Athens + Naxos + ???
 

So, we are going back to Naxos and Athens for the fourth straight summer. We love both places. We are a couple with 2 boys (9 and 7).

We have ten nights. We were thinking to either just split (7-3 or 8-2 ) or do 5 nights in Naxos, 2 in Athens, and 3 somewhere else.

Kind of leaning towars spending 8 nights in Naxos and taking boat trips here and there, maybe do some hiking and biking. The past three years we just spend four days on the beach in Naxos, which was lovely, but with the 2 small boys and no car, it was hard to think of other things. Realize we might run in to trouble with the winds for small boat trips.

As for the somewhere else, we've done Antiparos, Paros, and Santorini and it's not necessary to go back. Any ideas? Would it be too much work to try another island? What about mainland Greece? Thessaloniki (and Halkidiki?)

BTW - thanks to those who responded to my thread about getting to Naxos from Athens! My hisband agreed to take the boat directly from Piraeus on the day we land. We love Athens but prefer exploring on or way back :)

You may try Andros or Tinos, along the ferry route from Naxos to Rafina. Frequent buses from Rafina to Athens airport as well as to Athens.

Have you been to lovely Nafplio?
If you haven't already seen it, you might find some ideas in my trip report:
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...reece-1460735/

Thanks - these are exactly the types of tips I wanted.

Is Napflio doable as a daytrip from athens using public transportation?

Love the idea of going to Naxos through Piraeus and returning through Rafina!

Wow, the more I research Nafplio, the more I think it is worth a few days! How to fit it in?

If you check rome2rio.com, you'll see it's about 2 hours each way. For me, that's too far for a day trip; YMMV. And Nafplio has more than enough to offer to keep people busy for several days -- it doesn't seem to me to be day-trip material. Again, YMMV.

We were posting at the same time!
IMO, it would only fit if you cut your time in Naxos or just wanted to give Nafplio a couple of days to get a sense of it.

I would be fine doing 5 nights in Naxos, three in Nafplio, and two in Athens.
How would that work though? My husband will throw a tantrum if we don't head straight to Naxos!
So we would take a boat then from Naxos to Rafina and then a bus or something to Nafplio? Spend about one day in transit.
Then take a bus from Nafplio to Athens?

Aug 29 Leave Boston
Aug 30 Arrive Athens at 2 PM. Ferry to Naxos
Aug 31 Naxos
Sep 1 Naxos
Sep 2 Naxos
Sep 3 Naxos --> Rafina --> Nafplio.
Sep 4 Nafplio
Sep 5 Nafplio
Sep 6 Nafplio --> Athens
Sep 7 Athens
Sep 8 Leave Athens

Seems like Naxos has connections to the Dodecanese and the other islands as well (Ikaria). Might be easier than getting to Nafplio.

I am intrigued by Folegandros and Kythnos (hot springs!). Could I make those work? Kythnos seems close-ish to Athens, and we love hot spring...

Or Milos? It seems like Milos might be perfect. Hot springs, good connections from Naxos and Athens....

Overlt, now you seem to be planning at least three or four separate trips.

For what it’s worth, it is easier to get around the mainland than between islands, especially when you throw different island groups into the mix. Rent a car and you can drive around the Peloponnese at your own pace and see ancient sites, Byzantium villages, historic seaside towns, and beaches better than the ones on Naxos. The Argolida region around Nafplio has several major archeological sites, and Nafplio itself is said to be the most beautiful town in Greece.

The southern coast of the Peloponnese has many beautiful beaches, and it’s not as windy as the Cyclades. Speaking of the Cyclades, I’ve been to Naxos several times, but always go back to my favourite Paros and Antiparos. Although Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos Town, Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna, the small area where most tourists stay, gets very crowded in June through September.

Unfortunately, we cannot drive. My husband does not have a license and hasn't driven in about 20 years. I hate driving and get very nervous and can't drive standard. My children get nauseous and antsy in cars and I would need another vacation after hearing them fight and whine.

We love Greece because don't have to drive. We've used public transportation and ferries to get around Naxos, Paros, and Antiparos. Nafplio sounds lovely but it seems like we would need to take a car to derive full advantage.

I'm looking into Milos right now - it seems to be about two or so hours by boat from Naxos and not soo far from Piraeus (by boat). We love hot springs.

