5-Day Trip Itinerary in Greece – The Peloponnese and Athens

In May 2025, I went on a trip to Greece with my siblings, visiting both Athens and the Peloponnese region. The trip lasted four nights and five days, during which we managed to do quite a lot while also having time to relax. If you’d like more detailed information on what we did in the Peloponnese, I’ve written a dedicated post about the Peloponnese, as well as a post with Athens recommendations from this and previous visits.

Table of content hide

1 Day 1 – Arrival in Athens and Drive to Epidaurus

2 Day 2 – Ancient Theatre, Beaches, and the Town of Nafplio

3 Day 3 – Methana Peninsula

4 Day 4 – Thermal Pools and Drive to Athens

5 Day 5 – A Charming Neighborhood and Shopping

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Day 1 – Arrival in Athens and Drive to Epidaurus

We landed in Athens and rented a car through Europcar, found via the search engine Paapm Paapm. The company is located inside the airport terminal, so there’s no need for a shuttle. We got the car quickly and were on the road within ten minutes. Returning the car was also smooth and hassle-free (we made sure to return it with a full tank).

About an hour into the drive, we stopped for lunch at an authentic and excellent seafood tavern called Ψαροταβέρνα Ο Ρούκουνας. We ordered tzatziki, a Greek salad (as we did at every restaurant on the trip), small fried fish, and two grilled fish we picked out on the spot. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was relaxed and local.

We then stopped for coffee at Riva Coffee, a modern café with a very friendly owner and beautiful design. We enjoyed our coffee outside—a perfect pause before continuing the day.

Later, we stopped at the Θέση στάθμευσης viewpoint to enjoy the scenery and take photos.

We arrived at the Yialasi Hotel, a boutique hotel in Epidaurus, where we stayed for the night (and every other night in the Peloponnese). It’s a small hotel with 14 rooms in a quiet area just above Epidaurus. The rooms, pool, and balconies offer stunning views of the sea and town. The hotel is clean, spacious, nicely scented, and well-maintained. I had a room to myself, my brother had his own, and my sisters shared a suite. We all agreed the beds were exceptionally comfortable.

The hotel features an outdoor pool, indoor and outdoor lounge areas, and we booked it with breakfast included. In practice, we also had dinner there every night. Each evening, special dishes like homemade moussaka or grilled fish were served. After our day trips, we’d relax with a glass of wine or homemade lemonade. The atmosphere was peaceful, like a small retreat. The owners were lovely and gave great recommendations. The price was very reasonable.

To book the hotel and more reviews

Day 2 – Ancient Theatre, Beaches, and the Town of Nafplio

After breakfast, we visited the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus.
Tip: arrive early, as it fills up with tourist groups. Entry is €20 – a bit pricey, but well worth it.

The theatre, from the classical era, is one of the best-preserved in the world, with incredible acoustics. The site also includes other archaeological areas. Plan for about two hours. There’s not much shade. Directions.

We then drove along the coast. Looking for a seaside café, we first stopped at Johnny Beach, but they didn’t serve drinks.

We continued to Kastraki Beach and had coffee by the sea.
It was windy, so we didn’t swim despite bringing swimsuits. We saw others swimming.

We arrived in Nafplio, a small port town with a calm Greek atmosphere. It was once the first capital of Greece and features Venetian architecture, colorful alleys, fortresses, and beautiful views. It’s much less crowded than Athens and great for slow strolls, coffee, and ice cream.

We visited in mid-May. Nafplio is about a 2.5-hour drive from Athens. The town has the Palamidi Fortress, boutique shops, pastry shops like L’amande, quiet bays, and a lovely sunset promenade. I wrote a full post about Nafplio if you’d like more details.

We returned to the hotel, read in the lobby with homemade lemonade and a bottle of Santorini wine.
Dinner included fresh grilled fish.

Day 3 – Methana Peninsula

After breakfast, we drove about an hour to the Methana Peninsula, starting with a hike up the volcano.
The trail is about 4 km long, not too hard but requires attention. The views are stunning. It’s best to have your hands free, as some parts require using them. Directions to the trailhead.

After the hike, we stopped at Ο Κάβος του Παυσανία, a seaside taverna for coffee and a light bite.

Nearby is the thermal bath of Pausanias, a sulfur-smelling hot spring. We soaked our feet, those who enjoy such things might want to stay longer.

We ended the day with a fish dinner at Theoni Kolias, which has no fixed menu, dishes depend on the day’s catch. It’s a quiet place with good food.

Back at the hotel, we read, had lemonade, and dinner. That night’s special was slow-cooked meat.
I’ve also written a full post on things to do in Methana.

Day 4 – Thermal Pools and Drive to Athens

After breakfast, we headed to the Loutraki Thermal Spa, located halfway to Athens.

We booked the treatment a day in advance via email. After a doctor’s check, we changed into swimsuits and entered the pools, one indoor and one outdoor. Afterwards, we got massages.

We spent about 1.5 hours there. The pools were pleasant with jets. The massage was okay, my sister and I enjoyed it, our other sister liked it less, and my brother thought it was average.

We grabbed coffee in the area and drove to Athens. It wasn’t a must-stop, but it came at a good point in the trip.

We arrived at the Sweet Home Hotel in the Plaka neighborhood.
There’s a parking lot across from the hotel where we left the car.

It’s a small and pleasant hotel in the heart of Plaka, walking distance to the Acropolis, Monastiraki, museums, restaurants, and cafés. Despite its central location, it’s quiet and relaxing. The staff are friendly and offer personal attention.
Rooms are small but clean and well-maintained. Some have Acropolis views. The décor is retro and floral. Breakfast is simple and varied. For more recommended hotels in Athens.

We had lunch at the vegan restaurant Winners Vegan. We ordered the Kale Salad and Winners Salad—both very tasty. The pitaya-mango smoothie was especially refreshing.

Excellent coffee at Samba Coffee Roasters | Crossroads—both coffee and cakes were fantastic.

We wandered through the Monastiraki Flea Market.

Dinner at Michelin-starred restaurant Makris
We made a reservation for 7:00 PM with a €50 non-refundable deposit per person.

We sat outside in a magical atmosphere. The restaurant is meticulous down to every detail. The cuisine is high-end and creative, with many ingredients sourced from the chef’s own farm. Every bite was amazing.

Day 5 – A Charming Neighborhood and Shopping

We bought pastries and coffee at 72H Bakery near the hotel.
We tried cinnamon, chocolate, and espresso-chocolate pastries – all excellent.

We walked to the Anafiotika neighborhood.
We arrived at 8:00 AM when it was nearly empty. Built on the slope of the Acropolis, the neighborhood features white houses, colorful shutters, artistic graffiti, and a village-like vibe. It’s important to stay quiet, as it’s a residential area. There are stairs and narrow paths. At the end of the alleys, there’s a great view of the city, a perfect stop for photos.

The entrance is within Plaka. Start at Stratonos Street stairs and head northeast. There’s no clear signage, so just follow the alleys and you’ll get there.

We returned to the hotel for breakfast and coffee, then went shopping on Ermou Street, Athens’ main shopping street, with stores like Zara, Mango, H&M, and more. Prices were lower than in Israel. Shops are open on Sundays starting at 11 AM.

Lunch at Vietnamese Street Food
I ordered wonton soup and a vegan Bánh cuốn with mushrooms—both were excellent.

Bubble tea at Funjoy.

Flight home.

Hope this post helped you! If so, I’d love for you to leave a comment – and if you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments or message me on the blog’s social media: Facebook or Instagram.

Looking for more information about Greece? I have more blog posts about Greece.

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