Secret Greece: Methana

If you are looking for a destination for low-profile excursions near Athens, the peninsula of Methana in the eastern Peloponnese may prove ideal for you. Thanks to the hot springs and the imposing building of the spa, which still operates at the entrance of the city, Methana retain the retro aura of one of Greece’s most famous watering places. From the scenic port of Vathi, a marked path climbs the slopes of the peninsula and ends at the largest of the craters of the –now dormant- volcano of Methana. With less walking, you can also reach the point from Kameni Hora, a unique village with houses made of the dark stone that the passage of the lava left behind. If you go around Methana by car, you’ll also find peaceful villages, small pebbly beaches and tavernas serving fresh fish.