Hi everyone on the travel forum. We’re heading to the Cyclades on May 15th for about a month and we’re debating whether to rent a car on each of the islands we’re visiting. Naxos, Andros, Tinos, Paros, and Santorini—we’ll be staying around 5 days on each. Everything’s booked except for the potential car rental. In your opinion, is it essential, or are public transport options good enough for all or some of these islands? Which companies are the most reliable, and which ones should we avoid (we’ve already had bad experiences with companies that weren’t always very professional). Thanks for your advice!

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

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!

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.

Hi there, I’m planning to wrap up my 3 weeks in Greece with 4 nights on Serifos before a final night in Athens. I’m torn between staying in Faros or near the port in Livadakia... or somewhere else! I’m looking for an authentic spot with a nice beach nearby but still with little restaurants, shops, etc. Something where my daughters and I can enjoy pleasant evenings with a bit of life around us! Any advice—or even a place to stay—that won’t break the bank, obviously! Thanks

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Greece next February, flying in and out of Athens. The itinerary isn’t set yet (but it’s my first time, so I’ll hit the *must-sees*), but one thing’s for sure—we’re renting a car.

Any rental companies you’d recommend? Local agencies are usually cheaper than the big names (Avis, Europcar, etc.), but you’ve got to know which ones are reliable...

Thanks in advance for your tips! ;)

Hi there,

We’re planning a 12-day trip to Greece next February.

It’s our first time, so we’ll be hitting the "Must-Sees"—that should keep us busy enough! 😎

The itinerary isn’t set in stone yet, but we’re already wondering if it’s doable or just crazy, if some stops are essential or a waste of time...

Here’s the plan: Day 1-2-3: Athens (we arrive midday on Day 1) Day 4: Southern Athens (Temple of Neptune) then overnight in Corinth (we’re renting a car from the airport) Day 5-6-7: Western/Southern Peloponnese (one or two places to stay, and the iconic spots: Acrocorinth, Cargo, Mycenae, Sanctuary of Epidaurus, Nafplio, Nemea...) Day 8: Transit to Delphi via Olympia Day 9-10: Delphi, Monastery of Osios Loukas... Day 11: Return to Athens via Thermopylae We were wondering if it’s feasible to add the Meteora monasteries? And Mount Olympus, just for fun?

For accommodations, do you have any recommendations for Athens? Peloponnese? Delphi? In Athens, I think it’s best to stay near the metro line that connects to the airport. But which neighborhood is good? It’s hard to navigate such a big city...

Two more questions: - Is Piraeus worth a visit? - We know February is a quieter time than peak tourist season, and that’s what we like. But there must be consequences—do all sites/museums close by 5 PM (except in Athens, maybe)? What do you do in the evenings once it’s dark?

Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!

Hi everyone, I’m planning my first trip to Greece from October 29th to November 23rd and I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on the itinerary I’m considering. For a first visit, I’ll definitely cover the traditional tourist route, but I’m also open to off-the-beaten-path ideas. I’m curious and interested in history, archaeological sites, and the islands—more for culture than beaches, anyway, especially in November!

Here’s the plan: 3–4 days in Athens, 2 days in Nafplio: visiting Epidaurus and Mycenae, Stop in Olympia on the way to Delphi via Patras by bus? To avoid backtracking to Athens; 2 days in Delphi, including the site and Mount Parnassus, Explore the Ionian coast and a few islands? A few days in Corfu, 3 days in Meteora, 2–3 days in Thessaloniki, Direct flight from Thessaloniki to Heraklion, Crete, 3–4 days in Crete, November 22nd–23rd: overnight ferry back to Athens to catch my return flight to Montreal.

You’ve probably guessed I’m traveling solo. It might seem a bit scattered right now—I’ve started reading up on Greece, and there are must-see spots. What feels unclear are the 4–5 days between Delphi and Corfu. Also, mid-November in the islands might not be ideal if the weather’s bad.

Is Corfu worth it? Maybe there are other options—like a few days in Albania? Just throwing the idea out there.

Thanks for your input! I’d love to hear about your experiences to help enrich my upcoming trip.

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

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!

Hello. We’re heading to Greece from April 19th to May 1st. We were planning to spend 3 days visiting Athens, then exploring the Peloponnese (Mycenae-Epidaurus, Mistra, Lousios Gorge, Olympia, Patras) + Delphi (or the other way around, starting with Delphi—doesn’t matter).

Except I just realized that April 20th is Easter Sunday: no visits to sites/museums in Athens that day... (nor on Saturday late afternoon, as I’d imagined). But Delphi, Mycenae, etc., will likely be closed too (maybe even on Monday the 21st!).

What do you recommend we visit or do? Our trip is mainly focused on archaeological visits (my kids have been looking forward to Athens/Greece for years!).

Thanks in advance! Have a great evening

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a family road trip in the Peloponnese in April, arriving and departing from Athens, with a focus on Greek mythology, beautiful hikes, and a balanced pace (we don’t want to spend our days in the car). Here’s our draft itinerary:

Day 1: Early arrival in Athens – visit Acrocorinth and overnight in Corinth

Days 2 & 3: Drive to Dimitsana – hike in the Lousios Gorge (and maybe a detour to Olympia?), mountain villages

Days 4 & 5: Drive to Areopoli (Mani Peninsula) with a stop in Mystras

Day 6: Kalamata, visit Ancient Messene

Days 7 & 8: Pylos, Voidokilia Beach, Palace of Nestor, Gialova Lagoon

Days 9 & 10: Drive to Nafplio (Epidaurus, Mycenae)

Days 11 & 12: Hydra from the port of Ermioni

Days 12–15: Athens I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Does the pace seem reasonable? Should we adjust any stops (too long or too short)? Any must-see mythological sites or hikes along the way, in addition to what I’ve mentioned? Is Olympia really worth the detour from Dimitsana?

