My husband and I are starting to plan a trip to Greece in October (Fly in on Sept 28th, leave Oct 11 for Rome).
He likes beaches and loves to swim, I like ruins, museums and churches, We both enjoy moderate hikes, taking pictures, and are somewhat foodies.
We will probably fly on Turkish Air to Istanbul, and from there to Athens. (hopefully the same day).
I've been reading a lot on the forum and see lots of recommendations for Nafplio and Naxos. I originally thought Santorini but am put off by all the feedback about the crowds. We were in Porte Venere last year and took the boat to Cinque Terre and were shocked at the crowds and will never go there again. So we want to avoid that.
I also originally thought we'd start with Athens for 4 nights but based on others comments we may move that to the end of the trip. I like to go go go but my husband likes more downtime, so I'm thinking 3 1/2 days on an island with pretty quaint towns and good beaches (hopefully it's still warm in Oct?), and 3 1/2 somewhere else (Nafplio?) and then 3 1/2 days in Athens, The half days are for moving from one to the other, and we'll probably fly rather than ferry to maximize our time at each place. We're open to renting a car and driving if it makes sense.
I'm interested in getting advise about the order of the island stay and the next spot, and comments about Nafplio and Naxos vs other options: Crete? Sifnos? Syros? Spetses? Delphi?
Thank you in advance for any good tips.
Posted by
5411 posts
I know there is just something about islands that draws people for very good reasons, but I'll go ahead and give a plug for the mainland. We did an 11 day loop around the Peloponnese by car and finished with Athens, and it was one of my more successful trip plans. You get all the coastline you want and a large number of impressive sites (the ones near Nafplio + Mystras + ancient Messene). We had some sites practically to ourselves when visiting in May. If that is something you'd consider, others can advise on where to head first for beaches while the seas are warmest. We did swim off Kardamyli but the sea is frigid in May so it was not a focus. The hiking was stellar--there and also near Stemnitsa.
RE crowds, Nafplio gets its fair share, and that could have increased since my trip in 2019, but it never felt overwhelming to me (like CT villages for example)--we were out exploring during the and enjoyed the town at night.
Posted by
11787 posts
For an 11 day trip you want to minimize your stops.Nafplio is a wonderful historic city surrounded by many antiquities. A rental car would be helpful. Spetses is right off of the nearby coast.
We spent a month in Greece and swam a few times at a beach near our hotel on Paros. We loved Paros. Glad to see you eliminated Santorini from your trip; we couldn’t wait to leave there!
One option is to go to the islands of Naxos and/or Paros. Then visit Napflio on the Peloponnesean Peninsula.
Crete is amazing but very large and needs more time; if you do decide to visit Crete, stay in historic and charming Chania.
Sifnos, Spiros, and Milos are very good islands to visit too.
Posted by
Gothenburg, Scandinavia
134 posts
Crete. It is southerly.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2199 posts
With just 11 days, I’d suggest you fly directly to Chania in Crete upon arriving in Athens. Spend 3 nights there exploring the gorgeous city & maybe taking a day trip to a winery or olive oil factory.
Then take a bus south to Paleochora for 2 nights, which gives you one full day for a boat trip to Elafonissi — a beautiful pink sand beach — if weather is good. .
Then take a short ferry to Sougia, a lovely little village with lots of seaside restaurants and some easy walks. Two nights here, which is not nearly enough, and bus or taxi back to the Chania airport & your flight to Athens.
Paleochora is not a favorite stop suggested by RS readers, but it gives you a sandy beach right in town plus the opportunity to easily visit Elafonnissi, plus the chance to take that morning ferry ride along the Libyan sea to wonderful Sougia.
I’d suggest you save Napflio & mainland Greece for a future trip, although I must admit that in a dozen month-long trips to Greece, we have not yet been able tear ourselves away from the islands to visit anything on the mainland except Athens & Rafina.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2123 posts
I cannot address most of your questions but I’d suggest that you check out the Hotel Aetoma if you go to Nafplio. It was a wonderful stay hosted by the kindest and most caring owner we’d encountered in many years of travel. Our room had a balcony overlooking a quiet street, we were served cake and coffee upon check in and we were constantly cared for with heartwarming sincerity. Breakfast was delicious and more than enough. We’d seen the several extraordinary ancient sites nearby on a previous trip that did not include Nafplio but would suggest you also consider a car is that is your interest. I’m fairly certain there was a rental agency in town Our visit to Nafplio was a first…just crash in a charming small town and wander and eat and chill with limited low stress sightseeing. We saw a few small. lovely little beaches but my ocean interaction ends at the water’s edge or on the Lido deck of a cruise ship. It was perfect.