Greek Islands 5 Days

Is 5 days your entire trip or part of a trip devoted to islands?

Makes a difference. Figure travel to an Island a whole day event, no less than two nights on an island, so at most, maybe two islands in 5 nights, if you have a night or two on the mainland in addition.

If you do two islands, then they need to be on the same ferry route, or have a direct connection. Look at www.aferry.gr for routes.

Santorini and a close island would be the classic suggestion (Santorini and Mykonos the ultimate pair) but there are dozens of islands that would work, many cheaper and more of a traditional experience.

Hi Paul!

Thanks for your reply!
The 5 days are part of a longer trip. We are also visiting Turkey.

Vanessa

Vanessa, 5 days is almost impossible ... at the very least, if you want us to help you plan anything feasible for such a short period, every detail and every HOUR matters. If you really help, please supply the following exact info:

• Where are you coming from? California? What exact DATE will your plane land in Athens, and What exact TIME?
• What exact DATE and exact TIME is your departure plane?
• Do you plan to spend ANY time in Athens at all? Will this be part of the 5 days, or are you planning to bypass Athens completely? (if you want to sightsee Athens for 1 or 1.5 days, you can only visit one island.
• With only 5 days, a ferry from the mainland to the best-known islands is TOO time-consuming; u may have to take a domestic flight at least 1-way, catching a flight as soon as your US flight lands Is this OK?
• What are your primary interests in Greece? If it is to swim -- either in sea or pool -- you may have to change your trip dates. Almost NO part of Greek waters are warm enough to swim in before May 15. I'm pretty tough, swim in CT and MASS, but May 9 was earliest I tried, in southermost isle (Crete) and couldn't stay in water more than a minute.

• Have you done any research, even looked at any pix? Is y our "dream island" one of those with "white sugar cube" houses w. blue shutters (seen only in the Cyclades chain), or are you OK with golden-stone houses w, terracotta tile roofs (more of an Italian look).

Five days is not enough to even experience one island let alone "a few". Pick one island and spend your time there. If you think getting from one island to another is easy, it really isn't . . . it involves time, getting from your accommodations to the port, waiting for the ferry, the time involved with the ferry getting to another destination and so forth.

I can understand wanting to see and do as much as possible on your holiday, but quality is more important quantity. There are numerous Greek Islands you could spend 5 days on and still not see it all.

What are your interests, what do you expect from a Greek Island experience, do you like partying, nightlife, shopping, archeological/historic sites, more locals than tourists and so on?

Less touristy islands, especially May are Sifnos, Milos, Naxos, Amorgos, Astypalea, Kythira, Lemnos, Skyros, on and on.

Check out Matt's Greek Guide for Islands and other info pertaining to Greece:

http://www.greektravel.com/greekislands/

Have you considered Rhodes (close to Turkey)? I think you have time for 2 islands unless you just want to relax. We spent 3 nights on Santorini last year and that was just about right (took the Blue Star Ferry - http://www.bluestarferries.com/en/).

You could ferry out of Athens and spend a night or two on Paros or Naxos, then ferry to Santorini for another day or two, then back to Athens, Quick, but doable. Ferries go to and from Athens/Paros/Naxos every day. Look to see when you can ferry from Paros or Naxos to Santorini. Take the fast ferry Athens to Paros/Naxos. Think about taking the sow ferry from there to Santorini - takes more time, but worth the amazing view as you approach Santorini. Then take the fast ferry back to Athens.
Here is one of many ferry websites.
http://www.go-ferry.com/ferry-greece.html?gclid=CLKNn-Cg5tICFciKswodi_EBbQ
We stayed at the Irene Hotel on Paros and would go back. It faces the beach and is easy walking distance to a sweet town and the ferry docks.

You could ferry out of Athens and spend a night or two on Paros or Naxos, then ferry to Santorini for another day or two, then back to Athens, Quick, but doable. Ferries go to and from Athens/Paros/Naxos every day. Look to see when you can ferry from Paros or Naxos to Santorini. Take the fast ferry Athens to Paros/Naxos. Think about taking the sow ferry from there to Santorini - takes more time, but worth the amazing view as you approach Santorini. Then take the fast ferry back to Athens.
Here is one of many ferry websites.
http://www.go-ferry.com/ferry-greece.html?gclid=CLKNn-Cg5tICFciKswodi_EBbQ
We stayed at the Irene Hotel on Paros and would go back. It faces the beach and is easy walking distance to a sweet town and the ferry docks.