Okay, I understand. Although I can drive and own a standard transmission car, I choose not to in Greece and use public transport myself. That means a trip around the Peloponnese is out of the question for you, but it is very easy to get from Athens to Nafplio by public transport. The KTEL Argolida bus system is very good, and takes about two hours by express bus. Buses run every hour or two throughout the day:
https://www.ktelargolida.gr/en/homepage-en/

Ferries between Naxos and Milos are the very small passenger-only types, e.g. Superjet and SeaJet 2, both operated by Sea Jets Consortium. Most sailings last summer took about 5 hours depending upon route, with another late afternoon sailing taking about 2 hours, usually running well behind schedule. These two ferries are the ones everyone complains about when seas are rough.

It doesn't make sense to go from Naxos to Rafina if you don't stop over somewhere along this itinerary.
Naxos - Piraeus ferries are more frequent. Metro trains from Piraeus to Athens run continuously. Trains from Piraeus to Korinthos (with 1 intermediate change) run every 30 minutes.
Buses from Athens Kifissou bus terminal to Nafplion run about every hr. Take a taxi between Piraeus boat's pier or Athens to the Kifissou bus terminal.
You need 2 days if you want to visit Nafplio, Mycenae and Epidaurus by public transport. It needs a good planning, but it's possible.
Any Athens hotel can book a guided 1day coach trip to these destinations, however.

The ferry timetables for next year are not yet published. The following connections existed in the last summers:

Naxos - Folegandros - Milos: usually daily, may be with a catamaran change at Santorini on certain days.
Naxos - Kythnos: not daily for sure. One direct slow boat weekly. More frequent catamaran connections.
Piraeus - Kythnos - Milos: more or less daily.
Kythnos - Lavrio: several boats daily. Buses from Lavrio to Athens (2 hrs or so)

Naxos - Ikaria: not daily, change at Mykonos
Naxos - Patmos - Kos: direct ferry every Saturday afternoon/evening
Patmos - Kos - Rhodos: direct ferry every Sunday morning
Naxos - Santorini (boats change) - Rhodos: 2-3 times weekly

Overit , I do not drive ... and have taken the bus many times to Nafplio. It's an enjoyable 2.5 hour drive on a modern, airconditioned reserved-seat intercity (KTEL) bus, on a modern highway 2/3 of the way (ask for a seat on LEFT side for best view of the sea), then on smaller roads through rolling fertile countryside, thru olive groves and citrus orchards. Nafplio itself is almost car-free in Old Town, great for strolling... worth a day just for that! This wonderful noncommercial website - http://www.visitnafplio.com/ gives ALL details; click every link! I looove the walk around the base of the peninsula.... the town beach is stony, but has handy concrete walkway with ladders into the sea, Terrific. And kids love the "castle" aspect of Nafplio... the tower atop the town (u go up in an elevator IN the cliff), the castle in the bay, the mighty Palamidi fortress on a Gibraltar-type rock... there's a "happy-train" you can take there & back... and one of you can walk DOWN the 999 steps with the boys... I myself sit in the cafe at the foot of the stairway, & have coffee & await my stairway friends.
There used to be a local excursion that would go to both Mycenae & Epidaurus in 1 day... but no more. No matter; you can take a local bus to Epidaurus at 9 am or so, and just visit its STUNNING theatre, that's the main attraction, then get a noonish bus back. Instead of Mycenae (a biggish & lengthy visit for young ones), take a local bus for 10 mins out of town, ask driver to let you off at TIRYNS. This is a fab Iliad-era ruin, and there's almost no one there!! U can climb up it, see views, go thru its tunnnel etc, then go back to the road & Flag down any Nafplio- bound local-area bus. Another Naxophile & gifted photographer, "Stanbr" also loves & depicts Nafplio --

What wonderful responses - travelerjan, you've convinced me to try and focus on getting Nafplio! We are not opposed to flying from Naxos to Athens (if we book far in advance, it would not be terribly expensive). I would love to hear your suggestions about where to stay in Nafplio.

Too bad about Milos - was hoping to go to the hot spring :(.

Save Milos for your next trip -- This (outdated but useful) ferry map The Greek Island Ferry Route and frequency Chart shows the best routes... one is down the West Cyclades... Kythnos -- Serifos ( a gem) -- Sifnos (Great for hikes!) - Milos... Or if you start at Santorini, you can link to Folegandros then Milos. You should be aware as a nondriver that Milos' public bus system is lame even in high season and worse, in Spring/Fall. For me, its best adventure is a boat trip around the rim of the island wher you see magical rock formations from its prehistoric volcano history.

