5 of the Most Underrated Destinations in Greece

Greece is one of the world’s most popular destinations. Sun kissed beaches, iconic sites and fantastic cuisine create a rainbow of experiences to stimulate the senses and soul of visitors. The wealth of draws entices most first time visitors, who leave longing to return to explore more of the country.

Greece’s most popular destinations, like Athens, Crete, Santorini, Rhodes and Mykonos are best visited outside July and August to avoid heavy crowds and sweltering heat. After many visits to Greece over the years, these are some of my favorite lesser known destinations. Some of these spots are not as overwhelmed with over-tourism even at the peak of summer holidays!

Symi

Symi is one of the most beautiful islands that I’ve laid eyes upon. Part of the Dodecanese islands, colorful neoclassical houses dot the mountain about its picturesque harbor. Symi is also known for its lovely beaches. Delicious seaside dining features a variety of excellent seafood dishes, along with many traditional Greek favorites.

On the southwest coast of Symi, the Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis was rebuilt in 1783 and features ornate frescoes. It is a significant Greek Orthodox pilgrimage site, featuring a Byzantine museum.

I visited Symi by ferry on a day tour from Rhodes – which I booked the day prior directly from the one of several tour operators. The tour included a stop at the Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis before continuing to Symi’s charming main town for several hours of free exploring.

Most tours to Symi from Rhodes include time for a delicious lunch, strolling and a little shopping. There are several hotels and bed and breakfasts around Symi, so visitors can also plan to catch a ferry and spend additional days enjoying the beautiful island.

Simi’s lack of an airport and large ferry terminal protects the island from over-tourism that can involve a perpetual revolving door of flights and large cruise ships. Rhodes struggles with over-tourism in summer because of its large airport combined with being a popular cruise ship port of call.

How to get to Symi 

1. Fly to Rhodes International Airport (“Diagoras”) (RHO)
2. Take a taxi, bus, or online transfer to the port of Rhodes Town
3. Catch a ferry to Symi which takes around 50 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes each way depending on the service

Lindos Acropolis

Rhodes is one of the most popular islands in Greece among European tourists, but less so among American tourists – largely because of how destinations tend to get marketed to different groups. And Rhodes tends to be most famous for its beaches, along with Rhodes Town, which is one of most well preserved medieval towns in Europe. Some might also think of the Colossus of Rhodes, which was one of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World.

But Lindos Acropolis is a wonder that’s less discussed. The towering monolith with well preserved temples and columns resembles the Athens Acropolis. A key difference is Lindos Castle is set right along the Aegean Sea.

The ruins of the ancient citadel along a steep cliff offers striking sea views. It can be reached by foot or donkey. Visitors can arrive in Lindos by rental car, tour bus or smaller ferry boat. I caught a ferry from Rhodes Town to Lindos, then walked up the path to the ancient site following lunch at a nearby restaurant offering a sweeping overlook. Visitors will find several restaurants, cafes and shops outside the entrance to the ancient site.

Rhodes struggles with over-tourism during the height of summer holidays. There are around 200,000 hotel beds on the large island, and most of them get fully booked in July and August. The second half of May and September are the best times to visit Rhodes, as the crowds are not as heavy and temperatures are milder. September is widely considered the best month, and the sea temperatures are warmer for swimming compared to May.

Getting to Lindos 

• Car: Drive to Lindos, which is located off the main east-coast road between the villages of Kalathos and Lardos.
• Taxi: Take a taxi from Rhodes Town or other parts of the island, which is where your resort may be located.
• Bus: Take a bus from Rhodes Town or other parts of the island. Buses are frequent and inexpensive, but they may not always be on time.

Loutra Pozar, Almopia

Almopia is located in the mountains of Central Macedonia, Greece, near the border of the Republic of North Macedonia. The wonderland of natural beauty features high mountains and cascading waterfalls. This is particularly a great destination in summer, as cooler temperatures offer a welcome reprieve from the summer heat elsewhere in Greece.

Loutra Pozar thermal springs draw visitors year-round – albeit it mostly Greek and Balkan tourists. Warm and cold waterfalls and pools are nestled alongside a lush forest and tall mountains. Jumping into the natural outdoor thermal springs of Loutra Pozar is reinvigorating to the body, mind and soul.

Loutra Pozar also has indoor thermal pools, sauna and steam rooms (Hammam). While visitors can enjoy the outdoor pools even in winter, the indoor pools offer shelter from the elements when needed. Consider booking a therapeutic massage to complement a Greek wellness getaway.

Fresh and delicious local meat and vegetable dishes round out a great experience. Almopia is one of the most underrated destinations in Greece because it’s outside the sand and sea marketing that people typically view.

Kassandra, Halkidiki

Halkidiki features three jutting peninsulas, with Mediterranean forests and sandy beaches in sheltered bays. The lovely vacation destination is located in northern Greece around a 90 minute drive from Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city.

Kassandra is the westernmost of Halkidiki’s peninsulas and the most developed for tourism. It features modern resorts, excellent seaside restaurants, nightclubs and thermal spas. The region is a seafood lovers delight with a wide variety of delicious fresh seafood options like lightly breaded shrimp and grilled octopus.

Agia Paraskevi (Halkidiki Spa) is a beautiful thermal spa along the Kassandra Peninsula of Halkidiki, which is renown for its crystal clear turquoise water. The town of Loutra, which means “bath” in Greek offers an idyllic wellness getaway.

The thermal waters at Agia Paraskevi are sourced from a natural sulfur spring below the mountain. The outdoor pools, jacuzzi tubs and spacious terrace feature sweeping views across the sea. Halkidiki Spa features indoor and outdoor thermal pools, saunas and steam rooms (Hammam).

Getting to Kassandra, Halkidiki 

1. Fly into Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG), also known as Makedonia Airport
2. Rent a Car at Thessaloniki Airport
3. Drive east on the A25 highway, then onto the A24 highway to reach Halkidiki
4. Or Take a taxi or bus from the airport to the nearest KTEL bus station
5. Take a bus to Halkidiki

Messini

Resting along a hillside below the village of Mavromati, ancient Messini is among the most underrated Greek archeological sites given the area’s striking beauty. Ancient Messina features a large theatre and agora (marketplace) along with a vast complex of striking relics. It is one of many unique Peloponnese experiences in southern Greece.

The archeological site is still undergoing excavation, as archeologists continue to discover more structures. Visitors can easily spend a few hours exploring the vast grounds of ancient Messini, while pondering the past, present and future.

Originally called Zancle, Messini was founded by Greek colonists in the 8th century BC. Every May in ancient Messina, a theatre troop from London puts on a stirring performance. Then from June through October, the Koroni Arts Festival takes place in Koroni, Messinia. Theatre, dance, poetry and visual arts exhibitions are staples of the festival.

I highly recommend having lunch at Ithomi Taverna in Messini. The view from their spacious terrace overlooking ancient Messini is spectacular. Ithomi Taverna serves fantastic traditional Greek meat and vegetarian dishes. Among so many delicious dishes, their succulent roast pork served with fresh hand cut fries is divine.

Messini is among the most underrated destinations in Greece. And with so many great spots around the country, there’s a strong argument for Hellas when visitors are debating a trip to either Greece or Italy!