Where Greeks Vacation Away from the Crowds

The article highlights several Greek destinations that are popular with locals but still relatively unknown to mass tourism. It says most Greeks cannot afford the expensive summer rates of Mykonos or Santorini, where a room can cost 200 euros a night, so they look for simpler family holidays in places that are quieter, more remote, and more affordable.

Among the standout destinations is Amorgos, a rugged Cycladic island of about 126 square kilometers and fewer than 2,000 residents. It has no direct flights, only two weekly sailings from Blue Star, and is still not easy to reach, although Naxos offers a daily summer connection. Despite that, occupancy reaches 100 percent in peak season. Visitors come for walking, not driving, and often stay in Aegiali, Katapola, or the traditional hilltop capital Chora. The island’s dramatic scenery was used in Luc Besson’s film "The Big Blue."

Another recommendation is Koufonisia, one of the smaller Cycladic islets south of Naxos. It is praised for boutique hotels, turquoise shallow water, and beaches so good that some compare them favorably with Naxos and Mykonos. A sea taxi runs all day for 5 euros, allowing travel between beaches and to nearby Kato Koufonisi, and the water stays pleasant from April into early November.

The piece also points to the western coast of Epirus, especially from Igoumenitsa to Preveza, including Sivota, Parga, Karavostasi and Perdika. This is a major Greek holiday area, close to Italy and reachable by road, direct flights to Preveza or Ioannina, or ferries from Corfu. It then describes Kythnos, close to Athens and easy to reach from Piraeus or Lavrio, as a quiet island with the special Kolona beach, old windmills, and very limited Israeli visitation. Finally, it presents Kythira, northwest of Crete, as a mountainous island linked to Aphrodite in Greek mythology, known for beaches, local produce, honey, and summer cultural festivals.