Recommendation on a Greek Island - Short Trip/Great beaches

Posted by Erika (Brooklyn, New York, United States) on 07/01/08 02:03 PM

Hello!

My best friend and I will be traveling around Italy and have decided to spend the end of our trip in Greece. We arrive in Athens at 2pm on July 23rd, and our flight leaves Athens Sunday July 27th at noon.

We were thinking of going straight to an island for Wednesday and Thursday night, and taking the ferry back so that we have Friday and Saturday in Athens. We want to go to an island with good beaches, but I feel almost overwhelmed with choices. I don't want the atmosphere of Mykonos, and can't afford Santorini. We also don't have enough time to go all the way to the Dodecanese Islands like Rick Steve's recommended. Any island recommendations?

Thank you in advance.

Posted by Lee

Camarillo, California

07/01/08 02:40 PM

3149 posts

I can think of a few options depending on what else you want besides the beach. If you're looking for a 20-something party island then there's a 5 PM departure on the 23rd from Athens/Piraeus on the Hellenic Seaways FlyingCat 3 highspeed ferry for Ios, arriving around 9:45 PM.

If you want something more laid-back there's a 5:30 PM departure from Athens/Piraeus for Paros and Naxos on the Blue Star "Naxos" car ferry, arriving around 9:45 at Paros, and at Naxos an hour later. Both have excellent beaches but are very different from Ios. If you choose Paros or Naxos you can also take a daytrip excursion over to Delos, the historic island, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, with a short stop on Mykonos for a quick look around. If you choose Paros you can also visit the little island of Antiparos as a daytrip on a frequent local shuttle ferry.

These options give you plenty of time to get from the airport to Piraeus by express bus (#96) which leaves every half hour. You can buy your ferry tickets in the airport at the travel desk of Amphitrion Holidays in the Main Hall and save the hassle and stress of the long lines at the ticket offices at the port.

If you want to stay closer to Athens I suggest the quaint island of Hydra, where autos aren't allowed. You can get there from Piraeus on frequent daily ferries.

Posted by Paul

Eastern Iowa, USA

07/01/08 04:36 PM

8125 posts

If Mykonos is not what you want, Ios probably would be the same. I would recommend Paros or Naxos as well.

Posted by Erika OP

Brooklyn, New York, United States

07/01/08 05:09 PM

2 posts

Thank you both. This is extremely helpful! Especially with the tips on where to buy the tickets and the ferry departure times!

Posted by Lee

Camarillo, California

07/01/08 05:54 PM

3149 posts

You can use this ferry schedule website to help plan your trip.

http://www.gtp.gr

Use 'Piraeus' for Athens.

Posted by Bill

San Leandro, CA, USA

07/02/08 01:05 PM

632 posts

Santorini is not that expensive. We will be staying right on the beach (a pebble beach, not a sand beach) in Kamari (just a few miles from Fira with easy bus access). Our hotel, the Acqua Vatos is one of the top hotels on the island, and our 3 night stay (for a double) is 240 Euros. We are paying more than that for our hotel in Naxos and a lot more for our hotel in Mykonos. Check out their reviews and the travelers pics (especially the beach pics).

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g658914-d608564-Reviews-Acqua_Vatos_Hotel-Kamari_Santorini_Cyclades.html

Posted by Alan

Brighton, UK

07/02/08 02:27 PM

1421 posts

Erika

One option would be to go to either Andros or Tinos. These can be reached by a boat that leaves at 17.00 from Rafina.

Rafina is half an hour by bus from the airport and the boat to Andros takes 2 hours. Andros Town, which is on the other side of the island from Gavrio (the port) is a really friendly atmospheric place with a couple of big beaches.

We go regularly and stay here

http://www.androsrooms.gr/andros-rooms-apartments.html

but there are other rooms on the beach.

Have a good trip

Cheers
Alan