User deleted post
My wife (32F) and I (33M) are planning a trip from USA to Greece from June, 2 to June, 12. Please help with our itinerary and travel plans.
If this is all you want to do in Athens, you can do it in 2 days. I would not do the beach in Athens if you are going to an island. Plus getting to Alimos and back to the center will take about 30 minutes in a taxi. They aren't that close to each other.
You could fly to Santorini and do your two days then fly to Crete from Santorini. This would be the most efficient use of your time on such a short trip.
Here’s a suggestion for Athens Day1: if you can land early take a food tour. Food and drink keeps you awake and conquers the time difference on day1. Book a place in Psiri. Day2: take a day trip to Delphi. Day3: book the Acropolis tour with museum. Then jump on the Hop-on-Hop-off bus.
why Psiri?
Day 2 .Alimos beach ? The paid one , Akti tou Illiou? If so get there early to get a good chair close to sea. It the one my daughter usually uses and it can get full fast
You have 10 days , think squashing in Santorini for 2 & not going straight to Crete wouldn’t be worth it .
Usually our santorini trips are 4 days .
Don’t think you have enough time for both , 10 days with travel time is about 2 places .
Alternatively if you like history could stick to Athens & head to Peloponnese & visit Corinth , Acrocorinth, Mycenae, Nafplio, Epidravos & head to seaside near Kalamata
Generally most of our Cretan trips are min 5-21 days as it’s a big island . 5 we pick a side , either the elounda side or Chania .
It's a bit hard to help with the last (island) part without knowing more about wha tyou want. Like why did you choose Crete? Crete (which I love) is big and has some historical stuff (Knossos and the archaeological museum in Heraklion), the beautiful city of Chania (which however will be very crowded and it's a city), lots of resorts on the north coast and more wild, rugged landsacpe and beaches in the south. You can spend a lot of time driving there! For history/relaxation/local culture you could consider Naxos (which has a lot of variety including some historical stuff and real local flavor) or just stay on the mainland and try to go to Delphi and the Peloponnese, where there are a lot of historical places and nice "local" towns and many beaches. The thing is that with 6-7 days you can see a lot more with a car (day trips, leaving when you want, etc.). There are also the beautiful and romantic islands of Hydra (especially) and Spetses. (Places in the Peloponnese you might look at are Nafplio with visits to Epidavros, Mycenae), somewhere in the Mani, lots of boutique hotels there, places like Areopoli, Limeni, Koita, with visits to Mystras on the way and beaches, Monemvasia, Kardamyli,.) Of course there is nothing wrong with Santorini and Crete, I just wasn't so sure why you chose them.
I prefer Chania, many travelers do as well. It's cuter and more charming...in the car from Chania to Rethymnon is 1 hour, and its 2 to Heraklion. I'm confused how long you would stay in Crete? if it's just for 2-3 days, it's not nearly enough....and id pick a smaller island instead
I went solo last year. I did 3-4 days in Athens I think. 6-7 in Crete? 2 in Santorini and 3 in keffalonia.
If I could do it again I would skip Santorini (especially if you are not big partiers and prefer nature/culture). There is SO much to see in Crete. And keffalonia as well. 3 days was not near enough.
I booked my “round trip” from IAH—ATHENS. And then keffalonia—-IAH. And just purchased my in between flights as I went. It was easier to make sure I had my “big flights” set and booked. And I think generally it is cheaper to have a to and from flight even if it’s not the same airport.
1 missing reply
I would skip the beach in Athens, it is absolutely not worth it. You will have plenty of beach time on the islands, make the most of seeing the downtown etc! May even take a day trip to Nafplio/Epidauros.
As for the islands Crete is easily a 2 week trip on her own so really depends what you wish to see!
Santorini is fine for 2 days but u cant fly direct to crete so youd have to take the ferry.