Many passenger boats crisscross the Aegean Sea, making it quick and fairly easy to reach your island getaway. They do thankfully run pretty much to time though.. You can get a direct flight to the UK & back, so it is a great start/endpoint of your trip. No matter how aggravated you get by the crowds, the view at sunset will melt that away.. Numerous times I was told I was too heavy on the back & had to get off & walk up the hillCharming! I hope your friends find it useful! 2022 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | By using these, Sue Where Why What may receive a small commission. The boat trip showed me how absolutely spectacular & unique the island is. , Jemima, Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Visit outlying sights or beaches when the ships are in port by the time you return to town in the afternoon, the cruise-ship passengers will be loading up to leave again. If you do suffer from seasickness please take tablets or whatever works for you. If you are choosing to holiday in August, make sure you book early. Greek island hopping is that rare holiday which, in my opinion, has bucked the trend & never failed to deliver an amazing trip. You may be in a combination of larger car ferries & smaller foot passenger Speedjets. If you have never visited before, then its hard to keep Santorini off the agenda. Santorini is the most geologically interesting of all the Greek islands, and arguably the most picturesque, with idyllic villages perched on the rim of a collapsed and flooded volcano crater, a handful of impressive wineries, and enough sights and activities to keep travelers occupied. This can be done at any time but if youre like me, usually just before you travel. There are so many islands in Greece to explore. This post may contain affiliate links. When youre next planning a trip this may also be useful. There are a lot more flight options available internationally. If you are staying in the port town either ask your accommodation for directions or check on Google Maps. Thank you Vanda & really pleased you enjoyed the post. Its beautiful but Im not sure its so much more spectacular than from Fira or any of the villages along the caldera. Sarakiniko a stunning white rock beach) but I would say dont go to Milos expecting endless fine sandy beaches. This allows you to see the key sights without eating into your island time. NEW VIDEO Anse Cochon beach in @stlucia was one of, I was honoured this week to be featured on my loca, A First Timers Guide to Greek Island Hopping, https://www.suewherewhywhat.com/destinations/europe/the-perfect-greek-island-hopping-itinerary/, The holiday feels longer! You really got around those islands. This is generally the hub for transportation, both to other islands (port for passenger ferries and cruise ships) and within the island (bus station and taxi stand). I wish I had read that before I was planning my first island hopping. I would recommend 1 or 2 nights in Athens. Travelling alone can be a daunting prospect at any age, but particularly when you start your journey later in life. Compared with boats, flights are less likely to be delayed or cancelled, tend to offer more frequent connections, and are much faster but often more expensive. The downside of this is that you only get black sandy beaches (or the Red Beach). I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. We were charged 20 for 2, (10 per person) & he also unsuccessfully tried to recruit more people for the trip. Also, there is something exciting when, as a foot passenger you wait on the car deck to exit, see the huge gate go down in front of you & get your first glimpse of a new island as you walk off before the cars. Often you will be able to walk, which again saves time & money. The beaches can be beautiful (e.g. Also, arrive early so you can relax as you negotiate the chaos! Thank you for this very comprehensive guide! Thank you so much again! For COVID-19 Travel and RS Tours information, Bear this in mind when choosing your accommodation & transport options. The city is mainly full of tourists & all the sites are busy, but some of the local bakeries, restaurants etc may be closed. To save time, consider flying. While Crete's modern main city, Iraklio, is drab and uninviting, the rest of the island offers an engaging diversity of attractions: Minoan ruins, scenic mountains, enticing beaches, characteristic rustic villages, and dramatic caves and gorges (including the famous Samaria Gorge). Milos boat tour post also planned in the near future as it was so stunning! I have visited with both on my agenda. If you dont go to the terminal it can sometimes be hard to identify where the stop actually is. Enjoy all of natures beauty in Greece next time you make it back! I hope one day this rush will pass and the islands will keep their somewhat pristine beauty. One of the most quintessential Greek experiences is exploring the maze of small streets & old towns by foot. The Greek islands are made-to-order for cruising and a major destination for cruise ships. Rhodes, with an appealing and very