Hi, I am solo traveling this May 22–26. How do I maximize 5 days in Greece? My point of entry and exit is Athens. Should I stay in Athens or make a side trip to a nearby place or island? Any hacks, tips, suggestions, or recommendations? Thank you in advance.
Hello, could you send me a message for the eating out? the link doesnt lead to a comment for me
Thank you so much for these. Yeah, you're right. I'm just wondering if it's doable to go somewhere other than Athens without or with less hassle. I'm currently based in Malta, so coming back will not be an issue.
Comes down to what you like to do in Greece? If you are a history buff, stay in Athens and do a trip to Delphi. If you want a more relaxing time I would minimize the time in Athens (1 day to see the highlights) and choose one island nearby to keep down travel time. If possible travel directly to the island and stay in Athens for the last 1-2 days so you won‘t run into any potential issue that can affect your flight back.
I’d look into Poros or Hydra (Saronic islands) or Syros, Sifnos, Serifos (Cycladic) for good island choices nearby. Alternatively you could look into Nafplio on the mainland which also gets a lot of praise here (haven‘t been myself)
Nafplio is indeed lovely. One of my favorite places, and a good jumping off point to see a variety of ancient sights in the Peloponnese.
Thanks for this. I just want to enjoy and appreciate the place. I'm just wondering if it's doable to go somewhere other than Athens without or with less hassle for 4-5 days.
I would visit Nafplio and spend at least two nights there. It is only 2 hours from Athens, and the bus ticket one way is 15 euros. The restaurants are fantastic, the views are expansive, there is hiking and history, it is inexpensive, and it isn’t crowded. I loved my time there!
I will consider going to Nafplio. Thank you.
You could base yourself in Athens and visit islands that are close by and do day trips.
Islands such as
Agistri
Hydra
Aegina
Poros
Nafplio as mentioned already is a nice place for a day trip. If you can be bothered. Decent beaches and some great archaeological sites and a castle you can visit
Corfu is beautiful too. And Santorini is famous for its black sand beaches. There may also be a 3 island cruise. I don't know what is available now as I left in 1985.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Where are you coming from? This makes a difference as I was in Greece about 7 months ago but came from the West Coast US so a 20 hour flight is a big difference than a 2-3 hour flight for 5 days.
What do you like to do? Hard to answer such questions without having any idea of your interests.
I'm currently based in Malta. I'm just wondering if it's doable to go somewhere other than Athens without or with less hassle.
That is a short trip so I would recommend that you stick to Athens and take no more than one day trip. Depending on what you like, you could go to Delphi, Cape Sounion, or the charming island of Hydra.
Edited to add: if you want something a little more low-key, head to Nafplio for three days and spend the last few nights in Athens. It’s a lovely seaside town only two hours from Athens, and you can easily take a bus if you do not want to drive. From Nafplio, you can take a day trip to Mycenae and Epidavros.
Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah, it's a short trip an usually travel to 1 major city to fully enjoy and appreciate the place.
Stay in Athens and see the sights for two days, book a trip to meteora for one day
Thanks for the suggestions!
If you have the inclination, fly to Santorini for the day - or spend one night. You might be able to work it into you already being at the airport for one of your flights. It's beautiful. Wake up at the crack of dawn and hike from Firostefani to Oia. Just a thought. 3 nights in Athens was perfect for us. The only thing I wish I'd been able to stay longer for was more orange pie! I know my assessment will be unpopular but I have too many places in the world that I want to see. I will never regret spending only 2 nights in Istanbul (I'd love to go back!!) but I would always regret not taking the opportunity to do so just to have 2 more nights in Rome or Barcelona. Just sayin! Have a great trip!!!
Thank you. I will definitely consider Santorini aside from Athens. I love Rome and Barcelona too.
Definitely centre yourself around Athens and take a daytrip! Nafplio is lovely and for the islands, I adored Aegina as a daytrip.
An overnight in Delphi is also very doable and worth it.
Thank you. That's the plan, since it's a short trip. I'm just wondering if it's doable to go somewhere other than Athens. It's positive based on the comments I got.
Doing a day in Athens is totally doable I wouldn’t stay more than 2 unless you’re super into history and like to spend all day at a museum
Thank you. I usually allotted 3-4 days in a major city to fully enjoy and appreciate.
Take the ferry from Rafina or Piraeus to Naxos for 3 nights, or paros if that looks better, theyre both the same distance. Athens is ok but the islands are so much more relaxing and nice
Naxos is nice, but it would be the large part of a day getting there and the same coming back. That's a big chunk put of a 5 day trip. I lean towards splitting between Athens and Napflios.
I agree. It's too far and the ferries are susceptible to delays and cancellations if the weather is bad. On a 5 day trip, it's just not worth the risk or hassle when there's plenty to do in Athens and the immediate area.
