Santorini, Paros and Naxos in August

[Arightmover]

I’ve finally booked flights to Santorini mid August (I know, I know). Travelling with DH and 2 DC (11,14). We are using it as a stop over for an easy ferry trip to Paros and Naxos. We have 10 days. How should we split our time and where should we stay?

We want to see a sunset in Santorini but get there too late on the day we fly in. Should we do 2 nights at the start of our journey there in Santorini then 4 nights in each of the other places? We don’t fly out of Santorini until the evening of our final day.

Any recommendations for where to stay on the 3 islands bearing in mind DC and their ages?

We like exploring villages, beaches, great food, swimming. Not into adventure sports. Will do sailing day trips.

We did these three, I'd always do your extra Santorini at the end, that way any problems with ferries you're on the island on your last day anyway. I wish I could remember details but we saw some beautiful hotels around the back of the island. Also planned to go back a couple of years ago and these two hotels were recommended as a mid level option https://www.fantasytravelofgreece.com/hotels-in-greece/santorini/santorini-palace https://www.fantasytravelofgreece.com/hotels-in-greece/naxos/agios-prokopios-hotel-naxos

Thanks so much @ACynicalDad . Are there often problems with the ferries? My reasoning for two nights at the start was so we wouldn’t have as much moving around locations to do. We have to do an overnight on Santorini the day we get there anyway as we get in at 8pm.

We had no problems, but a bit of a google suggests plenty of people do, you're likely to be fine, but never guaranteed. I'm just ultra safe on these things, it depends on your risk appetite and how bad rebooking lastminute flights would be for you if the worst happened, it's pretty unlikely but not impossible.

We always get back to Santorini (or Mykonos) the day before our flight. Have had ferries cancelled but then been able to get one later in the day. However, due to high winds in the area I always keep in mind that I don’t want to risk the ferry on the day of my flight.

10 days isn’t a lot of time to do the three islands. Could you just decide on Naxos OR Paros for this year? Once you factor in the waiting for the ferry (with possible delays - we’ve had many!), the ferry journey, getting of the ferry and to your accommodation, at least half a day is gone.

In Naxos, stay near the St George beach area. It’s a good area for both children and adults, a beautiful beach and an easy walk into the main Naxos town.

In Paros, my preference is Naousa, but unless you have a car the beaches aren’t the best. It’s a gorgeous town at night though, with some amazing boat trips from the harbour.

Which island hand on heart do you prefer @countdowntonap ? We found 4/5 days was enough time for Berlin for example and that’s a city brimming with sights! We don’t really intend to stay on Santorini for long - 2 nights max. One at the start and one at the end sounds like the right strategy from what people are saying…

I loved Naxos, and we saw amazing sunsets there. I’ve got to be honest I wouldn’t spend any more time in Santorini than I had to, it just gets so packed especially in summer.

Yes @ladymammalade - I have t been there but the only reason we are heading there is for the cheapish flights and easy access to the target two islands! Have you also been to Paros?

Even with a car, getting around to see all of the sites you want to can take a while because of the winding roads through the peaks. The drives are stunning though. There are lots of villages/small towns on Naxos and Paros, my favourite bring Filoti at the bottom of Mount Zas. You might also want time to just enjoy the slow pace of life and late afternoon lunches around all of the sites. You could get a day trip to the lesser Cyclades if you still wanted to see a range of islands. Or you could do Paros and Antiparos since the ferry across is very frequent and less than 30 mins.

To add, @Arightmover this is the exciting part! Deciding where you’ll stay and when, the sites you’ll see. You can’t go wrong with Naxos and/or Paros, so will have an amazing time however you schedule it.

We’ve stuck our two full Santorini days at the beginning of our trip and are heading on to Paros from there :)

Currently on our list for sight seeing:

SANTORINI

Akrotiri
Karamolegos Winery tasting and lunch

ANTIPAROS

Antiparos caves

PAROS

Day trip to Mykonos and Delos
Possible farm visit, olive tasting and lunch

In the past I’ve done a sunset cruise when I was in Santorini and a walking trip onto the volcano islet. Both of which were really fun :) Travelling with small kids this time though! 😅

Naxos is our favourite, closely followed by Antiparos, Koufounissia and then Paros. Santorini, just do the first and last night there.

