Christie2443

I am travelling to Greece after spending 2 1/2 weeks in Italy from May 16th - 26th. Both these dates are travel dates and so I will only have 8 days in total. I am travelling alone and was going to spend 5 nights in Crete and then head up and spend a few nights in Santorini or Naxos and then go to Athens by the 25th so that I won't miss my flight out on the 26th. Now I am wondering whether I am better to just stay on Crete and even get to Athens a couple of days earlier to hang out there.

Thoughts?

Thank you,
Christie

mariha2912

I guess answer depends on what you plan to do/see on each place.


Generally speaking, Crete is a huge island comparing to Santorini and even Naxos (Naxos is the largest island of Cyclades). The more you spend there the more you may see (unless you do not plan this carefully and you spend most time on transit-wrong approach!). But still there will be lots left for a next visit. I guess you get a direct flight from Italy to Crete? If so, more days on Crete make more sense. If not, again generally speaking, I think something like 4 days Naxos+3 days Santorini+ 3 days Athens or similar will give you a better overrview of those islands and a chance to see most major sites of Athens.
Athens is a modern metropolis with the addition of thousands year olds ruins ans interesting related museums, but there are all kind of sites and activities too. I think someone would pleasantly spend a few days or weeks there as far as he knows what/where to look for.

It really comes down to your preferences...

Heimdall

Bear in mind that each time you change locations in Greece you will be losing another day to travel. If you are arriving in Crete and departing from Athens you will have seven days left for sightseeing. Add Santorini or Naxos to the itinerary and you are down to six full days of sightseeing.

In the end, what you decide to do will depend upon your own preferences. If Crete is a given, I would be inclined to spend five or six days there, then head straight to Athens for the remainder of the trip.

Christie2443

Thank you for your feedback. I was thinking of including an island but I have come to believe that it may be better to just go to Crete and stay there and then go up to Athens a day or two early. I understand that the ferry itinerary can be "interesting" and that they can be cancelled at the drop of a hat. Given that information I may go up a little early.

Thanks again,
Christie

Heimdall

The information you have received about ferries is much exaggerated. Ferries are rarely cancelled, and when they are it's not "at the drop of a hat". The huge car ferries that run between Crete and Piraeus run in all but the worst of weather, and forecasts can predict from a few days out when storm force winds are on the way. A few times each year ferries are cancelled due to industrial action, but strikes are announced far enough in advance for you to make alternate plans.

A good website to monitor for weather is http://www.meteo.gr (click on the British flag for forecasts in English). A good website to monitor for information on pending strikes is http://livingingreece.gr/strikes/.

Since you have such a short time for Greece it would make sense to fly from Crete to Athens. There are flights from both Chania and Heraklion, and you can choose between http://en.aegeanair.com and http://www.olympicair.com.

MagdaDH

I second what Heimdall says. If you want to include a smaller island, and feel you have had enough of Athens, you can always do a day trip from Athens to Aeigna or Hydra or somesuch.