My husband and I will be travelling to Greece, July 23, flying into Athens, staying for 13-14 days before moving on to Paris. We are planning to spend 3 days in Athens, but then would like to see some amazing islands... I'm overwhelmed because there are so many! We are going to santorini for sure, but what are the other must see/do islands and how long to spend on each. Also I am aware that its summer and it will be busy (we are teachers and only get summer holidays) but if there are some hidden gem, less busy, islands out there I would be game to try them! We like: beautiful beaches, good food, pretty scenery, outdoor activities. We are not museum people or art people.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!!

Bruno
What do you guys think of milos ! I though of doing milos 3 days, santorini 3 days and Athens 2 days

Bruno I think Milos looks amazing
I want to cliff jump off those pretty rocks!

Alysha Buffham i contemplated many places but seems like milos would be down my isle since is not so packed and full with people, still lots to explore !

If you don’t mind me asking... I would love to know what kind of budget your working with. It’s my husband and my dream to go to Greece! One day!

Rebecca
We paid 1300 for flight per person
Budgeting for 100-150 per night for one hotel room
60-100 per day for food hopefully less.. we like eating street food not fancy restaurants.
50-100 per day for transport, tours, activities. Some days will be chill and we will save money those days.
We dont really shop a lot so a few bucks to buy a magnet from each stop and then if something special catches my eye we will pick it up.

I think Santorni is amazing. I was worried about going to Mykonos as it labelled a party island. It was amazing too and only a small part of it is that way. Easy to avoid the beach party $$ crowds. We rented scooters in Santorini and stayed at an amazing place called Caldera coves boutique hotel. Close to Theira but not as busy. People, food and scenery is beautiful where ever you go. Disappointed at how people litter and put cigarette butts out in athens monuments but a must see.

Mykonos! Friend of mine went to Greece for their honeymoon and said Mykonos was a favorite.

Paros is a quick ferry ride from Athens. A small, quiet island authentic Greece. Nice if you want a rest, beach, and good food. Less busy than the larger islands.

Santorini in the day and Mykonos in the evening. Mykonos really is something to see. We enjoyed walking through the streets, shopping and dining in Mykonos.

Agree. Mykonos was a very close second to Santorini for me as well. If you’d like to spend a day or two at a quieter island I’d recommend Paros or Ios , not as much action but still worth a visit.

Following. We did a mediterranean cruise and stopped at Santorini (my fave), Mykonos (very nice), Corfu (nice but quiet and quaint), Athens (loved old town Plaka for the day), Delphi (didn't get off the cruise ship, I think it was just some very minor ruins) and Olympia. I LOVED the greek isles and will find my way back there someday soon! I'd love to try Crete for sure next time.

Teesha the ruins at Delphi are extensive and there is a fantastic museum. It’s a shame you didn’t get to see it.

Oh bummer. Thanks for the info. We had seen ruins everywhere from Italy to Greek Isles and our cruise only stopped at Delphi for 1/2 day and I was "ruined out" by that point! LOL Thanks for the info though. I'd actually love to repeat the exact same cruise and do different excursions at each place to see some different things - so you never know...Maybe I'll get there yet.

The islands are way nicer than Athens. Last time we went, we went straight to the ferry docks to head out to the islands, and then just explored Athens on the way back at the end of our stay.
See as many islands, plus Crete as you can. They all have different things to offer. I really liked Santorini and Ios the best.
If you can, ferry over to Turkey too (though I'm not sure if there are travel advisories?)

Crete for a week with a rental car to explore all the beaches was amazing!
Santorini was superb for a couple of days; stayed in Firastefani; same caldera and sunset views at a fraction of the price of Oia or Fira.

I lived in Greece in the 1980's and my favourite islands were Mykonos and Rhodes.

Google ~ Meteora Monasteries. They are a 2 day bus trip from Athens. We enjoyed seeing them!! Just something different. Although it was a lot of religious paintings etc. the buildings on the rocks were something else!! Even if you just look them up online-interesting!!!

My review is from 2015 keep on mind! I absolutely loved Mykonos. They beaches were the best and the atmosphere was so chill. I heard Corfu was also amazing but I wasn’t able to go. in Athens we “splurged” and stayed at an all inclusive for a night just outside of the main town and LOVED it also. We also went to Crete and rented a vehicle and drove around stopping at all the beaches/small towns. It was really nice!! They have a beach there with pink sand. We stayed I a airbnb when we were there and the woman was SO lovely. She would bring fresh eggs from her farm and home baked goods. It wasn’t a great location if you wanted to enjoy the nightlife as I recall it being a bit off the main but like I said we drove and such. https://abnb.me/hpQ5jKBDMU << just Incase you do decide. I never once stopped at a place in Greece and hated the food. It’s delicious everywhere! when we stayed in Santorini we stayed outside of the main city , while santorini was beautiful it was super busy even on the tail end of the busy season - We stayed at Smaragdi Hotel which was a quick walk to a beach and tons of resturaunts and shopping. anyways, wherever you go itll be amazing. It is one of my favourtie places ever.
ABNB.ME
Check out this great place to stay in Gazi

My top picks are Corfu, Crete, Rhodes and Zakinthos.

We travelled to Italy and Greece last year, and our highlight of the trip was Crete.

We loved Crete. Ended up spending 2 weeks on Crete and renting a car and exploring the island. It was amazing.

How was the parking situation in Crete ? Herd a lot about the place and seeems súper popular, we might stop by second week of May !!

Bruno we were in chania for the most part and just parked outside the “old town” and we were fine. We did Paleohora (?) Ans it was fine. Same with Elofonisia. Don’t mind my spelling. Haha.
Crete is amazing. Hands down.

We only see 4 days I create but rented a car one day. One of the best days of my life

We loved Crete! Stayed in a little resort town outside of Chania. Easy to rent a car & drive around.

I’d recommend looking into Mykonos, Ios and Santorini

Corfu is so nice. Loved my time there. Think I did 3 or so days.

Was told by a Greek Canadian that Corfu is the place to go.. he goes all the time.

Highly suggest this. Hits all the major islands and is absolutely amazing!! I’m sure you can do hop off, hop on... as I know others were doing that. So perhaps if you want to stay longer at a place you can. We were on a time limit and this was perfect to see everything.

You have to have specialty shaved ice desert. The business is called Ice Monster. It's near international market place I n waikiki

Would recommend the Mitos Suites in Nexos. They were amazing! I think there were only 8 suites . Beautiful rooms with Jacuzzi tubs and nice decks. Fabulous breakfast! Catered to families and couples!! Loved the island, food and people!!

Loved Rhodes more history and gorgeous. Then try Symi. Small island with a shallow harbour so the big cruise ships can’t get into it. There is a little train in the port that takes you on a short little tour. Very quiet and quaint village.

Mykonos or Crete .

Spend some time in crete

We loved Rhodes and Mykonos

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Corfu

Naxos

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