re: Vacation in Greece

quote:

---

I also hated Athens. Found a few cool little neighborhoods but the whole city is pretty underwhelming and can be seen in a day.

---

Hard disagree.

Anyway, you'll get lots of advice about the islands, so I'll save some ink and say: Meteora is one of the most impressive and interesting places I've ever been in the world. I would highly suggest it if you have the time to travel out of the way.

quote:

---

Interesting. Where would you go/stay?

---

I'd visit a different island that I haven't been to. Probably Paros or Naxos.

quote:

---

Before I answer: what time of year did you go?

---

We were there mid-May

quote:

---

We were there mid-May

---

May would normally be fine, unless you got really unlucky and hit a school holiday period.

When I went during the fall, I didn't find Athens any more crowded than any other big city. Sure, if you went to the top of the Acropolis during the middle of the day, it was wall to wall people, but if you went early morning or right before sunset, it wasn't bad. I actually generally suggest people do two trips up to cover both because the experience and lighting is very different. And all of the other major sites really weren't crowded at all. In particular, the ancient Greek agora is magical running up to sunset.

To answer your direct question, between the sites themselves and museums, one day just isn't enough. Hell, the Acropolis and accompanying museum will take up half a day+ all by itself. Two days would be really snug but doable if you're up and at it early. I think three days is vastly more comfortable to experience all of the sights/sites, including some of the more minor museums, while still having down time to wander around the city, have a relaxing lunch, clean up before dinner, etc, etc.

quote:

---

When I went during the fall, I didn't find Athens any more crowded than any other big city. Sure, if you went to the top of the Acropolis during the middle of the day, it was wall to wall people, but if you went early morning or right before sunset, it wasn't bad. I actually generally suggest people do two trips up to cover both because the experience and lighting is very different. And all of the other major sites really weren't crowded at all. In particular, the ancient Greek agora is magical running up to sunset.

To answer your direct question, between the sites themselves and museums, one day just isn't enough. Hell, the Acropolis and accompanying museum will take up half a day+ all by itself. Two days would be really snug but doable if you're up and at it early. I think three days is vastly more comfortable to experience all of the sights/sites, including some of the more minor museums, while still having down time to wander around the city, have a relaxing lunch, clean up before dinner, etc, etc.

---

I'v been to Athens a dozen times and I completely agree with you. I love Athens and it gets a bad rap. I till discover new places every trip.

I will say I think in addition to the Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum is a must. The Byzantine museum is stunning. The Benaki museum worth a visit.

The Athens Riviera is (Kallithea, Palaio Faliro, Glyfada
Vari, Voula, Vouliagmeni) is worth a visit. The Athens Central Market, Lycabettus Hill and on and on and on.

Great restaurants (several Michelin starred), excellent bars etc.

I think people have a low opinion of Athens because they hear from so many people how it sucks, just spend a day, head to an island that people go in with a preconceived notion that they are supposed to dislike it.

quote:

---

Are you the one who hated Rome? If so, let me know where else you don't like because I'll probably love it.

---

Yes I don't love Rome, but Rome was paradise compared to Athens.

I walked out my hotel and there was a dude shooting up. And it wasn't the "bad" part of town.

Athens is awful

This thread inspired me.

Me and the missus had our sights set on the Greek islands in general for a late May/early June getaway, but were eyeing Chania on Crete as a top-contender, however the feedback about Naxos & Paros ITT made me reconsider and do some more research.

Happy to report we just booked 10 nights in Greece for late May.

We fly from AMS (where we live) to Santorini, stupid o’ clock flight at 5:45 AM out of Schiphol, that’ll put us on Santorini around 10:30 AM on a Friday, we’ll hop on the soonest feasible ferry straight to Naxos, do 8 nights there - staying right in Chora town - and then the following Saturday (morning) head back to Santorini have Saturday afternoon evening and all of Sunday there (probably staying in Fira still gotta book that accommodation though) and then fly back Santorini to AMS that Monday afternoon.


Thoughts, it’s not too much time on Naxos, right? I will probably work 2 remote days mid-week to conserve what PTO I’ll have left after Japan in April, so that’ll shorten it up either way.

But how about accessibility of beaches from Chora town, without a car?

We both still have our “valid” stateside licenses, which is enough to get past the initial barrier of the rental agency but as we’re legal EU residents we’re supposed to have an EU member state issues drivers license to truly drive legally.

The issue there comes into play if there would be any accident, the insurance company would immediately investigate our license situation and use it as immediate grounds to void any claim, aside from any legal consequences/fines from local authorities.

I digress - and to my question above - how is the beach situation from Chora on foot? And also restaurant recommendations, other must-see excursions? We can always look to book tours via Air BnB experiences worst case, I suppose.

How is cellular data/network/internet coverage on the island in general (specifically Naxos)?

Debating day trip to Paros and/or Antiparos from Naxos, hell for how cheap we snagged the accommodations in Naxos we could just get a one night spot on Paros if need be…

And for Santorini any recommendations on where to stay or unique atypical excursions?