We are traveling with our 21 and 22 year old daughters. They are not totally into seeing too many attractions but wanted to see Santorini and Mykonos. We Arrive in Athens at 4:30pm on May 21st and was thinking of purchasing a flight to Santorini at 7:40pm that night. Spend 2 nights then ferry to Naxos for 3 nights. Then ferry to Mykonos for 2 nights and then back to Athens until we depart on May 31st. Too much? Suggestions. Areas to stay on each island and Athens. Thank you!
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1441 posts
To recap you arrive Athens late afternoon May 21. Take a flight to Santorini that evening. Experienced travellers to Greece often recommend getting to your first island immediately. Good plan.
Two nights in Santorini so May 23 ferry to Naxos. There are several ferries that day but the first to depart is Seajet Power Jet which departs at 10:05 and arrives Naxos at 11:35AM. Three nights in Naxos .
Depart to Mykonos on May 26. Same Power Jet is the first to depart at 11:35 so you will be in Mykonos at 12:10.
Then fly or ferry Mykonos to Athens May 29 for 2 nights then depart Athens to home.
As you can see you are losing essentially a half day for every island hop you make. This means you will be spending 2.5 of your 10 day trip just commuting.
Too many hops for too few days. You need to drop either Naxos or Mykonos and add a day to Santorini plus a day in Athens or add the extra day to Athens.
While Santorini is a must see experience ( in my view)it is awesome for its views but can be crowded and expensive. Naxos will give you an authentic Greek experience. Mykonos has positioned itself as a high end jet set destination with Santorini type prices but other than expensive shops it really offers anything more than Naxos at half the cost.
Here is Naxos
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
Boise
45 posts
I'd consider skipping Mykonos and add a night to each Santorini and Naxos, or add both nights to Naxos. From Naxos you can do a day trip to Delos/Mykonos and see a few of the main sights (windmills, Little Venice). Then you don't have to waste precious vacation time packing up, waiting on ferries and switching hotels. You can fly back to Athens from Naxos. I like Oia for Santorini and St. George Beach area for Naxos.
Have fun!
-M
Posted by
11569 posts
Add nights to Naxos not Santorini.
Posted by
OP
Prior Lake MN
2 posts
Thank you everyone for your wonderful suggestions. We will drop Mykonos but maybe just do a day trip. We appreciate very much!