real-feeling old town, is the biggest of these islands. Sue, I was once on a very rough crossing (Naxos to Milos) & it seemed that everyone apart from us was suffering. I think the thing is to avoid the things that everyone is told youmust do e.g. There are lots of hills which would mean struggling too much on any other form of transport. Athens can be packed full of tourists, especially at peak times (August). Thank you so much for your feedback really pleased you found the post useful! Most islands offer car, moped, ATV etc & varying these can also add an element of fun into the trip. Ios has some beautiful sandy beaches which make exploring the island worth the effort. Very informative. along with a copy of my 201 Inspirational Travel Bucket List Ideas for FREE! I love the ones youve visited. Perfect! see our FAQ. For August 2018 we were sorting these elements out in March/April.. I hope you get there one day & that you find my guide useful when you do. The whole transportation section is really helpful, especially for people like me who really love traveling by foot. This was not what we were heard at our hotel, or on any of the signs at the stop. I wonder if its a good idea to revisit or better go to new places, hm. With their picture-perfect, whitewashed villages and ample opportunities to enjoy swimming in, eating from, and gazing at the deep-blue Aegean, Greek's islands deserve every bit of their fame. Thank you, Slavka. I have been back to the same group of islands in different combinations 6 times now. If youre planning to do all of your internal travel by ferry, then either put Santorini at the start or end of your itinerary (the ferry from Athens can take 10 hours). http://detective-zakynthinos.net/, Thank you very much for your kind comments & for adding me to your site. Also, the ferries will not be as frequent, so your choice of islands & travel days will be more limited. If you plan to travel out of season, then be aware that there will be fewer people but again all may not be open. I have only visited once a few years ago & we stayed overlooking the port. This means parking options could be limited. Seasickness. Carly, If you're headed to far-flung islands such as Mykonos or Santorini which have small airports check flights on these airlines, which can be surprisingly affordable (and save you the long boat journey). When booking & travelling please bear a few things in mind: The Speedjets are more practical & quicker to load & unload as all passengers are on foot, as such they are often faster between destinations. Thanks for making a clear picture to make the best choice when it comes to these islands and I LOVE your title haha. Keep in mind that sailings can be cancelled because of bad weather (more likely off-season). The Dodecanese Islands, at the sunny, southeastern end of the Greek lands, are more rustic and less developed than the Cyclades. Sue. If you're not cruising, it's smart to be aware of when ships are scheduled to show up. Its all still very new to me so to hear you say that means the world! As an alternative adventure I did once get an overnight ferry to Kos & flew out of there! Milos is stunning & one of the smaller and quieter islands in the Cyclades, with far fewer tourists than many of its more famous neighbours. We were panicking & felt trapped as we watched our boat leave without any of us. I hope the islands do start to quieten down a bit but dont see this happening soon, especially not for Santorini! Their proximity to Turkey and historic ties to Venice give them a hybrid Turkish-Venetian flavor (though the population is mostly ethnic Greek, these islands merged with Greece only after World War II). I love hearing your memories & it brought back a lot of mine from the first time I visited too. Get as early a start as possible, and explore the back lanes and beaches when the main drag gets too congested. Admittedly, I prefer to spend the bulk of my Greek vacations visiting the country's amazing wealth of ancient sights. I also love Crete island it has so pretty landscape and interesting history. I have never been to Crete, but maybe need to visit! Annie, Milos is so far my favorite:), Cherene thank you for your comment & I think I agree that Milos is my favourite too now! Avoiding flying is often a good thing & being on foot just makes the experience all the more authentic! Theres definitely something about Greece that keeps calling me back! Makes me wish we could travel weve been talking about visiting Greece for a while, and actually had plans to do this summer. Dont fancy Greece? This is the young party capital of the Cyclades, so if thats what youre looking for then include Ios in your itinerary, but even if youre not, dont dismiss it entirely. Naxos has some of the best beaches of all the Greek Islands Ive visited. Naxos has the feel of a place which is more a package destination than for the independent traveller. I hope this will help you in selecting your best fit: Its absolutely spectacular! We ended up paying 20 for a 10-minute drive. Santorini is essentially an extinct