The Cyclades have become popular during and after the pandemic. Tickets became accessible to the everyday traveler, and youtube and its influencers made Santorini and Mikonos very popular during this time.
Mostly everyone assumes it could be really fun to spend time during the summer months (northern hemisphere, June-August), but for obvious reasons, it could get crowded, really hot, and expensive.
I could understand many travelers would want to take their family and kids to the islands while out of school but understand that many are having the same idea.
For this reason, I decided to visit Greece in September, It’s still warm but not blazing hot, a bit crowded but not as crowded as during the summer months depending on the island you are visiting, Tickets, if you plan ahead of time (January for example) could be very affordable and so are the stays and tours (if you decide to join one).
For my first time in Greece, I decided to visit historical Athens and two islands: The popular “Santorini” and quaint Naxos. I wanted to see what is the fuss about Santorini by myself.
I planned my trip like always following my usual safety guidelines (see my article about traveling as a solo female)
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athens (Athina)
How can you visit Greece and not visit Athens for at least a couple of days? This historic city is part of one of the most important ancient civilizations, it should be part of your trip.
***Longest tedious way to get to Athens from the US? through London. Quickest, straight shot to get to Athens? Istanbul.
I recommend arriving early in the day or early evening. The train to the city doesn’t have too many translations into English as many European countries do. It takes a few minutes to figure out the lines, but the city is still safe.
Places I Stayed
Pallas Athena
I arrived late at night and leaving for Santorini the next day. I was looking for a place to stay and did not care much for it to be fancy. However, I was extremely disappointed with this place. The hotel smelled like dust, or like it was not cleaned in a while. The bed was super uncomfortable. The service was okay, but the coffee maker was not working at all. I paid 125 euros for this place and it was not worth it.
Airbnb
The place looks nicer than shown in the pictures. It had everything you need. The bed was super comfortable. And the location was superb. It was super safe, nearby a nice neighborhood. Near the Plaka with all the souvenir stores and the marble streets, also nearby was the oldest monastery in Athina. The service was excellent. There was a transportation strike the day I was leaving Athina. There was no access to the subway or busses that could take me to the airport. The host was able to get me a driver (for a fee of course) to take me safely to the airport.
Not affiliated to Airbnb or the host mentioned above.
Tours
www.athensbybike.com
A fun tour of the most iconic places in Athens by electric bike. The electric bikes were pretty easy to drive with light settings. Everyone spoke English at the tour offices and the meeting place was easy to find from the Acropolis metro station. Places visited during the tour include The foothill of the Acropolis, the national garden, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. I found this tour in the Airbnb app. The same company offers other historical tours.
Night walks and drinks with a local (found on Airbnb). A fun way to enjoy a walk through the most trendy streets of Athens at night, like Monastiraki, Plaka, and the foothill of the Acropolis hill, the guide will take you through unusual winding streets only known by locals. The tour included 3 shots of local drinks (I tried mastiha, ouzo, and locally made vermouth).
Areas to visit
Monastiraki Square
Near the Syntagma Metro Station and the Acropolis, one of the oldest established neighborhoods in the western cultural, more than 6,000 years old. Visit the Hadrian Library and the Roman Agora.
Acropolis & Slopes
On the rock hill at the top of the Greek Capital. considered by UNESCO a world heritage site. I suggest a bike tour of the slopes and hills surrounding the Acropolis. The acropolis itself is a hike to the top.
Temple of Olympian
Near the River Ilessos and the South East of the Acropolis.
