Greece Trip Details

Hotel Reviews

Rea Hotel, Heraklion, Crete: Stayed here for two nights in August 2023
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Danos Hotel, Chania, Crete: We stayed here for one night in August 2023.
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Antonia Apartments, Fira, Santorini: We stayed here for one night in August 2023.
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Airotel Smart Hotel, Patras: Stayed here for one night in August 2023.
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Byzantion Hotel, Mystras: Stayed here for one night in August 2023.
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Park Hotel, Nafplio: Stayed here for one night in August 2023.
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Marble House, Athens: Stayed here for two nights in August 2023.
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Rental Car

Hertz

Driving Logistics

The roads are very good in Greece and it is easy to drive at the speed limit. The traffic is quite thin by Indian standards. There is very little honking or rash driving.
Both Peloponnese and Crete are quite hilly with many blind curves. So please stick to the speed limits.
The road signs are in English. There is good 4G connection everywhere.
Athens traffic is bad. We took taxis inside Athens.
Finding parking in the towns/cities is very hard. Parking is available in most of the main sites.
There are plenty of petrol stations. You should never be far from the next fuel station.

Sightseeing Tips

Athens

Acropolis: Of course, a Must see. This is the only site where pre-booked tickes are useful and highly recommended. Even with pre-booked tickets go at least 30 mins early to beat the crowd. Acropolis Museum is not covered in the main tocket, but is a Must See as well. Do buy the combined tickets. Roman Agora are Ancient Agora are definitely Must Sees. Hadrian's Library and the Temple of Zeus are worth a dekko. If you are seeing all of these, you will need about 5 hours minimum.
National Archeological Museum: Must See. This is a huge museum with all the signature pieces from Greece. You will need one to two hours (minimum).
Museum of Cycladic Art: Should See. It is expensive and there is just one room dedicated to Cycladic Art. If you are interested in this particular theme, then there is no better altenative than to visit this museum.
Hills: Must See. Thre are two hills with sweeping views of the Acropolis - Lykavittos and Filopappou. The former is best for sunrise and the latter for sunset.
Dafni Monastery: Must See. It (along with Hosios Loukas) is a UNESCO WHS. The monastery and the mosaics are quite impressive. The official opening time is 8:30 am, but usually only opens by 8:45 or 9:00 am.

Crete

Knossos: Must see. This is the primier Minoan site. Quite impressive. One hour should suffice. Come early to beat the crowd. Pre-booked tickets can help.
Phaistos and Gortyna: Can Skip. There is very little to see at these two Minoan sites.
Archaeological Museum, Heraklion: Must See. Has all the signature pieces from the Minoan sites. Need at least an hour.
Archaeological Museum, Chania : Should See. 30 mins should be enough. The museum is quite impressive.
Arkadi Monastery : Must See. 30 mins should be enough. Come early to beat the crowd. But the evening light is the best for photography.
Venetian Forts: Must See. There is one of these in Heraklion and Rethymno. Both are worth visiting. An hour (for each) should be sufficient.
Venetian Harnours: Must See. There is one of these in Rethymno and Chania and both are stunning.

Delphi: Of course, a Must See. Don't miss the museum. A couple of hours should be sufficient.
Hosios Loukas: Must See. Very impressive monastery with some stunning mosaics. 30 mins to an hour should be sufficient.
Marathon: Should See. There is very little to see. You are here for the goosebumps. The museum has some interesting pieces.
Peloponnese

Palamidi Fortress, Nafplio: Must see. View from the fort itself is worth the visit.
Olympia: Must See. Come early in the morning to beat the crowd. You need about one to two hours. The museum is a must-see.
Temple of Epicurean Apollo, Bassae: Can Skip. The whole temple is under one big tent robbing all the vantage photo points. The main reason to come here is to check off an UNESCO WHS.
Ancient Sparta: Should See. There is not much to see here. The theatre is decent. But this so close to Mystras that you might as well do a quick in-and-out.
Mystras: Must See. You need at least two to three hours just to hit the highlights.
Tiryns: Should See. The massive walls are impressive. 30 mins should be sufficient. Note that the site closes early (3:30 pm) even in summers.
Mycenae: Must See. You need about an hour. Come early to beat the crowd. Don't miss the Treasury down the road.
Ancient Corinth: Should See. The Temple of Apollo and the site museums are impressive. You need about an hour.
Monemvasia: Must See. It is a 20 min walk from the car park (there is a us every 30 mins during summer or you can call a taxi). It is a stiff 30 min climb to the top. The views are stunning. Three to four hours should be sufficient to cover everything.
Corinth Canal: Should See. There is no good view point. Search for the "Suspension Bridge" in Google Maps when you get close to Corinth. That will take you to the best view of the canal.
Agiou Nikolaou Stairs, Patras: Must See. Especially for the sunset. But Patras itself is quite far from other sites. It is not probably worth going off your way just to cover this.

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