Help with Greece itinerary

I don't know a lot about Greece, but can tell you that Meteora is an amazing place to visit. I arrived a few days early in Athens for a tour. I opted to take a 2-Day trip to Meteora. It was by train when I took the trip. The scenery was beyond anything I had ever seen before. The history amazing. It turned out to be my favorite part of my Greece experience. They have many booking options including hiking. Enjoy your trip. You'll love whatever you decide to do!
https://visitmeteora.travel

I have been to Greece countless times, starting when I was 7 years old, and I haven't seen even a quarter of it. You may have the trip of your life no matter what you choose to do. Naxos is fine if you feel an inclination to place your feet there. I hope to visit myself. As all the islands are different from each other that's the only thing I would consider extra carefully.

You could keep the rental car to go from Nafplio to Delphi, it would be a more direct route than going back to Athens and then going to Delphi from Athens, either with your rental car or with a private tour.

Then you will drop off the car in Athens after Delphi

Driving to Delphi is not a problem, at least 80% of the route is not in the mountains. Other travelers here can confirm this.

3 nights on an island means only two days. It's short, especially on Naxos. You will not be able to do much more than wander around Naxos Town / Chora, spend a few hours on a beach and take a bus ride somewhere on the island.

In my opinion spending one last night near the airport is useless. It will only save you 30 minutes at best.
Only the Sofitel hotel (almost 300€ / night) is right in front of the airport, all the other hotels will be 15 minutes or more away.

You can just as easily spend this night in Athens, enjoy your last evening in the city and take a taxi to the airport the next day.

I think your most efficient plan would be your 5 days in Athens. Rent the car from the airport and drive to Corinth. You can stop at the canal perhaps visit Ancient Corinth site and right next door the mighty fortress at Acrocorinth. Continue the drive to Nafplio.
There are several ancient sites at and around Nafplio. Perhaps consider a day trip to Mystras the last Byzantine city that is not to be missed. Give Nafplio and area 5 nights then drive to Delphi for 1 night. Visit the museum in the afternoon enjoy the village and be at the gate at opening next morning. It will not be crowded at all and you can be driving back to the airport before noon. You might want to consider spending your last night in Rafina. Its a lovely small town and ferry port. You can take the free shuttle from the hotel formally called Avra and now renamed On the Port.
Its a pretty port area. Next morning take their shuttle back to the airport for your flight home.
Nafplio https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632094108982
Nafplio 2024 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720319228274

Delphi and Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157698930270992

Corinth Area. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157711755443483

Thank you so much for the replies.
We are rethinking Naxos now in light of the quakes.
We would still love to end the trip with an island stay!
Would love some suggestions. Thank you!

I don't think you should change anything about your trip to Greece because of the current earthquakes. Santorini is popular in the media because it is a mass tourism destination but there are earthquakes all the time and everywhere in mainland Greece and the islands. There was a 4.8 earthquake on Mount Athos yesterday and the international press don't talk about it.

But it's up to you.

That being said, since you love "history, culture, food, scenic hikes, picturesque walks", another option for a trip that includes an island while visiting part of the Peloponnese is to go to Kythira.
This is what we did in 2023 (but we had almost twice as many days as you).
The island is accessible by ferry from Gythio or Neapoli, located 4 hours drive from Nafplio.

I shouldn't even talk about it and let you go to Naxos like everyone else. Kythera is not in the Cyclades, is fortunately not very well known by social networks, travel professionals and their glossy catalogs, but has nothing to envy the other islands.

https://visitkythera.com/

See the itinerary from Nafplio to both ports:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uPqwHLLJqEA3sozJ6

There's daylies ferries to Kythira from Neapoli.

Some pictures of Kythera:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fq4yiQ4Jz4FpFqWL8

In my opinion you could also shorten your stay in Athens by one night.

If you can arrange to go to Kythira then you'll find a wonderful Greek Island that is often overlooked by tourists.

If interested you can read my trip report to Kythira from another travel forum.

I think it's one of best Greek Islands I've been to if you want a more "Greek" experience rather than a tourist experience.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g319777-i11468-k14565904-Kythira_Trip_Report_Sept_28_Oct_3-Kythira_Attica.html

To be honest, I don’t know why a lot of people have their mind set on visiting an island. The mainland has a lot to offer. Even good beaches. I think the Peloponnesos has everything you are looking for. History (Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycene, Acro Corinth), beautiful mountain villages like the Arcadian villages Dimitsana and Stemnitsa (and the Prodomos Monastery), trainride from Diakopto to Kalvryta. Coastal towns like Monemvasia, Limeni, Ghytio in the south. So much to explore !

ajlmv is right. You only have time for Athens, Nafplio, day trips from Nafplio, and a night in Delphi. I went to Crete for 2 nights; I probably would have been as happy if I had traveled to Olympia in Western Greece. I spent a night in Delphi. Delphi deserves a night. It is too far from Athens or Nafplio to justify cramming it in as a day trip from either of those cities. I took the bus to and from Delphi; I didn't rent a car. Even though I have a valid Michigan driver's license. You don't have time for an island. I took the buses to Nafplio the same day I arrived in Athens and put all my nights in Athens at the end of my trip.

ajlmv:

While I agree the Peloponnese has everything any island has and probably more if this is their first time to Greece then an island(s) would be my first choice as they are truly amazing especially those that don't get the hype of the "Big Name" ones.

I've been to many islands and enjoyed them all but the last few years I've been going to the Peloponnese as it's easier, quicker and less expensive to get to.

Filled with everything one would want in a Greek Trip and since it's huge many more options of where to go, do and experience and possibly find remnants of the "Old Greece" in the more rural areas.

However, where ever one goes in Greece it will be a great experience but choose carefully depending on what you are looking for.

Thank you all for the helpful responses. Yes this is our first trip to Greece so after all the historical stuff in Athens, Delphi and Nafplio area, we were looking forward to a relaxing time just hiking and chilling in a beautiful and scenic island. If you have any suggestions for doing that in the mainland without a whole lot of driving, I will be grateful.

A very close island to Piraeus is Agistri which is part of the Saronic Islands.

It's known for it's beaches and family friendly atmosphere.

In addition it's easy to walk to many areas or you could rent a bike as it's not a large island.

https://www.agistri.com.gr/intro/?lang=en

If you want something in the Peloponnese then consider Palea (Ancient) Epidavrous as it's a great alternative to Nafplio and without the high prices and not that far from Nafplio and without the crowds.

Nice long waterfront with numerous options for shops, markets and tavenras or wander the back streets for a nice Greek Vibe.

Good base to explore, hike, or just hang out.

https://www.greecetravel.com/peloponnesos/epidavros/nea-paleo/index.html

You are wise to take this into consideration. As is known to any and all throughout the land, the gods would have any wayfarer unfamiliar with Hellas undertake at least one visit to an island of their choosing. Lord Zeus proclaims it from on high. Lady Aphrodite smiles in recognition thereof. Pallas Athena nods her head in agreement.