Greek Islands - Which to use as our base?
Apr 26th, 2016, 01:54 AM
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Greek Islands - Which to use as our base?
Hi Fodorites!
This is my first time trying to plan a vacation to the Greek Islands. We are two adult couples in our mid 50s, coming without kids, or possibly with some young adults. We are not limited to any particular season. We would like to find one island to stay on (for roughly one week) so that we don't need to pack and unpack, but we would like to be able to do daytrips by ferry to some other islands. We don't particularly need the big touristy lively places. We go to bed early anyway! We enjoy beaches, nature, hiking, seafood/vegetarian cuisine, and sitting with a book in a place with a view. Do you have any recommendations for an island stay that might suit us with nearby islands accessible by short (1-2 hour) ferry rides?
THANK YOU!
This is my first time trying to plan a vacation to the Greek Islands. We are two adult couples in our mid 50s, coming without kids, or possibly with some young adults. We are not limited to any particular season. We would like to find one island to stay on (for roughly one week) so that we don't need to pack and unpack, but we would like to be able to do daytrips by ferry to some other islands. We don't particularly need the big touristy lively places. We go to bed early anyway! We enjoy beaches, nature, hiking, seafood/vegetarian cuisine, and sitting with a book in a place with a view. Do you have any recommendations for an island stay that might suit us with nearby islands accessible by short (1-2 hour) ferry rides?
THANK YOU!
Apr 26th, 2016, 05:44 AM
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You will enjoy to go to little Cyclades and use Express Skopelitis for journey to island to island. Go in September when crouds have left and sun is still good.
Stay at Pano Koufonisi for big choice in lodgings and see each day Kato Koufonisi, Iraklia, Schinoussa, is enough in one week.
IS NO PROBLEM!
Stay at Pano Koufonisi for big choice in lodgings and see each day Kato Koufonisi, Iraklia, Schinoussa, is enough in one week.
IS NO PROBLEM!
Apr 26th, 2016, 08:14 AM
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Forget day trips to other Islands (unless you mean excursion boat trips like Paros - Antiparos, Mykonos - Delos, Rhodos - Symi, Skiathos - Skopelos, Paxi - Antipaxi or so).
Have a look at the ferry timetable and you will realize that only a few day trips are possible and often not every day.
http://www.gtp.gr/RoutesForm.asp
Have a look at the ferry timetable and you will realize that only a few day trips are possible and often not every day.
http://www.gtp.gr/RoutesForm.asp
Apr 26th, 2016, 09:11 AM
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I think you have described Naxos. I agree with yiannis shoulder season is best the weather is good there are no crowds but everything is open. Late May, June and September early October would all be good choices.
Naxos does not have facilities for cruise ships and the airport can only take small turboprop 30 passenger aircraft so it does not get the influx of tourist crowds that other islands have to deal with.
Naxos town is lovely with its waterfront promenade harbour and the famous portera. It has a maze of back alleys some buildings still sporting gun ports to fight pirates. All this leads to the old market and Venetian era kastro.
A great feature is St George beach which is part of Naxos town so you get all the activities of the town with a good beach just a 10 minute walk away. St George is lined with hotels in every category and budget.
Naxos has even better beaches about 7km away on the west coast which is serviced regularly by the inexpensive bus system.
Naxos has several lovely mountain villages including the marble paved Aparanthos. In these villages you will see how Greece used to be.
There are also a smattering of antiquities around the island.
There are two excursion boats that do day trips to sites like Delos/Mykonos, Santorini and a few of the small Cyclades. Regular ferry day trips are awkward but one can do a day trip to nearby Paros and Antiparos.
Here is what Naxos is like.
Naxos Mountains and Villages http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632110674306/
Naxos Town http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094558042/
Trip around Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7634605629689/
Naxos does not have facilities for cruise ships and the airport can only take small turboprop 30 passenger aircraft so it does not get the influx of tourist crowds that other islands have to deal with.
Naxos town is lovely with its waterfront promenade harbour and the famous portera. It has a maze of back alleys some buildings still sporting gun ports to fight pirates. All this leads to the old market and Venetian era kastro.
A great feature is St George beach which is part of Naxos town so you get all the activities of the town with a good beach just a 10 minute walk away. St George is lined with hotels in every category and budget.
Naxos has even better beaches about 7km away on the west coast which is serviced regularly by the inexpensive bus system.
Naxos has several lovely mountain villages including the marble paved Aparanthos. In these villages you will see how Greece used to be.
There are also a smattering of antiquities around the island.
There are two excursion boats that do day trips to sites like Delos/Mykonos, Santorini and a few of the small Cyclades. Regular ferry day trips are awkward but one can do a day trip to nearby Paros and Antiparos.
