Looking for recommendations where to stay after our cruise within a couple hours from Athens. 3 nights in late July. Family friendly (teenagers).. Something fun and relaxing near beach, restaurants and shops in walking distance. Will be our first time in Greece, we will have already visited Mykonos and Santorini on the cruise, and will plan to visit Athens when we arrive from the cruise for the day. I think we have narrowed down to 3 options 1) Riviera area Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, 2) Taking ferry to Aegina or Hydra. 3) Renting car and driving to Nafplio. If we have already seen Mykonos and Santorini, will it still be worthwhile to visit the Saronic islands or will it be somewhat similar? The riviera area would be most convenient, is it just as nice as the islands? Nafplio I saw someone else highly recommend, I'm thinking it might be a nice complement to our trip but would require car rental.
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4937 posts
If you have any interest in ancient sites, you could stop at Mycenae or Tiryns and Epidaurus Amphitheatre when going to Naufplio. In 2008 we went snorkeling near Naufplio but I've forgotten the location. We saw an octopus.
Posted by
5968 posts
Are you coming back to stay in Athens prior to departing? Just trying to figure out how the day trip option works into the plan.
Posted by
OP
Chicago
3 posts
If we stay in the Riviera, Aegina or Hydra, we would take a day trip to Athens. If we decide on Nafpolio, we haven't thought through it yet, but would likely visit Athens when we disembark from the cruise, then drive in the early evening.
Posted by
5968 posts
I was asking more for departure day--do you have a morning flight? In that case, you'd want to stay in Athens or nearby, likely not two hours away. I really loved Nafplio -- I just would want to have closer to three full days. The drive there and back is not onerous, and the area is lovely.
Posted by
France Southwest
2973 posts
The Riviera area would be more convenient, but is it just as nice as
the islands?
The Athens Riviera (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, and surrounding areas) isn't worth it for me. It's mainly resorts and concrete buildings, each as ugly as the next, lined up one after the other along a large 4- or 6-lane avenue. You'll find this same kind of horror in Europe in a few other places on the Mediterranean coast. If you're expecting a Greek island vibe and style, you'll be very disappointed.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1593 posts
One of the features of Nafplio is it feels like you are on an island. Its a lovely Greek city with lots of features including a 14th century fortress hanging over the city. It has a lovely old town area and there are several antiquities all within about an hour drive or less.
Nafplio will be about a 2 hour drive from the Cruise port.
Here is what Nafplio is like.
Nafplio https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632094108982
Nafplio 2024 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720319228274
Posted by
OP
Chicago
3 posts
Thank you for the wonderful replies about Nafplio - we will plan to stay there!