Exciting Holidays in Greece: Must-Visit Lesser-known Islands
Greece’s islands offer numerous choices to travellers for a memorable holiday. Apart from famous the world over destinations such as Santorini and Mykonos, there are many other bigger and smaller gems of islands that truly deserve being discovered and enjoyed on your next trip to the country.
Thinking of visiting the Ionian Sea Islands? Don’t be tempted by the big names, this time. Look for Ithaca Island: a lesser-known green place, which combines untouched nature, beautiful beaches washed by turquoise waters, a delicious local cuisine – centring on fish and seafood, and a laid-back attitude. Ithaca is Odysseus’ famed homeland, described in Homer’s Odyssey, a place with a long history and archaeological finds that date back millennia. Visit the Archaeological Museums, the ruins of the Palace of King Odysseus, and the Maritime & Folklore Museum to learn more about the island’s fascinating history.
Explore its picture-perfect villages, starting with Vathy. This is the island capital, located at the innermost point of Molos Bay, opposite the tiny Lazaretto Islet, in the lower half of the island. Go for a stroll along the whitewashed terracotta-roofed houses, and charming cafés, and taste local dishes at the traditional tavernas. Kioni is a picturesque seaside village further north, on Ithaca’s upper half, which will impress you with its Italianate character and buzzing nightlife. Other inland traditional villages such as Anogi, Exogi, Perachori, and Stavros should also be on your to-visit list.
The nature lovers among you will appreciate the well-kept trails which make hiking on this green island all the more pleasurable. Sailing is also a favourite activity, as the waters are fairly calm. A boat is sometimes the best way to explore the coastline, especially those sheltered secluded coves and inlets that are difficult to reach by land.
On the other side of Greece, the Aegean Sea boasts a host of islands and your choice here might be a harder one. In the northwestern part of the Aegean, there’s Alonnisos, an island within a national marine park. This region is the habitat of large seabirds, as well as a protected area where the endangered Mediterranean monk seal lives. It’s a green island with a beautiful unspoilt nature, which includes mostly pine, oak, and strawberry tree woods, olive trees, and scrubland. The ramblers among you will enjoy the 25 or so trails, such as the Alonnisos Great Traverse, a 25 km long path that crosses the island from the south to the north.
After a long hike, there’s nothing better than a refreshing dip in the sea. Mark the following beaches, they are absolutely worth visiting: Agios Dimitrios, Leftos Gialos, Kokkinokastro, Chrisi Milia, Votsi, Rousoum Gialos, Giorgi Gialos, and Megalos Mourtias, to name but a few.
Take a boat trip around Alonnisos and the islets east of it. Explore the shallow underwater areas, which are ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. If you’re an open water diver, the Peristera Underwater Museum is a must-visit place. Located in the sea area between Alonnisos and Peristera Islands, it is the wreck of a 5th c. B.C. Greek 30-m. long ship which carried some 4,000 wine amphoras. Today, you can see them on the seabed where the ship sank, off the west coast of Peristera Islet. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is not to be missed!
