Greek coast and islands off the beaten path.
Less-touristed coastal towns and islands in Greece, for travelers seeking fewer crowds but all the beauty.
Sikinos was called the Island of Wine in antiquity, and its 61 chapels and Byzantine frescoes still outnumber its tourists by a comfortable margin. From Gytheio's causeway island where myth places Paris and Helen's first night together to Nafpaktos's Venetian harbour, site of the 1571 Battle of Lepanto, these 101 picks stretch across Lesbos, Chalkidiki, and the Peloponnese coast, each carrying history or ritual — like Tyros's Easter balloon release over the harbour — that the bigger itineraries tend to skip.
Chaniotis
Waterfront village on the Kassandra peninsula in Chalkidiki, Greece, with a café and restaurant scene that outpunches its modest size and a coastline of beac…
Gytheio
The ancient seaport of Sparta, Gytheio sits on the eastern shore of the Mani Peninsula in the southern Peloponnese, its waterfront lined with cafés and resta…
Litochoro
The main gateway to climbing Mount Olympus, Litochoro sits at the base of Greece's highest mountain on the western shore of the Thermaic Gulf, with nearly al…
Nafpaktos
Known in the West as Lepanto, this modest Greek town on the north shore of the Gulf of Corinth was the site of the 1571 Battle of Lepanto, the decisive Holy…
Plomari
A coastal town on the southern shore of Lesbos, Plomari sits right at the water with mountains close behind and an unusually dense concentration of cafés, re…
Sikinos
This quiet Cycladic island between Ios and Folegandros was known in antiquity as Oenoe — Island of Wine — and carries an unusual density of religious archite…
Myrina
A waterfront capital of the Greek island of Lemnos, in the North Aegean, Myrina has a café and restaurant scene that punches above its size, a strong concent…
Tyros
This pocket-sized coastal village in the Peloponnese where the Parnon mountains meet the Myrtoan Sea, Tyros is one of the older naval settlements in the regi…
Rovies
This compact seaside village on the western coast of Euboea, Greece, Rovies sits directly on the water with mountains close behind, giving it a strong visual…
Amarynthos
This coastal town on Euboea's southern gulf, Amarynthos has a tiny central core with cafés and restaurants along the waterfront, and the surrounding plain st…
Aitoliko
Built on a modest island rooted in the middle of the Aitoliko-Messolonghi lagoon, this modest Greek town connects to the mainland on both sides by stone arch…
Limenaria
Waterfront village on the southern end of the Greek island of Thasos, Limenaria has drawn summer visitors since the 1960s.
Kamena Vourla
A little seaside town on the coast of central Greece's Phthiotis region, Kamena Vourla has a café and restaurant scene that outpunches its size, making it a…
Skyros
This small island capital in the Aegean sits right on the water, with an unusual density of cafés, restaurants, and churches for a village its size.
Neapoli
This compact coastal town at the southern tip of the Malea peninsula in Laconia, Neapoli has a lively café and restaurant scene and a striking number of chur…
Amfilochia
This modest town on the Ambracian Gulf in northwestern Greece, Amfilochia sits on the site of ancient Amfilochia and retains traces of two ancient cities — A…
Skopelos
This little port town serves as the capital of Skopelos island in the Sporades, with an unusual density of cafés, restaurants, and churches for a settlement…
Mithymna
This waterfront village on the northwest coast of Lesbos, Mithymna — still widely known by its older name Molyvos — sits beneath a medieval fortress that ris…
Koroni
This little Peloponnese town on the Gulf of Messinia, Koroni is known for its Venetian castle rising above the waterfront, the olive oil variety Koroneiki, a…
Sigri
This pocket-sized fishing village at the western tip of Lesbos with a natural harbour sheltered by the islet of Nissiopi, Sigri sits right on the water and h…
Polichnitos
Pocket-sized village on the central south coast of Lesbos, facing the Bay of Kalloni, Polichnitos has a handful of cafés and restaurants and several historic…
Hydra
A densely built Greek island village where whitewashed and terracotta-roofed houses climb a steep hillside above the water, with a lively café and restaurant…
Nea Selefkia
This small coastal village just outside Igoumenitsa in the Thesprotia region of northwestern Greece, Nea Selefkia sits right on the water and has a handful o…
Mytilene
A port town on the southeast coast of Lesbos with a walkable centre dense with cafés, restaurants, and historic churches, Mytilene has served as the island's…
Xylokastro
Modest seaside town on the Gulf of Corinth in the Peloponnese, Xylokastro draws weekend visitors from Athens with a long white-pebbled beach, a marina, and a…
Leipsoi
Compact Greek island in the northern Dodecanese, Leipsoi sits between Patmos and Leros and is well connected by ferry from Piraeus.
Evdilos
This tiny port village on the northern coast of Ikaria in the North Aegean, Evdilos was once the island's first capital and today serves as its second port.
Kymi
This small coastal town on the island of Euboea, built on a hill above its port village of Kymi Beach, has an unusual concentration of churches for its size…
Agios Nikolaos, Halkidiki
A waterfront village on the Sithonia peninsula in Halkidiki, Agios Nikolaos has a café and restaurant scene that runs well beyond what its size would suggest…
Loutra Aidipsou
This compact Greek waterfront town on Evia island, where white and terracotta-roofed buildings line a calm sea strait at sunset, with a dramatic mountain sil…
Vonitsa
Small beach town on the south coast of the Ambracian Gulf in northwestern Greece, Vonitsa has a café and restaurant scene that punches above its size, a conc…
Astakos
This pocket-sized waterfront town on a bay along the eastern shore of the Ionian Sea, Astakos sits at the foot of the Acarnanian Mountains in western Greece.
Preveza
This walkable port town on the northern tip of the Ambracian Gulf in Epirus, northwestern Greece, Preveza has a dense food-and-drink scene along its promenad…
Eretria
This waterfront town on Euboea facing the Attic coast across the South Euboean Gulf, Eretria was among the most significant Greek city-states of the 6th and…
Telendos
This car-free Greek island in the Dodecanese sits just off the coast of Kalymnos, separated from it by a 6th-century earthquake that split what was once a si…
Loutraki
Spa resort on the Gulf of Corinth known for its natural mineral springs and thermal baths — officially recognised as a spa town since 1925 — Loutraki also dr…
Dispilio
Village on the shore of Lake Orestiada in Western Macedonia, Greece, Dispilio is the site of a Neolithic lakeshore settlement built on an artificial island —…
Pefki
This small Greek coastal hamlet on northern Evia's Aegean shore, where a sweeping sandy bay with vivid blue water, wooded hillsides, a small harbour, and a s…
Vourvourou
A small seasonal resort village on the Sithonia peninsula of Chalkidiki, northern Greece, Vourvourou sits directly on the water with several beaches — includ…
Platamonas
Well-preserved medieval castle with crenellated walls and a round tower crowns a wooded headland above the Aegean in this small Greek seaside resort, where f…
Skiathos
This small Aegean island town has a café and restaurant scene that punches well above its size, with scenic viewpoints across the surrounding sea and hills.
Skala Eresou
Small seaside village on the Greek island of Lesbos with a beach that has repeatedly won the Blue Flag award, Skala Eresou has an unusually dense café and re…
Gefyra
Compact Greek village on a sheltered bay, with terracotta-roofed buildings spread along the waterfront beneath dramatic rocky mountains, and a lively café an…
Vrisa
A village on the southern part of Lesbos whose name traces back to the Trojan War — one of two girls Agamemnon is said to have taken from the island — Vrisa…
Agiasos
A village on the slopes of Mount Olympos in Lesbos with an unusual concentration of cafés, restaurants, and churches for its size, Agiasos is also a designat…
Volos
Port city on the Gulf of Pagasae in Thessaly, Volos is known for an exceptionally dense café and restaurant scene along its waterfront, with vineyards in the…
Neos Marmaras
Small waterfront town on the Sithonia peninsula in Chalkidiki, Neos Marmaras has a café and restaurant scene that punches well above its size, particularly i…
Molos
A low-rise Greek town of white and terracotta-roofed houses sits directly on a calm blue gulf, with cargo ships on the water and mountain ridges rising acros…
Patitiri
The capital and harbour of Alonnisos in the Sporades archipelago, Patitiri sits at the water's edge in the southern part of the island, with a café and resta…
Agia Anna
This village on the northern part of the Greek island of Euboea with one of the longest beaches in Europe — stretching around seven kilometres — and a reputa…
Parga
This tiny Ionian coast resort town in Epirus, northwestern Greece, Parga sits on a hillside above the sea between Igoumenitsa and Preveza, with an unusually…
Lefkada
Sun-warmed Ionian island capital with colourful Venetian-influenced townhouses lining a cobbled central square, a church bell tower steps away, and a café an…
Sykia
This coastal village at the southern tip of the Sithonia peninsula in Chalkidiki, Sykia sits directly on the water with mountain terrain close by.
