I am traveling to Greece for 10 days with my daughter and my sister from 5 June -15June. We will not have a car. We are starting in Athens for two days the hiring a taxi for Mycenae and Nafplios. We'll then head to Hydra from Ermioni and return through Pireaus before heading back to Athens. My question is: we will still have two days left after coming into Pireaus and I would like suggestions as to what to do or where to go from Pireaus (I heard there's not a lot to do in Pireaus), before returning to Athens. Any suggestions? I'd like to be in Athens on the 14th. Suggestions?
Posted by
Connecticut
337 posts
Why not spend your extra nights in Nafplio or on Hydra? Both are beautiful, with plenty do to. Piraeus is nothing but the port.
Be sure to spend a day in Athens, visiting the Acropolis and its museum.
Enjoy!
Posted by
Tucson
4183 posts
Is that 10 days on the ground? Do you arrive on the 5th and fly out on the 15th? I got lost in your timing. Two days in Athens means 3 nights there. Being there on the 14th means a 4th night there if you fly out on the 15th. Now we're down to 6 nights somewhere.
How many nights were you planning to spend in Nafplio and on Hydra? We were in both in late October. You will be there in prime season.
Hydra is a party and ease out place. Even though we were there slightly longer, I think 2 nights there would be enough, but maybe not depending on all your ages.
Nafplio is more interesting with more to see and do in town and in the area. Doing the math means 4 nights, unless you decide you need more time in Athens. We were in Athens 5 nights and, contrary to what many say, it wasn't enough time for me to see and do all I wanted.
And how are you getting from Nafplio to Ermioni? You can take a taxi all the way and it will take about an hour and a half. It will just be very expensive, but that may not matter since you are using a taxi to get from Athens to Nafplio.
Finally, have you checked for ferry schedules from Ermioni to Hydra and from Hydra to Piraeus? The schedules, and how crowded the boats are, can have a huge effect on your planning.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you both for the quick response! We will actually be "on the ground" in Greece for 9 days before flying to Italy. I guess we will spend another night in Nafplio and then take public transportation down to Ermioni as we will have had the expensive taxi ride to Nafplio thru Mycenae. Is there anything FANTASTIC that I would kick myself for not seeing? As an archaeologist, I am happy to see ruins all day but my sister is more into the people, live local music and food. We are attempting to combine both. Any idea how long it will take to get from Nafplio to Ermioni? Any ideas on where to stay in Nafplio? Many many thanx!!
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2147 posts
In Nafplio, check out the Hotel Aetoma. We had a wonderful stay there a year ago. Great location for walking the town. Our room was huge, big bathroom with whirlpool, balcony. We were warmly welcomed, offered tea and cakes, maps, info, the whole nine yards. Breakfast made to order, excellent, more than we could eat. However, the real stars are mother and son, Pan and Akis. You will have to travel far before finding more gracious, kind and helpful people. I found the Aetoma on tripadvisor, and a quick glance at current reviews suggests nothing has changed since our visit. Safe travels.
Posted by
Tucson
4183 posts
After arriving in Ermioni from Hydra, we took a taxi to Kranidi to get the bus to Nafplio. The whole trip took about 3 hours. It may be faster with more options going the opposite direction when you are there. Where we got the bus in Kranidi was definitely a back door experience.
This Visit Greece link -- http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/main_cities/nafplio -- may help you. This KTEL bus link might also help -- http://www.ktel-argolidas.gr/?module=default&pages_id=14&lang=en. Scroll down the page until you get to NAFPLIO - KRANIDI (EPIDAVROS, HERMIONI, PORTO CHELI, KOSTA-SPETSES) and KRANIDI - HERMIONI.
Rome2rio -- http://www.rome2rio.com/s/Nafplio/Ermioni -- also shows the route.
Our experience in Greece was not substantially different from mine over 35 years ago. Transportation is complicated and a challenge. However you do it, be sure to be at the ferry dock on time. Again there may be more options when you are there, but we didn't have them in late October.
We stayed at the Hotel/Pension Marianna in Nafplio -- http://www.hotelmarianna.gr/. It was great, but be aware that it is up significant stairs because it is built on the side of the hill. Of course that also means great views from most rooms. To get to breakfast from our room at the bottom level, we climbed about 100 steps. Our room was this double room with a balcony -- http://www.hotelmarianna.gr/accommodation/double-balcony.html. Click on the pictures to check it out. It wouldn't work for the 3 of you, but I'm sure they have something that will or would fix something up for you. Note that you can see the fortress out one of the windows.
Wherever you stay and your whole time in Greece no matter where you are, remember that you do not put used TP in the toilet. It goes in a trash can that will be close to the toilet.