Athens & Islands

Starting with the island of Paros, which is a four-hour ferry ride from the Piraeus port in Athens. An easy way to book ferry tickets is online or through the Ferry Hopper app. Paros Palace provides complimentary transportation to and from the port, which is right in the town’s center. Just have your advisor email the hotel’s team about scheduling a pickup and they will be there. A thing to note is that multiple ferries come within minutes of each other, so you may be waiting for multiple guests in addition to your party.

Paros Palace is an amazing spot for honeymooners, romantic getaways, girls' trips or multi-couple trips. An absolute gorgeous location, with a view of the sunset over the harbor. Removed enough from the town for quiet, but just a few minutes from the town center to immerse yourself in island culture. The staff are friendly and love to give local recommendations on favorite restaurants, a local favorite being Aeoli.

An easy thing to do is to start your day with some complimentary breakfast at Paros Palace (pro tip: the freshly squeezed orange juice is to die for!). Catch a ride down to the city center and meander through the streets discovering all the little shops while still being able to see some of Paros’ history. Holy Shrine of the Virgin Mary, Saint Constantine Panoramic Church and Frankish Castle Paroikia are just some of the beautiful buildings nestled in the town. If you’re seeking a little bit more of an adventure, there are multiple spots in town to rent ATVs so you can roam the countryside. Just be careful of the narrow streets!

Paros isn’t complete without spending a day on the water. Pay a little extra for the hotel to bring you over to the gorgeous town of Naousa and spend the day on Pantasoulas Daily Cruises, a family owned company that can give you an intimate boating experience on Greece’s blue waters. Highly recommend doing an all-day excursion from 10am-4pm, the cruise provides you with homemade snacks and lunch while stopping at some of the most serene places around the island. End the day exploring the gorgeous town of Naousa, finishing with dinner by the water at Giacomo Paros. Then finish off the evening at Paros Palace with some drinks by the pool while you watch the sunset from the rooftop restaurant.

Now for the cultural and historical part of Greece. Athens is a perfect place to see the roots of Greek culture. Staying at the Pinnacle Athens puts you in the heart of old Athens, making it walkable to get to the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Panathenaic Olympic Stadium and the archaeological sites nestled within the town. Start with breakfast at the Pinnacle Athens, perhaps having your coffee on the rooftop garden overlooking the city. Spend the day walking to get tickets. Make sure to book ahead of time to get your preferred time slot and be aware of the summer heat during the afternoon. On your walk back to the hotel, make sure to stop at Solo Gelato, an award-winning gelateria since 1951. The owner’s recommendation to try the tiramisu flavor was one of the gelato highlights of the trip!

Finish out the evening with dinner at A for Athens, a delicious rooftop restaurant and bar overlooking the town square with a gorgeous view of the Acropolis. Highly recommend booking a table in advance to ensure the best view and experience.

If you’re still missing that island and beach feeling, a quick day trip from Athens would be taking a smaller ferry to the island of Aegina, only 45 minutes away. The Pinnacle staff recommended we go spend one of the hotter days there and it did not disappoint! Known for its pistachios and beaches, Aegina is a quaint town full of beautiful views and pistachio flavored gelato! Though the beaches are a little rocky, sandbars in the water make wading out and swimming in the ocean so much more enjoyable and definitely worth it.

Going to Paros instead of the more heavily trafficked Mykonos or Santorini would be a great option for honeymooners or couples looking to have their island experience without feeling as congested with tourists. If you’re looking to be more immersed in the island culture, Paros and Naxos are highly recommended by many of the locals.

As far as Greek islands go, it isn’t recommended to try to island hop in a short time frame. Each island is different and needs at least three days for guests to fully get the experience each island has to offer. If you’re going for week to 10 days, and depending on the focus of your trip, I would recommend one-two islands and a couple days in Athens to be able to get the full experience while still being able to enjoy your vacation.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Athens page.