Here is what Naxos is like.
Naxos Mountains and Villages http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632110674306/
Naxos Town http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094558042/
Trip around Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7634605629689/
Apr 26th, 2016, 09:15 AM
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I completely agree with the last poster: NAXOS
It has everything you seem to want:
Amazing (really amazing!) accessible beaches: Check
Beautiful main town with lots of flair and flavor, but laid back: Check
Incredible hikes (best in the Cyclades): Check
Trips to other islands: Check check check - Koufinissi, Schinoussa, Donoussa are all options.
Naxos is good for any time of year, but be reminded that the tourist infrastructure is really died down except during the summer months, May thru September.
It has everything you seem to want:
Amazing (really amazing!) accessible beaches: Check
Beautiful main town with lots of flair and flavor, but laid back: Check
Incredible hikes (best in the Cyclades): Check
Trips to other islands: Check check check - Koufinissi, Schinoussa, Donoussa are all options.
Naxos is good for any time of year, but be reminded that the tourist infrastructure is really died down except during the summer months, May thru September.
Apr 26th, 2016, 09:18 AM
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My one disagreement with stanbr who gave you a ton of helpful info is, I personally found St. George beach by Naxos town to be rather ugly. It's flooded with kids and the water isn't great. But the rest of the beaches on the island are spectacular, you just have to get away from the city center. Accessible but truly amazing beaches start only a mile or two south of the main town and continue stretching down the west coast for miles: these are Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Plaka, etc.
You can hike Mt. Zas/Mt. Zeus, an amazing hike that I took a couple years ago. But try to be sure where you are going - I went on an accidental 3 detour through private farms and thinking I was following a trail, lol. All before going back and starting over at the right place! Ah well. Was fun anyway.
You can hike Mt. Zas/Mt. Zeus, an amazing hike that I took a couple years ago. But try to be sure where you are going - I went on an accidental 3 detour through private farms and thinking I was following a trail, lol. All before going back and starting over at the right place! Ah well. Was fun anyway.
Apr 26th, 2016, 09:50 AM
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Well, St George Beach won't be flooded with kids unless you go in late June, July, or August (the rest of the time they are in school). I like to stay in St George, but usually catch the bus to Agios Prokopios or Plaka on beach days.
I agree with stanbr that Naxos would be a good choice, and shoulder season a great time for couples without children to go. By shoulder season I mean May to mid-June or the second week of September to October.
Anytime outside the summer months St George or the kastro area of Naxos Town is the best place to stay, as it has the best selection of shops and restaurants, and is the bus hub for the island. Restaurants in the beach resorts begin to close down in late September.
I agree with stanbr that Naxos would be a good choice, and shoulder season a great time for couples without children to go. By shoulder season I mean May to mid-June or the second week of September to October.
Anytime outside the summer months St George or the kastro area of Naxos Town is the best place to stay, as it has the best selection of shops and restaurants, and is the bus hub for the island. Restaurants in the beach resorts begin to close down in late September.
Apr 26th, 2016, 09:54 AM
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I also agree that Naxos! We spent a week there in Sept 2011 and fell in love with Greece! The island is charming and you can do boat trips to Mykonos/Delos and Santorini...but that is weather dependent. The water was so choppy when we were there the boats were cancelled. We did do a sailing day out to the little islands around Naxos.
You can see our pics here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57627668851905
Happy planning!
You can see our pics here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57627668851905
Happy planning!
Apr 26th, 2016, 06:06 PM
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Another enthusiastic vote for Naxos. We spent two weeks in Greece in early May last year - one week on Naxos> there is so much to see and do and it is not nearly as crowded as Santorini or Mykonos.
May 2nd, 2016, 10:50 PM
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Indeed Naxos seems to be a good choice.
However, island hopping in Greece is not the best option.
Usually you can select an island also depending on how many days you can spend.
Big islands can keep you busy for up to 10 days visiting new beaches every day, new places and restaurants. Smaller islands can keep you interested for a minimum of 2 days.
Island hopping can prove tiring, so I would minimize it to a maximum of 2 islands.
You may also want to check the site below: http://www.yourgreekisland.com
It allows you to select among 70+ criteria for your destination, and then proposes the islands that best meets your criteria among 61 Greek islands. You may also compare between Greek islands and find useful information for each island, such as places to eat, beaches, things to see and do, etc.
Enjoy planning your vacations!
However, island hopping in Greece is not the best option.
Usually you can select an island also depending on how many days you can spend.
Big islands can keep you busy for up to 10 days visiting new beaches every day, new places and restaurants. Smaller islands can keep you interested for a minimum of 2 days.
Island hopping can prove tiring, so I would minimize it to a maximum of 2 islands.
