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Help itinerary/route planning for first timer to Greece

Posted by (Florida) on

Hello everyone!

I am in the very EARLY stages of planning my first trip to Greece, just starting my research and could use some help with coming up with an ideal/efficient itinerary/route.

First, I (37M) will be traveling solo. I am thinking hopefully of going sometime in late September-early October this year. I would be coming from the east coast of USA. I am thinking right now I may have 12-14 days. 12 would be ideal (due to work reasons), but I could probably add those 2 extra days if really needed.

With this trip I am looking to get a mix of classical Greece, visiting and exploring ancient ruins, and rest and relaxation hopefully on a sunny Greek island.

I prefer not to travel at a break-neck speed, and try to move a little slower, but I'm having trouble figuring out the timing I should spend in each city I am looking at. I've looked at a few itineraries from various tour groups including Rick's recommended itinerary, and it seems there are a lot of 1 night stops in cities which I usually try to avoid so I am not constantly having to pack up/check-in/check-out, etc.

Right now I am looking at something like:

  • Athens (3 nights) - would include arrival day, so really 2 full days to hit the highlights and maybe something lesser known or maybe a food tour or something?
  • Nauplia (3 nights) - Enough time to visit Mycenae and Epidavros? Could I stop at Corinth on the way?
  • Delphi (2 nights) - 1 full day? Can I get there easily from Nauplia? Do I have to back track to Athens?
  • Return to Athens to head to an island (see below for questions about that). 2-3 nights on the island?
  • Return to Athens to fly home.

I would have liked to have included Olympia, but I think given the distance and time constraints, it is probably best to leave that for another trip?

I also would like to visit Meteora but I'm not sure how I should/if I can include that? Should I do an overnight? Would one night be sufficient? Or maybe I could do it as a day trip from somewhere?

Also, is there an easy way to fit in Thermopylae? I always thought it would be really cool to visit that famous site.

I would really prefer not to have to rent a car. It seems buses are the way to get around via public transportation in Greece is that right? Not trains?

Finally, recommendations for an island? I will probably just pick one this trip again given my time constraints and so I am not having to move from place to place. I think I would like to save this for the end of my trip as the R&R after exploring the mainland. That probably means returning to Athens to catch a flight/ferry?

A little more about me and my travel style: I like impressive vistas, being able to walk and wander through town, important historical sites/ruins, walking/food tours. I don't plan on going swimming. Also not a partier (don't even drink alcohol) so I think that rules out Mykonos? Santorini of course looks impressive (I love those famous images of the blue domed white buildings), but I've heard it really is lots of couples on romantic getaways and since I'm traveling solo, not really sure of the vibe for me. I've heard good things about Naxos and I think that may be my #1 option right now. I know RS goes to Hydra, but am not sure.

Ok, I'm sorry this post is getting quite long. To wrap up, what do you think about my proposed route and number of nights in each city? Is there a better way to do it? Also, what would you recommend for an island?

Thank you!

Posted by
3262 posts

Hi James,

I think you've done a pretty good job of planning an itinerary that fits your travel style.

Here are a few quick thoughts - try Rome2Rio to do an initial check on transportation options and to check distances.

You could cut one day from Delphi or maybe even go to Olympia instead (if you have to pick one or the other.)

Meteora is memorable but perhaps a little out of the way for this trip - same for Thermopylae.

With the time that you have, you might consider staying on the Peloponnese and picking a coastal area (Gythio or other) that feels like an island experience, then plan a future trip that includes the islands.

Depending on your flight time, you will probably want to plan your last night in Athens - also a good place to get your Covid test for your flight home.

I'm sure you'll get more great suggestions!

Posted by
3262 posts

Another thought... if you want to pick an island for 3 nights or so, fly there directly when you arrive in Athens- plan a flight time that gives you enough wiggle-room in case your flight is delayed. It gives you some R & R at the beginning of the trip to recover from jetlag rather of waiting until the end.

Plan the rest of your itinerary so that you spend your last 3 nights in Athens.