True i mean he could fly to Corfu or Zakynthos, those are only like 30 minute flights from Athens. Athens is ok but when you get to the islands even for a few days, total different vibe, insane beaches...i think its worth but maybe flights are the answer
Thanks for the suggestions!
no problem
This is an unpopular opinion, but personally I'm from somewhere not close to Europe and don't know when will be the next time I visit Greece. So I flew directly to Santorini, spent 4 days there, then on day 4 morning flew to Athens, went to see the acropolis and some city landmarks, and flew back on day 5. You may want to spend only 3 days in Santorini, and 2 days in Athens instead too.
Santorini is really worth a visit, and in May it's not peak season yet but the temperature is not too cold. Seeing the sunset is worth it in my opinion, although I am not that big on history so Athens is less appealing to me in the first place.
Thanks for suggestions. Actually, I only have Athens and Santorini in mind.
I would just do Athens so you can really experience and absorb it all.
Thank you!
Take a hop on hop off in Athens. It'll take you to all the touristy areas so you don't have to waste time figuring it out
I did it in Rome, so I'm actually considering it again since I don't usually make plans. haha. Thank you!
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Dude I did 5 days in Greece w a day/night in Athens (on the way to Egypt), a day/night in Santorini, a day/night in Mykonos, and then another day/night in Athens on the way to Tel Aviv (that was kinda the point of it - to break up the flight between Egypt and Israel since they’re not always the best of buddies) and forget what anyone says about ‘it wasn’t long enough’ or ‘that was waste for that amount of time’ or whatever - it was just awesome man. Had my brother there w me - we got to see just enough of it to get a feel for the area, what we want to come back and see in the future (he’s going on his honeymoon there this year now) and just have a good time chillin on the boat, cold drinks in hand, walking around some scenery. It really sounds short but it was perfect for us.
I would 100% recommend the way we did it - a day, and overnight in Athens (plan to be there first thing in the morning at the Acropolis - i mean very first thing cause it’s a crap show if your not) and spend half your day there - get a short haul flight to Santorini and make it there by 5:00 so your guaranteed not to miss the sunset (we kinda did cause of an airport delay in Cairo), take late in the day boat from there to Mykonos or Naxos or wherever the next day (what they say about Mykonos is very true - it’s very, very unaffordable - but if you’ve only got a day and want to ‘get a survey’ of the area and don’t have the time to R&R proper at a less touristy island then just say whatever - you can justify the cost w the convenience and timetable you have IMO), and then the next day just take the SLOW cruise boat (that’s the more laid-back, enjoy the warm breeze / see all the islands pass by while having drinks on the deck type experience), and back to Athens and you’ll 1. Be close to your takeoff point, 2. Already know where you want to go cause you been once, 3. Have one more beautiful night there to experience again and have one heck of a high note to leave on.
That’s my advice at least from doing the same amount of time as you and I couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out. Hope this helps!!
Thanks for the suggestions!
I would do 1 day Athens and the rest on Milos which is an awesome small island with bags of variety
Thanks for suggestions!
There tons of things to do while in Athens so I would contribute with a link with several tours https://www.gofreedly.com/listing/search?location=Athens%2C+Greece&lat_search=37.9838096&lng_search=23.7275388
Thanks for this. I will check.
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That's not even 5 days it's actually 4 days with going back and forth to the airport too etc so closer to 3 in reality.
You may want to stay in Athens. Trip is way too short. May not be worth the hassle to go anywhere.
Where are you from? If you see this as your one and only time in Greece you may do a very exhausting day trip to one of the popular islands i guess? ...or Nafplio or Aegena as others say? Not sure. :/
There's "this is Athens" festival which coincides.
So, there's many events here and there in the city...
A) 24-25-26/05 (and other Weekends of May) Athens street food fest with 3€ ticket.
B) 25/05 Meute with 28€ ticket if that's your thing. It's right next to the Athens street food festival so it could be made into a very nice evening/night out. Should sound like this. (link to youtube)
C) 24/05 20:00 A brass orchestra with balkan folk elements in an open air setting and free. This could be cool for anyone. Should sound like this. (link to youtube)
D) 22/05 20:30 Christos Nikolopoulos meets Stelios Dionissiou (Folk buzuki player meets folk singer)
It's in open space and free, can pass by when visiting the area. Should sound like this. (link to youtube)
E) 25/05 17:30 - 23:00 This is Afrobanana x Athens. (Free music etc festival which noone knows but could be fun)
If you plan on visiting the Acropolis do it very early (just opened or little bit after) to be less crowdy.
Also, read my guide to eating out in Greece. Could be helpful: https://www.reddit.com/r/GreeceTravel/s/3WYIs8Mx41