There are many beautiful places in Greece that have not yet been spoiled by mass tourism.
While popular tourist destinations in Greece, such as the islands of Santorini or Mykonos, are overwhelmed with tourists, locals are carefully guarding locations where you can still enjoy a peaceful vacation.
Authors of the largest travel publishing house Lonely Planet, living in different parts of Greece, share the best places in the country where locals like to relax.
Serifos
Travel journalist Helen Iatrou, who was born in Australia to a Greek family, moved to the Greek capital of Athens in 1996. Now, her favorite vacation format in the country is sailing between the islands.
“One island I can’t resist is Serifos, in the western Cyclades. It’s only a two-hour speedboat ride from Piraeus. Although villas have sprung up on its rugged, caramel-colored slopes in recent years, Serifos still feels like a completely different world compared to its neighboring islands of Mykonos and Santorini,” Helen notes.
First of all, she draws attention to the more than 70 beaches on this peaceful island, where the strong summer dry north wind cools the heat. There are no sun loungers for rent, but you can relax in the shade of a tamarisk tree instead.
“The deep pebble waters of Ganema and the wild beaches of Karavi recharge me to the core, while the secluded bay of Psili Ammos beckons with its golden sand, turquoise sea, and the fish tavern Manolis,” adds a Greek resident.
She prefers to stay in the port city of Livadi, in one of the local family-run boutique hotels, which are also close to atmospheric restaurants and cafes.
Rethymno
A native of Athens, Vangelis Koronakis, who enjoys spending his summer vacations in Crete, has his sights set on the Rethymno region in the south of the largest Greek island, which is washed by the crystal-clear Libyan Sea. This area is relatively untouched by mass tourism, unlike the ultra-touristic northern coast.
According to him, the region has more than 15 first-class beaches, stretching from Frangokastello in the west to Agia Galina in the east.
At the same time, he notes that a rented car is necessary to explore the region’s beauty, while it is best to stay overnight in the picturesque small town of Spili, located on a mountainside and known for its fountains. From there, most attractions can be reached within 20-30 minutes.
Kufonisiya
Alexis Averbuk, an experienced traveler who lives on the Greek island of Hydra, loves traveling around the Cyclades on open ferries, where she can relax on the deck, enjoying the view and breathing in the fresh sea air.
“The last time I visited Kourfouni, the water was crystal clear from the ferry deck, with a subtle hint of turquoise, giving the impression that the fishing boats were floating above the white sand. The atmosphere on Kourfouni is relaxed, with people in sarongs returning from the beach or chatting over evening drinks in their lightweight summer linen outfits,” she describes.
First of all, she recommends taking a walk through the main village of this cozy island, with its maze of tiny streets lined with small hotels and family-run restaurants.
You can also explore the entire island along the winding trails along the rugged coast, where sparkling crystal-clear water glistens in natural pools formed by the cliffs.