Greek islands to visit

Choose to use your extra nights in either Naxos or Santorini but not both

3 or 4 nights is already too short for just one island, so whether it's Naxos or any other island, I don't see the point of staying there just one night as if it were a simple stopover on a course. You will waste time and energy on transfers and ultimately see nothing of Naxos except the port and the surrounding area.

Just stay in one of those spots. Too much time is wasted traveling to Naxos for one night. I have not stayed in either place but loved Santorini. We stayed in Vourvoulos and loved it. Outside of all the touristy places yet close enough to walk to (a long walk but were walkers).

Thanks for this post. I've been thinking about a trip to Greece in the next couple years. I like your approach, I think being on a tour for heavily touristed places is a great idea. I did it for Rome. I will also want to tack on some of the Greek islands to do on our own so I'll be watching for people's recommendations.

Last May we visited both Santorini and Naxos, and we loved both islands. They are very different from each other.

I agree with the people who advise you to visit only one of these islands because you are wasting too much time traveling from place to place, and you will see very little of each place.

On Santorini, we stayed at the Blue Dolphin Apartments in Firastefani for 3 nights. We have a lovely room with a deck overlooking the caldera. The rate was about $230 per night. For one of your days, I highly recommend renting a car for the day to explore the rest of the island, such as Akrotiri Archaeological ruins, Akrotiri lighthouse, red sand beach, and black sand beach. Santorini is beautiful, the caldera views are stunning, and although Santorini is crowded, it is definitely worthy of a one-time visit.

Naxos is beautiful, too, and is more quiet and laidback than Santorini. We spent 4 nights in Naxos at Hotel Palatia, on the edge of Ag. Georgios Beach, a quick walk into town. We also rented a car on Naxos for day to explore the island, and had so much fun visiting mountain villages and fishing villages.

My wife and I are planning a trip to Greece, April to May, 2 weeks. Staying on the Island of Paros, and exploring other places.

we'll probaby get one of the Rick Steves guide books to explore.

Can anyone give us some tips, we'll have about 2 weeks. Nothing fancy, our goal is to meet the people and be relaxed.

Joe and Barb

Joe and Barb

You should open a new Topic, if possible specifying the dates more precisely, if you want to go to Paros by ferry or plane, what kind of accommodation you want and what you mean by "exploring other places"