Let’s start from the north and move south to the islands. Not far from Thessaloniki, the peninsula of Halkidiki is spread out with three fingers. Kassandra is spoiled by the attention of tourists, so we sail past it and move towards Sithonia. If you look from the sea, you’ll see cliffs covered with a cap of conifers, sparsely populated beaches and small secluded coves.
What to see:
- Neos Marmaras if you want to see colorful and authentic Greece up close, in other words through the eyes of the locals;
- Nikiti if you are curious to see the ancient relics and remains of the once mighty city of Halipsos;
- Karidi Beach – white sand and pine trees – what could be better?
Colorful houses of Symi
Dodecanos Islands – Simi: Tern Greece without tourists
After breathing in the pine air, we board the boat and head for the Turkish border. That’s where the real treasure lurks – the island of Symi. This island is a part of the Dodecanos Islands, so, heading to Simi, you can admire the beauty of the whole archipelago. The island itself has an interesting shape, as if cut by waves. Even from the sea it will certainly attract your attention with its colorful houses on the coast and abundant greenery.
A must-see:
- Castro Fortress is an atmospheric place, but we strongly advise against visiting it in the heat, as you’ll have to climb 500 steps to get there;
- The picturesque monastery of Panormitis.
The islands of the Saronic Gulf
We are moving on – towards Athens. But don’t be in a hurry to get ashore and rush to the capital! This time we are heading towards the Saronic Islands to visit Spetses and Poros. In general, the Saronic Gulf is the place where many Greeks moor their yachts, arriving with their families on vacation. And in fact, the bay of the Saronic Gulf is a very picturesque place.
Poros – Greece without tourists: the harbor where the Greeks rest.
In the southwestern part of the Saronic Gulf, the first stop awaits us – the island of Poros. A bay of incredible beauty, orange and terracotta roofs of houses, hills and rocks covered with pine trees and rosemary. Slow-paced and unhurried, Poros boasts sights that we all passed in the history of Ancient Greece at school.
Here are the must-see places:
- The Temple of Poseidon – the lord of the water element;
- Diavolohephiro – the symbolic gateway to hell;
- Lemon Forest;
- Trizina – this is where, according to myths, Theseus, who defeated the Minotaur, left his cloak and sandals before traveling to Crete.
Having had enough of walking around Poros, we set off. Swaying on the waves, enjoying the views and the breeze on our way to Spezzie or Isola di Spezzie. It was named for a reason: it is on this island that most of the aromatic herbs that we carefully store in jars in the kitchen grow. Of course, on Spezzie you can have a feast of the stomach and enjoy the local cuisine: choose a café where locals are leisurely sipping coffee and where there is no menu in English, and go in search of the most delicious Moussaka.
But that’s all for later, as you still have to work up an appetite! Thanks to the limited number of cars on the island, the island has an unhurried and serene atmosphere. In other words, hiking and walking on Spetses is a pleasure. What’s more, sea air that isn’t polluted by exhaust fumes from busy traffic is a rarity.
What to see:
- The “archondico” lords’ houses and picturesque streets;
- Small islands scattered around Spetses: Spetsopula, Micro Burbulo and Ayios Ianis;
- Golden beaches immersed in pine trees: Agia Marinas, Agia Paraskevi, the beaches of Agia Anargyri, Vrellas, Zonkeria and Kunipitsa.
No matter in which order you decide to explore the land of numerous legends and myths. Whether you follow our author’s itinerary completely or selectively visit individual locations is also up to you. However, at each of the points on the map you will find an authentic Greece without the crowds of tourists.