As for Nafplio hotels I don't know what your budget is. you should realize that few islands have "quad" rooms ... I gather in Naxos you wer able to find something like a "Bedroom + studio" unit... so handy with kids, a kitchenette ell + table, to feed them bkfst & other times. Not as easy in Nafplio Old Town. For years I stayed up the steps at a great old hotel, now in new mgt and spoiled.. However, there are 2 pensions up there that I think have rooms for more than 2 -- Pension Nikolaos, and Pension Bonne Nuit. On the sea level, where I stayed this year and looooved is Hotel Agamemmnon, BEST locadtion in town, balconies right on the sea front, but don't if it has the right accomms for you with 2 young ones. Another place on sea level, down a lovely lane is Omorfo Poli ... a variety of rooms, convenient & quiet. A good standard Hotel, just a block off the Main Square is Hotel Victoria ... it may have tripls & bring in a cot. I suggest you use booking.com and put in your exact dates (dummy date if u are not sure yet), and see what's on offer... book or contact direct. NOTE: sometimes if y ou contact direct hotels want you to give 1 nights payment in advance, via bank transfer, which is easy & cheap from europe but a BIG DRAG from USA, very costly. I ran into tthis iwth Agamemmnon & ended up booking thru Booking.com which would take my credit card... with free cancellation privileges.

Whoa! NAFPLIO rooms -- I just checked booking.com for Sept 4-5-6 (a rough idea of when u'd want to be there) nd Agamemmnon was full, so was Victoria... but Omorfo Poli has a "family suite" 2 rooms with double bed in one, single beds in the other, for $315 USD for 3 nights, at the free-cancellation rate. NO risk, so I'd suggest you book this pronto!! if you find something you like better, you can always cancel, but I like the location, central but not noisy.... and at the END of a narrow lane, not in the lane itself.

Some accommodation on the islands includes apartments, which you will find when including that in your search criteria. IMO that would be better than crowding together in a quad room, but probably more expensive. That would be similar to the “family suite” in Nafplio mentioned by travelerjan.

BTW, booking(dot)com is a good search engine, but it’s availability notices are a bit misleading. When it says, for example, “only two rooms left at this site” or words to that effect, they are referring to the rooms allocated by the hotel to the website, not the hotel itself. Most hotels allocate only some of their rooms to the booking websites. Also, when the website says “no availability” far in advance that may mean the hotel hasn’t started taking bookings for those dates yet, not that it is sold out. Sometimes it’s wise to look for the hotel’s own website and cross check there, and you may find a room available for direct booking.

Early September is very busy, so sort out your hotel bookings as soon as you can. Also, ferries and flights returning to Athens from the islands are very busy in early September, especially on weekends. Book your flight back to Athens early, especially if flying back from Naxos, which is served by small turboprops.

Thanks everyone! I'm sorting the pros and cons of Nafplio to the islands in my head as we speak - I'll probably decide after I have a chance to go to the library this weekend and read some travel guides.

I wonder if I could break up the trip from Naxos to Nafplio with an overnight somewhere (travelerjan - I believe you recommended this in a thread somewhere in 2012 in another website :)). The idea is take the late ferry from Naxos to Piraeus, overnight somewhere, and take the bus to Nafplio the next morning. I'm inclined to do ferries rather than planes this time (I've done the turboprop Naxos-Athens three times and while it's convenient you spend much of the day waiting around, which boring and a pain with two kids and one squirmy husband).

I like the idea of Nafplio because we are probably spending two nights in Athens but will really only have time to explore properly one day.

Aug 28 Leave Boston
Aug 29 Arrive Athens 2 PM. Train to Piraeus for the 5:30 ferry to Naxos
Aug 30 Naxos
Aug 31 Naxos
Sept 1 Naxos
Sept 2 Naxos
Sept 3 Leave Naxos. Head to Nafplio (either that day or the next)
Sep 4 Napflio
Sep 5 Napflio
Sep 6 Nafplio --> Athens
Sep 7 Athens
Sep 8 Depart home

Your best bet would be to take the 6pm Blue Star which gets in either at 11:30 or midnight, depending on which day... then taxi to a close-by Piraeus hotel & collapse. Next AM you can get a bus (?? X93??) to Kifissou station & catch the Nafplio express (hourly on the half-hour).

