11 Hidden Gems in Greece to Visit

The charismatic island at the edge of the Dodecanese lies less than 2,625 feet from the Turkish coast and fiercely guards its Greek identity.

For millennia the tiny island has acted as a crossroads for seafaring communities and major civilizations. The birthplace of Zeus offers panoramic views, Byzantine monasteries, and stunning contrasts between the Mediterranean's blue waters and white sands.

By exploring Kastellorizo, you can immerse yourself in history and antiquity that few other places can rival. From the Neolithic era to the knights of St John and 19th-century fishing heritage, the remote and picture-perfect village highlights Greece’s past.

Highlights: Main town • Castello Rosso • Palaiokastro • Cliff diving • Snorkeling

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

How to get to Kastellorizo: Fly from Athens to Rhodes, then take a ferry from Rhodes to Kastellorizo on Rhodes vacations.

The stunning island of Ithaca gained prominence thousands of years ago with a mention in the Homeric legend The Odyssey. The Ionian island retains its mythical allure with isolated sandy beaches and picturesque fishing villages.

Boutique hotels offer a touch of contemporary luxury and the fjord-like bay shimmers alongside the iconic architecture. With the pairing of lively cafes and more than 30 archeological sites, this island provides a unique experience.

Ithaca combines the glamor of Greece’s white sands with vibrant promenades, without the crowds of Mykonos and other islands. By choosing to visit Ithaca, you can experience the seaside spirit of Greece at quiet, traditional tavernas or on remote shores during romantic afternoon strolls on Greece tours for couples.

Highlights: Filiatro Beach • Gidaki Beach • Kathara Monastery • Sarakiniko Beach • Paralía Fríkes

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

How to get to Ithaca: Fly from Athens to Kefalonia, then take a ferry from Kefalonia to Ithaca.

Milos has one of the most exotic landscapes in the Aegean Sea. Its beaches glow pink and orange against the water’s emerald hues. There are also lunar-like rocks covering the coastline that can be explored from the crystal-clear sea.

Secluded caves unveil legends of pirates from the Middle Ages and charming homes glint with vibrant colors. Families and couples can enjoy the ancient catacombs, archeology museum, and endless natural wonders.

The summer island boasts lavish resorts with panoramic views of the seascape. Many sit on the remote hills climbing the seafront and travelers can embrace the seclusion of these accommodations on Milos tours and vacations.

Highlights: Sarakiniko Beach • Kleftiko Beach • Milos Mining Museum • Firiplaka Beach • Tsigrado Beach

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

How to get to Milos: Fly from Athens to Milos, or take a ferry from Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, or Naxos to Milos.

Three charming harbor villages overlook the sapphire waters and white-pebbled beaches of Paxi. Ancient olive groves rise up the inland hills amid dense vineyards. Taxi boats travel between towns and unspoiled coves isolated by sheer limestone cliffs.

Luxurious villas, wild myrtle, pine, and cypress trees grow on the neighboring island of Antipaxi, and the prized Venetian architecture of the capital highlights Paxi’s distinctive beauty. The stunning villages overlooking the Ionian Sea are full of history to explore on guided or self-guided tours.

Travelers can embrace the cosmopolitan charms of colorful Paxi or immerse themselves in the antiquity that flows from the fairytale villages by the sea. Secluded beaches invite tourists to enjoy the quiet or cruise the crystalline waters aboard lavish yachts on luxury Greece tours and vacations.

Highlights: Vrika Beach • Voutoumi Beach • Tripitos Arch • Blue Caves • Gaios

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

How to get to Paxi: Fly from Athens to Corfu, then take a ferry from Corfu to Paxi.

The unexplored island of Chios contains 24 preserved medieval villages. Unique architecture, geometric designs, the remains of impregnable fortresses, and mastic production give a glimpse into the island's culture.

The individual styles of each village showcase the variety of traditions present in the region. Byzantine streets overlook seaside lanes and densely-packed white houses allow travelers to traverse rooftops.

There are breathtaking black-pebbled beaches to sunbathe on, ghost villages where a quiet ambiance prevails, and culinary gems in which to experience unique Mediterranean meals. Off the coast, scuba diving is sensational and can show you the shipwrecks and sea caves of Chios during the best time to visit the Greek islands.

Highlights: Pyrgi • Mavra Volia • Nea Moni Monastery • Anavatos • Vroulidia

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

How to get to Chios: Fly or take a ferry from Athens to Chios.

The gorgeous region of Mani spreads across the Peloponnese’s southern edges and is made up of steep foothills, unspoiled coves, snowcapped mountains, and remarkable medieval villages hidden in thriving olive groves.

The network of coastal caverns hosts stalagmites, stalactites, and the mythological entrance to the underworld. Cape Tenaro captures the imagination of visitors, with a temple to Poseidon at the edge of the European continent. This location is notable as it is first mentioned in Homer’s epic poem, the Iliad.

The Mani peninsula is a gateway to Greece's natural and preserved history, with activities suitable for all sorts of adventures. Veering off the beaten path to visit the unique villages of Mani can create a Grecian experience unlike any other, allowing you to experience the top 8 things to do in the Peloponnese with family.

