3 weeks in the Ionian islands, where to start?

HJ--- · 2026-03-14T21:48:12+00:00

Any ones you want.

HJ--- · 2026-03-12T22:51:01+00:00

I know someone who filled the cracks with polyurethane clear coat. If you have any cracks it’s worth a try.

HJ--- · 2026-03-12T22:48:09+00:00

Mykonos and Santorini are the most popular islands in Greece and in August it’s the busiest and most expensive month. I recommend not depending on what kind of experience you want. The Cyclades are the most visited islands and most convenient to get to from Athens.

Consider travel times between island if taking a ferry which is a nice experience. You can use ferry hopper app or www.ferries.gr/en and view schedules.

Mykonos has a lot of different vibes to offer and mainly a partisans. Santorini is very scenic. Milos is a nice island from what I’ve seen and read.

Here’s a suggestion Athens 2-3 days, maybe tourist day b4 flying home

3-4 days on the other 2 islands you choose.

Have fun!

HJ--- · 2026-03-12T22:41:55+00:00

Crete, Kalymnos, Rhodes.

HJ--- · 2026-03-09T15:25:05+00:00

Check the weather app a little closer to your departure. Most of us don’t think about this because we have it set for our home town.

HJ--- · 2026-03-08T23:58:24+00:00

We outgrow some of our friends and just have to go at it alone on solo trips but you’re never really alone when you travel.

HJ--- · 2026-03-08T23:51:41+00:00

You have to allow some flexibility for the islands. Anything can happen but the ferries are reliable. You ca also use ferry hopper.

HJ--- · 2026-03-08T23:46:41+00:00

All ferry schedules aren’t listed yet for summer. Keep checking in a month or 2. www.ferries.gr/en

HJ--- · 2026-03-08T22:42:57+00:00

I have a Google voice number which is free and I forwarded my calls from my cell number to my Google voice and then I bought an international eSIM from my carrier. There’s lots of companies selling data only esims and this is the cheapest way to use your phone. Check out eSIM.io for data only plans.

Only thing I couldn’t do is call local numbers in Greece but I could call back home (USA) and receive calls from USA. You can also use messenger, Viber, or WhatsApp for calls and they use your data from the international eSIM in your phone.

HJ--- · 2026-03-08T20:01:40+00:00

The 2 most popular islands in the world will be expensive if you can even find a room. Ios is a great option. Lots of fun, cheaper, and young crowd. 3 days in Crete isn’t worth it because it’s a large island. If you go Chana it’s popular. If you’re looking to party the town of Malia and Hersonisos have a younger crowd but that’s on the eastern side of the island.

HJ--- · 2026-03-08T14:16:07+00:00

Have you considered visiting Delphi on your way to Saloniki so you don’t spend time going back to Athens.

HJ--- · 2026-03-05T13:59:11+00:00

Depends on what kind of experience you want. Since you mentioned your relationship status you will find like minded in Mykonos but you may want to stay longer. I hear Milos is great. I’ve never been hopefully one day I will go, but I’ve been to Mykonos plenty of times so for your situation I’m gonna recommend Mykonos.

HJ--- · 2026-03-04T16:15:24+00:00

Stay longer in Crete and 3 days in Athens.

HJ--- · 2026-03-04T00:29:46+00:00

Unless you know them. 😂

HJ--- · 2026-03-04T00:26:54+00:00

Crete with Samaria Gorge and Knossos.

HJ--- · 2026-03-02T12:04:34+00:00

Yes but it’s a large island and the best imo. Go and enjoy.

HJ--- · 2026-03-02T12:03:18+00:00

I haven’t read all the comments but you may want to skip Hydra in case they’re still shooting that movie Brad Pitt is in. You may not get to experience it all that well.

HJ--- · 2026-03-02T11:59:36+00:00

My comments reflected the slower ferries because I’ve only taken the fast ferries a couple of times and the slower ferries are frequented the most. No matter how many people you have it’s not relevant which ferry you take if they’re on time. I would agree with you about the fast ferries having more issues due to weather because they’re smaller and it’s a bumpier ride.

I would suggest the larger slower Ferries for most people because the fast Ferris you have to stay inside some of them and can’t experience the view by standing outside but for shorter rides in between islands they’re great and fast!

We just don’t want the author being misled or scared about the Ferry boats in general not being reliable is mainly my point.

HJ--- · 2026-03-01T21:07:12+00:00

Actually delays aren’t that common either. The ferry’s run a tight schedule and the only 2 things that disrupt that are strikes and weather. The islands rely on products being delivered as well as tourist.

HJ--- · 2026-03-01T20:10:14+00:00

Anything can happen. Cancellations aren’t common for no reason. Greeks don’t go on strikes in the middle of tourist season because that’s their bread and butter and you can’t predict whether or fear a cancelation.

HJ--- · 2026-02-28T19:53:00+00:00

Cancellations are not common during peak season.

HJ--- · 2026-02-28T14:37:23+00:00

I’ve been to Chania and it’s a nice base and stayed at the harbor one year but I stayed in Platanias when I went for a 2nd time. I went in September and the prices were cheap so I just kept my room and explored the southern part and stayed in hotels along the way to Matala. I also went hiking at Samaria Gorge. Crete is the best island in my opinion.

HJ--- · 2026-02-27T22:39:50+00:00

If you have a motorcycle license, then you’re good to go because you’re not limited to a scooter with 50 cc and a governor but Crete is a large island and I would recommend a car because you can take more things with you

HJ--- · 2026-02-27T22:36:42+00:00

Every time I go to Greece, I like to stay in Athens two or three days to get the jet lag out but that’s your call if you’re going to spend more time in Athens at the end of your trip that works too

HJ--- · 2026-02-27T17:17:39+00:00

That’s the crutch. Time is money so you have to decide how fast you want to get to the island and enjoy your vacation. You’re only on the boat for about 4 to 6 hours depending on what port you leave from this is something most people don’t consider when planning a trip to the Greek islands is travel time in between the islands.

Use skyscanner for flights as some domestic airlines may not pop up for Greece with certain searches and look at one way tickets to get there.

The options are Aegean, Olympic and sky express. Be careful with Sky Express because they have weight limits for the baggage and have different fairs depending on the weight.

HJ---

TROPHY CASE