skydog

Leaving May 8th..
Arrive in Istanbul and stay for 5 nights, then off to Santorini for 3 nights, and finally in Athens for 4 nights. Then..back to USA.

We are thinking if 4 nights in Athens too much.?.We would like to take a day trip to Delphi and possibly ferry to Hydra. Please let me know your thoughts on the Athens portion

kellyee21

I think your plan sounds good, especially if you want to do a daytrip or 2. Last July we spent 3 nights total in Athens, 1 before the islands and 2 after. We didnt have time for any day trips. I could have used at least another full day in Athens to see some more of just Athens.

PMJ

I think it's a good idea to make a day trip or two from Athens. We went to Cape Sounion a couple years ago and it was fabulous. Took a half-day trip with George, the Taxi Driver. It's a beautiful drive and the temple is beautiful at sunset.

julies

For our trip last spring Athens was the least favorite part of our trip. We had 3 nights and 2 days to see the city. In retrospect, to just see Athens (no side trips) 2 nights and 1 day would have sufficed. Delphi is a pretty long daytrip from Athens.

yiassas

julies, there must have been a lot that you didn't know there was to see!
Athens has so much you can spend as long as you like there, I have been 10 times in the last 18 months & still have places that I've not been yet. OK, I always take it at a slow pace & don't pack too much in because I know I can go back any time (going again in less than 3 weeks time), but the more I see the more I discover something else to add to the list!
If you only want to see the Acropolis & new museum, with a quick stroll around Plaka, then fine, keep the visit short, but you are allowing 5 days for Istanbul & only 4 for Athens with side trips. That's only 2 actual days in Athens, are you doing side trips from Istanbul or could you take a day away from that to make the Delphi & Hydra trips doable more comfortably? Delphi done as a day trip as opposed to an overnight is a long & tiring day, it's possible, but may leave you needing a slower pace the next day!

isabel

We spent five nights in Athens and did one day trip (to Aegina). Had planned to do two but didn't have time. We did Delphi after we left Athens. I think four nights with one day trip is good. If you get bored you can add a second one but I don't think it's too much time. Athens is not a beautiful, relaxing city - but there is a lot to see and it's very interesting. We were certainly not bored with three full days there. Here's my trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm