We are a family of 5 (parents with 3 kids ages 25 22 and 20) traveling to Greece in June for a family wedding. Prior to the wedding we will have one night in Athens and then have 5 nights to visit 2 islands. Considering Naxos and maybe one other. The wedding is on Andros which is about an hour ferry ride from Athens. Any suggestions?? Thanks.
Posted by
France Southwest
2318 posts
"The wedding is on Andros which is about an hour ferry ride from
Athens"
You cannot go to Andros from the port of Piraeus close to Athens. Ferries to Andros depart from Rafina.
And Rafina is not easy to reach from Athens center.
And the ferry trip from Rafina only lasts one hour with the Seajets catamaran in the afternoon (around 2 p.m. / 4 p.m.).
With other ferries it's 2 hours.
The good thing is that the port of Rafina is 20 minutes from the airport. So you can either take a taxi to Rafina then a ferry to Andros upon arrival at the airport if your flight arrives let's say before 3 p.m.
Or spend a night in Rafina and take a morning ferry the next day.
In Rafina you can go to the Avra hotel which is 200 meters from the port and which provides a free shuttle from the airport.
There are quite a few restaurants at the port or in the city center.
After Andros you could go to Tinos, it is the neighboring island of Andros (1h30 by ferry)
The island is very beautiful and relatively untouched by tourism. There are lots of small typical villages, a few beaches and splendid landscapes. But you will need a car to visit it.
Some photos of Tinos in May/June:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/4sAxvcMJY2KAegrE9
Or from Andros you can also go to Naxos (but also to Paros), but with only 5 nights I would not recommend going to more than one other island besides Andros.
Be aware that any trip by ferry from one island to another will take you a good part of the day.
You will also need to return to Athens at least the day before your return flight. Don't take the risk of returning to Athens the same day.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1440 posts
Every island hop via ferry actually uses up uses a half day. I suggest you choose an island and spend the 5 days there. You cannot discover all Naxos has to offer in 5 days. Just stay there.
See what i mean
Naxos town https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632094558042
Trip around Naxos https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157634605629689
Naxos sunsets https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157700728046481
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1700 posts
I agree with JoLui and stanbr. With only 5 nights you should stay on one island in addition to Andros. Otherwise, you waste too much time traveling to the islands and not enough time there.
We spent 4 nights on Naxos and I wish we had a 5th night. So 5 nights on Naxos would be perfect! Be sure to rent a car for a day or two to drive around and explore Naxos. There are many mountain towns and seaside villages that are beautiful and well worth visiting. There are lots of walks and hikes on Naxos, too, in addition to exploring Naxos Old Town.
Posted by
NH (USA)
1222 posts
I would go to Tinos as it's one of the nicest Greek Islands I've been to.
Has some of the prettiest villages of any island I've been to plus a number of historic sites and spectacular mountain road on the west of the island.
One of the most unique landscapes I've ever been to in Greece is located just outside the village of Volax. Huge boulders cascading down hillsides, large stones scattered all around in a beautiful rural area.
Also has beautiful terrace work from centuries ago and famous Dove Cote structures plus lots more to explore.
You can check out my photos of Tinos here: