Travel Diaries

Most people I discussed my holiday plans with were justifiably horrified that I would plan to visit Greece for just 6 days. And I do understand their reaction… I do. I didn’t feel 6 days did any justice to this beautiful country either. But I decided I would choose 6 days of Greece vs. 0 days of Greece this year, and that was that. Tickets were booked, visas were sorted, bags were packed, and excitement was set at an all-time high. If you happen to be in the same boat as me, read along to get a good idea of how to make every second of a short(ish) trip.

Places to go

There is so much Greece has to offer. So much! But for people going on a brief holiday it’s important to choose wisely. Broadly I would suggest to pick a maximum of 2 citied based on what kind of holiday you prefer. I love nature – the sun and the sea – so an island had to be part of my trip. I could have done 2 islands, but my husband loves history, so we decided to do 1 island – Santorini and 1 city – Athens. There are other islands and cities that could have fit our preference but again it was our first time in Greece so we wanted to cover the best and most popular places. Sometimes, doing the most touristy things is for the best. Places that are very popular with tourists are mostly so for a reason. So if you’re short on time or just don’t want to risk having a bad vacation, it’s never a bad idea to stick to the tried and tested.

Discovering Athens

While Athens is popular for all the historical monuments and museums, the city does have more to offer. The food, the people, the old town, and the beaches all have a charm to it. A day or 2 in this city is definitely worthy of being part of everyone’s itinerary. Here is a list of my top 3 places to do if you’re in Athens.

Acropolis of Athens

The Acropolis is the historical gem of the city, and since it’s perched on top of hill(which is also what Acropolis literally means), you can see it from practically everywhere. Its consipcious position will make it quite hard for you to leave the city without visiting. Even if you are short on time while in Athens, do take out an hour to go visit this spectacular monument and the ruins around it. Also I am usually the last person to willingly enter a museum, but in this case you should visit the Acropolis museum (it’s right next to the Acropolis) before visiting the monument at the top so you can better appreciate the marvel in front of you. The sheer size and structure of the Parthenon and the view from the top are both worth the climb. If you visit after sunset, you can admire the Acropolis lit up in all its glory with the entire city at its feet. On the way down, you can also visit the Theatre of Dionysus. If you’re lucky to be visiting during the music festival, you can even catch a show at this ancient open-air amphitheatre.

Temple of Poseidon

Perched on the edge of a cliff in Cape Sounion, stand the ruins of a once magnificent temple built to appease the Olympian god of sea Though this monument has a strong significance in history, there is plenty here for those who might not be looking for a historical vacation. For one, the drive to Cape Sounion is absolutely stunning with its long widing roads  bordering the sea for the most part. It is definitely a contrasting change to the bustling city of Athens, with a gorgeous coastline dotted with umpteen beach shacks. It is also worth taking a pit stop at the beach shacks along the way to enjoy some relaxing music and great food and drinks. You can also take a swim or just dip your feet in the water. The beach stretches all along the road and is mostly populated by locals only. It might not be comparable to the beaches on the islands, but these places have a completely different energy that excites and calms you at the same time. Though the drive is worthwhile, the climax of this trip is, of course, the temple itself. Honestly, the only sunset I was looking forward to in Greece was in Santorini, but the Temple of Poseidon turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The sight of the sun setting in the ocean against the backdrop majestic columns, right at the edge of a cliff, several meters above the sea, was nothing short of breathtaking. The monument actually even hosts a small cafe where you can enjoy a refreshment while u watch the sun dip into the horizon.

Plaka/Ermu/Syntagma Square

I believe the best way to discover a city is to discover it on foot. And I highly recommend trying this in Athens. Honestly, there are so many places to discover on foot, but depending on your time constraints and preference, you can decide on how to navigate the city. A couple of places I would highly suggest you try to discover are Syntagma Square, Plaka, and Ermu Street. Others on the list would be the historical neighbourhood of Anafiotika, the central flea market, and Monastiraki Square. Each of these places shows you a shade of the city, which, when all brought together, will help you paint Athens as a whole in your head. This painting, in some ways, may be more tangible than the souvenirs you carry back from your vacation.

Discovering Santorini

There is so much written and photographed about this island that you would think it is too good to be true. And you would be right. It is too good. Way too good. The island is tiny and absolutely gorgeous. There are quite a few ways to spend your time on this island. These are my top 2.

Sunset at the sea

There are plenty of beaches and sunsets on this planet. So why is the sunset on Santorini so famous? You have to experience it to know. There is just no other way. Many people come to Oia to watch the sunset, but I could not recommend strongly enough the option of taking a sailing cruise and watching the sunset at sea.If you watch the sunset from the town of Oia, you are only witnessing half the beauty. The round orange ball descending into the ocean, with its orange hues dripping across the sky, feels like it could alone be spectacular climax to any day. But the picture-perfect town of Oia splashed in the shades of the setting sun is like a double high. Watching the setting sun and its reflection on the town is the kind of beauty no one can prepare you for. My only complaint is that Santorini most definitely spoiled every other sunset for me.

Hiking from Fira to Oia

Another lovely way to absorb the beauty of the island is to hike your way from Fira to Oia. You will walk through the sister villages of Fira all the while enjoying a spectacular view of the sea, volcanoes, and the caldera. If you are staying in Santorini for a couple of days, this would be the second best way to witness the sunset at Santorini. Start your hike post lunch to make it to Oia in time for the sunset, and along the way, you can enjoy the ever-changing colours of the landscape and the ocean as the evening sets into the night. Oia is a great place to wind down for a satisfying Greek dinner paired with some local wine.

These few places in no way manage to cover the breadth of experiences Greece has to offer. But if you only have a few days, this list probably covers the top few things to check off your list.