Hi there,

We’re heading to the Cyclades in August 2025 (yes, not the best season…). We’re looking for ferries to get from Paros to Serifos, then from Serifos to Andros. It seems like there aren’t ferries every day to Serifos… And from Serifos to Andros, bookings aren’t open yet. We checked ferryhopper.com. Could anyone give us some info on these routes, please? Is it necessary to book in advance?

Thanks for your help! Best,

Hi there,

I’m heading to the Cyclades at the end of May and looking into inter-island ferries. I’m a bit confused because, for example, to go from Mykonos to Naxos, there are 3 ferries leaving at the same time for the same price. So I’m wondering if there are any companies to prioritize (or, on the contrary, to avoid). Thanks in advance for your feedback! 😉

Hi

Does anyone know if there’s a direct ferry from Ios to Amorgos in September?

Thanks😄

Hi there, or γεια σας.

When will the July schedules for Greek ferries (specifically the Prévélis - Karpathos-Sitia route, which I'm interested in) be available?

Catherine

hi Are there any ferries that take cars from Turkey to the Greek islands—for example, Bodrum to Kos? Could you give me the details? Thanks

Hi there, I’ve searched the forum and even the ferry company websites, but I can’t seem to find any ferry route between Amorgos and Folegandros for September (2 people, no car). Does anyone know if this route exists? Could it be too early and the schedules just aren’t posted yet? Thanks for your help! Joëlle

Hi there, I’m finalizing my trip to Greece and the island of Milos. Departing from Athens to Milos from 06/05/2025 to 06/11/2025. We’ve been looking at ferry options but we’re a bit worried since there are only two options for those dates. Could you recommend a company? When should we make the reservation? There are two of us adults, no vehicle. How do we get to Piraeus from central Athens? Thanks so much!

Hi there! We’re planning our trip to the Cyclades in July and I’d love to know the best place to book ferries.

Thanks in advance!

Hi, I need to take a ferry to Sifnos on 17/07 at 7:15 AM, departing from Piraeus. I’ll be staying in Athens near Omonia station, and the metro goes directly to Piraeus. How early should I arrive at the port to make sure I don’t miss the ferry? Is the metro station far from the port? Are the signs to find the right ferry clear? I can’t figure out if the first metro is at 5:30 or 6:30 AM? Because if it’s 6:30, it’s a no-go—I’ll have to arrange a taxi or shuttle... I’m not sure how to handle this early ferry. Any advice would be super helpful! Thanks

We’re a Canadian couple, both 77, and we’re already planning our vacation for fall 2027. Timeframe: mid-September to mid-October... dates are flexible, and we might stay even longer. Initially, I had planned this itinerary: Athens (3), Naxos (4), Paros (4), Santorini (4), then a flight to Istanbul (7–10 days!!). This would let us maximize our flights and experience another culture. That’s a lot of ferries, though... I’ve already cut out Milos.

Our second option would be to stay 2 x 15 days on two different islands, but I’d still keep Istanbul as our next destination... or maybe 30 days on one island that offers the chance to take day trips to other islands where the ferry ride is no more than 2 to 2.5 hours. For example, Naxos to Paros only takes 30 minutes. We could return the same evening or stay overnight.

Naxos seems like the best option!!!

For Istanbul, of course we want to do a day cruise on the Bosphorus and see Hagia Sophia. If we stay 6–7 days, what would be the other main attractions? Are there any points of interest we can reach by local bus?

What are the main sights to visit on Rhodes itself or the surrounding islands, and what’s the weather like? We’re leaving on May 18th.

HELLO!

For a trip to the Cyclades in early May (1st–18th), we’re planning to visit Naxos, Amorgos, and finish on Paros to catch a flight back to Athens.

I was wondering if we need to book the ferries now or if we can wait a bit... also, for car rental, can we book on the spot?

For accommodations, our bookings are done except for Paros... any suggestions for good value-for-money options?

Also, any other tips about our route or anything else would be super welcome!!!

Thanks in advance from Quebec! 🙂

Christine

We’ve only been to Crete in Greece before, so this trip is new to us—but planning the itinerary isn’t easy because we have to make choices. We’d love to hear from those in the know about the following plan: Day 1: flight to Athens, then flight to Milos 3 days in Milos, 4 days in Sifnos, 3 days in Paros, Final 3 days in Athens. Should we book ferry tickets between the islands in March in advance, or can we wait until the last minute? Same question for accommodations on these different islands. Finally, on the 3 islands we’ve chosen, is renting a car essential, or are the buses enough? Thanks for your help!

