Greek islands - 3.5 days out of Athens

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mickey_d
mickey_d

Hello,

My husband and I just booked a ticket for a short getaway to Greece in early June, and would appreciate some help in choosing which island to visit. Because we have such a short time (arriving in Athens Wed night - so, only Thursday - Sunday for island time), I was thinking that the Saronic islands might make more sense - the schedules to get to Cycladic islands unfortunately don't seem to match very well, with the departures from Athens generally in the afternoon, and therefore missing the whole first day. I've done some reading about the Saronic islands, and reports about them seem pretty contradictory - so, any recommendations would be welcome!

We are looking for some relaxing time... ideally somewhere where we have options for half a day of activity each day (hiking/kayaking/snorkelling/visiting sites), and the other half a day of relaxing with a view, a book and a cocktail (this part hopefully is possible just about anywhere!). We're not interested in nightlife, and don't need great beaches - I prefer to be in the water rather than beside it!

On our last trip to Greece, we visited Santorini, Amorgos, Mykonos, Naxos and Hydra, and preferred Amorgos out of all of them, for the great food, water sports and quiet relaxed atmosphere. Hydra had some nice snorkelling, but would prefer to try somewhere new if there is a good option nearby.

Thanks for any help on this!

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natasa_nik
natasa_nik
In response to #0

Good afternoon!

I recommend that you visit Spetses (Argosaronic islands),as it is more beutiful in terms of physical landscape. I think in your shoes I would definitely go to Folegandros, Ikaria or even Sifnos (Kyklades). They are ideal for quiet and relaxing holiday, while providing a range of sports activities that you are interested in. Also you can find very nice and traditional taverns (small restaurants) with fresh fish! If you want have a look on my blog https://anastasianik28.wordpress.com/ where you will find more information about travel and food especially in Greece.

Have a nice holiday, I hope I helped you!

Anastasia

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travelerjan
travelerjan

Mickey I agree w. Natasa .... SIFNOS is a great choice (I will in fact be there next week .. last week n May). But I must pick a bone with you; you ask specific advice, but then are general in your facts "early June" "Wednesday" -- those are not that helpful when we search gtp.gr. Does it hurt to give exact dates? Are u in CIA? I guessed at June 4 + 11 --- and on both dates there IS one ferry (albeit a catamaran) at 7 AM ... and for Sunday Return at 11:55 arriving 2pm Pireaus. Sifnos has splendid beaches (try Platy Gialos or Vathy), best hikes almost, in Cyclades (flagstone paths linking the villages). GOOD bus service (i like staying in hill village, bus to beaches). Its stunning Chora is almost unchanged in 500 years ... There is no Thursday service to Folegandros before mid-month. But to MILOS, there are sailings thurs AM @ 7 (catamaran) and 7:30 (Car carrying Catamaran) and several Sunday-return options .. Milos has 22 lovely beaches, lots of ruins & history ... not so much in way of walking. Also, bus system is iffy, you'd need to rent car or scooter. But also gorgeous. Just remember: more details, better advice.

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mickey_d
mickey_d
In response to #2

Hello,

Thanks to both of you for the responses! Travelerjan, I was trying to be as detailed as possible about previous trip, activities, etc, and completely overlooked dates, it seems! We're flying in to Athens on June 3 in the evening, so would be heading to an island on the 4th.

Sifnos/Milos sound like lovely options. I searched ferries and didn't find the Sunday return that you were mentioning from either. All of the ones that I found were leaving at 2:30 or later in the afternoon, and arriving at 7pm earliest - and I would ideally like to be back in Piraeus by 3 or 4 at the latest. Could you send the name of the company offering the earlier options that you mentioned for Sunday?

Cheers,

MD

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travelerjan
travelerjan

mickey, I am sorry ...I used gtp.gr for the search, and I saw the 11:55 arriving 2 pm on Sunday but failed to notice that this service only starts on 6/14. Actually in these islands, one is lucky to have even a daily service before mid-June. There's a 17:45 arriving 2100 (9pm) ... Most Greeks want to stay as long on a weekend as possible. What would be the problem with coming in at 9 pm? Do you have dinner plans in Athens? I had the impression you were not leaving until the following day -- and did not think you planned to squeeze in a lightning tour of the Acropolis on Sunday afternoon.

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