{"id":78552,"date":"2022-10-17T09:48:43","date_gmt":"2022-10-17T16:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/withjoy.com\/blog\/?p=78552"},"modified":"2022-10-17T09:48:44","modified_gmt":"2022-10-17T16:48:44","slug":"greece-honeymoon-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/withjoy.com\/blog\/greece-honeymoon-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to Planning the Perfect Honeymoon in Greece"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dreaming of cobalt blue roofs, crystal clear water and over 2,000 years of art history? Then it\u2019s time to start planning your honeymoon trip to Greece. Whether you love that island life or are more of a history buff, the ancient country is the perfect place to celebrate your nuptials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But when you factor in the hundreds of surrounding islands, it’s understandable if your head is spinning when it comes to planning your romantic getaway to Greece. For this guide, we\u2019ll focus on the historic city center of Athens and the surrounding islands. This capital city is located in the heart of Greece and is one of the most popular destinations in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the couple looking for the best of everything, from vibrant nightlife to sandy beaches, Greece is an ideal place to unwind from the chaos of wedding planning. To achieve maximum relaxation, make sure you have enough time to enjoy each destination at a leisurely pace. You\u2019ll want to plan for at least a week if you\u2019re staying on the mainland and two weeks if you want to island hop. The dreamy island of Santorini deserves at least four full days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter where your itinerary takes you, expect to enjoy watercolor sunsets, fresh local cuisine and unforgettable archeological sites with your new spouse. Don\u2019t be surprised if you get swept up in Aphrodite\u2019s spell and want to extend your honeymoon in Greece by a few more days!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traveling to Greece<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Greece has been a sought-after honeymoon destination for decades, beloved for its rich history, vibrant culture and beautiful scenery. Most travelers find that they can experience a little bit of everything here without traveling all over Europe. Even if you plan to stay in one place on your honeymoon, Greece has romantic excursions around every corner, from scenic dinners for two to meandering through street markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Landing in Athens will give you access to some of the most famous ruins in the world as well as beautiful beaches \u2014 not to mention, it\u2019s also the gateway to the Greek islands. From the East Coast, flying into Athens International Airport will take about 10 hours on a nonstop flight, but expect a layover if you\u2019re looking for less expensive airfare. If you are planning to travel to other countries in the EU after Greece, keep in mind that flights within Europe are markedly cheaper. Athens is a great starting point for a multi-country honeymoon itinerary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit between May and October if you\u2019re planning to hit the beach but try to avoid the high season between June and September to skip the crowds. That being said, Greece is beautiful year-round, with a warm, mild Mediterranean climate that promises plenty of sun-soaked days for exploration. You\u2019ll find less expensive airfare (and fewer tourists) if you travel to Athens between September and November. The weather will still be warm, with average daily highs of around 74 degrees Fahrenheit \u2014 perfect for sightseeing tours of archeological marvels like the Acropolis and Temple of Zeus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting around on mainland Greece is fairly accessible via cabs or even walking, depending on the location of your hotel. On the islands, taxis are less frequent, but you can rent an ATV or motorized scooter to get around if you\u2019re familiar with driving one. Greece\u2019s most popular island, Santorini, is littered with cliffside roads and hairpin turns, so if you and your partner decide to get behind the wheel, be extremely careful. Even the most practiced drivers have trouble on these roads.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Beautiful<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Island Hopping<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If island hopping is on your agenda \u2014 and it absolutely should be \u2014 start your research before you arrive in Athens. There are a staggering 6,000 Greek islands, but only about 200 are inhabited. When you begin to build your itinerary, keep in mind that visiting a Greek island from Athens is not a day trip. You\u2019ll need to plan on staying at least overnight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ferry departing from the Port of Piraeus just outside of Athens is probably the most scenic route to get to the islands, but it is definitely a lengthy trip. Getting to the island of Mykonos will take anywhere from two-and-a-half to five hours by boat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, if you have the time, we highly recommend the ferry. There are few experiences as romantic as sitting on the ship deck with a glass of wine as you cross the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, watching wild island after island pass you by. The ferry is by no means luxurious, but the trip is absolutely beautiful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have the luxury of time on your side, Aegean Airlines flies into most of the bigger islands like Crete, Mykonos and Santorini. A solid compromise would be to take a flight to the nearest island you want to visit, then utilize the ferry to hop to other islands. The trip will be much shorter between destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are far too many islands to highlight in just one article, but here are three of the most well-traveled destinations to kick-start your research. We also recommend seeking out a few others along the ferry route like Paros and Naxos, as each has its own charming features that range from traditional villages to volcanic landscapes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Crete<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Famous<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The largest island off the coast of Greece is the Aegean island of Crete. Getting to Crete is a bit of a commitment if you\u2019re taking a ferry. This island is also one of the farthest from Athens, sitting right in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea between mainland Greece and the coast of northern Africa. Crete has a long and storied history as home to the Minoan civilization, as well as rare pink sand beaches and luxury hotels. Crete also has some of the warmest weather year-round, so traveling during the shoulder season can help you and your partner save money without sacrificing sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Santorini<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"White<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

You probably know Santorini as the idyllic blue roof and windmill-dotted island, but it has so much more to offer than a picturesque Instagram post. Oia, which is on the northern side of the island, is said to have the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Take a half-day to do a catamaran boat tour around the black and red sand beaches, then end your afternoon afloat with a spectacular sunset in the middle of the sea. It doesn\u2019t get more romantic than that! Also, make time to visit Santorini\u2019s vineyards for some wine tasting. Vinsanto, the island\u2019s sun-dried dessert wine, has been made from Santorini white grapes since the 12th century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mykonos<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Famous<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If you and your partner are the life of the party, Mykonos is your destination. Part of the Cyclades island complex, Mykonos is filled with exciting beach clubs that are lit from day to night. When you aren\u2019t partying it up like a celeb, chill out on the famous beaches and just relax. The village center is a great place to get to know Greek island culture and pick up a few keepsakes as a reminder of your fun-filled honeymoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Stay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Four Seasons Astir Palace, Athens<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>
View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/a>

A post shared by Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens (@fsathens)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>