Thanks so much for your valuable advice!

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! I’m heading to Crete at the end of the month for just a few days. I’d love to know where to go to listen to Cretan musicians—any tips? Thanks!

Hi, I’m traveling to Greece in May and landing in Athens. I need to book a rental car—could you recommend a rental agency? Also, where are the free shuttles that take you to the agency? Thanks for your help!

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!

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,

Hi there! We're heading to Athens in April 2026 with our three kids (ages 7 to 14). We won’t be renting a car and plan to stay in Athens the whole time. What do you think of this itinerary? - Day 1: Arrival and first stroll around Athens (Anafiotika, Monastiraki, Psiri, Areopagus Hill) - Day 2: Acropolis (+ museum?), Plaka, Koukaki or Filopappou depending on how we feel - Day 3: Day trip to Hydra, overnight in Aegina - Day 4: Aegina - Day 5: Changing of the Guard, National Garden, Lycabettus Hill, Panathenaic Stadium, Plaka - Day 6: Organized Peloponnese excursion - Day 7: Athens Riviera, relaxed pace - Day 8: Organized Delphi excursion - Day 9: Departure Thanks in advance! ☀️☀️☀️

Hi there,

We’re heading to Greece this summer and will be stopping in Nafplio for 3 days. We’d love to visit Epidaurus and Mycenae, but we don’t have a way to get around. We checked the KTEL Argolida website, but couldn’t figure out the right stops or schedules. Is it possible to do a round trip from Nafplio to Epidaurus in one day, as well as Nafplio to Mycenae? If not, are there any cheap alternative options?

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi there,

My wife and I are heading to Santorini from October 11th to 18th (it’s her birthday gift). I’ll admit I’m torn between spending the full 7 days on Santorini or combining it with another island (I was thinking Milos) for 2 or 3 days. Since the ferry schedules aren’t announced yet for October, it’s hard to plan ahead.

Do you think 7 days on Santorini is too much, or is splitting 7 days between 2 islands too short? Any other destinations worth considering?

Thanks in advance

Hi everyone,

I’m heading to Athens at the end of June. I’ve planned a day trip to the island of Aegina. That said, I’d love to hear if anyone has gotten around the island by bike or bus? What’s the traffic like there? We’re also considering a scooter, but since we’ve never ridden one before, it’s making me a bit nervous…

Thanks for your tips! 😊

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 there, We’re planning to visit Crete during the second half of May and rent a car. A knee issue means we can’t do any hiking anymore, just leisurely walks. Is it realistic to explore the whole island by basing ourselves in two spots—one in the east and one in the west? Could you recommend some nice places to stay that aren’t tourist factories? Thanks in advance for your help with my questions. Best regards.

Hi there.

I’m planning a family trip to Greece in July for 7/8 days. There are two adults and I have three daughters aged 12, 4, and 2. 1. Which islands would you recommend for a total budget of 3000 €? For activities, we’re looking for beaches, short walks, and other kid-friendly options. 2. Is it better to go all-inclusive or book flights, hotels, and meals separately? Thanks

Hi there, My partner and I are planning to visit Paros from June 4th to 11th, 2025. I’ve been reading a lot of conflicting things, so I’m a bit confused. Does Paros feel more like St. Tropez or Porto-Vecchio—overcrowded, too built-up, and has it lost its authentic charm? Are umbrella and sunbed prices on the beach still reasonable? Thanks so much for your input—we’re thinking of heading there in early June with my partner.

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

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 landing in Athens on Sunday, July 6th at 6:30 PM, picking up my rental car at the airport, and heading straight to Nafplio to spend the night.

Do I have enough time to get there and grab dinner? Until what time can I easily find places to eat without any issues?

Another question: I’m thinking of using Waze or Google Maps for directions. Is 4G coverage well-developed, or is it optimistic to count on having service along the way?

Thanks

Hi everyone, For about twenty years now, we’ve been regularly visiting the Cyclades to enjoy some rest, sunshine, the sea, scooter rides, lovely tavernas, and the hospitality of the Greeks (around fifteen trips in total). This September, my partner and I have decided to return to Ikaria, the island where we spent a few days in Agios Kirykos and Therma. This year, we’ll be arriving in Evdilos and would love some tips on the southern coast of Evdilos and the central part of the island—places that are doable by scooter (max 20 to 30 km round trip). For those interested, we’d be happy to share our experiences from Tinos, Syros, Amorgos, Ikaria, Fourni, the Small Cyclades, and, from longer ago, Santorini, Paros, Anti-Paros, and Naxos. Happy travels to all

Hi there, I’m reaching out for some help planning a short trip to Greece at the end of April with my dad. We’ll be staying for 7 days, flying in and out of Athens, where we’ll rent a car. After quite a bit of research, we’ve decided to explore the Peloponnese, which we don’t know at all. We’ve read that basing ourselves in Nafplio for a few nights and then in Gytheio would be a good way to organize our visits. Here are the main spots we’ve noted so far: Corinth (just the canal, as the rest seems to have little interest based on what we’ve read), Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Monemvasia, and Mystras. Could you help us figure out the best route to take? Are there other places worth considering given the time we have? Thanks so much in advance for your help!