Posted by
585 posts

Three nights in Athens is not enough! Especially as you will probably lose a day to jet lag. Stay close to the Plaka/Acropolis area of Athens so you can easily walk to the main sites. Visit the Acropolis Museum as well as the site. There is a nice pedestrian walk that takes you around the base of the Acropolis to the Stoa of Attalos and the archaeological park, past the Roman forum and other sites and back to the Plaka area. Takes the best part of the day but is pleasant and gives you great insight into how ancient Athens developed.

I would consider renting a car for your trip to Nafplio. It would then be easy to build in a stop at both the Corinth Canal and the site and once you are out of Athens it’s easy driving. Having a car would be good for Nafplio making it easy to visit Mycene and Epidarius, and don’t forget Ancient Tiryns which is just 4 kms outside of Nafplio.

I have not been to Delphi but it seems to recommended that you do it as an overnight trip. You can get a bus from Athens so probably best to add it to the Athens portion of the trip.

From Mykonos you can take a boat trip to the ruins at the Island of Delos though this is dependent upon the weather and roughness of the sea (the wind can blow through that area creating rough seas with little warning). My favourite Island is Crete and the area around Chania. Lots to see and do there. Lovely Venetian harbour, lots of interesting exploring in the old town, a nice small museum, good restaurants, fascinating history from Minoans until recently (particularly the Battle of Crete and subsequent occupation and resistance during WWII). It’s a 45 minute flight from Athens. I think just about any of the Islands will offer what you want for R & R. I really liked Rhodes which is also about 45 minutes flight from Athens. The town of Rhodes is fascinating with its medieval buildings and lots to explore away from the crowds.

Posted by
1441 posts

Hi James you seem to have done your homework and have chosen many of the highlight destinations in Greece. Unfortunately you are going to have to do this trip on public transportation and that's going to complicate things greatly as you are at the mercy of the bus schedules.

Here are a few thoughts. As Marsle suggested many experienced travellers to Greece suggest you fly to your first island immediately on arrival in Athens. I can confirm a transatlantic flight will cause jet lag and it is best to get over it on an island. Trust me on that Athens is big, busy,noisy hot and foreign. You will be dragging yourself around trying to hit highlights but your fatigue is going to take at least 24 hours.
You will need 2 hours after landing in Athens to collect your bags get through passport control get up to the departures level get through security have a beer and get to departures gate.

If you can get a flight to Naxos you will get a great introduction to Greece. Its pretty laid back with an old town market area topped by a Venetian era Kastro and lots of good beaches. You might also consider neighbouring Paros.
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
There are bus connections Nafplio to Corinth and transfer to Delphi.

A different approach might be get to Nafplio as soon as you arrive. You can do that by KTEL bus which has departures on the hour. You will however have to commute into central Athens to the bus depot. Nafplio feel like an island visit as it is on the coast. You can relax there as well.
There are private transfer companies that you can arrange transfers from the airport. We use City Cab and they can pick you up at the airport and deliver you to Nafplio.
Nafplio https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632094108982

Corinth does not get a whole lot of praise but it actually has some highlight opportunities. The canal is worth a stop hike the west side of the canal. Ancient Corinth is nearby as is the great Fortress at Acrocorinth. You can get to Corinth easily by bus and perhaps you can hire a taxi to take you around.
Corinth Area. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157711755443483

There are bus connections Nafplio to Corinth and Corinth to Delphi. Maybe the day you do Corinth you just catch the late afternoon bus to Delphi. It is a great site.
Delphi and Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157698930270992

Finish you trip in Athens. You will be accustomed to how Greece works by now so you will have energy to tackle Athens.
Athens https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632121475515

Posted by
11569 posts

James, you have a well thought out start to your planning. Do try to include Olympia. We were so glad we did.
Mystras is another interesting site but Byzantine not ancient Greek.
From Nauplion you can easily visit the Mycenae, Epidavros, Tiryns and Corinth ( either coming or leaving).
We spent the night in Delphi; get a hotel room looking out to the olive tree groves and the sea beyond. Beautiful setting.
Islands differ. Santorini has the views but is overtouristed. We did not see any scene in Mykonos. Our favorite island was Paros. Naxos would be a good choice too. You don’t have time for Crete.

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