volcano & is so beautiful as a result of it being a caldera. It was 1.80 for each bus journey. So happy I ran across it. For everything you need to plan your visit, check out my Ultimate 2 Day Santorini Itinerary. Not all ferries are the same. Maybe I need to look at Portugal again too ;).Thank you for subscribing & joining me on my journey. I have also contemplated the trip numerous times on my own for a solo travel experience. Crete is Greece's biggest island and practically a ministate of its own (in fact, from 1897 to 1913 it was an autonomous state within the Ottoman Empire). For example, our recent boat tour of Milos only accepted cash payment (90 per person). As Ive eluded to before, its crowded & that can make it unpleasant, especially at the peak time of year. But like everyone, I appreciate a healthy dose of restorative island time, and a visit to Greece isn't complete without at least one island stay. Check out my post on 21 Best Things to do in Naxos for all the details. Regards When you book make sure to leave your mobile phone number. Greek-island accommodations range from rustic dhomatia to designer hotels with spectacular views. First, I love your blog. For example, when we visited Ios, we were recommended to go for a car. Two of the most popular Greek islands are Mykonos and Santorini; both are relatively well-connected to Athens. Thank you, Sue. When I was there most recently I stayed centrally in brightly decorated, One of the best things to do in the Cyclades Islands is the hike from Fira to Oia. When you book, you wont always know which type of boat you will be on. Sue x. I travelled to Greece in 1996 on an island hopping trip with my father. We ended up getting the bus back for 1.80 each bargain! Stay safe until then, Sue x. If you choose not to get your own transport the buses are a great option & on most islands serve the key tourist areas, to & from the beaches. Every morning we woke up to a different cruise liner from the one we saw when we went to bed at night. However, they can be too well organised & in my opinion overcrowded & expensive. But the guys are still at the port trying to advertise their rooms, just not as many of them. She was understandably livid. Hydra, my favorite, is in this group. Thanks for this comprehensive guide and map! Thank you very much for your comments & couldnt agree more re the transport. This is more the realms of traditional package holidays which is kind of why I always go island hopping to avoid this! I recommend Ferryscanner. Think my top pick would be Milos from this group as, although busier than last time I was there, its so beautiful & still has that feeling of being a bit less popular. For all of the reasons above, Paros is again one of the more expensive islands in the Cyclades so if youre on a bit of a budget then bear this in mind. For example, Naxos is the largest island. The port in Athens, Piraeus is so busy that you can get to any island in the whole of Greece from here & will have the largest choice of times & seats to best meet your needs. I often like to be more spontaneous, hence its in the avoid section! Marian thank you & Im glad you found it useful. This is when a lot of Greek people leave the city & have their vacations on the islands, so ferries can get booked up. Just as the doors shut we jumped back on. If youre looking for a classier island experience, then Paros is for you. While many of Greece's smaller islands merit a day or two of fun in the sun, Crete could occupy even a busy traveler for a week or more. Be warned, however, that gathering ferry information takes some work, as routes can be covered by multiple companies and schedules change often. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Since becoming single again & in my mid-forties, I aim to inspire women in a similar position to fulfil their travel dreams. Naxos tends to be one of the least expensive islands in this list. As he told us to get off the bus, a guy shouted that we were a long way away. I was 45, he was 70. If you're coming on a cruise, your challenge is to beat the hordes: You'll arrive in town at precisely the same time as 2,000 other visitors, all hoping to fit the maximum amount of sightseeing, shopping, or beach time in a single day. It has the harbour, the bars by the sea, the sandy beaches & the small streets full of shops with good quality gifts, jewellery, clothing & restaurants. Hiring a car for the whole trip could be an option with the car ferries, but its not one I have ever done or explored. At the busiest times (JulySeptember, peaking in August), visitors can outnumber beds; to get your choice of accommodations, book far ahead. This will be completely different depending on if you visit during the day or night. Bear in mind that some of the crossings can get quite rough, especially on the smaller boats. I have to say that every time Ive been planning a trip, I have looked to different island groups (Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos), Argo-Saronics (Aegina, Poros)) & each time I come back to the