Plaka
The Coolest Neighbourhood of Athens. Remains of the Old madrasa, the last site of the Ottoman Empire. This area is full of shops and restaurants.
santorini (Thira or Thera)
All I have to say is that be ready to pay. This island is extremely popular and one of the most expensive around the Cyclades Islands. The views are all breathtaking and worth the money spend. The island (and mostly all of them are) accessible by plane and ferry. Airplane tickets range from $100-$300 it could be more or less depending on the season. They are a couple of available ferry companies: Seajets, Blue Stars Ferries, and Minoan Lines. I used Seajets to hop from Santorini to Naxos and from Naxos to Athens. The ferries are easy to book online, cheap, comfortable, and clean. They have a cafeteria that offers snacks and sandwiches for a fair price (around 5 euros in 2022). I can’t complain about their service and efficiency. Sometimes they are late to arrive but I got to my destination on time anyways.
Areas to stay?
The most affordable stay that I could find in this island cost be $170.00 and this is during the low season. It was not the most comfortable and accessible stay. It was very hilly around it (well mostly all of Santorini is) and instead I would have stayed in a private room with a private view and pool for a $625 a night.
Tours
The best way to visit the Island or any Greek Island is by renting an ATV, They are several agencies near the main square of the island along the Thiras Mesaria. Prices ranges (50-75 euros during 2022). There is also an agency that offers ATV tours around the island where you could see the sunset from the best spots in the island. (www.atvtoursantorini.com), prices are higher but it is worth the experience.
The cheapest way to go around is by the local bus around the island to go to the red (Kokkini Paralia), The Caldera Beach, Eros, Perissa Beach, Black Beach (Mesa Pigadia) and the White beach.
Boat tours:
Visiting Caldera is a most. Again, one of the best sunsets and most of the tours offer lunch and wine,
Other tours or things to do, flying dress photoshoot, sunset wine tasting, or winery tours.
Places where tours can be found: Viator, expedia and Airbnb (search under experiences). Although, the best way to find tours is by walking along the town and that way hussle the price down. Same thing applies whenever shopping around.
Places to Visit
The Caldera
Taking a hiking trail to Fira it would take you along the rim that faces the Caldera, and visit the villages with its many monasteries and white houses.
White and Red Volcanic Beaches
Amoudi Bay
naxos
This island is not as popular as the other ones but it is getting there too thanks to social media. Chora in Naxos is more affordable that Mykonos or Santorini in all senses, from the stay, transportation and ATV rentals. It is very accessible, and I was able to walk from my stay to the beachline to the market in less than an hour.
Where to Stay?
I found a cute place along Andrea Papandreou and near the biggest supermarket in the Island, Dedalos Studios. A block of studios with a pool in a courtyard run by two sisters. It was clean and 5 minute walk to the beachline. Also, there is an empty lot where they are some sheep, however it was very safe and nicely decorated. They were able to accommodate my transportation from the port to their place and they are able to drop you off at the local airport which is not far at all. They offer laundry service for a fee, some reading materials and a vending machine at the lobby.
There are other places by the beach but at a higher price than Dedalos’s. I only paid between 40 and 45 dollars a night in Airbnb.
Tours and ATV rentals
The best way to see any Greek island is by renting a vehicle or an ATV. With the ATV it is easier to park and drive around the small streets in the town.
Boat Tours
There is a company that rent vehicles (not ATVs) and offers daily boat tours that include food, and wine. I was walking around town when I saw a couple talking to the owner about the boat tour for the following day. I made some friends and I was able to get a tour for a low price with everything included. The tour included one stop at the other side of the island where we could jump into the water from the boat and snorkles were offer for whoever wished. Afterwards, we stop by another smaller island nearby with a glass like clearwater.
Places to Visit
The Portara or the Temple of Apollo
Next to Chora (main town) and the ferry docks. Ancient monument.
Ancient Ruins of Delos
Mount Zas or Mount Zeus.
Highest Point in the Cyclades. Get the panoramic view over Naxos.
Apano Kastro
Ancient Castle in Naxos.
Greece have a great variety of islands, each unique with different ancient ruins. Mostly they offer they same foods but mostly they all have their own local olive oil producers.
Any time you come back to Greece you could visit different islands and places in the mainland without visiting the same place twice only if you do wish to.
Please read the following post about what not to do while traveling to the Cyclades.
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