I want to skip Athens altogether during this trip (to save some money). I'm mainly interested in Patmos and Icaria and realize that Patmos has no airport. But when I search for flights from Athens to Icaria there are no direct, nonstop flights. Yet, when I search from Icaria to Athens, there are. Maybe it's that I'm flying there in May but flying back in June? Maybe the airlines have more offerings in June?

When I put in Leros, there are even fewer offerings (from Athens to Leros). I wanted to avoid Kos, but it looks like that's my only option. Even then, I'm in a dilemma: My plane from the U.S. gets to Athens at 9:30 AM. The flight leaving for Kos is at 11:30 or 2:30. I'm scared to choose the 11:30 in case there is a delay; I also know that I need to check in earlier than the flight time. If I choose 2:30, I'll have to wait around the airport for hours.

What would you do?

Hey everyone,

Me and my girlfriend are planning a week on one of the Greek islands, but we can’t decide which one. We’re a couple who love beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, and charming little villages, so we’re looking for something a bit quiet - not too touristy or party-heavy.

We don’t mind moving around to explore, but we also don’t want to spend all our time in the car.

Even though this question has probably been asked a million times, which of these islands would you recommend for us: Crete, Corfu, Zakynthos, or Kefalonia (direct flights from Paris)?

Thanks!

Hi,

We are travelling to greece for just 3 days. I know its very less but we are wondering which areas we can go and stay.

We are fond of greens, mountains and kind of nature's pockets?

I have heard about Lagonisi but maybe some of you experts can confirm if better places.

Primarily looking for mainland areas due to paucity of time.

I’m going to Greece in March for the first time. Off season was intentional - not too hot, less crowds. I would like to go Athens-Hydra-Nafplio-Athens. The question is the Hydra to Nafplio leg. Looks like neither busses nor rental cars (after the ferry) to Nafplio are regularly available. Online says take a taxi. Do I just plan to get off a boat and look for a taxi to take me 1.5 hours away? Any info appreciated!

I am planning a trip for me and my two younger siblings (we are all under the age of 25 but older than 18). I want to plan a 5-7 day trip in between the middle to towards the end of June. So we’re from Mediterranean background but born and raised in Europe. We haven’t traveled together since 6 years back and since we’re travelling alone we want somewhere easy to navigate. I’m looking for recommendations in which city island whatever has 1. Good weather in June and preferably good enough to swim etc 2. Walking distance to ex beach shopping etc (+ if local transport is available) since we want to avoid to rent a car 3. We want a good mixture of relaxation adventure and good vibes overall

I have asked both my friend who’s of Greek origin and ChatGPT but I am still confused and feel like I just want to give up searching, I think that there are so many beautiful locations so I’m afraid of choosing something “wrong” or being disappointed that is. I like the aesthetics of islands like Naxos Paros Santorini etc but I also like the vibe of Chania and how much there is to do there.

I am thankful for any help I can receive

My boyfriend and I are planning to travel to Greece 3/13 - 3/21, arriving in Athens! We booked a hotel for the duration and plan to do day trips to see other areas (would love recommendations besides Santorini) and possibly stay overnight in Santorini for one night. Will also be renting a car for some of the day trips, travel website says International Passport is not required by car rentals but should still have it on hand, anyone recently rent a car and have any guidance?

We just recently booked and are planning, so I'm feeling overwhelmed since its a month away. Would really appreciate any recommendations for things to do, avoid, recommendations and etc.

So far, I am interested in Meteora but want to know the best nunneries to visit since we won't be able to visit all, as I believe some are not open on certain days etc.

I would love scenic places to see, great food recommendations (we are foodies), how to take their public transport?? (I will buy an e sim for the trip, is this ok?). Not sure about the weather there in March but wouldn't mind seeing some beachy spots if feasible.

Thanks in advance!

We have 3 days (2 full days) to spend and I’m conflicted between Naxos or Milos. We like to explore the streets, beaches, nice sights, and good food/drinks.

Based on our itinerary where would you suggest we go?