Highlights: Diros Caves • Cape Tenaro • Kalamata • Kardamyli • Limeni

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

How to get to Mani: Private transfer from Athens to Mani.

Instead of the quintessential beaches and ancient history for which Greece is known, the northern region of Epiros highlights the diversity of the country, with natural marvels ranging from lush forests to reflective mountain lakes.

Epirus feels worlds away from Mykonos's Cycladic architecture or the Athenian Acropolis's ruins. Instead, Venetian remnants and wildlife, including wolves, brown bears, and birds of prey, amaze visitors.

Epirus is home to the deepest gorge in Greece, a spectacular formation to view on sightseeing tours from nearby towns. There are also smaller, authentic mountain villages to discover on treks across the region’s mesmerizing landscape.

Highlights: Vikos Gorge • Dodona • Ioannina Kastro • Acheron River • Bridge of Arta

Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days

How to get to Epirus: Fly from Athens to Epirus, or take a ferry from Corfu to Igoumenitsa port in Epirus.

The preserved castle town of Monemvasia on an island off the east coast of the Peloponnese exudes a fairytale ambiance. The medieval fortress rises up the foothill, with homes, vaulted alleyways, and stairs carved out of the sea rock.

Byzantine, Ottoman, and Venetian influences line cobbled lanes that date back to the 13th century and embody medieval charm. Enjoy panoramic views of the sea from Venetian villas and then relax in Turkish baths.

Monemvasia, one of the best cities to visit in mainland Greece, is a marvelous hidden gem that offers a collection of unique experiences to embrace. Travelers can enjoy a day trip to the walkways that weave through the enormous Kastania Cave or sip Malvasia wines, famously tipped in the works of Shakespeare.

Highlights: Monemvasia Fortress • Agia Sofia Church • Christos Elkomenos • Our Lady of Hrisafittisa • Ano Poli

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

How to get to Monemvasia: Private transfer from Athens to Monemvasia.

The white-washed, ochre-roofed town of Skopelos sits in the beautiful blue waters of the Aegean Sea between Skiathos and Alonissos. The seaside setting is dreamlike, featuring quiet walkways that connect charming homes climbing the green and gold hills.

Skopelos has caught travelers' attention for famously featuring on the silver screen as a backdrop for the film Mamma Mia. That said, the many charms of Skopelos, one of the world’s stunning filming locations you can visit on vacation, remain unexplored. The hillside villages boast breathtaking panoramas of the Aegean, the beaches are lonely and offer sensational swimming, and watersports provide thrilling opportunities to enjoy the seas of Greece.

The culinary culture of Skopelos is also inviting, introducing travelers to the impeccable flavors of authentic Greek cuisine. Lobster with orzo pasta, stuffed sea urchins, and barnacles served with rice are some of the sensational Skopelos delicacies to try.

Highlights: Skopelos Town • Agios Ioannis Church • Agios Riginos Monastery • Panormos Beach • Kastani Beach

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

How to get to Skopelos: Fly from Athens to Skiathos, then take a ferry from Skiathos to Skopelos.

Amorgos is an awe-inspiring island in the Cyclades and one that few have on their travel radars. This comes as a surprise, considering the island’s spectacular white sands, breathtaking caves, and scenic bays, which make this hidden gem a delight to explore.

Ancient walkways cross the rocky landscape to viewpoints overlooking the shimmering blue seascape. Some ancient villages reflect the fascinating history of the early Cycladic Era and strings of cultural tradition to unravel when meandering through these sites.

The beaches of Amorgos include pebbled coves and sandy stretches, with great snorkeling opportunities. You can tour the seas to castaway bays by boat or return to shore to take the trails less traveled across the rocky reaches of Amorgos.

Highlights: Hozoviotissa Monastery • Mouros Beach • Chora Village • Agia Anna Beach • Maltezi

Recommended length of stay: 1-2 days

How to get to Amorgos: Take a ferry from Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, or Rhodes to Amorgos.

The Meteora archeological site is one of the most remarkable regions in Greece. The monastic region is home to preserved monasteries built into and on the massive rock formations and sandstone pillars that rise from the landscape.

Appearing as natural columns that rise to the crowds, Meteora is a stunningly cinematic place to visit on off-the-beaten-path tours of Greece. The Byzantine monasteries, with their artifacts and exhibits, are treasure troves of history.

Tours of Meteora, one of the best places to visit in Greece, reveal a religious and spiritual side of the country that few other places rival. A peaceful atmosphere envelops the region and creates a stunning setting for travelers to experience Greece’s monastic hidden gem.

Highlights: Great Meteoron Monastery • Monastery of Varlaám • Monastery of Ayía Triáda • Monastery of Áyios Nikólaos Anapafsás • Natural History Museum

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

How to get to Meteora: Private transfer or take a train from Athens to Meteora.

Whether searching for medieval castles or an immersive excursion into nature, Greece embodies the wonders of Mediterranean culture and natural beauty. The hidden gems of Greece invite travelers to explore new sides of the Mediterranean destination, from the charming seaside villages of Paxi to the monastic jewels of Meteora on Greece vacations and tours to the unexplored.

From island charm to mainland grandeur, colorful houses to inviting views of the sea, you can find more inspiration for your perfect trip with our Greece travel guide.