels in Plaka range from budget to boutique and if course the higher end ones will be cheaper in November.....Look at the Bookings.com website and see what appeals, then look at the hotel website and book through that - that is what many on the forum prefer to do. Also read older posts and see what hotels show up regularly as recommended.