Greece Like a Local: Summer Spots to Beat the Crowds

Steeped in history, surrounded by the beauty of the Mediterranean, with stunning beaches, the warmest hospitality, and delicious food and wine, there are a million reasons to visit Greece.

Our experts would love to share the magnificence of Greece with you, looking beyond the traditional destinations to offer access to unexpected – and delightfully uncrowded – wonders. Read on for a few of their recommendations. And then let us know if you want to learn more. There’s still time to book the perfect summer trip to Greece.

Kefalonia

Besides the beautiful sandy beaches with crystal clear water and breathtaking landscapes, Kefalonia is home to the endangered Loggerhead sea turtle, also known as Caretta-caretta, that wanders around Argostoli’s beaches and harbor. If you’re lucky, you’ll be there when their eggs hatch and the newborn turtles emerge and make their way by moonlight down to the beach into the sea. And if you’d rather be the one making your way into the sea, here are some beaches you won’t want to miss. Also known as Kefallinia it is the largest of the Ionian Islands in Greece.

Getting There: There is an airport on Kefalonia, Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport, which is located about 3 kilometers from Argostoli. There are a number of airlines that fly to Kefalonia from Athens, Thessaloniki, and other Greek cities. There are ferries from Piraeus, Athens, and other Greek islands to Kefalonia. The ferry port is located in Argostoli. You can drive to Kefalonia from Athens or other Greek cities. The drive from Athens is about 5 hours.

What To Eat: Argostoli and other towns on Kefalonia have a number of tavernas that serve traditional Greek cuisine. Kefalonia is known for its traditional desserts, such as galaktoboureko, a custard pie made with semolina, and bougatsa, a flaky pastry filled with custard or cheese.

What to Do: Kefalonia has a number of charming towns, including Argostoli, the capital, and Fiskardo, a picturesque town on the north coast. Looking for a day at the beach? Kefalonia has some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. Myrtos Beach is one of the most popular and is known for its white sand and turquoise waters. Other popular beaches include Antisamos Beach, Lourdata Beach, and Skala Beach. Myrtos, framed by two mountains – Agia Dynati and Kalon Oros – and backed by steep limestone cliffs, Myrtos is one of the most dramatic beaches in Greece. There are a number of monasteries, including the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi, the Monastery of Markopoulo, and the Monastery of Agios Gerasimos. Looking for adventure: visit Fteri which is not accessible via any road, hike and follow the little red markings on rocks or take a boat ride, both of which make this paradise feel like your own undiscovered gem. The highest mountain on the island is Mount Ainos so consider hiking that. Want to swim in a cave? Drogarati Cave is a natural cave located near Argostoli known for its stalactites and stalagmites, as well as its underground lake. Want a picturesque drive? Antisamos Famous as the location for “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”, the drive along the winding coast to reach the bay of Antisamos will reveal a beach as beautiful as the journey to get there. Sheer heaven.

Naoussa

The Greeks founded a town in the 7th century BC and has been inhabited ever since. Naoussa, a well-hidden destination in Northern Greece, is a real find for wine connoisseurs. Hike into vineyards peppered among the magnificent mountains and taste the fruit directly from the vine. “Xinomavro,” the local wine, offers deep color, impressive volume, and a particularly aromatic character, and is among Greece’s very finest red wines, inspiring comparisons to the Nebbiolo-based reds of Piedmont. Let us introduce you to the history of Greek wine while visiting – and tasting – wine vaults throughout the region. Yamas! Naoussa is a beautiful seaside town on the Greek island of Paros. It is known for its whitewashed houses, narrow streets, and picturesque harbor.

Getting There: There is an airport on Paros, which is served by a number of airlines. There are ferries from Piraeus, Athens, and other Greek islands to Paros. You can drive to Paros from Athens or other Greek cities.

What to Eat: You are in Greece so of course Greek cuisine and seafood are everywhere. Looking for wine? Naoussa is a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) wine region in Greece, located on the island of Paros. The region is known for its dry red wines made from the indigenous grape variety, Xinomavro. Many of the wineries offer wine tastings and reservations are recommended.

What to Do: Sightseeing and walking the narrow streets. Naoussa is a charming town with a lot to explore. Take your time wandering through the streets and alleyways, and admire the whitewashed houses and brightly colored doors. Naoussa Harbor is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and boat trips. There are also a number of restaurants and cafes located along the harbor, where you can enjoy a meal or drink with a view. Take a boat trip to nearby islands: Several small islands are located off the coast of Paros. These islands are popular for day trips, swimming, and sunbathing. For those looking for adventure, the island does not disappoint. There are a number of hiking trails on Paros with stunning views of the island. Windsurfing is very popular as well as sailing and fishing.

Nafplio

A beautiful coastal town located in the Peloponnese peninsula about 100 kilometers or 62 miles (an hour’s drive) from Athens Greece with stunning views of the Argolic Gulf. Nafplio is known for its Venetian architecture because it was ruled by the Venetians for over 200 years from 1388 to 1540. Many other architectural features such as arched windows, balconies, and ornate doorways can still be seen throughout the city.

