Am I cramming in too much into a 2 week Greek holiday by going to Athens, Crete, Santorini, and Naxos?

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Lard Cherrybakins

yup!

bill b

Santorini is worth 2-3 days and you need wheels to really appreciate the island. One day is waste of travelling time
I havenâ€™t been in Naxos but I know itâ€™s bigger than Santorini
Crete is huge. If expedition rather than relaxation is what you have in mind it will be ok. Iracleon is not of the best places in Crete â€“ it is just a city with no super special character
Your chosen islands are major destinations well serviced by ferry throughout the year. Delays or cancellations due to rough sea usually happen in August. There are many daily flights from Iracleon and Chania to Athens.

asia

You will be busy, but will be able to see many beautiful places. Whatever you do, don't cut out Santorini!

London Girl

Two days in Athens is OK as long as you only want to see the major sights (Acropolis, Parthenon, Ancient Agora, Monastiraki (flea market) the Lycabitos (sunset) and Plaka (by night) ) I advise you to go early because it gets hot later on in the day.

Santorini, and Nakos are both in the Kyklades and quite near to each other and both small islands. Personally I love Santorini and do not think one day is enough.

Crete is a wonderful island with much to see, but don;t forget it is very big and actually needs a holiday in itself to really appreciate the island (and you will be your own transportation in Crete).

Even though I am sure you will have a wonderful holiday, I do think that it will be very relaxing!!

(PS I have lived in Athens, Greece for the past 32 years)

Izzy

I am an 'older' lady who has travelled in Greece and I suggest you go for it - then if there is an area you are really taken with - make a return visit. I have found it so easy to travel around in Greece, even alone. I guess the height of summer heat though maybe a bit much if you are rushing around. Just enjoy it and take the opportunities the trip offers.

markusdaviduk

I did near enough the same trip! It took me 6 weeks, however I did do a few more islands. I take it you will be using a ferry to commute between islands. If you are planning to go in September or later you need to be aware that the Ferries do not run too often, sometimes not even daily and not always direct to the island of your choosing so make sure you do your research. In my opinion Naxos had the best beaches out of all of the islands- there are some nudy ones too! so take some sunglasses <wink> <wink> I didnt like Athens, the Acropolis is worth seeing but thats all, infact not many people recommend it, and it has no beaches. I never went to those other south coast places. If you go to Santorini you wont want to leave it is the most beautiful of all the islands. It doesnt really have beaches but you will not find another place like it. If I had 2 weeks in the Greek islands I would fly to Crete as that's beautiful stay for 5 days then Santorini for 3 days, Paros/Anti Paros for 2, then Naxos for 2 then ferry to Athens for the day and fly back from Athens. You need to build in Ferry factor into your trip as they are often late, delayed or even cancelled and very limited service off season. Hope this helps, let me know if you need any more info.

andelska

No , it is a great plan. If you come in Greece try to see and visit as more places you can because Greece is full of interesting things.Every island, every corner has something special and it is pity ,doing so many miles just to visit 2 or 3 places. It is better to get a little bit tired than going back and losing amazing things. Of course , there are a lot other places to visit in Greece but you really need a lifetime for visiting everything. If I was you the only place I would avoid is Iraklio (it is a town by the sea but it is not something special, my opinion is that it is ugly).On the other hand , in Iraklio there is a port from which you go in Santorini , I guess! Ok, but try to spend as less time you can there. Every where else is Ok. But if you want to see something extraordinary when you go to Naxos, ask where you can find a boat, taking you to Koufonissia! Don't forget this! It is a paradise there , close to Paros and Naxos without a lot of tourists and wonderful beaches with golden sand and green water on the sea!

Have Fun in Greece!

glljansen

You will not feel relaxed when returning; although very busy, take a bit more time in Athens.. Acropolis, Plaka and the old city itself gives you hours of pleasure.. try to make a trip to Sounion (75km) in the south, and stop for some fishfood at Microlemanos, the old fishing port neto Zea & Pireaus.
As for Crete, do not make the mistake to think it is a small island.. your destinations will result in long hours in your rental car in very busy traffic..stay in Rethymno; all your destinations are within reasonable reach from there..
Take Santorini & Naxos for a next trip, or spend the 3 days in Mykonos which is a combination of the two..
And visit my pictures.. they might help you..
http://community.webshots.com/user/glljansen
Love Greece, its worthed..

alan P

We just spent 10 relaxing days in Paleochora in Southern Crete (our 4th visit there) with side trips along the coast and a visit to the Acropolis in Athens on the way home. That was enough rushing about for me

guccigirljo

No-your love it!

random

PLEASE do not cut Naxos out its worth a trip (spent 3 weeks
chiling out there) you could also see Mykonos & Paros
Dont cut Athens its a great city - interesting and great fun
Santorini looks amazing arriving by boat AND its a photographers paradise (I swear all photos of Greece were taken on this island!) BUT sadly feel the best bit is the arriving!!
giving it just one day is spot on.(But even a dire photographer like myself can take photo's with the WOW factor!

