We celebrated my mom’s milestone birthday in Greece. An amazing 9 days filled with so many memories. We chose to fly in and out of Athens from Newark, New Jersey via Emirates. Greece has so many beautiful islands, we decided on seeing only two – Santorini and Crete. Going to Greece in peak season in summertime requires lots of planning as things get booked up pretty quick and you will be paying more.
Athens:
Athens is a very small city and you only need 1 or 2 days there, especially if you want to spend more time on the other islands. We booked airport transfers ( 90 – 100 Euros each way) via our hotels we stayed at. Ubers are available as well.
Where to stay:
For the first part of our Athens trip, we stayed at Niche Hotel – a boutique 4-star hotel near the Acropolis and walking distance to Plaka neighborhood, that features a rooftop with breathtaking views of the Acropolis and complimentary buffet breakfast.
For the last part of our Athens trip, we stayed at Ivis 4 Boutique Hotel – in the Psyrri neighborhood. We stayed in their “Can I Live Here Forever” spacious suite that accommodates 4 people and has private balconies. We also received complimentary à la carte breakfast.
What to see and do:
For the Acropolis, we purchased tickets in advance for the 8 AM slot directly online. It is recommended to go either first thing in the morning or much later in the day, when it is cooler. While we did go as soon as it opened, there was still a line to get in and it was crowded. BEWARE: There are pickpockets INSIDE the Acropolis, so be careful with your belongings. Wear a crossbody bag and stay alert. Make sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, wear SPF, wear sneakers and take water with you.
Visit the Olympic Stadium – (tickets required)
Additionally, you can go to the Acropolis museum (tickets required) or any of the other historical sites if time permits in your schedule.
Try freddo cappuccino; a popular Greek iced coffee drink that combines the rich flavor of espresso with a creamy layer of cold frothed milk. It tastes so good.
Where to shop:
Visit any of the pharmacies to get European skincare brands for much less. You can also speak with the pharmacists to see which products are best suited for your skin type.
Hondos Center (Shop Tax Free) – Best place to shop for all variety of branded cosmetics, beauty, skincare and makeup; You also get a VAT form to get a tax refund at the airport.
Haris Cotton – An apparel brand that specializes in linen and cotton resort wear made with sustainable and natural fabrics.
Plaka – This area in Athens has many different types of shops from tourist shops to local finds to clothing shops and jewelry shops. I loved strolling through Plaka.
Monastiraki flea market – This area is great place to buy souvenirs, t-shirts or trinkets for lower prices.
Little Kook – Located on a side street near Monastiraki, it has a Disney-like, whimsical vibe with fairy tale-themed cafes, desserts, coffee and brunch options.
Where to eat:
Lukamades – Greek donuts (eggless) and dessert; vegan options available
Lartecono Davinci Gelato – Artisanal gelato, sorbet, desserts
Namaste Indian Restaurant – Indian food; we loved the paneer butter masala (chef’s special) and naan
Dosa King – Indian food; try their masala dosa
Indian Haveli – Indian food; try their vegetable biryani
Greek Stories – Greek food with gluten free and vegan options; try their vegan moussaka
Mama Tierra – Vegan Greek food (fast casual)
MS Roof Garden – Go for drinks in the evening to see the sunset or night views of the Acropolis
Places recommended to us that we did not get a chance to try:
Avocado – Vegan cafe
Mirch – Fusion Indian
Royal Curry House – Indian food
Lithos – Greek taverna known for their Greek salad
Vegan Beat
Moma Urban Bar
From Athens, we chose to fly to Santorini, which is a short 1 hour flight via Aegean Airlines.
Santorini
Santorini is a beautiful island with one of the best sunsets I have seen. I can see why it is so popular with tourists. It is also very steep with lots of steps and cobblestone walkways. If you are going with elder parents, please be mindful as it is a lot of walking. Many of the streets are closed to traffic and are for pedestrians only. It is also one of the more expensive islands in Greece. We did 2 nights in Santorini.
Where to stay:
You can choose to stay in Oia or Fira (Thira), both have many hotels and Airbnb options. We stayed in Fira in a 2-bedroom Airbnb with a shared balcony and caldera view. It was at least 25 steep steps to get to our Airbnb. We had the host arrange a porter service (10 euros per bag each way). We also had the host arrange transfer service (52 euros each way) to and from the Airbnb. Fortunately, they were able to store our bags after checkout. Otherwise, there is a luggage storage service available in Fira. If I were to go again to Santorini, I think I would choose a hotel vs. Airbnb and do a stay in Oia as well as Fira, to experience both places.
What to see and do:
If you are staying in Fira, go to Oia and catch the sunset from the caldera. It is one of the most beautiful sunsets I have seen. Plan to arrive before Golden Hour to get a good spot to watch the sunset. We also caught the sunset in Fira from our balcony but catching it from Oia is better. You can also do a sunset catamaran cruise that goes around the island and get a view of the sunset too.
We heard about the Greek Wedding Show in Fira but tickets were sold out. Plan on getting tickets in advance if you want to see it.
Plan for a family photoshoot in Santorini. The best times are at either at sunrise when it is cooler or at sunset. There is also the Flying Dress photoshoot which I have seen all over Instagram. We did a 1 hour sunrise family photoshoot in Oia with Michael Kouvalis Photography – such a memorable experience.
Where to shop:
There are so many boutique shops in Fira and Oia. You can spend a whole afternoon just browsing and shopping.
