All of Greece is wonderful, but Crete holds a special place in my heart because of its unmatched hospitality. The people there make you feel like a guest in their home. Santorini is more touristy, but it’s stunningly beautiful. The history of Athens is unmatched. Below are my recommendations for places to visit in Crete, Santorini and Athens
About this stop: Beat the crowds, roam by quad, and toast the caldera at dusk.
Suggested itinerary
- Oia can get very crowded, but if you time it right you can avoid crowds. It is best if you can stay on the island and not visit from a cruise ship. This will allow you to arrive Oia at sunrise to view blue-dome in quiet. Get coffee at Meteor Café. The view is stunning.
- Oia will get crowded by mid-morning. I recommend renting a 4×4/ATV and circle the island (all day hire).
- Drive to Perissa on the south coast to see the black-sand beachs and have a swim. Get lunch at the Caribbean-vibe TRANQUiLO.
- Another outing that will take about 3 hours or so is to do the hike from Fira→Oia along the caldera ridge. Remember bring water & a hat. The hike isn't too bad, but the views are amazing
- Return to Oia for golden-hour and some shopping.
- Sunset dinner: choose budget-friendly Strogili or splurge at Gefsis for fine dining. Book ahead of time. It'll be worth it. There is a reason this place is world famous. The sunsets are outstanding.
- If you are on the island for a few days it would be worth getting lunch at Amoudi Bay. Amoudi is a picturesque, tiny fishing port located at the foot of the cliffs in Oia. Pick any of the fresh seafood tavernas and take in the stunning Aegean Sea views. You can take a taxi there, but we took the steep 300-step descent from Oia. It was a little scary, but fun.