People in Naxos are very sweet and kind and most welcoming to
all - it would be wrong to miss out on an Island and its people who have not had the same level of mass tourism as some of the neighbouring islands

Ximomila

No, because all those places are really the same. If you're going to Naxos right after Samaria, you might want to reconsider it. Because anything after Samaria feels crazy to me.

nyo7_2001

well if you are going to cut something out Naxos and Iraqlion is a good choice.Try to spend more time in Santorini.The atmosphere and the view there is fantastic. Trust me i live in Athens

nzalanau

I go there every year and would say two days in Athens is enough, Mykonos and Santorini are my favourite Is., I would spend a week in each and a couple of days on Crete and Naxos

Red Rooster

Go for it, wow! whirlwind tour, including Crete, Aegean sea. If you don't, you will live to regret!

gruffalo

It does sound like you've given yourself a very exciting timetable!

Just to warn you, first and foremost - the ferries connecting each island can occasionally be a little bit unreliable. To the point where you might be advised not to book your hotels in advance, in case they just decide not to run a ferry that day!

It depends what time of year you are going as well. If you are leaving it later in the season (ie after September) then you can afford to be a bit more relaxed about booking hotels in advance, but watch out, as ferries run a lot less when its not peak season.

Personally, looking at your itinerary, I would make more time at Santorini. It is utterly romantic, and is so relaxing to meander round, yet really interesting as well. (think wonderful quaint whitewashed villages!)

Naxos I've heard is quite similar, well done you for avoiding Ios, it is quite a 'party island!'

I couldn't tell you about the other islands, which must mean they are relatively obscure, as I am quite an expert on Greek Islands!

Another itinerary to consider is the Cyclades - Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zacinthos etc - they are beautiful. I have just got back from Kefalonia, and it is so untouched and untouristy - the people are just lovely.

With regards to your existing one, I personally would try to enjoy less islands, so you don't feel like you are just doing 'flying stops'!

2 days in Athens is fine (as a city it isn't that nice, but the ruins are worth checking out) - I don't know about the next few on your list - Santorini is stunning, Naxos I've heard is very nice too.

Have a great time, you lucky person!

barton_richard

Yes! You could spend 2 weeks on Crete and still not see everything. Have a great holiday and remember it's no fun rushing around in 40C.

xenos

you most be drunk

buddas_gr

Yes, I believe you are trying to squeeze two many places into a 2 week holiday. You don't want to spend most of your holidays in a ship and moreover you won't be able to enjoy and get the most of each place you visit because by the time you arrive you will be rushing to leave. My advice, is that you can cut out Heraklion (especially if you are visiting the city) and plan to go there at another time. Moreover, as I have been to Santorini you definitely need more than 3 days to enjoy it and get the most from the island.

ari

I think you are cramming too much in there. Particularly if you want to relax. You will be too busy catching one boat to another and one flight to the other to be relaxing. Good luck

missfablosa

Not at all, if yo0 lyk the travelling..

soubassakis

Hello dear!
You are going to have among the nicest 2 periods of your life! In your position, I would spend the two weeks in Crete as you plan, maybe adding a couple more places (Elaphonissos and Gramvousa, in Chania), South Heracleion, Agios Nikolaos, SItia, Vai!
Then visit Thera (Santorini - I would say you could stay and enjoy the island for a couple of days!)!
Then, next years, visit some more places! You would love Greece that much that both of you would love to return!

sparkle79

All depends on what you want out of your holiday...If your looking for an adventure and loads of experiences then go for it but if you want to have a relaxing holiday maybe you shouldn't try and do it all...really your choice. Hope you have a great time xxx

Gorilla Mike

In 1981 I went to Greece with my girlfriend of the time. We spent 1 day in Athens, and then went to Anti-Paros for 10 days and just relaxed, walked the beaches, swam, met the locals. that was awesome. you are definitely trying to cram too much into the weeks.

Prosopeio

have fun

peter s

yes

yannis2810

Yes, leave Naxos out of your itinerary and spend two more days in Santorini.

flikapotamus

na your just showing of remember we cant all afford it!!!!

Stephanie S

I think that you can do the sites in Crete quicker if you wish to see more island... but since it is far away you might want to just stay there and then see Santorini and skip Naxos. I did love Naxos and found it a worthwhile site, so if you want to do that, then don't do so much in Crete... like you could skip Iraklio and just stay at the western end of the island and see Hania and the Samaria Gorge. Also... if I were trying to have a romantic time, I would seriously fly into the Athens airport, but then take a boat from Rafina (near the airport) and don't even go into Athens... seriously, skip it completely! Just do the islands, they are beautiful and easy to travel on... Athens is a hassle and the only thing to see there that is "essential" is the acropolis... and the national museum is good too, but you can go to a museum anywhere... the islands are truly unique.

hara

you should cut out either santorini or naxos!
because then the trip would be un-relaxing and interesting
good luck!!!
have lots of fun
and for further details or more questions send again here

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