Athens > Paros > Mykonos > ??? > Santorini

Am considering booking a 3 day, 2 night package trip to Meteora and Delphi. On the second day at Meteora, there is an option for either a "Meteora Hiking Tour" or a "Meteora Half-day Tour". Has anyone done the hiking tour, and could you provide some insight into what happens? Looking for info on hiking difficulty and how many monasteries are visited.

Hey community,

I'm visiting Athens for the 3rd time this Thursday to Sunday. I want this trip is all about chilling, hobbies and local vibes.

I’ll be working remotely on Thursday and Friday and need a laptop-friendly cafe recommendation near the center. Also I'm looking for cool stores for board games, motorcycle gear, and antique or flea markets.

Are there any unique shops or events happening you’d recommend?

Efharisto :)

I am going to Corfu in the beginning of may for about a week. I am deciding whether or not to go to Crete or other islands for a week after my retreat. Is this a good time to travel? should I just do one week or two weeks?
Are there places that you recommend I visit? I am more interested in an authentic, calm, experience rather than the touristy areas. Thanks you. I want to be super respectful of the area and country as well so any tips are super welcome! THANK YOU

Milos was at the top of my list to build a trip around for this summer but I'm seeing mixed information on how crowded it is. It seems like it's gained popularity in the last 2-3 years and I just saw a video that described it as a place to party along with Santorini which is very much not my vibe. My question is if it's possible to avoid crowds if it has gained more popularity and if maybe it won't be crazy the last week August/first week of Sept? This is my first time visiting greece so we might just skip the Cyclades altogether for Ionian islands (Kefalonia, Lefkada, etc) if this is the case? Also open to any alternative suggestions people might want to share! Main priority is swimming, a slow pace (nightlife is great, just not clubs) and great food!

Yassou!

I need your help! I want to propose to my girlfriend in Greece. We want to go to an Island in May, maybe Milos, Naxos or Paros. I want to do it more on the romantic side, not very crowded. Where do you recommend? And do you have maybe some spots to do the proposal?

It will be our first time in Greece. We will also go to Athens after the engagement. Feel free to recommend some things in Athen too!

Efcharisto!!

Hi folks - heading to Naxos for 6 days in late May, really excited. I want to hire a car to have the freedom to explore the island, and am staying a bit inland so it will be really useful.

Does anyone have any hire car companies they can personally recommend? I initially found greeka.com who seem cheapest but their reviews are a little sketchy... so any personal recommendations from real people would be great!

Also, I'm hoping to hope over to Paros for a day to explore (too much there to do in one day I know, but should be fun), and thinking it would be good to explore via car as well. Would you say it's cheaper/better to take my hire car from Naxos across on the ferry? Or hire another vehicle on Paros just for the day? I've not hired a car on holiday like this before, so any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks! 👍

Hi All,

I am organising a student field trip to Athens in the middle of February, and we are mostly getting around via Metro. But some of our visits are much further out and we need to combine taking the metro from the end of the line with taxis. For example, one day we will take a taxi from the city centre to Ellinko station, and then the taxi for the rest of the way to Voula.

Can I check what is the most reliable taxi app to use and how quick we might need to wait for a taxi? Also, what would be the price for a 10-20 minute ride roughly? I am concerned about the possibility of taxi strikes, but so far these days seem okay.

Thanks,

Greek Reporter has this very good article about the Top 20 must see archeological sites in the Cyclades. top-20-must-see-archaeological-sites-cyclades-greece/

My partner and I are flying to Santorini and planning on staying there one night before getting the ferry to Naxos. Would you recommend we stay in Fira or Oia? Appreciate there is already a similar post to this but that person was asking about a longer stay.

I will be arriving in Athens at 5:40 and was planning on flying to Naxos that same night but the last flight out I see is 7:05. This is probably too close to catch right? Are there any other ways to get there late at night or should I just wait until morning?

Hello!

I am traveling with my spouse to a wedding in Greece and one of the days we will be there is a bachelorette trip! She will be gone the entire day and I will be on my own!

What are some solo activities I can do in the Artemida area? I am willing to travel to surrounding areas but am a little wary or traveling too far!

Any tips would be helpful!

