A beach on Donoussa. Credit: F.P. / Donoussa – Cyclades islands, Greece / Facebook
Greece is well known for its thousands of beaches that are tourist magnets, bringing millions of travelers every year to the country; but what about its hidden gems, the coastlines that are almost empty?
The places no ordinary tourist knows in Greece
Visitors to Greece have always been amazed by the wild Mediterranean terrain made up of stunning blue waters, golden beaches, and amazing landscapes. However, this small and yet great land hides many secret places.
Most of the visitors of Greece will certainly know the islands of Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, and Rhodes. However, very few are those who know the abundance of hidden destinations that offer a uniquely Greek and traditional experience.
From hidden beaches to entire islands, Greece has a wide range of options to offer to those who seek tranquility and calm during their summer vacations.
Here are some of these endless options:
Ravdoucha, Crete
The sea of Ravdoucha. Credit: Klaus-Dieter Thill / Instagram
The Cretan village of Ravdoucha is, according to many, one of the most traditional places in the solitary Rodopos Peninsula. Located on the western part of the island, 21 km from the city of Chania.
Ravdoucha is a small, beautiful village, counting a little more than 130 inhabitants, it is located on a rather elevated position, on top of a hill from where it is possible to admire a fantastic view of the Gulf of Kissamos, while there is a wonderful beach nearby.
Its name comes from the Greek term ravdi, closely related to the word ”ravdizo” (to flop something) which describes the winds affecting the area, normally ideal to practice snorkeling.
The village is still not famous for mass tourism, which confers the area a touch of peace and tranquility. Still, many Cretans adore visiting Ravdoucha and especially the unique shore. Here, high cliffs and rocks make it a perfect place for fishing.
Lipsi, South Aegean
The harbour of Lipsi. Credit: ТимофейЛееСуда / Public Domain
The island of Lipsi (or Leipsoi) is a rather tiny and isolated island of the Dodecanese.
It is one of those perfect Aegean islands to visit in order to get away from stress and routine. Since there is no direct daily connection via mainland Greece, the closer options to get there would be from other Dodecanese islands such as Leros, Patmos, Rhodes, Kalymnos, and Kos.
Lipsi is a cluster of islets located in the southeastern Aegean. The collective name comes from the largest island of all, Lipsi, which is formed by landmasses joined by a narrow neck. Low hills and valleys, as well as a rocky coastline and several bays, are part of the landscape of Lipsi.
Cars and roads are not common on the island, therefore most of the action takes place along the pedestrian seafront promenade. A small fishing port and different tavernas can also be found, as well.
In the only town of the island named Chorio (which literally means ”Village;;), one can taste the famous octopus recipe of the island in one of the many ouzo taverns or fish restaurants available. At night, these venues turn into meeting places where people can to go for a drink and live music.
Alypa, Mani
The beach in Alypa. Credit: Georgia Zervou / Instagram
Alypa is a hidden spot located in the Greek region of Mani, one of the three peninsulas of the Peloponnese, southern Greece. The region is famous for its shores and the greenish-blue crystal seas.
Alypa boasts a magnificent beach with crystal clear waters, a really inspiring place for a peaceful holiday.
Wild beauty, colorful landscapes, rough stones, and turquoise waters are the ingredients that sum up to create the ultimate holiday experience. The area of Alypa is literally hidden between the majestic villages of the Laconian Mani.
This unique seaport in Mani welcomes visitors with beaches made of crystal clear waters and pristine white pebbles. A small bay with a natural landscape of unique beauty, a bunch of taverns, and its relaxed atmosphere inspired John Cassavetes’ film, Tempest, as well as a famous commercial for a brand of ouzo.
The magic of nature is part of the Mani where every beach has a characteristic of its own. However, there is something unique about Alypa, where the greatness of nature becomes evident to the eyes of the visitor.
Lichades, Euboea
Lichades near Euboea. Screenshot from Up Drones’ video on Youtube
Lichades or also known as Lihadonisia, is an island complex located across from Kamena Vourla on the central Greek island of Euboea (Evia).
The complex consists of a total of seven islands and islets. The biggest of them is Manolia and it is the only one that had residents in the past.
The other six islets are Strongili, Mikri Strongili, Steno, Vagia, Vorias and Limani.
The biggest island, Manolia, has a beautiful beach and it is visited by a few tourists in the summer. Strongili is the second largest island and on top has a big lighthouse.
The seven islands are dotted with beaches created by volcanic inlets.
Often referred to as the “Maldives” of Greece, the islands emerged as a result of a massive earthquake thousands of years ago and volcanic activity during the Cenozoic century. Thought to have been named after the servant of the God Hercules, Lihas, the islands can be reached via boat excursions operating from the harbor of Kavos in Evia.
Donoussa, Cyclades
A beach on Donoussa. Credit: F.P. / Donoussa – Cyclades islands, Greece / Facebook
Donousa or Donussa is a small island on the southeast side of the Cyclades archipelago in Greece.
It lies just 10 miles north of the island of Amorgos and east of the largest Cycladic island, Naxos.
The area is only 13.75 square kilometers and it is comprised mainly of mountains, hills, rocks and some bushes.
The island has a diameter that is no longer than five kilometers (three miles) with the highest point being 363 meters (1190 ft). The island is populated by only 167 individuals, who proudly call this little rock ”home.”
Donoussa has a small harbor at Stavros, its main settlement, having ferry routes to Naxos and Amorgos. However, it is not connected directly to mainland Greece.
One of the rare luxuries of the island is that it has one ferry that can transfer its few lucky visitors to every undiscovered sandy beach with crystal exotic waters of the area.