10 Beautiful Hidden Gems in Greece | The Mediterranean Traveller

When planning a trip to Greece it’s all too easy to be seduced by its star attractions – Santorini’s clifftop caldera which drips with fine hotels, Mykonos and its chic nightlife scene, the blockbuster beaches and historic sites on Crete. But Greece has endless hidden gems. And it really pays to get off the beaten track and discover traditional side of Greece, away from places that have surrendered to commercialism.

Here are 10 incredible places away from the usual tourist track that are worth seeking out.

Karpathos

Karpathos is hidden in plain sight. Wedged in between Crete and Rhodes, this Dodecanese island gets the tourist numbers of neither – yet is one of the most fascinating Greek islands. The island is a long and spindly shape, with rugged mountains and stunning natural scenery.

Its terrain and relative isolation make it feel particularly remote and have resulted in a culture of strong traditions and folklore. This is most obvious in its inland villages such as Olympos (pictured above) which only recently became accessible by car and is something of a living museum – one with incredible panoramic view.

Karpathos is also home to some spectacular beaches such as Apella, Achata, Diakoftis, and Kyri Panagia – with vibrant colours and a fraction of the crowds that you see on its more popular island neighbours.

Lipsi Archipelago

The small island of Lipsi (also spelt Lipsoi or Lipsos) refers to both a small archipelago and its main island (also, just to confuse you, there’s a small islet in Santorini with the same name). But this Lipsi is in the Dodecanese, near Leros and Patmos. It can be difficult to reach but is worth it if you like exploring off-the-beaten-track islands.

There are over 40 small uninhabited islands in the archipelago for you to discover. The most striking is the blinding white stone beaches of Aspronisi.

The only inhabited island is Lipsi itself, which is small and easily explored on foot. The pace of life here is slow and traditional, the beaches are fantastic, and the sea is an incredible shade of turquoise. Outside August, you’ll only bump into a few tourists here – mainly sailors who arrive by yacht or gulet.

Elafonisos

No, not the famous Elafonisi beach on Crete, the one with the famous pink sands on its lagoon beach which is one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. Everyone knows about that one.

But just off the very southernmost coast of the Greek mainland is a small, lesser-known island called Elafonisos and somehow the beaches here are just as beautiful. The name comes from the word for ‘deer’ which one roamed freely on this tiny island, which is just 8 square miles in size.

It’s mainly Greek tourists and passing yachts who visit Elafonisi, along with a handful of foreign tourists road-tripping the Peloponnese or heading overland to Kythira. People come for the lip-smackingly fresh fish (try the barbouni) served in the tavernas of the small port and the soft white sand beaches. In fact, it’s one of the best secret destinations for sandy beaches – the most picturesque of which is the double beach at Simos.

You can reach Elafonisos from Gythio port on the mainland, it’s just 15 minutes on the ferry.

Vikos Gorge and the Zagoria

It’s amazing that the dramatic Vikos Gorge is not one of the main attractions in Greece – the ‘Grand Canyon of Greece’ is one of the deepest and most visually striking gorges in Europe. Yet it’s often overshadowed by the more famous (though also stunning) Samaria Gorge in Crete, probably because Vikos is located in the north of the country and away from the main tourist areas.

But it’s certainly worth the detour, and it means you won’t be battling crowds as you hike. Vikos is in the region of Epirus in the north of Greece, nestled in the Pindos mountain range. In the area you’ll also find a stone forest and the beautiful stone villages and bridges of Zagoria. It’s difficult to travel around here by public transport as buses are scarce, but you can find organised day trips from nearby Ioannina.

Tinos

Unspoilt Tinos has historically been a place of pilgimage and tourists tend to bypass it in favour of its famous neighbour Mykonos. And relaxed Tinos is quite the contrast.

Tinos is in Western Cyclades chain and like many of the islands closest to Athens, it’s surprisingly green. In fact, Tinos is one of the most fertile places in the country – which means a tradition of excellent food and wine. There has been a resurgence in wine-making recently and some rare varieties are still cultivated here. The spring sees an annual celebration of local produce called Tinos Food Paths.