Cyclades. https://www.suewherewhywhat.com/destinations/europe/the-perfect-greek-island-hopping-itinerary/ It really is the best way to experience a new location! I had my first experience of island hopping in Greece when I was a student just about to enter my 20s (a very long time ago!). We waited until we got to each port to find accommodation. I love Santorini, but it would probably be more pleasant to visit it in the low season (Im not a fan of the crowds). The alternative is to hire transport individually on each island if you need it for a day or two. This may also be a more direct route on some islands to the beaches. The first time I visited I was a spontaneous student with very little planning. Sue. OMG! I guess with Mykonos, Im discouraged to go because every Instagram model or celeb goes there and my feeds get inundated with the same club, beach, house, pics, etc. The bus links (especially from Adamas) are very good, meaning there is no need for a car to explore the island. I think it would be a great destination but if you choose to travel alone my advice would be to do it if you want to take some time out on your own (rather than hoping to meet others), maybe next time Ill give it a go & report back! If you choose to stay further away & more off the beaten track then this would be a feasible alternative, especially for the larger islands away from the port areas. Such a great guide and beautiful photos to the Greek Islands! You can fly directly into Mykonos from the UK so again it is useful to have at the start/end of your trip. Often a good option when you first arrive at an island for quick & easy transport to your accommodation but the costliest choice as a result. I love walking! Nice small bars & restaurants right on the waterfront. There is nowhere to stay within easy reach of the port & the slope is very steep with lots of switchbacks to get to the top of the hill, it is a volcano after all! For more on my recent trip taking in Athens, Paros, Naxos, Milos & Santorini with a full list of recommendations for accommodation, activities, restaurants etc in my post A Perfect Greek Island Hopping Itinerary. Sue. Nowadays Im a little less fly by the seat of my pants & prefer to have a good browse of all options & carefully choose the location before arriving. Im hoping to do a proper island hopping in the Cyclades, Id like to visit at least Naxos and Milos next time. The labyrinthine streets can be magical but also very busy. Like you, I dont like to revisit the same place twice, but I would (re)visit Greece & Portugal every single chance I got. If you are looking to do the same, then this is the place to be! You will not pay any extra charges for this. For more information see my disclosure. Subscribed and bookmarked! Fortunately, we were only going 40 minutes to the next island (Naxos) & were able to board the next ferry, 30 minutes later. You may be able to go outside for some or all of the journey too. Regards In my opinion, these include: Greece is in the Eurozone which makes things simple. When I met my sister in July 2016, she flew from Sydney, Australia & I came in from London. My advice is, decide on your priorities & do your research. However its probably not best idea to leave it this late!. Regards Sue. After over 30 years of independent travel to more than 75 countries, across 6 continents, Im here to provide all the information you need to embark on your next adventure. Regards Sue. Sunset at Oia on Santorini. But if you keep walking you will see the stop for all the buses 2.30 one way to Fira & ideally you can walk from the bus terminal. There are flights available internally between the islands (I took one with my sister from Santorini to Athens) but I can assure you that by the time you have gone through the process of check-in & security, a ferry is a way more pleasant experience! For a more reasonable alternative, enjoy your drinks with a view & then head away to eat, it will cost you less & your meal will often be of higher quality. I bet not a lot has changed since 1996, except the number of peopleespecially Santorini! You just made me drool all over my laptop. We had an amazing time and I learned So much from him, just deciding the day before which island we would go to next, based on where the ferry was going that day. Sue. Visiting the Sulphur Springs (Soufrier Volcano) is, My latest blog post (link in bio) contains loads o. Its popularity means that Santorini is expensive, among the most of all the islands. Many islands have a main town, sometimes named for the island itself and sometimes called Chora or Hora (X), which literally means "village." I plan to do another trip, like you, island hopping. For your perfect location then you can use the search box below Chora is the heart of the village. Also, the most authentic places to stay are often those with small lanes, best explored on foot. Thank you so much! I wanted to make things easy when my sister & I arrived in Santorini by getting a taxi. Id considered the Greek Islands (I have been to Crete) for looking at flowers, butterflies, birds, etc, so its good to