We are 5 seniors planning a 2 week trip to Greece in late May to early June 2025. There are no real mobility issues, but walking 5 miles a day on uneven terrain may be too much for some in the small group. I am doing the planning and came up with a tentative itinerary: Washington DC area to Athens, then fly to Naxos the next day for a 7 day stay. In Naxos, take day cruises (maybe two) to nearby islands, and day trips around the island. Is there enough to do in Naxos? Another option is a 3 to 4 day island cruise to see more islands and have more experiences. What do you think?
We like to mingle with the locals, visit markets, see concerts, cultural events, dance, and have fun.
After Naxos, to Athens for 7 days with day trips to sites from Athens. Do day trips make sense or should we divide our time in Athens with a place further inland to provide easier access to more sights?
I would appreciate feedback from others who have traveled Greece. Thank you so much. Carol
Posted by
2674 posts
I would suggest three locations instead of two for a two week trip. People do spend 7 nights on Naxos happily but as a first time visitor, I would do 5. We did 4 and wish we had 5.
The problem is you really can’t easily do day cruises to other locations. The ferries are not set up for that. Delos is one location you can go to for the day but it is an archeological site so not sure it is what you are thinking of.
I also think 7 nights is long for Athens. Some people do go on a day trip to Delphi from Athens but it is a long day. We spent the night there. We spent three nights in Athens. I could see spending as many as 5 if you did a day trip to Delphi.
That would give you 4 nights to spend somewhere else. I would suggest Nafplio which is about two hours from Athens. You could have a driver take you or rent a car. The driving is not difficult but five people and luggage would require a larger vehicle.
Or you could go to another island in the Cyclades.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1423 posts
Naxos is a great choice. It will give everyone in your group what they are looking for. It has a lovely main town with a ferry dock, a waterfront promenade along the harbour, a maze of back alleys leading up the the Venetian era Kastro. There are lovely mountain villages with short hikes nearby. There are tour boats that do daily trips to Delos and Mykonos. That is two destinations in one day. They also do a day trip to Santorini. As well there are day trips to other smaller Cyclades islands. There are smaller sail boats at Naxos harbour that take you along the coast of Naxos. You will have lots of opportunities to explore from Naxos.
Naxos has good beaches. St George is part of Naxos town so you get the beach just a 10 minute stroll into the town harbour.
I am going to suggest you change you plan to stay in Naxos for 10 days. The reason I suggest this is every time you make a ferry hop you lose half the day simply because of the ferry schedules. By touring other islands from Naxos In 10 days you will have sufficient time to do your island visiting and to have sufficient time to really explore Naxos.
You can fly back to Athens from Naxos for your last 4 days. Athens needs a minimum of 3 days which gives you time for a bus tour to some of the other antiquities or perhaps a day trip to Nafplio.
Naxos 2022. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720299940917/
Naxos town 2022 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720299959098
Trip around Naxos https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157634605629689
Naxos sunsets https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157700728046481