As mentioned, If you take the earlier Blue star (9:45) it eats up a whole day, makes for a very loooong trip with kids. Taking the 6pm allows you a last lovely afternoon on the beach or wandering about. Of course, you'd have to check out of y our room at noon, but with most family-run hotels, you can arrange a work-around. They'll stow your bags in a baggage room or behind the counter, and when you come back at 4:30, you can use a reception-area "powder room" or a bathroom in a vacant unit to wash your face & change into travel clothes.

On the Blue Star, book a few days ahead for "reserved economy" seats, and ask for location in SIDE compartments, which are by windows, have fewer seats & are quieter (the cental area is more like a theatre -- 500 seats, several aisles, brightly lit and TV on constantly). With "Reserve econmy" you can sit out on deck on the plastic garden chairs (first come first served) until dark, then go inside & your reserved seats are t here for you,.. they're upholstered, leanback, lots of legroom & footrests, also t ray tables. You can either eat in the cafes, or get something to take to your seat. Then read, or nap, until arrival. If your boys are antsy, (or your hubby), the advantage of a large ferry is that you can walk the corridors with them

BTW, on a full boat (likely to be, on a sunday), you may come to your reserved seats and find them occupied -- th "squatters" will be "economy" deck passengers, just chancing that the seat is unsold. You can flash yur tickets at them, and they'll move... the exception is, if the squatter is an old greek lady in a black dress, with lots of bundles. She will give you grief, so do not confront her... just go to one of the deck stewards; its their job to move people along diplomatically.

Would a taxi from the ferry port make sense? It seems like it would cost about $150 for four people and take about 2 hours. Sound right?

This is confusing. YOu mean taxi from Pireaus to Nafplio?? Would that be at 3:30, arriving on the 9:45 - 3 PM Blue Star? I have no idea if $150 "sounds right" because I am not an agent, checking prices for clients. That's the kind of info you expect an agency to give you. It seems a little low to me, but if you could get that price.... You wouldn't want a taxi from the taxi line, you'd want to book a car online ahead of time and have the terms in writing. Returning from Nafplio, a bus would be easy. Then a taxi from the bus station to any hotel/apt in central athens would be from €12 - 15. BTW, it's thoughtful to ask about prices using Euros, because so many helpers on this forum are not from N. America.

I wouldn’t book an ordinary taxi from Piraeus to Nafplio, but you might want to do some research on private transfers. I’ve no idea what it would cost, or even if they offer that service, but Fantasy Travel, a well known Athens travel agency, has a page where you can get a quote:
https://www.fantasy.travel/greek-tra...iAAEgLWdPD_BwE

There are other agencies that also provide the service, such as George’s Taxis, so it might pay to check around. For what it’s worth, I much prefer the morning Blue Star that arrives at Piraeus around 3 pm and then the bus from Kiffisos station the next morning. That gives you time to check into your hotel and go out for a meal, even possibly taking a short trip to central Athens for sightseeing.

Some hotels near the Piraeus docks are a bit grim, so IMO if you take the morning Blue Star from Naxos it would be better to go into central Athens. My “go to” hotel is the Cypria, which is near Syntagma Square, has great breakfasts, and reasonable room rates. They even helped me get to Kiffisos Station one time when taxi drivers were on strike. Here is their own website, but they are also listed on booking.com:
https://athenscypria.com/?lang=en

During my last trip in Greece i went to Athens and then around the Cyclades, and so Naxos, Mykonos, Paros, Ios and Tinos!

travelwith guili --- these people have only 10 nights, why taunt them with an island list that would take at least 3 weeks to do justice to!

@ travelwithgiuli: Welcome to Fodor's, and please feel free to post whatever advice you think appropriate! I'm sure the OP can decide how best to use any input provided. :)

My husband would revolt if we did 5 places in ten days! Still trying to work out the logistics of getting to Nafplio.

Option #1: evening ferry, overnight in Pireaus, noonish buses to Nafplio. Snce the ferry is going to arrive at midnight, I'm not comfortable going into Athens at that time with two small boys. I can't tell how hard it will be to get from Piraeus to Nafplio, but it seems like I will have to take the train to Athens and then the bus from Athens to Nafplio. So we are looking at about 4-5 hours during the day of travelling (in addition to the ferry at night). I like this option because we can spend basically the whole day in Naxos ad leave in the evening (and save one night of hotel) and avoid the airport

Option 2: Fly to Athens on the 5 PM evening flight then stay at St Thomas B&B the airport, - http://www.stay-in-athens.com - Next AM from Airport, take the X93 to the station where you get the KTEL bus, to Nafplio. Although I'd prefer the ferry over the plane, it seems like this makes more sense, as St Thomas B&B is very charming (unlike Piraeus).