Stamna
This hillside village in western Greece's Aetolia-Acarnania region, Stamna sits on low hills between the Acheloos river and a coastal bay, with stone-built h…
Vasiliko
This pocket-sized town on the coast of central Euboea, Greece, sits close to mountains and holds an unusual number of historic churches for its size.
Sagiada
This little coastal village in Thesprotia, Epirus, sitting at the westernmost point of mainland Greece, with a waterfront position and a handful of cafés and…
Itilo
One of the oldest settlements on the Mani Peninsula, Itilo sits directly on the water in the southern Peloponnese and carries a history stretching back to Ho…
Corcyra
Corcyra was an ancient Greek city on the island of Corfu, founded as a Corinthian colony during the Archaic period and positioned as a key port for ships sai…
Longos
This modest village on the Gulf of Corinth in the Peloponnese's Achaea region carries an unusually dense spread of tavernas, restaurants, and café-bars for i…
Maroneia
Vineyards have defined Maroneia since Homeric times — this is the wine said to have intoxicated the Cyclops Polyphemus in the Odyssey — and the slopes of Mou…
Stoupa
A pocket-sized coastal village in the southern Peloponnese's Mani Peninsula, Stoupa draws visitors to its beaches — Stoupa and Kalogria — and carries a liter…
Ammoudia
This small fishing village on the Ionian coast of northwestern Greece where the river Acheron meets the sea, Ammoudia carries an unusually dense café and res…
Syvota
Coastal village in Epirus, southern Greece, Syvota sits on a compact bay dotted with islets — including Agios Nikolaos, Mavro Oros, and Mourtemeno — and draw…
Finikounda
Tiny seaside village on the southwestern tip of the Peloponnese, Finikounda sits directly on the water and is known for its beaches, which draw Greek and Eur…
Chalcis
The tidal strait of Euripus, which reverses direction roughly every six hours with a brief pause between each turn, runs directly through Chalcis, the main c…
Psachna
A compact Greek town on Euboea island, Psachna centres on a lively square of deep-red traditional buildings, a bronze monument, and pavement café seating, wi…
Alexandroupolis
Port city on the northeastern Greek coast with a walkable waterfront that doubles as the main commercial strip, Alexandroupolis pairs a dense café and restau…
Aigio
A port town on the Gulf of Corinth in the northern Peloponnese, Aigio pairs a walkable centre dense with historic churches and a lively food-and-drink scene…
Lixouri
This waterfront town on the Paliki peninsula is the second-largest settlement on Kefalonia, with a café and restaurant scene that punches above its size.
Nea Kallikratia
Modest seaside town on the Chalkidiki peninsula in northern Greece, Nea Kallikratia has a waterfront lined with cafés and restaurants and views toward the mo…
Panagia
A hillside village on the Greek island of Thasos, Panagia sits above its coastal resort of Skala Panagia — known in English as Golden Beach — with freshwater…
Kassandreia
A small waterfront town on the Kassandra peninsula in Chalkidiki, northern Greece, with a café and restaurant scene and several historic churches that punch…
Kompoti
A Greek Epirus village close to the Ambracian Gulf, where a striking twin-towered Orthodox church with mosaic facade and flowering gardens stands as the visu…
Kardamyli
A modest waterfront village on the Mani Peninsula in the southern Peloponnese, Kardamyli carries an outsized café and restaurant scene for its size, along wi…
Plataria
Coastal village and resort in Thesprotia, Epirus, Plataria sits on its own bay between the Egnatia Highway and the nearby resort area of Syvota.