Where to eat:
Falafeland (Fira) – We absolutely loved this place and went 3x. It is vegetarian and vegan with so many options. Loved the Greek falafel wrap, fries, Greek salad, hummus, and baba ghanoush. If they have the ginger sparkling water, try that too! Everything is freshly prepared and the owner, George, is a sweetheart.
Karma (Oia) – We made reservations for dinner and it was wonderful. The ambiance is really nice and they have many vegetarian options. We loved the salads, dips, and homemade pasta.
Pelican Kipos (Fira) – This was recommended to us by our Airbnb host. They have lots of fresh juices, smoothies, and vegetarian brunch options. We sat inside in the air condition but they do have a beautiful tropical garden and would have opted for that if the weather was cooler.
Svoronos Bakery (Fira) – This bakery was recommended to us by our Airbnb host. We picked up breakfast from here. They have lots of freshly baked treats and a coffee bar. We enjoyed the pastelli (honey sesame nut bark) and pistachio croissant. We also got freddo cappucino too.
Figo Fresh Pasta and Cocktails (Fira) – This place is great for getting takeout of freshly made pasta or they do have a few tables where you can sit and eat. The pasta is freshly made and there are so many different types of sauces to choose from. My favorite sauces were arrabbiata and santorinian, both with lots of flavor. You can also enjoy many types of refreshments and cocktails.
From Santorini, we chose to take a high speed ferry, Seajets, to Crete (Heraklion), which is 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Crete
Crete is beautiful and the largest island in Greece. It was also our favorite island on our Greece trip. We rented a car and drove from Heraklion to Chania, approximately 2 hours. Chania is a charming city in the northwest part of Crete. It is known for its Venetian harbor, narrow streets, and makes for a great base for first time visitors to the island. Other notable city is Rethymno, which is in between Chania and Heraklion. Crete is predominately mountainous and has some of the most beautiful beaches. There is so much to see and do in Crete and highly recommend having this on your list to visit next time you go to Greece.
Where to stay:
We stayed in Old Town Chania at Casa Delfino, a family-owned boutique hotel and also part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It is located in a central location close to many restaurants, cafes, shops and waterfront. When we arrived we were greeted with refreshments and a wet towel. We stayed in a suite and a standard room. The suite was a spacious 2 floors, with a living room, wet bar, bathroom on the main floor and a large bedroom with vanity seating upstairs. The standard room was also spacious but on a higher floor on the side without elevators. We received a complimentary bottle of wine, cookies and a handwritten note. We also received complimentary breakfast which was all freshly prepared daily in their courtyard. There is also a spa in the hotel along with a rooftop bar with lovely views of the Venetian harbor. They also have a private parking lot, where you can park your rental for free and provide golf cart pick up and drop off to hotel. The staff is always available to help and very friendly. This was definitely the best hotel we stayed in for our trip.
Things to see and do:
Visit an olive farm. Crete is known to be the biggest producer of olive oil in Greece. We did a tour, olive oil tasting and farm to table lunch at Biolea , a family run olive estate that specializes in stone milled and cold pressed, organic olive oils. The lunch was custom made vegetarian by the chef for us and it was one of the best meals we had in Greece. The food was freshly prepared and the flavors were all great.
Do a wine tasting. We visited Manousakis Winery where we did a tour, tasting and lunch. The tours are complimentary and you pay only for tasting and a la carte lunch. It is a great option for those that do not drink alcohol but want to learn about the wine making process. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options for lunch.
Go to the beach. Crete has some of the most beautiful beaches with turquoise waters and pink sand. We went to two – Elafonisi Beach and Falassarna Beach. We also heard about Balos Beach, but it is a trek to get there. Marathi Beach is also another family friendly beach near Chania. Elafonisi Beach is located on the southwest part of Crete. It is known for its clear turquoise waters and sand with hues of pink. The water is shallow, making it an ideal swimming option for families and children. It is also very crowded during peak season, making it harder to get an umbrella and chairs. It is also very touristy. Since it is a protected nature reserve, parking is a bit of a hike and you do have to pay for parking. Be prepared for a long walk to and from the beach. Falassarna Beach is located on the northwest part of Crete. It was recommended by the locals as many locals go there. Parking is free and a short walk to the beach. There are plenty of chairs and umbrellas. It is also known for the best sunsets in Crete.
Take a cooking class. We decided on a sourdough bread baking class at Veerna’s Kitchen – Chania Cooking Class. Since we were the only party at the class, it ended up as a private family cooking class. We were able to customize our sourdough bread with different toppings. We took a tour of the farm, vegetable/ herb garden and learned how to prepare a few side dishes too. We enjoyed our lunch with all freshly prepared items.
Where to shop: In Chania, there are so many shops along the waterfront and in Old Town. You can also go to the local supermarket to get local delicacies. There is a shop, Abea, recommended by our hotel, that sells olive oils, olive soaps, spices, pastellis and olives. Also, there are many stalls along the drive to the beaches to buy local honey, olive oils and spices. For jewelry, there is small shop in Chania called Vasilki that carries silver jewelry for reasonable prices. I found really nice evil eye pieces.
Where to eat:
Biolea – à la carte dining options available; farm to table with a picturesque ambiance
Tamam – This was close to our hotel and they offer traditional Cretan food.
Tartufo Forneria Italiana – Neopolitan style pizza
From Crete to Athens, we took a short 1 hour flight via Aegean Airlines.
Recent Comments