find useful and practical tips for just being in these places leaving me to concentrate my research on the bits that interest me. Cocktails are 10+ and on one beach (Santa Maria) we paid 25 for 2 beds on the beach for the day & could barely move them as they were so tightly packed. For all the details you need to plan your visit, head to What to do in Paros for 2 days. I couldnt recommend Milos highly enough & have written more about my recent island hopping trip in another blog post. Mykonos is also one of the most expensive islands in the Cyclades so if you are choosing Greece as a less pricey option, you may want to avoid this island. By shopping online at least a few weeks in advance, you may be able to snare a deal. After looking at a number of the articles on your site, I truly appreciate your way of writing a blog. Be aware that if you prefer an early night you could be coming home when everyone else is heading out for the night, which can make everywhere seem very quiet! For the best combination of still-good weather, fewer crowds, and more reasonable prices, visit just before or after these busy times. visit my web site as well and tell me your opinion. Bear in mind that many of the islands have hills, which make them stunning to visit (Santorini being a classic), but more challenging if, like my husband & I, you always opt for the cheapest, least powerful engine size on your moped/ATV. Most are in the Aegean Sea (south and east of mainland Greece), while a few are in the Ionian Sea (west of the mainland). For my latest trip, we had a combination of apartments through Airbnb(Athens, Paros) & hotels through Booking.com(Naxos, Milos, Santorini). I also did a similar kind of trip a few years ago with my sister in Croatia, flying into Split & out of Dubrovnik, via stops in Brac & Hvar. Then, I returned twice with my husband, once with my sister & most recently (Aug 2018) with a friend. Whenever you visit, enjoy your time here and simply give yourself over to the Greek islands. Finally, August is also very hot. I love Greece & Im so sorry that you have had to rearrange your trip. Make sure you leave plenty of time for this as you will need to go to a specific agent which isnt always obvious & sometimes pay 1 (per ticket) for printing. Historically, Crete was home to the Minoans the earliest advanced European civilization, peaking around 1950 BC, centuries before "the ancient Greeks" of Athens. The Sporades Islands, due east of Athens, are dominated by the giant Evia island, which is attached to the mainland by a bridge. I will definitely send this post to them. Two major Greek carriers offer daily flights from Athens to many Greek islands are Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines. Your choice will depend on what you are looking for. Sue. The North Aegean Islands, relatively untrampled and remote, lie roughly between Turkey and Thessaloniki (at the northern end of mainland Greece). Very well put together post. I heard (hearsay, granted) that for 2 sunbeds & a parasol for the day on one particular beach they were charging 100, most of the time we paid 10! Some have flights to & from UK airports which means you can start in one place & fly home from another. Also consider Astra Airlines and Sky Express. Im bookmarking your guide to know what to expect. I quite like the element of surprise! Agios Georgios is basically right by the main (port) town of Chora so you can avoid needing transport altogether if this is what you are looking for. Enjoy Naxos when you make it there too! If you can, get yourself a timetable (or photograph the ones on display at the terminals) & ask at your accommodation where the nearest stop is. This is a great choice if you want to explore but you can also choose your method. Regards Sue. As a result, if you plan to start/finish in Athens some of the local businesses close down as they go on holiday. If you choose to travel during the key summer months be prepared for heat, crowds at all the key sights (especially at sunset), needing to book restaurants & definitely make sure you have the ferries & accommodation organised in plenty of time. When the cab arrived, we were told that you need to book as taxis are limited on the islands. I have yet to see Naxxos. Leaving Santorini we thought it would be more convenient to get a taxi to the airport from Fira. Naxos is also the largest & most fertile of all the islands & if you choose to hire some transport I would thoroughly recommend a trip into the more central area, especially at dusk when the light makes the landscape appear even more beautiful.. If you need a number to try +30 690 7012871 (Santorini). Some islands such as Rhodes, Corfu, and Crete have sizeable cities as their capitals. In the end, we were able to walk to our hotel from the bus station making it a much quicker & cheaper option all round. For your stay, I recommend the Plaka area of the city for a central spot with plenty of bar & restaurant options. Second, Greece is up there on my bucket list. If youre looking for fine powdery sand, then this is the place for you.