Hi! We’d like to go away for 10 days around May 15th, either to Menorca or Crete—we don’t know either place. We love hiking, unspoiled nature, good food, swimming, and, if possible, avoiding crowds. We enjoy getting off the beaten track. Menorca seems ideal because it’s not far by plane from Lyon, but if Crete is really wilder and more beautiful in terms of landscapes, we can add an extra hour of flight time. Can you help us out? Thanks!

Hi there,

I'm trying to plan a little Greek getaway in early summer, and it's a tad complicated—connections from Sitia to Rhodes via Karpathos are only twice a week (and not on the days that work for me!). I gave up on the idea of Kastelorizo, which isn’t that easy to reach either, and replaced it with Symi, which has a daily connection—even several—to Rhodes, where I’d like to spend as little time as possible. I found a boat leaving Symi at 8:15 AM and arriving in Rhodes at 9:35 AM. The ferry to Karpathos leaves the same day at 11:00 AM. That’s 1 hour and 25 minutes to switch boats. It’s tempting because it’s a perfect sequence, but I’m wondering if it’s still a bit too tight.

Do Sebeco Lines’ speedboats arrive at the same port where Blue Star ferries depart? Are they punctual?

Catherine

Hi there,

I’m reaching out for your advice on a Crete itinerary. We’re a group of 3 (2 adults and 1 teen) and will be traveling for 13 days / 12 nights in early August. To enjoy the trip without rushing too much, we’ve decided to focus on the western part of the island. Before diving into the details of our planned route, here’s a bit about how we like to travel. We’re big fans of hiking, bivouacking in the Pyrenees, or bike touring. We’re well aware that Crete is a popular summer destination, but we’d like to avoid overly crowded spots while still trying to visit places we consider "must-sees"—or at least those we’re eager to discover. For activities, hiking might be tricky due to the heat, but we’re thinking of water-based fun and historical visits: snorkeling, windsurfing or paddleboarding, gorges, and so on. For accommodations, we’ll mix it up between guesthouses, hotels, and private rentals.

Here’s what we’re considering: Day 1: Arrival in the evening in Heraklion – Night in Heraklion. Day 2: Head to Chania / Night in Chania - 3 nights in Falassarna (exploring Balos and the surrounding area) - 3 nights in Paleochora (discovering Elafonissi and nearby) - 3 nights in Sougia (day trip by ferry to Loutro, Agia Roumeli) Then, return to Rethymnon in the morning by road and spend our last night there (after checking various guides and forums, the ferry option seems a bit too restrictive, so we’re planning to drive back to Heraklion for our flight at the end of the day).

I’m a bit unsure—should we dedicate more time to the northern part of the island? What do you think? Thanks in advance for your valuable tips! Stéphanie

Hi, could you recommend a local and reliable car rental agency, not one of the big international chains, at Patras-Araxos Airport in northern Peloponnese or a bit further into town? Thanks.

Hi there.

I’m looking for feedback from travelers or tips from locals on how to get around the islands. There are four of us—two teens—and my partner isn’t super comfortable riding a scooter. So, should we rent a car? By the day or for 4 days on each island we’re visiting (Tinos, Paros, Syros)? Is it possible to rent e-bikes? Is that a good idea?

Thanks for your input!

Tom

Hello, We’ve finally decided on which Cycladic island to visit... My partner and I are planning our first trip to Greece for June 2025. We’re leaving France for 15 days. Here’s our itinerary, and I’d love your feedback on whether it’s doable, plus any other suggestions... Arrival in Athens for 2 nights = - Visiting the Acropolis, Parthenon, Theatre of Dionysus, Archaeological Museum, Syntagma Square for the changing of the guard, and strolling through the Plaka neighborhood... 4 nights in Nafplio - To explore the town of Nafplio, the Theatre of Epidaurus, Mycenae, and Olympia Then off to Milos for 7/8 nights (it was so hard to pick just one island). I’m considering flying from Athens with Olympic Air. Is it worth doing a guided tour of the Acropolis or the other sites? I’m open to all your tips. Thanks so much.