Getting There: The best way to get to Nafplio is by plane; there are quite a few options from Athens International Airport. If you are on a budget, you can also take a ferry from Piraeus, the port of Athens that departs several times per day and takes a couple of hours to get there. Take a boat trip to the nearby islands of Hydra, Spetses, and Poros.

What to Eat: Looking for a foodies paradise? Then look no further, of course, there are many places to sample Greek cuisine but there are also quite a few international options such as French and Italian restaurants here. Being right on the Gulf expect that the seafood will be plentiful.

What to Do: So many beautiful beaches to choose from – Agios Ioannis Beach, Port Heli, and Vrykoiannis Beach. Some of the top city landmarks are the Palamidi Fortress a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Akronafplia Fortress a former Venetian citadel, Nafplio Archaeological Museum houses a collection of artifacts from ancient Greece, and the Bourtzi Castle. During the summer, concerts, festivals, and other events happen in the city. Nafplio Music Festival takes place in June and July featuring Jazz and Classical performances. Nafplio Jazz Festival happens in September; Nafplio Summer Festival happens in July and August with cultural events, concerts, plays and dance performances. Take a walk along the waterfront and admire the views of the Argolic Gulf.

Meteora

Perched high on cliffs and accessible only by staircases cut into rock formations, Meteora is a beautiful testament to the influence of the Greek Orthodox Church. Ascetic monks built the monasteries in the 14th century and were once a major center of Orthodox Christianity. Of the 24 original monasteries, 6 remain intact and still serve as homes to monks and nuns, some are open to visitors. It is famous for its towering monasteries that cling to the sides of sandstone rock pillars. Movie and TV buffs will also be thrilled to recognize the location from the James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only, as well as the Eyrie from Game of Thrones. A helicopter tour to Meteora and witness a marvel of human architectural creativity. Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Thessaly, Greece.

What to Eat: Meteora is surrounded by farmland and is also home to several wineries. You can expect some of the freshest fruits and vegetables as well as an assortment of wines. The wines produced in Meteora are typically made from indigenous grape varieties, such as Xinomavro which makes red wine, Agiorgitiko makes rose and light red wine, and Roditis which makes white wine. Many of these wineries offer wine tastings and reservations are recommended.

What to Do: The monasteries are the main attraction in Meteora and offer a unique glimpse into the Byzantine culture. Visitors can climb the steps to the monasteries, explore the grounds, and visit the churches and chapels. There are a lot of outdoor activities. For Hikers, there are a number of hiking trails in Meteora that offer stunning views of the monasteries and the surrounding landscape. Are you a Rock climber? Meteora is a popular destination for rock climbers. There are a number of routes to choose from, ranging from easy to difficult. For those who are looking for a slower pace, visit the town of Kalambaka at the foot of Meteora and offers a variety of restaurants, hotels, and shops.

Getting There: Many people take the train. There is a train station in Kalambaka. From there, you can walk or take a taxi to the monasteries which takes about an hour. Many people will spend the day hiking going from monastery to monastery which could take the whole day. You can also take a taxi to get around. If you fly, the closest airport is in Thessaloniki, which is a 2-hour and 30-minute drive. Taking a train is still the cheapest way to get to Meteora.

Cephalonia

Cephalonia is the largest Ionian Island west of Greece. It is known for its beautiful beaches, rugged coastline, and historic towns. The island has a rich history, dating back to the ancient Greeks. It was also occupied by the Venetians, French, and British over the centuries. Argostoli is the capital on the island’s west coast with a beautiful waterfront promenade and lagoon.

What to Eat: Argostoli and Fiskardo have a number of tavernas that serve traditional Greek cuisines, such as moussaka, souvlaki, and grilled fish. The islands of Cephalonia are surrounded by the Ionian Sea, so abundant fresh seafood is available. Cephalonia is home to a number of wineries, so there are a number of restaurants that serve local wines. The most commonly produced wine is a sweet white wine made from Muscat Blanc and Petits Grains grape varietals but they also make sweet red wines.

What to Do: In Argostoli, take a walk or bike along the waterfront promenade or visit a Venetian Castle, a 13th-century castle that overlooks the town. It is now a museum, housing exhibits on the history of Cephalonia. Looking for adventure? Visit Melissani Cave a natural cave located on the north coast of Cephalonia. Known for its blue lagoon, which is created by sunlight shining through a hole in the roof of the cave. Fiskardo is about 35 kilometers from Argostoli located on the north coast has a beautiful harbor. There are a number of small islands located off the coast of Fiskardo. These islands are popular for day trips, swimming, and sunbathing.

Getting There: There are ferries from Athens, Piraeus, and other Greek islands to Cephalonia. You can drive to Cephalonia from Athens or other Greek cities. You can take a train to Argostoli or other parts of the island. There are also buses available and several airports.

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