cheryl_b

Hello fellow travelers!
I am planning a 4 or 5 night trip to Greece to meet a friend this September. I'm coming from Israel, she's coming from Switzerland. We want to spend 2 days/1 night in Athens exploring the antiquities, but we also want to go to an island for 3 or 4 days. Neither of us has been there although we're both well traveled.

Santorini, Crete and Mykonos get the most attention...I've heard that Santorini has the iconic pictures and is the most touristy. Crete is larger and lusher with more options but not the best beaches.

A friend has suggested Hydra, as it's close to the mainland with good beaches (not our primary reason to go) and things to see and do.

We are willing to island hop or not - please help me out...which islands are your favorite and why?!

Thanks in advance!

crazyh

With 3-4 days I would suggest picking one island and staying there. It makes no sense wasting time to get from one island to another in that short of a period of time. Time is money when you travel and spending more time getting from one island to another is not worth it for the amount of time you have.

There are numerous Greek Islands to visit. Many islands are lovely, picturesque, traditional or over-the-top touristy like Santorini/Mykonos, while Crete can give you a good combination of both. However, it's the largest island in Greece and deserves weeks to fully experience and explore.

That leaves small islands like Sifnos, Milos, Naxos, Amorgos, Tinos, Aegina, Skyros and many others. September will be off season, especially later in the month so there'll be less tourists, lower prices and still nice weather.


My favorite islands are Sifnos, Milos, Naxos, Amorgos, Tinos, Astypalea, Crete, Ikaria, Skyros and a number of others I've researched that fit my needs (culture, history, archeological sites, traditional, great food and less touristy). However, you have to decide what's right for you.

I would check out Matt's Greek Island Guide for help:

http://www.greektravel.com/greekislands/

MmePerdu

Naxos.

Heimdall

The best island is the one that has the attributes you are looking for. Hydra is not noted for good beaches at all, while Crete has many, so you got that wrong way round. What sort of things are you interested in doing? Do you want an island that has good nightlife?

No island in Greece is more than an hour from Athens by air, so if you fly distance is immaterial. That opens up distant islands like Rhodes, Corfu, and Skiathos.

If you want a mix of good beaches, vibrant nightlife, and things to see, you could do worse than Mykonos. It has the most beautiful town in the Cyclades, and the archaeological site of Delos a 30 minute boat ride away. September is a great time for Mykonos!

Naxos gets lots of hype on this forum, but Paros is just as good, and an hour closer to Athens by ferry. It has a new airport, with more flights and larger aircraft.

Loacker

I like Corfu and Skopelos.


They are lusher than Mykonos and Santorini. I think Mykonos and Santorini are too arid. They look like desert islands. Their beauty is overhyped.


Crete has the best beaches such as Elafonissi beach.

cheryl_b

Great responses so far, just as I'd hoped!

We are sticking to Athens and one island.

We are looking for a mix of hiking, ancient historical sites (which we'll get in athens as well), beaches, and un-touristy places with more typical island life than what might be found in Santorini. Nightlife is less important although we're up for that too.

It is interesting that among the many islands mentioned, no one picked Hydra...any particular reason?

MmePerdu

"Naxos gets lots of hype on this forum..."

Not sure I'd call it "hype", just one we who have been there like. On the other hand, I'd certainly accept the comparison aspect of Heimdall's post. I've never been to Paros so would take his word for it.

I just threw Naxos into the mix because I do like it very much. But the trouble with asking for the best of anything on a forum is that, like with my so-called recommendation, I haven't been everywhere, nor have most people who post. I suppose it can be useful for narrowing things down but don't neglect independent research to find a good fit, unless you're content to spend your time & money going to a stranger's favorite island that may or may not be yours.

Loacker

I don't know much about Hydra. It's a popular day trip from Athens due to its proximity. Looks beautiful, though.

cheryl_b

Madame Perdu, exactemente!

on the other hand, people's passion is infectious and this is certainly part of my research!

Heimdall

I like Naxos, and I have been there several times, but always go back to Paros and Antiparos, where I have been going for over 20 years now.

