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 the beaches and the harbor of Argostoli. 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.

• Fteri:  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.
• Myrtos: Framed by two mountains – Agia Dynati and Kalon Oros – and backed by steep limestone cliffs, Myrtos is one of the most dramatic beaches to visit in Greece.
• 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:

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!

METEORA

A helicopter tour to Meteora and witness a marvel of human architectural creativity. Perched high on cliffs and accessible only by staircases cut into rock formations, Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a beautiful testament to the influence of the Greek Orthodox Church. Of the 24 original monasteries, 6 remain intact and still serve as homes to monks and nuns. 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.

Browse our Greece tour packages and vacations or use them to inspire a custom trip of Greece that we can arrange for you.

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