Any other options I am missing?

St. Thomas is a great option.... arrive there about 6, have a dip in the cute pool, in an olive grove... Janet (owner) doesnt' serve dinner but offers snacks & beverage around the pool, and gladly arranges for delivery of take-out (pizza etc). THey have a good unit fo r you... a 2 br adjoining door ... and a nice buffet breakfast & will get you to airport for the x93 bus for Kifissou Station (allow 65 mins to get to station). KTEL bus is 8 am, then 9:30 - 10:30 etc. Say Hi to Janet for me -- tell her I've been meaning to stay there ever since I discovered it 10 y ears ago, but have sent scores of satisfied visitors there. If I do get back to Greece, next time I'll go for sure.

Naxos - If you are spending 8 days without a car, I highly suggest that you book a tour or two with Nicholas of Naxos Discovery Private Guided Tours. It was the highlight of our trip to Naxos. Nicholas knows the history, the flora and fauna, the hidden places, and little towns. All tours are private. He does every type of tour imaginable. You can leave it up to him, or you can tell him what you're interested in and he will customize it. He does hiking tours, as well!

I go more in depth on my trip report if you are interested.

I'm having some computer trouble, so just click on my name to find it (Santorini+Naxos+Athens = Wow...just Wow!!!). Have a great time!

Here is the link for the tour:
https://www.naxosdiscovery.net/

Buffalo Girl, that sounds wonderful, but may be beyond the budget of this young family. When you make a recommendation lilke that, it is thoughtful to include the KEY factor; what did it cost?

Thanks for the tip! I'm adding it to my list for my return trip!

Now off to find your TR! We LOVED our place in Oia. Looking forward to reading about yours!

travelerjan, thank you for all the advice you provided me when I was planning my trip last year. I did supply a link so I'm sure the OP can look at it and inquire about pricing. I'm sure it all depends on length, where, etc. It was just a suggestion and I'm sure that OverIt can take it from there.

Starrs - I think you did read my trip report as I'm pretty sure you commented. But I would be honored if you looked at it again! :)

I agree! I think Fodorites are fortunate that people like you provide whatever information they, personally, feel comfortable sharing, and honestly, I wish others wouldn't try to say what is or is not valuable. JMO.

I think I may be suffering from "sometimers". ;)

Have you seen the cute cartoon on FB about two best friends and (paraphased) "We'll be best friends forever until we lose our memory and then we'll be NEW best friends".
That may be me soon. :-))

+ 1

Let the OP decide and if even if the OP doesn't use the info, other readers may.

Over 20 years ago I read a suggestion for a certain lodging in Tuscany. It was a slowtrav post and only read that forum and NEVER posted on it.

And yet, 20+ years later I plan a trip to Italy, stay at that place and it was a highlight of the trip.

The original poster had no idea. IMO that's one of the best things about internet travel forums.

IMO one of the worst things is people criticizing the post of others, especially when it's just to criticize and an alternative is not suggested.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5e49ab72ff.png
Example = 36 posts. 1.6k views. Readers may find suggestions helpful, even if they OP does not use the suggestion. 1.6 k views is a LOT of readers.

We often arrived at Piraeus around midnight, took a taxi from the taxi stand in front of the boat to a hotel at Piraeus (for example Theoxenia), slept there and reached Kiffisos bus terminal from there after breakfast (by taxi).

Good idea necker, I did that once ... breaks up a long trip, just think of piraeus as a sleep-stop.

Hi everyone...still debating about Napflio. Booked four nights in Naxos and three in Napflio ... with one unbooked day in between and am still undecided. I am drawn to Napflio because it seems like a fun place to chill out (kids playing in the square, etc) but will it be a hassle with two kids? We won't be renting a car. I've got my guidebooks and I am reading reading reading but would like to know whether it's worth a solid three days? I'm thinking we will probably really enjoy the change of pace from the Cyclades and Athens.

Leaning towards the night ferry with a Pireaus stopover over flight to Athens and St Thomas stayover. Will check out Theoxenia.