Weadles

Totally agree with the other posts above. Don't rent a bike! The streets in and around town are extremely narrow and sometimes pedestrians have very little sidewalk to use, so they are in the street, too. Much better idea to rent a car for getting out of town and exploring the rest of the island.

Weadles

Just read your comment that Nissaki is a Best Western. It's nothing like any Best Western you or I have ever seen in the U.S. As I remember, the owner's son or daughter completely designed the rooms and public spaces of the hotel. Think bright colors- oranges, reds, vibrant pinks and greens- lots of artwork everywhere, beautiful wooden floors in the rooms, and very modern bathrooms with every amenity. If Best Western were like that, I'd be more than happy to stay at one here at home!

BeachGirl247

Being a Vespa rider at home here in the states, I would have to vote "no" on renting scooters to ride to town from Medusa. No on scooters in general there as it was too chaotic and busy even for an experienced rider.

We stayed at Nissaki, rented a car and took it down to Plaka and even hung out at the beach side tables to enjoy the view with lunch and cold drinks. It is a beautiful beach reminding us of Caribbean beaches. Not the white sand but the golden soft sand. You'll love it.

Also, take your car into the hills of Naxos. We were so surprised at the beauty of the countryside, abundant flowers and charming towns. It was a highlight of our time on Naxos and happy we took the time to do that.

A note about the beach quality at Nissaki. For us we were quite disappointed at the type of beach - it was a dirty, grey murky water that I had no interest in enjoying. We walking to the right of the beach across the parking lot to the beach there which is clear water and smooth rocks nearby to sunbath.

Nisakki was a chic and stylish hotel that I would not compare to what we know as a Best Western. Nothing close!

Enjoy your trip. We leave for Paros next week and look forward to returning to these beautiful, friendly islands.

sph

Thanks. Beach girl, based on your comments about the beach by Nissaki, if you had to do it over again would you stay at Medusa on Plaka?

We will rent a car in advance thanks everyone.

BeachGirl247

I would again stay at Nissaki and rent a car to drive down to the beach. Medusa has a beautiful beach but it was too remote to sight see and wander town for us.

Enjoy!

clausar

If i am right, the distance to Naxos town from Plaka is only 8 km... this isn't remote at all.....
But to me it's a matter of priorities....
I prefer a very quiet location, with a great and not too crowded beach, and i don't mind driving a short distance to the town.

In August the closer to the town you go, the crowder it will get.

Heimdall

Finding a place to park your car in Naxos Town may be a problem during August. Nissaki Beach and some other hotels in St George have their own guest parking, but if you drive into town from Plaka you will have to look for a scarce empty space in a public car park.

clausar

You are absolutely right Heimdall....
Same happens in Fira, Naousa or Mykonos town....
I remember parking once my car at a private parking in Mykonos and paying the ridiculous amount of 12 Euro...

BeachGirl247

Clauser, when we visited, there wasn't anything within walking distance except the next group of beach restaurants and the closet bus stop. I consider it "remote" as there isn't anything around it and town is not within walking distance.

clausar

This is why i said it's a matter of priorities.....
I prefer what you call remote... but at the same time i want to have a car to drive to the city.
Of course this is me... others prefer to be in or close to the town

Weadles

I have to agree w/ BeachGirl247 that the beach at Nissaki is not good at all. But of course with a car, you'll be able to reach the best beaches easily.

We stayed at Nissaki in late July/early August, and were very glad to be close to town for restaurants/sightseeing/drinks, etc. It really depends what's important to you. Parking in town seemed almost impossible during our visit.

BeachGirl247

Medusa is a lovely location. Their beach is absolutely beautiful and so relaxing. If I were going for a relaxing beach trip it would be my first choice on Naxos. I was with my husband who was in the mood to go go go, so we had to stay on the move being our first trip. I could have lounged at Plaka beach for days!

oliverandharry

We are staying 5 nights at Medusa in June based on the rec of another poster (didn't know clausar liked it too!)and you might check to see if there is a 5 night minimum - which I think is more than you want. We chose it b/c it is out of the town - for all the reasons listed by others - but if you want a report when we return I'll let you know!

sph

Thanks to all who provided feedback. I booked Nissaki Beach and had wonderful, quick responses from both properties. I don't think you can go wrong with either based on my experience so far. Since this is our first trip we decided to be closer to town so we can walk everywhere. We will rent a car for exploring. Now the only remaining items are ferries and to do list each day. The stressful part of planning is done and now to the fun part. THANKS AGAIN

sph

I am asking for a bit more help fine tuning our trip to make sure I don't miss anything. We arrive early (in late Aug) to Athens with an evening flight to Thira (using ff miles so will try to get earlier flight) - QUESTION - if we cannot get an earlier flight how long does it take via ferry?

Staying at Fanari Villas 3 nights. Any must see, must eat, must do advice?

Ferry to Naxos. Is it necessary to book in advance or can I book the ferry once I get there? Staying 4 nights.

Nissaki Beach Hotel - walk around town etc. Drive island and day at Plaka beach. Any other recommendations? Great low key tavernas, etc

Ferry to Athens. Once again, is it necessary to book the ferry in advance or once I get there which is my preference.

3 nights Athens. 1 day = Acropolis, New Acropolis Museum, Lycabettus Hill

1 day = Ancient Agora, Byzantine, Plaka

Fly to Istanbul - 4 nights

day 1 = Topkapi, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque
day 2 = Grand Bazaar, Dolmabahce Palance
day 3 = Bosphorous by Boat

are these grouped correctly based on ease of getting to each place and time allowed? what other sites should I put in for the fourth day?

Any recommendations on restaurants is also appreciated - we like the very low key local great food as well as upscale dining.

THANKS - getting excited!

brotherleelove2004

Flights take 30 minutes. Ferries take 5-12 hours depending on which one.

Very close to Fanari is Kastro Restaurant. Right below Fanari is Amoudi Bay where there are 4 waterfront fish tavernas on the wharf. Sigalas Winery in Oia has some excellent and award-winning wines. It's right behind Santorini Mou, a fun taverna where the owner serenades his dinner guests.

Heimdall

You wrote: "We arrive early (in late Aug) to Athens..." How early is early? If you arrive in Athens no later than 4 am, then you have time to make one of the morning ferries from Piraeus. Hellenic Seaways' highspeed departs Piraeus at 7 am, and arrives on Santorini at 11:25 am. Blue Star Delos departs Piraeus at 7:25 am and arrives on Santorini at 3:10 pm. No other ferry will get you to Santorini earlier than the evening flight.

There is no need to prebook the ferry from Santorini to Naxos, as it is never full leaving Santorini. Blue Star Delos (the same one that left Piraeus at 7:25 am) picks up additional passengers at Naxos and Paros on its way back to Piraeus.

If you are travelling from Naxos to Piraeus on a Saturday or Sunday, it may be a good idea to prebook that ferry, but you can wait until you arrive in Athens to do so. Ferries returning to the mainland on weekends in late August and early September are often full, with families returning from the islands for the start of the school year. On the second weekend of September last year all the seats were sold out on ferries from Naxos and Paros.

Mimar

Best Western hotels in Europe are very nice, locally owned hotels with lots of local color. They bear no resemblamce to Best Western motels in the US. However, Best Western motels in the western US are quite nice motels, a cut above the average motel.

sph

Thanks everyone. We will not be able to look at a ferry from Athens so will keep trying to get an earlier flight. Looks like I will not need to pre book ferry tickets which is good news. Brotherleelove, I will be visiting the winery and tavernas you mentioned - thanks.

If anyone has recommendations on Athens schedule or Istanbul events, please let me know.

roadbus

This might be too late in the conversation but I just came back from Greece (2 weeks ago). I spent one day in Athens, saw Acropolis and the rest of the city. After one full day I've seen enough and kinda got a little bored. Then I went island hopping and that's where you want to spend most of the time. The islands are beautiful. That's my two cents.