With 10 nights I’d do

1 night Santorini (Fira)
2 nights Paros (stay in Parikia and spend one full day on Antiparos
6 nights Naxos (stay in Agia Anna and do a Iason cruise to Koufounissia one day)
1 night Santorini. Get the Blue Star Delos on the last day and you’ll be on Santorini for 14.30. Check in to your hotel and head up to Oia. Hopefully the cruise ships will have left. If the cruise ships are still in for the 8pm sunset I’d just head to Kamari beach as it’s close to the airport.

i did this trip 20 years ago with no kids and a tiny budget

everything will be busier now back then there was no issue at all with reliability of ferries. I suppose some could sell out but you can probably book in advance these days

And if you want a cracking sunset, be sure to see at least one at the Temple of Apollo. Makes a stunning early morning walk too, with the locals taking a swim in the sea next to it.

Yup. Literally the same. We stayed at Paros Bay. Think was only £130 a night for our family of four. Insanely cheap. We got a bus to Naoussa. It's nice but full of American tourists.
Anti Paros is nice.

Naxos we stayed in a two bed suite at Nissaki. Let's not talk about how expensive that was. The beach was private though which was invaluable.

I’m sure you know this but the heat is insane in Santorini. We had to only do 4am-9am

We've stayed at the White Blossom in Parikia, Paros. Literally a five-ten minute walk from the ferry. It was charming..

https://www.whiteblossomparos.com/

On Santorini, we stay at the Rodakas Hotel in Akrotiri.

https://rodakashotel.com/

We stay at a family home on Naxos.

I couldn't choose between Naxos and Paros. I adore them both so I'd probably try to split the time evenly. Don't forget to save time for beach and pool days as it'll be hot hot hot 🔥😎

Yikes thanks @LaurieFairyCake I suspected it might be. Let’s set aside the small matter of the recent seismic activity and I already suspect it will be hell!

Very excited about the rest of the trip though I cannot find the insanely cheap accommodation that @JustMarriedBecca alluded to! Sounds like Naxos was a honeymoon for you?

Thank you to @CountryQueen for that wonderful itinerary. If anyone has specific accommodation in mind do let me know!

I second this.

Also the thing about the sunset at Oia is the effect it has on the buildings - that's what makes it special. Fira is very similar (architecturally).

Update: One of the best family holidays we have had - thanks for all your suggestions! We loved Paros and the DC want us to buy a house on Antiparos (with what money I’m not sure!) Also loved the incredible beaches on Naxos - some of the best we have seen in Greece. We were not as keen on Santorini though stayed in a place with jaw dropping views. Am happy to recommend the three main places we stayed if others are interested. The whole region was surprisingly empty despite it being August when we travelled.

I did Mykonos and Naxos last month -: both were amazing but in different ways! You're right about the beaches in Naxos, we spent a day in Plaka and it was blissful 🥰 The whole ferry experience was enjoyable too.

Ps did you meet the random nutter guy in Naxos with the little saxophone? 🫣🤣

Where to next then, @Arightmover? Will you be doing more of the Greek islands?

Problems with ferries are not frequent but can happen. I’ve been marooned in Greece before. There is the occasional strike, plus August can have some windy days. The Greeks call this wind the Meltelmi. If the coastguard bans all sailings because of the weather, ferries by law cannot sail. Plus schedule changes are not unheard of.

l repeat though, this does not happen frequently, but l would always recommend getting back to an “airport island” a few days before and staying over on your arrival day in case of outbound flight delays and potential to miss boats.

Have a lovely time. x

@YelramBob We missed the nutter guy! Have not made it to Mykonos but sounds like it’s worth a visit off season.
@countdowntonap We are off Down Under to visit family this Xmas (not a proper touring holiday sadly). I could just ferry hop for 3 months a year easily if it wasn’t for DC and needing to earn money.

For anyone heading to Paros, this place was fab. Gorgeous pool. Worth going for the slightly more luxe room (we stayed in both). The owner worked out our whole itinerary so it was like having a personal travel agent: https://www.agrabeli.gr. You definitely need a car though.

And this place on Naxos was excellent. Beautiful breakfasts on balconies with breathtaking views. Across the road from a massive beach popular with windsurfers. Again, car is required: http://phoenicia.gr/