Hi my husband and I are planning a greek island trip for this may/june. We are thinking of flying into Athens and getting on a plane to one of the islands and spending 3 nights on 3 different islands. I have hears Santorini and Myknonos are the ones to see and they look beautiful in pictures. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a third island?
I have looked at Chania Crete based on someone here's trip report, but it seems harder to get to from other islands and also to go to other islands, correct me if I am wrong on this.
I also think Naxos may be a good island to visit.

We are in our mid 50s. We are active, like to sightsee and go to the beach, on boats, etc.. We can enjoy nightlife, but are more low key. We don't party like we used to!
We considered a cruise, and have never been on one, but it seems cruising is more about being on the boat and not the stops persay. I don't want to go to the greek islands to spend 4 hours in port per island. So, we are thinking of just flying and staying on each island for a few days each to get a feel for the island.
Thanks for any advice!

Should have edited, but it would be 3 islands and three nights on each island! Sorry about my spelling, typed quickly!

How many days do you have for the trip? You'll need to return to Athens before your flight home (even if you do not plan to see Athens) If you have 9 days total, 3 islands would put you on ferries too much for my taste.

I would fly to Santorini on arrival then add Folegandros, Paros or Naxos before Mykonos, depending on ferry schedules and your time.

I didn't find Crete particularly hard to get to or from, but I think it would depend on where, exactly, you are trying to connect.

I truly enjoyed both Crete and Naxos. If you haven't already seen it, you might find some useful information in my trip report:
https://www.fodors.com/community/profile/kja/

If Santorini and Mykonos are musts, visit an Island along the ferry line between these 2 Islands: Naxos or Paros.
Or go by ferry from Mykonos to Athens (Rafina or Piraeus) and stop over at Syros or Tinos.

Santorini is the most visually striking island, it's very touristy and crowded, but I feel worth it because of it's setting and beauty. Mykonos (which I have not been to) is more similar to the other Cyclades islands and is known as the 'party' island. If the young, party scene is not for you I think skipping Mykonos in favor of Naxos or Paros makes sense. It's very easy to fly into Santorini, then ferry to Naxos and then Paros and then to Athens.

Here's my trip report that covered those islands: https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...rip-report.cfm

Here's my photos - http://andiamo.zenfolio.com/f320347206

Late May is too early in the season for much partying on Mykonos, although some of the clubs are beginning to open. I've been there in both late May and early June, and even though I am older than you, enjoyed it very much. The clubs in Mykonos Town don't get going until after midnight when I am already in bed, but there are lots of restaurants and bars open for low key nightlife earlier in the evening.

My main motivation for going to Mykonos is to see the archeological site at Delos, which is easiest to reach from there. If you want to skip Mykonos, you could add some days to Paros or Naxos and still see Delos on a day trip, but it means 10 hours on a small ship for three hours at the archeological site.

Here are some photos from a trip one June to Mykonos and Delos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...57627791957268

Thanks everyone! I will check out all of your trip reports! We do not have a specific amount of days yet. I think about 10-11 days for the trip, not counting the flying over day. We are coming from the US, Virginia.
We are thinking late May or June anytime. I have only heard a lot about Santorini or Mykonos. I am open to all suggestions!

Ok so I have flights in and out of Athens, late may into early June.
We are then flying to Mykonos from Athens on the same day in the afternoon.
Staying 3 nights in Mykonos
Ferry to Paros, 2 nights
Ferry to Ios , 2 nights
Ferry to Santorini, 3 nights
Fly from Santorini to Athens and spend one night in Athens

Hotels were are considering:
Mykonos Bay Resort and Villas
St Andrea Resort Paros
Liostasi Hotel Ios
Pegasus Hotel Santorini

So any feedback on hotels? Locations of hotels?
Thanks!!

isabel thanks for the beautiful pictures!! I also just read your trip report! Thank you!

Should we skip one of the middle islands and do 4 Mykonos, 2 iOS or Paros and 4 Santorini?

Really depends on the kinds of things you like to see.

There are beaches, archeological ruins, just unique natural beauty (Santorini caldera and the volcano in the middle).

I spent a day in Athens at the beginning, flew to Mykonos the next morning, spent 2 nights there, then took a fast ferry to Santorini, spent 3 nights there and then took the ferry to Crete, which is only like a couple of hours. Arrived in the evening on Heraklion, spent only the night there and then took 2.5 hour bus ride to Chania.

The venetian harbor is absolutely beautiful. There are also old monasteries there with unique architecture as well as Seitan beach, which is unique. Then rented car and drove to the beach on the SW coast of the island. Name escapes me but it's one of the best-known ones there.

Chania is more like a city than these little coastal towns on the islands.