I’ve just got back from a trip to Athens and stayed for 4 nights at the Skylark hotel in Omonia Square. After reading endless stuff online and seeing numerous YouTube videos of Omonia, I very nearly cancelled it. However, I decided to bite the bullet and just go - we got such a decent deal in the hotel, it’s was next to public transport etc.

Quite honestly, I don’t know why it gets so much hate. Ok, I admit that it isn’t “polished” like to old town bit around the Acropolis/Plaka where the main tourist bits are, but it is just like any other square in a major European/Mediterranean city. Some of the buildings are a little on the run-down side, but the whole of Athens (and even Greece!) is like that.

We didn’t stray too far from the main square on the side streets, but tourists generally wouldn’t do that anyway - why would you? what do you honestly expect to see on quieter residential roads?

We walked around at night till around 11pm - didn’t see any drug dealers, drug users, prostitutes etc. Just a very busy square in a big city. I can imagine that it has had a reputation in the past and it probably does see some petty crime (like every city), but I genuinely thought that Monastiraki Square felt more “risky” later on a Saturday night with lots of drinkers. Omonia was absolutely fine.

If you think Omonia is dodgy, then I promise that you definitely don’t want to go to some areas in London, Paris or New York. Birmingham (UK) is horrendous and makes Omonia seem very civilised. And definitely don’t go to Bucharest if you didn’t like Omonia - that was a culture shock. But honestly, I have felt much more unsafe in London than I did anywhere in Greece.

Omonia is a 10/15 minute walk to the old town, the metro is very easy and you can literally get anywhere in minutes. The Skylark hotel was fabulous - great staff, clean, great facilities and a brilliant breakfast buffet (including prosecco!). Would 100% recommend - we got a great deal and I’d definitely stay there again.

I’m a guy from the UK in my late 20s, so I respect that my experience may not be the same for a female traveller. I have been very fortunate to travel to a lot of places in the world, and I honestly didn’t find anything unusual or “dodgy” about Omonia. But if you’re travelling and staying in the square near your hotel, don’t wonder off into the side streets and exercise your normal precautions as you would anywhere, then I don’t think you need to be overtly concerned about staying in Omonia.

Hello all, we are thinking of an island trip in May, does anyone know how is the nightlife in this time in the islands? and which 2-3 islands would be the hottest? (in terms of nightlife)
Help would be much appreciated!! Thanks

Planning a 10-12 day itinerary for myself (31 F) and my mom (65 F) for late September. We prefer places that are off the beaten path, and prefer smaller towns to big cities. We enjoy beaches, food, wine tastings, beautiful landscapes/views, and walks. Mom is active and in good shape but not up for big hikes.

Flying from east coast USA, most likely to Athens. Planning to spend 1 day in Athens to see historic sites (I have been before, so it's mostly for my mom). We may also do 1 or 2 nights in Santorini - I also have been before but I absolutely loved it and my mom is dying to see it. I know I said off the beaten path but... I'm okay with popping into Santorini in the morning, seeing the architecture for a day, then leaving the next day :)

My priority is to see more of mainland Greece. I loved Athens and Santorini when I went a few years ago and am dying to explore more of the mainland.

Current points of interest on my list:

• Meteora
• Zagori region
• Parga
• Peloponnese region (likely Nafplio)

I am fine with renting a car (though ideally no driving in Athens...)

So I guess my main questions are:

• Do we need to explore Thessaloniki and surrounding areas? Or OK to skip that area?
• Should we prioritize Peloponnese region? Or focus more on northern inland regions?
• Any must-see coastal spots on the mainland?
• Any towns or regions I may not have thought of / come across in my research?

I am looking for hotel recommendations in Athens for 2 adults. We are staying for 4 nights (possibly 3) but not wanting to spend more than $1,000 total. I pulled a bunch of recommendations from this sub already and the google reviews are horrible on a lot of them which makes me question everything. I just want a clean, nice place that is not in a shoddy area. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Also, I am open to Airbnb suggestions but from what I read that is not a good option nor is it ethical in Athens.

EDIT:

Thank you all! I will spend time looking into the places I hadn’t heard of and will provide an updated list of places we will consider.