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What are the best Greek islands to visit in November?

Question:

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Donna

Looking for tips/suggestions/recommendations for Greece in November. I'm so sad I didn't realize that a lot of hotels and businesses close in November because of the cooler weather and low season. We usually travel around this time of the year. So far we have Athens and Santorini on our itinerary. I'm hoping to visit a 3rd island/city.

Humans say...

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Ashley

I just got back from Greece and had a great time. Everything was still open in Crete (there was just one bus that we couldn't take to a beach we wanted to visit due to no longer tourist season), Santorini and Athens. We also visited Milos, where a lot of places were closed or on extremely limited hours. I think if you stick with the major places like Athens and Santorini, you'll have no problem doing anything you want to do. Maybe Mykonos or Crete would be another good option if you want to be busy and have lots to do. On the other hand, the smaller islands with less stuff open could be realllllly peaceful and relaxing!
My hotel in Santorini wasn't great, I wouldn't recommend it. In Athens, I stayed at Amazon Hotel. The room was pretty tiny, but clean and modern. The comfiest bed Ive had in Greece. Location was great - walked everywhere. They offer free breakfast which was delicious and the staff was nice and friendly! Arrived around 9 am and our room was ready for us which was great. Small bakery across the street with AMAZING pastries.

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Jemy

Ashley any recommendations for accommodations in those places for a solo person? Also did you fly or take a boat between the islands? Thanks for any feedback! Looking into Greece for a trip!!

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Ashley

Jemy Ive always done ferries between islands. I have checked many websites selling ferry tickets, and the Ferryhopper app gave me the slightly better prices and you might be able to find some coupon codes for it if you do some Googling. I just got back a couple days ago and ferries are more limited this time of year but definitely do-able! I've only been in Corfu solo but I can pm you re: hotels

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Mike

We are in greece now, Naxos is great but you will likely have a lot of things closed. Crete is a great option as it is warm and has a large population so the cities never really shut down. Currently we are in Rhodes and there is still quite a lot of tourists, nothing is closed.

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Jemy

Mike any recommendations for accommodations there?

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Mike

Jemy we always use airbnb. If you are interested on Heraklion I can send you the perfect airbnb.

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Donna

Mike We are looking at Naxos for somewhere to relax since we would be more active in athens and santorini. For Crete, where do you recommend to stay and to do?

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Mike

Donna Naxos was great, but come November I think it could get very quiet, even the local pastry shop closes up at some point in november. I dont know the exact time things get quiet but Naxos might be a bit too dead.
Crete has a few major towns, the two biggest being Heraklion and Chania. Heraklion is a urban centre with the beaches being a bit out of town, but be assured nothing will be closed. From Heraklion you can go to the palace of Knossos on a local bus. We also rented a car one day and drove to Matala which was gorgeous. The beach in Heraklion is a short city bus ride, they are good beaches, but a little out of the way. Chania has a great old town and has beautiful beaches right in the city. You can do days trips from there to Balos beach, Elafonisi beach and samaria gorge.
The island of Rhodes is also a good option, the old city is spectacular, even now it is very busy. The beaches in the town and on the Island are to notch with great snorkeling. We did a day trip to Lindos (a famous town on the island) today, the acropolis was packed and the water was warm and great for swimming.
From my understanding being here (in greece from September to November). Tourist season has been extended as people seem to be making up for lost time. So some places will be more lively later in the year. But the smaller islands will still get quiet. Santorini should still be busy in November.
The last thing to take note of, flights to islands become more scarce in November. And ferry schedules become less frequent or stop running all together. Islands like Crete and Rhodes are big enough that the get all year service.

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Mike

Donna if you want a place to stay in Heraklion I can suggest an amazing 2 bedroom airbnb we stayed in, just DM me.
Also two recommendations for Santorini. If you are up for it do the hike from Thira to Oia. It is spectacular, the views are some of the best I have ever encountered and not many people do it so it is a good way to get away from the crowds. And for restaurants Salt n Pepa is fantastic, but get there early!

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Stu

Mike . Agreed, and you can always take the bus back from Oia.

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Jacqueli

Paros

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Amanda

Go to mykonos

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Jemy

Following!

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Sonal

F

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Sonal

We are planning in December and so really interested

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Stephen

Be prepared for lots of windy days and perhaps delayed/cancelled ferry departures - it's that time of year - I'd second Paros for a visit

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Abby

Meteora if the islands don’t pan out

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Guy

When I went to Mykonos in June, it sounded like they close down the majority of the island for the cooler months. Maybe the places like Santorini wear you can go to Oia would be a safer bet on a place with great views at all times

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Anne

I was in Naxos in early October and places (accommodation, eateries) were starting to shut down for the season.

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Renata

I just got to Athens. You can do day trips to smaller islands from Santorini. You might want to do that instead of moving locations because a lot of stuff does shut down on the islands.

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Peta-Lee

Crete

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Arezu

Just came back from Santorini. Our guide told us the government told them they have 40 flights a day coming in November, so I expect most businesses to remain open..

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Denise

Crete

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Dawn

Experience the north ! Go to the monasteries in Meteora and stay in a lovely fireplace room in Elati. Gordon Ramsey is there now and loving it. So incredibly breathtaking and different than many visitors do here. Enjoy

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Joyanna

I liked Mykonos.

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Bojana

I really enjoyed Andros Island… not sure how much is going on in November though

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Donna

Update: thank you for everyone’s suggestions!! We went to Crete and stayed at the Stella Island Resort. It is gorgeous there! A lot of restaurants I wanted to try in Santorini were closed since first week of November. I was told that by December everything is pretty much closed for the winter season. We felt like we were the only ones visiting Greece most of the time. No crowds at all
it is a gorgeous country overall


A.I. says...

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Greece Travel Tips for November

If you are planning a trip to Greece in November, it's important to be aware of the cooler weather and the fact that some hotels and businesses may be closed due to it being the low season. However, there are still plenty of things to see and do in Greece during this time of year.

Destinations to Consider

In addition to Athens and Santorini, you may want to consider visiting the island of Crete. Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and offers a rich history, beautiful beaches, and charming villages. Another option is the city of Thessaloniki, which is known for its vibrant nightlife, delicious food, and historical sites.

Activities to Enjoy

While in Greece in November, be sure to explore the ancient ruins in Athens, take a boat tour around Santorini to see the stunning caldera views, and visit the Palace of Knossos in Crete. You can also enjoy hiking in the Samaria Gorge or shopping in the markets of Thessaloniki.

Packing Tips

Since the weather may be cooler in November, be sure to pack layers, including sweaters, jackets, and scarves. It's also a good idea to bring comfortable walking shoes for exploring the cities and sites. Don't forget to pack a camera to capture the beautiful scenery!

Final Thoughts

While November may not be the peak season for travel in Greece, it can still be a wonderful time to visit. By planning ahead and being prepared for the cooler weather, you can have a fantastic trip exploring the rich history, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine that Greece has to offer.



   










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