Three of us will be travelling to Greece next April, flying in to and out of Athens, and only have 6 days to see what we can. We arrive in Athens on a Sunday morning and fly out of Athens the following Saturday morning.
Our top choices are to see Athens, Meteora, Santorini, and Chania and Heraklion on Crete. We would appreciate any suggestions on the best way to navigate this itinerary. Is it even doable in the time we have? If we have to cut one thing out, what would you suggest for that also.
With just 6 days you have limited options.
Athens deserves at least 2 days so that would leave 4 days for another location.
Crete deserves weeks to fully experience so save that for another time.
April will be off season so not all tourist infrastructure will be available but enough open for locals.
People have different opinions for Santorini but it's an option
I would check out one of the Cyclades Islands as they are the islands most people think about when going to Greece.
There are a number of them so do a little research to see if any fit your needs.
Six full days in Greece, or six days counting the days you arrive and leave? Either way, it's not enough time for all those places. I'd suggest Athens plus one other. If the "other" is an island, fly there and back. And be in Athens, or at Athens airport, the night before your return flight.
Is it even doable in the time we have?
No, this is not doable.
You can at best visit Athens (3 nights for the basics) and spend for example 2 nights in Meteora, or Athens and 2 or 3 nights in Santorini (or another island), I don't see how you could do more and enjoy the places you will visit.
Too many places for the time you have…all you will see are the insides of ferries or planes. Two suggestions, 1. forget the Islands and stay in Athens for three nights and then head out to Meteora. You need to be back in Athens the night before the journey home. 2. Fly to Heraklion or Chania from Athens the day you arrive, and back to Athens a couple of days before you leave. Enjoy time in Crete and if weather permits, take ferry to Santorini for an overnight trip. On Crete I would spend most time in Chania, but visit Heraklion for the Archaeological Museum and Knossos.
All above are good replies. You have to at least factor in travel time, and not to the minute because it will not be. Simple travel to Crete from Athens, go back to the airport, wait for flight, security, flight, back end with leaving airport and to hotel. At some time you will then reverse this.
You have 5 cities in 6 days.
These itinerary queries always miss the time spent moving from one place to another.
We arrive in Athens on a Sunday morning and fly out of Athens the following Saturday morning.
You really have 5 days and a partial day ( arrival Sunday)
Is it even doable in the time we have?
It would be an ambitious trip even if you had the "transporter system" from Star Trek
If we have to cut one thing out, what would you suggest for that also.
That is like asking "if I have a car with 4 flat tires, where should I put the spare tire?"
Cutting one place, does not make the rest of the trip work
Another vote for Athens and Meteora.
Thank you all for your feedback. I will take another look at what I will be able to do in the time I have.