The atmosphere is serene, quietly cultured, and a bit arty. There’s an established network of walking trails on old donkey paths criss-crossing the island, fabulously unspoilt beaches, and even a surf shack offering lessons on sandy Kolymbithres beach.

Don’t miss the historic dovecotes which are unique to Tinos. These structures were built by the Venetians back in 18th and 19th centuries to attract pigeons for meat and manure and are decorated with striking geometric patterns.

Pelion

Stick a pin on a map half way between Athens and Thessaloniki and it won’t land far from the Pelion Peninsula, a hook of land that curves around the Pagasetic Gulf from the city of Volos. Whilst the crowds head to the nearby island of Skiathos for beaches and parties, those in the know head to the lush and mountainous Pelion which is a favourite with locals and return visitors for its scenery and tranquility.

In mythology, the region was the summer home of the gods of Olympus, no doubt due to its cool mountain airs. The beaches here are mostly pebbly and the waters irresistibly clear, reflecting the intense colours from the land. The famous stag party beach scene in Mamma Mia! was filmed on Agios Ioannis beach.

The handsome villages in the mountain become ski resorts in the winter, and there’s even a steam train – a narrow gauge line between Ano Lehonia and Milies which winds its way through some stunning scenery for 15km.

Mastic Villages, Chios

The island of Chios in the Northern Aegean is one of the least-visited Greek islands, but make the trip to Chios (it has an airport) and you’ll find some of Greece’s best – and most unique – medieval villages.

Chios is the only place where mastic trees grow. The resin of mastic trees was highly prized during Byzantine and Ottoman rule for its digestive properties and culinary uses, and it was the source of the island’s wealth. As the resin was worth so much, the villages at the centre of its production were fortified to protect from marauders.

The most beautiful of the mastic villages is Pyrgi, which is known for its ornate black and white patterned buildings. This style is called ‘xysta’ and is a legacy from Genovese rule which brought the sgraffito method to Chios.

Also worth visiting are Olympi and Mesti, two of the best preserved of the 24 remaining villages, and the spectacular abandoned hilltop village of Anavatos.

The Little Cyclades

If the blockbuster islands of the Cyclades just seem too busy, too popular, and too commercial for you, then consider the Little Cyclades. This constellation of 4 islands off the coast of Naxos is perfect for a old-school island-hopping trip. They check all the boxes (sandy beaches, turquoise seas, whitewashed villages) but in a miniature package.

The four islands are Koufonisia, Iraklia, Shinoussa, and Donoussa. Life here is simple – there’s not much to do but relax and explore the walking trails, small villages, and impeccable beaches.

Koufonisia is becoming increasingly popular thanks to improved ferry connections (both a blessing and a curse).

The Deep Mani

The wild and wonderful Mani Peninsula in Greece’s south is known for its desolate scenery and rugged character. The Maniots are known as fierce fighters and intensely independent. The landscape is harsh and unforgiving, and it kept the peninsula isolated from the rest of the mainland. It was never subject to Ottoman rule. Roads finally opened up the area in the 1960s, but

The ‘Deep Mani’ refers to the southermost part of the peninsula and it is usually visited on a road trip. Here you’ll find Gerolimenas, a picturesque fishing villages where the mountains meet the brilliant sea (pictured above), the extensive caves of Diros, and the atmospheric abandoned village of Vathia.

Diapontia Islands

Another diminutive group of islands is the Diapontia archipelago off the north coast of Corfu. Three of the islands are inhabited – Othonoi (pictured above), Erikoussa, and Mathraki. The landscape is similar to that found on the northern tip of Corfu, with impressive rock formations, quiet sandy beaches, cypress trees and lush greenery.

A trip to Erikoussa is a common excursion from the popular beach resort of Sidari on Corfu, but not that many people stay overnight or head to the other islands. If you want to know what Corfu was like before the crowds, then these islands are for you. Stay at the Acantha Hotel, a dreamy boutique hotel right on the beachfront.

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