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I would say 1-2 days is all you need if you are trying to stay on a budget. Have a fantastic time!
I think that you could do Athens in 1-2 days, but I sort of think it's going to be tough to get off a plane and do all of Athens. I love museums, but even I would be hesitant to go to one straight off an international flight. Not saying you couldn't do it because I'm sure if you have the right mindset, you'll be fine. But it might be better to suck it up and give yourself a travel buffer day in Athens in which you kind of bum around, walk the city and shop and go to a nice restaurant and then a second full day to really take in the Acropolis etc.
I spent 3 days in Santorini, and to be honest, it was 2 days too many (esp. after Mykonos). But I'm less of a lounger and more of a sightseer, so if you like a more beachy-relaxing sort of thing, then 3 days in Santorini might be your dice.
We are more beach people but I def want to sight-see in Athens. A few years ago, I went to London and did the same thing. My sister dragged us off the plane and we basically ran through the city and the next day took the chunnel to Paris. I think it will be up to how much per night the Athens hotel is to see if it's even worth it. Thanks for the help!
We spent 3 days in Athens and could have easily spent longer. I think you will feel too rushed if you try to do it in 1 day. There is so much to see in Athens, more than just the historic stuff. There are beautiful shopping avenues with amazing window displays, a wonderful cafe scene at night, and the overall city has lots to offer.
Don't under-estimate how exhausted you will be, coming off your wedding and an international flight too. When we arrived in Greece, we went directly to our hotel and slept about 22 hours straight. Then we got lunch, went to the beach, and fell back asleep!
1 or 2 days at the very most. My husband and I just came back from our honeymoon and honestly Athens was ok. Theres the acropolis and plaka district but other than that we didnt think there was much to see.
I'm on the SAME boat about Athens: We're actually staying in Crete & headed to Santorini, but totally want to visit Athens... just dont want to waste a whole day on a ferry.. does anyone know how long they are? and what route would be the best w/ the cities I mentioned?
Um. I hated Athens. See the Acropolis, walk around alittle and getthe heck out of there. Except the ruins, there is nothing to see there but ugly buildings that look like they were built by communists in the 70's. I don't know if they were but that's what they look like. I met up with friends in Athens, got there a day before them and then spent 2 days in the city together. That was a day too long. give yourself enought time to shrug off the jet lag, see the acropolis and catch a ferry.
Hi! It really depends on what you are looking for in your Greece experience. I am a Greek American and have been to Athens and other places a number of times. There is a lot to do in Athens, but it is very much a city. You have the dining, nightlife, and shopping, with some sight-seeing as well (acropolis and plaka). I've never spent more than 3 days there at a time and that always feels like enough, but that's because I'm a beach person. I would say the ideal time is 2 days. I would recommend staying over at least one night and having 2 full days- one to recover from your wedding/travel, and one to be a tourist.
Another option is to go straight to the islands to relax and do the Athens thing on the return- you would probably get more out of it because you would be energized and refreshed.
@Kahn_dees- Your best option might be to fly to Crete from Athens. I think the ferry is pretty long. I've only island-hopped on the ferry between Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos. I've always flown to the other islands, especially Crete.
Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions!
@kahn-dees: I just got a quote from a travel agent and it has us flying to Athens and then flying to Santorini for 3 nights, ferry to Mykonos for 3 nights and then 2 nights in Athens. I kinda wanted to do Athens first so I can just relax after and have my last experience in Greece be in the Islands so not sure if we will go this route.
@monalisa670: Thanks for the helpful info!
@monalisa670: really appreciate it.. thanks so much! Great to get advice from people who have visited. Going to have the Mr. read all of this info you ladies are mentioning.. (IF i can get him to stop watching Family Guy.. but thats another conversation) Athens on the way back sounds like a good idea, hadn't thought about it that way.. 
@Mrs. Cooper: wow, that package sounds awesome.. but totally feel you. How long are you going to be there total? I'm taking peoples advice on Athens.. really want to island hop but get the most for our buck.. why cant we all be on vacation already?! 
btw, this is like.. my first post.. think i'm doing this right..hehe
@kahn-dees: We are planning on 9 or 10 days or so. I thought going to Greece was going to be a little cheaper than the quotes we have been getting but hopefully the prices will go down. I can't wait to eat my weight in olives!
Definitely do Athens first and only do it for 1-2 days unless you plan to travel outside of the city for sightseeing. The city itself isn't that great (IMO)-- but Santorini and Mykonos are great, I've been to both.
If you really feel like you and your husband are up to sightseeing off the plane. Don't forget to account for deplaning, finding your lodging, checking in, getting freshen up, etc. So at that rate it will be lunch time so you probably won't start your sightseeing till 1pm or so.
City centre is about a 20-30 minute train ride from the airport.
If it were me I would spend one night (the night you arrive in Athens) then take the last ferry to the island the next day. So essentially you get 1 1/2 days in Athens.
Don't forget the port where the ferries leave is about a 20 minute train ride from city centre.
Try to find a lodging with a later checkout or ask if you can leave your luggage there after checkout. Most are accomodating.
GL!
@Gerbera: Thanks!! We won't be leaving for the honeymoon until Monday and getting there on Tuesday night so maybe we won't be as tired then after the wedding! I like your idea of 1 1/2 days. Thanks!
I would just do a couple of days in Athens. You'll likely have to go thru Athens on your way in. There are some great city tours available to help you take it all in.
We are absolutel travel nuts and have been to Greece a couple of times. It is so beautiful. I didn't go after a wedding though, so if you are waiting a day to leave that is probably really wise. The islands are spread out, so the ferries can be up to half a day sometimes, depending on where you are going. They can be fun, they have sundecks so try to stack out your good spots early! People grab spots and hang on to them the whole trip.
One thing to keep in mind is that you are going to be arriving at the beginning of the Holiday season. What I mean by this is that almost all of Eupope literally closes down in the August. They (very sanely) believe in a full months vacation. So businesses everything close, really --- and many of them head right to Greece. It is not necessarily bad, just something to be aware of because ferries, beaches, etc will be fuller than usual. Have a WONDERFUL time!
One or two days is really not enough to do Athens justice. Unless you and your fiance have absolutely zero interest in history and culture, that is. Athens isn't as beautiful or relaxing as the islands, but there are so many museums and historical sites to see that are just breathtaking in their physical impressiveness and historical importance. Not to mention the fantastic food, and the chance to spend a few days recovering from jetlag so you're primed to enjoy yourself by the time you get to the islands. Three to four days should be your minimum in Athens.
We also did Athens, Mykonos and Santorini when we went in 2009, celebrating our recent engagement, our recent home purchase, and my recent completion of my masters degree. It was amazing and you'll have a great time.
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Another Honeymoon in Greece question! For those who have been, how many days should we spend in Athens? We will probably take a non-stop flight and get there around 9 a.m. I have heard that once you see the Acropolis, most people travel to the Islands and spend time there. We are planning 3 nights each in Myknonos and Santorini. Do you think we can just do one day/night in Athens and then head to Mykonos the next morning. We are trying to save money since the flight is really expensive and thought this may be a way to do it. I know we will be exhausted after the flight, but hopefully we can suck it up and then relax on the islands! Any advice? Thanks!