Although Naxos is a larger island, most of it is little developed, and nearly everyone seems to end up in the small beach strip between Naxos Town and Plaka. Naxos has more mountain villages, and a better glimpse of traditional Greek life when you get away from the beaches.

Paros has resorts around the entire perimeter of the island, and several villages in the interior, including the beautiful Lefkes. Another island, Antiparos, is separated from Paros by a narrow one mile strait, so you get 'two islands for the price of one'.

There are many small uninhabited islets and sea caves around Paros, which are visited by tour boats. The one in the following YouTube video is based on Antiparos, but picks up passengers at Pounta on Paros: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2b8nzBEWKo

Offtoeurope

I think it makes no sense to skip Mykonos and Santorini on a first visit to the Greek islands. They are famous for a reason. Start with the classics. Discover other islands on future visits.

Lois2

absolutely if this is your first trip ...one island you need to experience Santorini and stay in Oia not Fira. Simply the most beautiful spot anywhere and so unique. I can't imagine going anywhere else. My advice would be different for a second or third visit.

Mimar

I've been to Hydra twice. It's very pretty and has no cars or trucks. Donkeys act as trucks and carry the loads. It also has at least one traditional windmill.

But I've only daytripped there as it's an easy jaunt from Athens. I would assume most of the other visitors are daytrippers.

Coming from the Argolid peninsula on the Peloponnese, we did a daytrip to the island of Spetses. It is infested with noisy vespas; we left by the next boat. A contrast from Hydra.

I wonder how many of the other islands have this issue. Didn't seem to be a problem on Santorini.

I feel like I'm selfishly denying the locals their cheap and convenient transportation. But surely there should be something of the past preserved somewhere....

artsnletters

I was on Santorini a couple years ago. It's very picturesque, I took a ton of photos. But it is absolutely stuffed with tourists. Oia, while the most beautiful of the villages, is also now very sleek and polished (total contrast with what it was 20 years ago, when it was rustic and charming), and it doesn't seem like anyone really lives there any more - it's all hotels, restaurants, and shops. I spent two days there and said, I'm never coming back. YMMV.

I'll put in a plug for Rhodes, which has it all - beaches, charming medieval walled town, castle/palace, whitewashed villages, classical age and medieval ruins, lots of character and charm. It's a larger island, though nowhere near as large as Crete, and you can see a lot in three days.

MmePerdu

I value your opinion, artsnletters, and have been wondering about Rhodes vs Crete. It sounds like Rhodes might be the one.

travelerjan

Mme Perdu, if you have a shorter period, Rhodes might be it. Rhodes Old Town can be wonderful, if you find a place to stay away from the 'main drag" and near to the ancient walls... then you'll be out of the onrush of the daily cruise crowds. Don't miss the walk on the top of the walls ... daily in high season, and selected days in shoulder season. Also, a walk to the Acropolis of Rhodes, also known as Monte Smith's hill -- http://www.faliraki-info.com/rhodes-map.htm -- ruins of a temple, a stadium etc... about 1/2 mile thru a sort of suburban neighborhood. Lindos is a day-trip... you can take a bus, in high season a boat excursion, or drive. VERY crowded going up to its acropolis, and most of the ruins are fake-restored, but the view is lovely. A swim in Lindos bay is warm even in chilly may elssewhere. If you do drive, you can see most of the island highlights in a day or so.

artsnletters

MmePerdu, if you would like a hotel rec in the old town but not on the main drag (I agree, you don't want to be there), I highly recommend the Medieval Inn:

http://www.medievalinn.com/

Very reasonably priced. It's fairly simple, but the breakfast is to die for and the owners will treat you like long-lost relatives. I absolutely loved my stay there.

MmePerdu

Thanks for recommendation. It looks pretty perfect. If you booked a single, what size bed were you given? I see lots of twin beds, not my favorite.

artsnletters

I got a double. I suppose it would depend when you are there - I was there in May and there were only a handful of other guests. You could always make a request.

travelerjan

Rooms usually have TWO twin beds OR a double bed... you can request the latter. Ask for the upper floor... lighter & airier... the patio level rooms can be stuffy. I stayed there when it was called the Pink Elephant ... it is delightfully away from the busy parts. You would take taxi to St. Francis gate & then phone hotelier to come with a baggage trolley.