A country right at the heart of European history, Greece’s climate and heritage have long made it one of the continent’s top spots for tourists. Many who tour the mainland also put aside some time to island-hop – with popular offshore locations like Hydra, Santorini, Mykonos and Crete. There are 6,000 islands (only 225 of which are actually inhabited), so naturally, there are many other options for the adventurer wanting an experience that’s less thronged with holiday-makers. Here are a few below:
Paxi
Found just off the beautiful island of Corfu, the smaller and quieter Paxi has always had its own character. While classical music festivals are held elsewhere in the Ionian Islands, here you’ll find more intimate celebrations later in the season – for soloists and folk musicians. It’s this dedication to doing things a little bit differently that saw the island named the Cultural Village of Europe in 2004.
The rich abundance of olive groves outside the towns is recognized in a dedicated Olive Museum, while there are therapeutic thermal springs where hikers can relax. Visitors are welcome to explore historic churches – and even a Venetian fortress – or dive into the 40 underwater caves further down the coast.
Chios
Alongside the famous bohemian destination called Lesbos, another large island with a singular history rises from the Aegean. Chios, for hundreds of years, was best known as being the only place where mastic (a medicinal tree gum) is cultivated and produced. Today’s tourists can see how this product is still farmed by hand.
The island also contains a wealth of dramatic tradition – embodied in the stunning medieval city of Mesta. This marvel of stone is so fortified that there is only one entrance in or out, and the entire settlement can be navigated via the rooftops.
Tilos
The Dodecanese island chain in the south east, are considered the sunniest part of the whole archipelago. Both Kos and Rhodes are among Greece’s most popular attractions. But just a little further along is one of Greece’s greatest natural parks, home to over 400 breeds of herbs and flowers plus rare birds (including eagles).
It’s a great place to hike – especially combined with bird-watching – but those who set out on one of the old paths should remember to take snacks for energy (nuts and hard-boiled eggs are particularly good choices).
Tilos was home to Europe’s last known population of dwarf elephants (adapted to island life and so averaging between 120 and 150 centimeters tall). Travelers are invited to see the remains on display, as well as the cave where they were found.
Methana
Another fantastic outdoor destination is Methana, located in the Argonaronic Islands. It comes with quite the dramatic backstory – it was originally a volcano which emerged from the sea.
With continued geothermal activity, it still hosts some of the country’s most sought-after spas. Those who’ve had their fill of relaxation can also go to one of the 32 smaller volcanoes dotting the region’s surface. Here, visitors can walk on (now cooled) red, black and green rock-flows once ejected from the earth itself, before returning to the volcanic beaches at the water’s edge.
Thanks for reading, see you on the next adventure!
