First time to Greece - can you advise me?

[hippospot]

First of all, the plan is to go for 10-12 days (Easter holidays 2025) as our priority is archaeology and history and we don't love the heat.

Two older teens, DH and me. We've never been to Greece and it will probably be a once-only trip as we generally don't fly. We'll fly to Athens and presumably spend a few days there (how many would you advise?) before going to maybe one or two other places.

I have no clue where to look or what accommodation to choose. In the past we've driven or taken the train to western Europe, to places where we speak the language(s). I usually book airbnbs rather than hotels, as we need three bedrooms. Is this easy to find or would it be better to look at small hotels?

I like the idea of avoiding big resorts and being a little bit off the beaten track, but equally it'll not be high season and I don't know if the quieter places will be deserted in April. How feasible is driving in Greece? Should we go for some kind of company that will organise an itinerary for us, given that we have no clue what's worth seeing and the logistics of visiting sites?

I realise it's a big country with many islands, and I don't want to try to see too much so that it's exhausting - we like to do things at our own speed. Less than two weeks isn't long so if anyone can suggest some highlights I'd really appreciate it. I literally don't know where to start!

Thanks in advance

If you're going to fly to and first do Athens, you could then drive across the Corinth Canal down to the Peloponnese where there are quite a few sites, Sparta, Olympia and plenty more. It's only 2-3 hours and an easy drive and 10-12 days should be fine.

https://www.feelgreece.com/en/blog/historical-sights-peloponnese-must-visit

Pretty much all resorts outside Athens will be quiet at Easter. Just look on something like booking.com to find accommodation. It should be cheap, as is eating and drinking.

Crete also has a relatively large quantity of historical interest (compared to other islands which always have something but not loads) but I would do that as a standalone trip, not try to combine with Athens.

Stoupa, easy drive from Athens, fab beach and food and a great place to explore from. It is such a great area to explore.

Thank you so much, these are great tips.

I'd recommend including Delphi in your plans - an absolutely beautiful place.

If you want to also go to one or more islands, Aegina, Poros and Hydra are easy to get to from Piraeus, the port at Athens.

Second Delphi it's beautiful and you can easily arrange a day trip with Viator if you don't want to drive. Hydra is only 90 minutes by ferry from Athens and is good for a couple of days.

I started this a while ago but with holiday season underway maybe people have recent recommendations to share - please :)

I've gone as far as buying a guidebook and looking at flights for next April.