Seems like there are more things to do on Santorini and Crete than there is on Mykonos. For instance, there are all kinds of boat tours around the caldera in Santorini, including hiking up to the volcano. That could take a whole afternoon or the whole day.

Before making reservations for how long you stay on each island, you might want to search to see which activities they have which are of interest to you. Some might have more offerings than others. Or if you're not into keeping busy but would soak up the sun, lounge by a pool or at the beach, then it really doesn't matter which island you do it in.

Really depends on the kinds of things you like to see.

There are beaches, archeological ruins, just unique natural beauty (Santorini caldera and the volcano in the middle).

I spent a day in Athens at the beginning, flew to Mykonos the next morning, spent 2 nights there, then took a fast ferry to Santorini, spent 3 nights there and then took the ferry to Crete, which is only like a couple of hours. Arrived in the evening on Heraklion, spent only the night there and then took 2.5 hour bus ride to Chania.

The venetian harbor is absolutely beautiful. There are also old monasteries there with unique architecture as well as Seitan beach, which is unique. Then rented car and drove to the beach on the SW coast of the island. Name escapes me but it's one of the best-known ones there.

Chania is more like a city than these little coastal towns on the islands.

Seems like there are more things to do on Santorini and Crete than there is on Mykonos. For instance, there are all kinds of boat tours around the caldera in Santorini, including hiking up to the volcano. That could take a whole afternoon or the whole day.

Before making reservations for how long you stay on each island, you might want to search to see which activities they have which are of interest to you. Some might have more offerings than others. Or if you're not into keeping busy but would soak up the sun, lounge by a pool or at the beach, then it really doesn't matter which island you do it in.

Good point! I picked Islands based on the ferries. We have a flight into Mykonos and back from Santorini. Days will depend on activities.
I could lounge but my husband is more on the move than mr

Hi Heimdall,
First, thanks for all your awesome posts in the Greek forum - I've been reading a lot and it's extremely helpful. I was just wondering if you'd still recommend Mykonos in late June / early July. I'm early 30s and enjoy liveliness, music, bars, nightlife, etc, but don't really like full-on clubbing with the insanely loud music and so on. I'm personally not that interested in Delos either and we already have Santorini on the list for sure. With about 14 or 15 days total, our time is somewhat limited, so we're kinda wondering if it makes sense to skip Mykonos in favor of somewhere like Paros or Naxos. We're also trying to keep costs down, and we're given to understand that Mykonos is quite expense, much like Santorini. Is Mykonos a skip for us? Thoughts?

Hi kda0000,

Thanks for the compliment!

Mykonos definitely gets busier towards mid-summer. It sounds to me that you might enjoy Paros or Naxos more, as do I. Actually all the islands get busier as high season approaches, but not to the extent of Mykonos and Santorini. Paros and Naxos are cheaper too, and will still have the evening entertainment you prefer. Full on clubbing doesn’t begin until after midnight anyway, so it’s easy enough to avoid.

More days on Paros or Naxos, less on Santorini.

Hi everyone,
I booked 4 nights Mykonos at the Myconian Korali hotel,
2 nights on Paros at the St Andrea Resort and
4 nights on Santorini at the Filotera Suites hotel.
1 night Athens for the return.
Have booked all flights and just need to book ferries.

Hello!

When going to the Cyclades you could easily combine the following islands:
Paros, Naxos, Koufonisia, Ios, Santorini, Mykonos, Amorgos.

Personally I prefer Paros to Naxos for the nightlife, lifestyle and beaches. When in Paros, you should also go to Antiparos!
However, for someone getting there for the first time, Naxos has plenty of sightseeing... and that is someone that cannot be left out! Naxos is opposite Paros, so it is pretty close and you could check it out as well!
Koufonisia are close as well, if you see pictures of Italida Beach or Gala Beach it is worth the visit <3

Next time in Greece you might like to visit Amorgos and Milos
Amorgos is one of my paradises in Greece. When I think of an island where I can relax completely it is the first one that comes in mind. It was the island where the movie Big Blue was shot!
I would also like to suggest Milos, though you need more than 3 days to see its marvelous beaches. This island boast boasts more than 70 beaches, including some of the most impressive in Greece!
You can search on Google for beaches like Sarakiniko, Kleftiko, Papafragkas...

Wishing you a great time

Hi everyone! I have changed some of my hotels
We are spending 4 nights Mykonos at either Nissaki Boutique Hotel or Petasos Beach Hotel, would love feedback from anyone who has stayed at either. Difference is Nissaki is 4 hundred dollars more for the 4 nights.
2 Nights on Paros at Kanale Room and Suites
4 nights on Santorini at Filotera Suites.
We have air booked, ferries and the above hotels. I would love any input on the Nissaki or Petasos. We decided to stay near the beaches on Mykonos. Thanks!!!!