A Guide to Visiting Greece in November: Must-do list for visiting Athens, Chaina and Santorini
I spent almost two weeks in Greece in November and had an incredible experience visiting Athens as well as Crete and Santorini. Spending quality time in each place provided me with plenty of places to eat, things to do and places to explore.
Here’s some of my recommendations of activities to add to your itinerary when you visit Athens, Crete and Santorini:
Must-do List for Athens, Chaina and Santorini: A Quick Guide
- Walk around Plaka – a great part of Athens to shop, eat and enjoy the views of the Acropolis
- Explore Old Town of Chaina – a colorful and quaint part of town where t you can spend hours wandering around in
- Enjoy a sunrise/sunset at Oia Castle – on a clear fall day, the views from the Castle are unbeatable!
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and one of the oldest cities in the world. There is something for everyone in this town, whether it’s the food scene, nightlife or history. Visiting all the city has to offer can seem overwhelming with so many things to see and do.
Three things you must do in Athens
✔️ Visit the Acropolis
If you enjoy history, I strongly recommend going on a guided walking tour of the Acropolis. Be sure to select the option that includes admission to the Acropolis when booking your tour. Have some cash handy to tip your guide at the end!
✔️ Walk around Plaka
The ancient village is located just below the Acropolis. Plaka is a great place to walk around and do some shopping. Many of the restaurants in this area are open year round and some offer live music at night!
✔️ Visit the Temple of Zeus
For all my history friends and/or Disney fans, this is a fun stop. The Temple of Zeus was built in 456 BC and is known for having a sculpture of Zeus, at the time considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Be sure to get your tickets here prior to visiting.
My go-to places to stay in Athens
There are plenty of places to stay in town for all budgets. These were my favorite places that I’d definitely go back to!
👉 Asomatan
The Asomatan hotel is located right in the heart of the city. Location is perfect if you want to be right in the middle of it all. There is a pool inside the lobby if that’s your vibe! It is also walking distance from the Metro Station and they offer airport shuttle service.
The Margi is a stunning family-owned-operated hotel on the outskirts of downtown Athens. It’s walking distance from the beach in the quiet Vouliagmeni neighborhood. Their spa is open every day and I’d recommend booking a massage in advance of your stay. The breakfast service is a 10/10 experience!
Athens Hawks Hostel is absolutely the place to be if you’re looking to be in the heart of the city and experience the social scene. The Hostel offers crazy good views of the city on its rooftop and all of their rooms have been recently updated.
Book your stay at Athens Hawks Hostel!
Chaina, Crete
Crete is the largest of the islands in Greece and the most populated. When visiting Crete, most people either visit Heraklion the island’s capital or Chaina, known as the city of the west. I opted for Chaina because it seemed to look and feel like Venice. I was not surprised to learn surprise to learn during my time there that Chaina was ruled by Venetians for hundreds of years. This of course, explains the stunning architecture throughout the city. The flight from Athens to Crete is less than 30 minutes.
Must-do list when you visit Chaina
✔️ Walk around the Old Venetian Harbor
The Harbor was built in the 14th century by Venetians and is considered the heart of the town. Spend time walking to the lighthouse, where on any given day local artists will be painting and selling their work. Grab a cup of coffee at the Marina Sailing Club during your stroll around the harbor.
✔️ Explore Old Town
Chania’s Old Town is full of beautiful buildings, streets of cobblestone and small glimpses of both the ocean and nearby mountains. There are plenty of shops and restaurants you can mosey in and out of during your exploration. Margaritas Fine Art & Jewellry was my favorite shop!
✔️ Eat Souvlaki at Oasis
Oasis is a local favorite for Souvlaki! The space is truly a hole in the wall right off of Tzanakaki Street. I went back multiple times during my stay as I couldn’t get enough of it.
Shan’s tip: This restaurant is only open when the nearby shops are open so don’t be surprised if it’s closed at random days and times.
My go-to places to stay in Chaina
This apartment has incredible views of the harbor and a great balcony. The host was amazing to work with and offered great recommendations, including Oasis. He also helped coordinate transportation to and from the airport.
The hotel is like stepping back in time with its attention to detail in the decor and furniture. They also have a wonderful concierge who can help book excursions during your stay.
Santorini
Santorini is part of the Cyclade Islands located in the Aegan Sea. In the off-season, it’s easier to get to Santorini via plane as the ferry’s don’t run as frequently. The island is known for its breathtaking views and summer party scenes. In the off-season, you can enjoy its breathtaking views without the party scene (which I personally loved).
Must-do list of activities/places to see and explore when you visit Santorini
✔️ Hike from Fira to Oia
The hike has a well maintained path between the two main towns on the Island. The best views can be seen if you hike from Fira to Oia, but either way is beautiful. Plan on this hike taking you 2-4 hours and bring plenty of water. There is a public bus that goes between the towns if you don’t want to hike back to your starting point.
✔️ Watch the sunrise and sunset in Oia
The best spot to watch a sunrise and sunset in Oia is at the Oia Castle. Probably the best reason to travel in the off-season to the island is there are literally no crowds! I watched the sun rise and set each day with just a handful of people nearby.
✔️ Go on a wine tour
Santorini has some of the best wine in the Mediterranean. Spend a day on a guided tour tasting wine throughout the island. The company usually limits the group size to be under 10 which helps keep the experience intimate.
✔️ Visit Dimitris Kolioussis studio
Dimitris is a world renowned artist who has been commissioned to do pieces for people and churches around the globe. His son is also an accomplished artist who sells pieces in his father’s studio. If you’re lucky enough, you can see Dimitris at work on one of his pieces.
My go-to places to stay in Santorini
👉 Cycladic home in Oia
This house is a perfect location in Oia. There is a small coffee and crepe shop just 2 minutes away from the house. The host was lovely and works with a company that helps you with your luggage upon arrival. Regardless of that, I recommend that you pack lightly if you plan on staying in Oia as there are no roads in the town, it’s all small cobblestone sidewalks and paths.
Shan’s tip: The Airbnbs in Oia tend to book quickly regardless of the time of year. During my research, I also found the inventory in Oia to be limited because so many of the homeowners leave the island in the off-season.
This is probably one of the cleanest and nicest hostels I’ve been to in some time. Bedspot is walking distance from the Fira city center. Their reception hours tend to change so be mindful of that when you book your travel to/from the island.
Andronis is located in Oia and is a perfect location to enjoy the sun rises and sunsets from your own private pool. The hotel had incredible service and their in-house restaurant, Lycabettus, is one of the best on the islands.
Final Thoughts
Before you start to book your trip to Greece, make sure you read what you should know before going to Greece in the off-season. While many of the activities you would think of doing in Greece are not available in the off-season, there are still plenty of things to do while you visit.
I hope you consider adding some of my recommendations from my Guide to Visiting Greece in November to your itinerary, especially that Souvlaki shop in Chaina! 🙂
Now it’s time to start planning your own adventure, Cheers!