Gastoúni
This little town in the Peloponnese with a 12th-century Byzantine church of the Dormition in its Katholiki quarter — renovated in 1702 and one of the area's…
Theologos
The island of Thasos's historical centre during Ottoman rule from 1455 to 1902, Theologos served as the marketplace and administrative heart of the island fo…
Kandila
Little village in western Aetolia-Acarnania, Greece, set among olive groves at the foot of the Acarnanian Mountains and a short distance from the Ionian Sea.
Chios
The port capital of the Greek island of Chios sits on the eastern coast facing the Turkish shore, with a walkable centre dense with cafés, restaurants, and h…
Kalloni
A small town on the water in west-central Lesbos, Kalloni sits on a fertile plain and serves as the seat of the West Lesbos municipality.
Amaliada
This town in the Elis region of the western Peloponnese with a compact centre of cafés and restaurants, Amaliada sits a short distance from the Ionian Sea, w…
Nea Flogita
Coastal village in Chalkidiki founded in 1923 by refugees from Anatolia, Nea Flogita sits on a hill above the Thermaikos Gulf with views across the water to…
Loutropoli Thermis
This modest waterfront village on the central east coast of Lesbos, Loutropoli Thermis has a café and restaurant scene and a concentration of churches that b…
Agios Efstratios
Tiny, isolated island in the northern Aegean Sea, Agios Efstratios — colloquially known as Ai Stratis — sits well southwest of Lemnos and offers beaches and…
Petra
Waterfront village on the northwestern coast of Lesbos in the North Aegean, Petra has an unusual concentration of cafés, restaurants, and historic churches f…
Eleftheroupoli
This Greek town set against forested hills, with a striking classical-style fountain plaza at its centre featuring multiple marble-like figures, sitting clos…
Itea
Small waterfront town in Phocis, southeastern Greece, Itea sits on the Gulf of Corinth with a café and restaurant scene that is well stocked for its size.
Missolonghi
Lord Byron died here in 1824 during the Greek War of Independence, and Missolonghi carries that history in its official title — the municipality is formally…
Aiginio
This tiny town on the Thermaic Gulf in Greece's Pieria region, Aiginio sits where the Aliakmon river meets the coast, with Mount Olympus and the Pierian Moun…
Pyrgos
A regional capital in the northwestern Peloponnese built across seven low hills, Pyrgos sits a short distance from the Ionian Sea and serves as the administr…
Katerini
A town in northern Greece's Pieria region with a walkable centre dense with cafés, restaurants, and historic churches, Katerini sits between Mount Olympus an…
Palairos
A pocket-sized Greek village on the Ionian coast of western Greece, Palairos offers waterfront cafés, a handful of local restaurants, and several historic ch…
Sanatorio, Kavala
A waterfront spot on the Greek island of Thassos, Sanatorio offers a lively café and dining scene, historic churches, and hilly surrounds with scenic viewpoi…
Vareia, Lesbos
Compact Greek village on the Aegean shore of Lesbos, Vareia sits right at the water with a surprising density of churches, a handful of waterfront cafés, and…
Varda
Tiny Greek town on the Ilian coast with a waterfront café scene and easy access to upland country, Varda also sits within reach of the wider region's UNESCO-…
Vartholomio
A compact Greek town on the Peloponnese coast where vine-covered countryside meets the sea, offering a low-key waterfront, a central café scene, and easy acc…
Kanallaki
A tiny Greek village sitting directly at the water's edge, with upland country close by, offering a quiet coastal setting in the Epirus region for those seek…
Argyrotopos
Tiny Greek hamlet on the water in Thesprotia, offering a quiet coastal foothold near upland country and within reach of several UNESCO World Heritage sites s…
Triglia
Compact Aegean-facing town in Halkidiki, Triglia sits directly on the water with upland country close behind, and serves as a relaxed base for exploring a re…
Kanali
This modest Greek village near the water's edge with upland country close by, offering a quiet coastal escape in the Epirus region between Arta and Preveza.
Agia Marina
A tiny Greek hamlet on the Epirus waterfront, Agia Marina pairs direct access to the sea with hill country rising close behind, and sits within reach of seve…