You may also want to check the site below: http://www.yourgreekisland.com
It allows you to select among 70+ criteria for your destination, and then proposes the islands that best meets your criteria among 61 Greek islands. You may also compare between Greek islands and find useful information for each island, such as places to eat, beaches, things to see and do, etc.
Enjoy planning your vacations!
May 19th, 2016, 03:43 AM
#13
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Wow! Thank you all! Naxos sure has the unanimous vote! Exactly what we are looking for - thanks! Will start looking for accomodations - two bedroom two bath with pool and a/c. Airbnb? Other ideas of where to look? Thank you Fodorites, you rock!
May 19th, 2016, 05:48 AM
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Coming a bit late on this thread. Great photos stanbr and jamikins!!
Jamikins, do you still remember that hotel you stayed at in Naxos? Looks inviting. Thanks.
We were all set on Paros (and Antiparos) but now you have me thinking on Naxos. Wish we could do both!
Jamikins, do you still remember that hotel you stayed at in Naxos? Looks inviting. Thanks.
We were all set on Paros (and Antiparos) but now you have me thinking on Naxos. Wish we could do both!
May 19th, 2016, 06:18 AM
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May 30th, 2016, 04:30 AM
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Thanks jamikins for the website. The hotel looks really lovely!
Heimdall, thanks for reinforcing my belief that Antiparos is worth visiting. I will check on ferry schedules to figure out how we can visit the 3 islands while just basing in 1. We will probably extend the trip a few days so we can do this.
Heimdall, thanks for reinforcing my belief that Antiparos is worth visiting. I will check on ferry schedules to figure out how we can visit the 3 islands while just basing in 1. We will probably extend the trip a few days so we can do this.
May 30th, 2016, 04:40 AM
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JoyC, there are no three islands easier to combine than Paros, Antiparos, and Naxos. Ferries run every 30 minutes from 7am to after midnight between Paros (Pounta) and Antiparos, and there are several ferries each day between Paros and Naxos. The Pounta - Antiparos ferry takes only 7 minutes, and the Paros - Naxos ferries about 45 minutes give or take depending upon whether it's a highspeed or conventional.
Oct 20th, 2017, 04:04 AM
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An inexpensive and quiet island is Thassos located in the northern part of Greece. I recommend you to stay in Limenas Town. Here you can find a very beautiful beach with shade and sun, sunbed, hammock, canopy all for free.
To see more about Thassos watch on this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUxD93N2_xc&t=3s
To see more about Thassos watch on this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUxD93N2_xc&t=3s
Oct 20th, 2017, 05:20 AM
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" I will check on ferry schedules to figure out how we can visit the 3 islands while just basing in 1. "
Joy what is this phobia about having to "base" in one place??? Do you want to hang up every single item from your bag, cover the bureau with family pix, set up aromatherapy kit? What's the big deal about moving once?
"Basing" is a concept people seem to pick up in Provence or Northern Italy, where you can easily drive or take a train 30 miles in any direction and return to the same bed at night. In Greek Isles, go more than 10 miles in any direction & you'll be in the water!! And to ferry back & forth, such a waste of time!!! unless you have a Magic Carpet, and those have not been seen in the Med/Aegean for millenia. NO in Greece, you stay in 1 island awhile then go to the next, NO backtracking -- that's why they call it "Island HOPPING" not Island BASING.
You can stay in NAXOS, and ANTIPAROS... and from the latter, easily take the small quickie ferry to Paros & explore its port town & other areas. Please do not twist yourself into a pretzel finding ferry schedules, and spend precious hours going to/from pier & waiting on boats. If u insist on trying to backtrack daily, you'll be travelling at the very time of day that you should be sitting on a terrace watching the sun set over a beach.
Joy what is this phobia about having to "base" in one place??? Do you want to hang up every single item from your bag, cover the bureau with family pix, set up aromatherapy kit? What's the big deal about moving once?
"Basing" is a concept people seem to pick up in Provence or Northern Italy, where you can easily drive or take a train 30 miles in any direction and return to the same bed at night. In Greek Isles, go more than 10 miles in any direction & you'll be in the water!! And to ferry back & forth, such a waste of time!!! unless you have a Magic Carpet, and those have not been seen in the Med/Aegean for millenia. NO in Greece, you stay in 1 island awhile then go to the next, NO backtracking -- that's why they call it "Island HOPPING" not Island BASING.
You can stay in NAXOS, and ANTIPAROS... and from the latter, easily take the small quickie ferry to Paros & explore its port town & other areas. Please do not twist yourself into a pretzel finding ferry schedules, and spend precious hours going to/from pier & waiting on boats. If u insist on trying to backtrack daily, you'll be travelling at the very time of day that you should be sitting on a terrace watching the sun set over a beach.