Hello, My partner and I are planning our first 15-day trip to Greece in June, departing from France. Here’s our itinerary, but I’d love some feedback and tips to see if it’s doable. First week: - Athens (Acropolis, Parthenon, Archaeological Museum, Theatre of Dionysus...) - Nafplio, including a visit to the Corinth Canal, Olympia, the Theatre of Epidaurus, and Mycenae - Delphi and Meteora

Second week: What we’re looking for is a Cycladic island that’s still a bit authentic, with beautiful beaches and maybe crystal-clear water, fishing villages, scooter rides, and—most importantly—no crowds from cruise ships. I’m considering Milos, Sifnos, Naxos... It’s tough to choose! An island that’s well-connected by ferry and also allows for a day trip to another island. Beatrice Anyway, I could really use some help picking the Cycladic island, but also to know if the first week is too packed and, if so, what to prioritize. We’d rather not change hotels every single day. Thanks so much for reading this far and for your reply!

Hi everyone! Is there a bus that connects Santorini Airport to the port on the island? Is it direct, or do you have to change buses at the bus station? Thanks for your tips on this! 🙂

Hi there! We bought our tickets to Greece at the end of November 2025, and let’s just say the geopolitical climate has really taken a turn since then with the war started by the United States against Iran. Not to mention all the other conflicts happening around the world 😕... Anyway! Our flight from Montreal is on May 1st, and I was wondering how things are currently being experienced in Greece. We were planning to rent a car and had already booked accommodations on three Cyclades islands!! The oil shortage is also worrying us... If you could share some insights on this, that would be great!

Thanks!!

Hi everyone, We’re thinking of spending 3 weeks in Crete between mid-August and early September, renting a car, quickly exploring a few spots in the east, and focusing on the west, southwest, and south. I’m worried about the heavy tourist crowds. Is it really more noticeable than elsewhere in Greece? Is there a way to avoid the crowds without missing out on the iconic places, which I imagine are stunning in Crete? Thanks for your thoughts and experiences!

Hi, I’m renting a car in Greece (Heraklion). Should I get extra insurance? What’s driving like with the Greeks? Thanks for any tips!

Hi there, we’re heading to Crete from May 8th to 15th, staying at a hotel in Agia Pelagia, 20 km from Heraklion, on half-board, so we’ll be back every evening. What daily itinerary would you recommend? We love hiking and discovering local cultures... Thanks in advance!!

Hi there! We’re heading to Crete (Heraklion) as a couple and I’d like to rent a car. 1) Do we need an international driver’s permit? 2) Are rentals super expensive? Thanks everyone!

Hi there,

I’m heading to Pelion with my partner and then to Chalkidiki around mid-September (from September 12th to 26th). I arrive in Thessaloniki on Saturday evening and plan to spend a day there to check out the market (though it’s marked as temporarily closed on Google??) and, most importantly, enjoy the local food scene.

After that, I’ll head toward Meteora (Sunday evening/Monday), spend a week in Pelion, and then head up to Nikiti to finish the trip (5 days in Vourvourou) and explore the beaches of Sithonia. We’ll also make a trip to Afytos since I think it’s worth the detour.

About Pelion, I’m really not sure where to stay because the distances between Volos and Afissos aren’t straightforward.

I’m looking for a quiet spot but with a little evening activity—like strolling through a village or by the sea. I’ve seen a few suggestions via ChatGPT, but I’m not convinced about the vibe (Milies, Makrinitsa).

Volos is big… but kind of ugly.

We love hiking, spending time in picturesque/typical villages, and, like everyone else, tasting local specialties. As for balancing the trip, I’m open to changes or adjustments if you’ve got any tips—I’d love to hear them, along with any other ideas.

I’d like to book tickets for a visit to the Acropolis at the end of April. The official site is down. What do you think of agencies like Get Your Guide? Are they reliable? It’s a lot more expensive. The audio guide option is tempting, but is that reliable too? We’re a bit older and like to take our time...

Do the other museums (National Archaeological Museum and Museum of Cycladic Art) also require reservations? We visited Athens 50 years ago, and it seems like things have changed a lot.

Thanks for any help!

hi,

I'm looking to rent a small car, not too expensive, for Crete in April. Do you have any great tips? Thanks in advance! Best regards

Hello,

My partner and I are heading to Crete for 17 days this summer, from July 25 to August 11, with a rental car. We’ll book the first night or the first two nights, but our plan is to explore the east—and only the east—with no set itinerary and no other reservations.

For those in the know, are we being reckless? 🤣

We’ve had some experience with this kind of travel in Greece before: 10 days in western Crete in 2021 (though that was post-Covid) and 10 days in the Peloponnese in 2024. We only booked the first night each time, and it wasn’t really an issue. Even if we didn’t always find a place in the exact spot we were aiming for, we’d just stay a little further out, a bit less touristy, and it was great!

Do you think this style of travel is still doable in Crete in August by 2026?

Thanks for any insights if you’ve had this experience!

Best,