15 Hidden Gems and Unique Places to Visit in Greece

Beyond the ancient wonders of Athens.

Beyond Mykonos and its chic beach hotels.

Beyond the tried-and-true in the guidebooks, there are endless unique places to visit in Greece.

With more than 6,000 islands and islets, there are plenty of quiet, romantic Greek islands with pinch-me-I’m-dreaming beaches to escape to.

Add to that the remarkable historical sites. With thousands of years of history, Greece is also home to mythical places rich in ancient legends, fantastic archeological sites with beautifully preserved ruins and spiritual havens that soothe the soul.

And for nature lovers, there are lush landscapes, rugged mountains and serene lakes.

So if you’re planning to visit Greece – and you’re keen to discover its unique, alternative and secret side – read on!

Unique places to visit in Greece

Unique Greek islands

1) Ikaria

Ikaria is a beautiful remote Greek island located off the Turkish coast, about a two-hour ferry ride from Mykonos.

We think it’s one of the most unique places to visit in Greece.

Ikaria is unusual for a very interesting reason – it’s one of the world’s five Blue Zones. These are places where people live longer and healthier than anywhere else, like Okinawa in Japan and Sardinia in Italy. 

An astounding one in three people in Ikaria lives to be over 90.

And they live healthy lives in their old age too – no dementia, no depression, less cancer and less heart disease.

They also lead a healthy lifestyle in other aspects.

They walk. They make love a lot (well into their old age). They’re not stressed about time. And they make their own organic red wine and cultivate their own olive groves. 

2) Delos

You’ll find the uninhabited tiny island of Delos just a short ferry ride from Mykonos.

This mesmerizing UNESCO World Heritage Site (less than two square miles in size) is covered in archeological ruins dating from 300 BC.

Delos was once the most prosperous commercial center in the ancient world. During that time, the wealthy built grand villas – with the most beautiful mosaic tile floors.

These mosaics of Delos are over 2,000 years old.

In the House of Dionysos, you’ll see a great example – the panther head. It’s a well-preserved testament to the ancient Greeks’ artistic skills.

You can even see remains of the residents’ toilet rooms in these once-opulent villas – canals under the whole city took waste water out to sea.

Take a Delos tour from Mykonos

To visit Delos, take an excursion boat from the nearby island of Mykonos. Boats leave from Mykonos Harbor daily for guided tours of Delos Island.

See this well-rated guided tour of the archaeological sites of Delos. You’ll get to see many of the well-kept monuments and sacred sites – including the historic Delos mosaics.

For a more comprehensive guided tour of Delos, this full-day Delos and Rhenia Islands cruise comes complete with a BBQ meal. It includes swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters off Rhenia island – one of the hidden gems of Greece.

3) Santorini

Talk about cool places in Greece!

Santorini is the volcanic island whose middle was blown out by a massive volcanic eruption in 1,600 BC.

Any good unique Greece travel guide will tell you that walking along the edge of the caldera (volcanic crater), from the capital of Fira to the white sugar-cube village of Oia, is one of the most pleasurable ways to take in the heart-stopping views.

Enjoy a Santorini sailboat cruise

Sailing offers a different viewpoint from which to enjoy Santorini’s unique scenery.

We booked a luxury Santorini cruise for the day, joining four other couples aboard a swish catamaran.

From Oia, we cruised past the island’s craggy brown and white rocks to swim at a red sand beach.

For lunch, the crew barbecued huge shrimp and mussels. They were served with Greek salad featuring Santorini’s sweet juicy cherry tomatoes.

Unlimited goblets of wine and other delectable local Greek dishes further sweetened the experience.

We ended the day by jumping off the boat to swim at underwater hot springs, gushing up by the uninhabited lava islet of Nea Kameni. A unique experience, for sure!

The water was actually only luke-warm, but it was fun to slather on the red-brown sulphuric mud (said to be good for the skin).

Tip: To round out your unique Santorini experience, stay in a cave hotel like Ikies Traditional Houses.

4) Milos

The rugged volcanic island of Milos is one of Greece’s hidden gems, with its colorful and unusual landscapes.

Being relatively undeveloped and unspoiled (for now!), it’s quite a unique Greek island and one of the less touristy places in Greece.

You may know Milos as the island where the famous “Venus de Milo” statue was discovered. (She’s now displayed in the Louvre.)

5) Skyros

When seeking out unique non-touristy Greek islands, also take a look at Skyros.

A best-kept secret, Skyros is a quiet Greek island in the Sporades archipelago in the Aegean Sea (together with Skiathos, #8 below, and Skopelos).

Skyros is the perfect escape if you love beautiful beaches and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. There are also many charming cafés in the island’s sole town (Skyros town) – and a remarkable sea cave chapel on the coast.

The famous English poet Rupert Brooke is buried in an olive grove on a hill on the island.

And finally, you’ll also want to see the unique and rare breed of Skyrian horses. Almost extinct, they look like regular horses, but shorter (just a little over three feet high).

Go and meet them at the Skyros Island Horse Trust, dedicated to saving the breed – one of the more unique things to do in Greece…

Unique hidden gems in Greece

6) Kythira

Is this possibly the perfect Greek island?

Its varied landscapes – ribboned by gorges, waterfalls and valleys – make Kythira (or Kythera) one of the most beautiful islands in Greece.

It’s just a shame that it’s so far off the beaten track.

Few international tourists take the 7-hour ferry ride from Athens to reach the island, which lies off the southern tip of the Peloponnese Peninsula. So Kythira doesn’t get the attention it deserves. It’s definitely one of the most under-rated places in Greece.

But if you make the effort to get there, Kythira has much to offer.

You can visit castles and hike up to fortresses left behind by the Venetians.

There are also wonderful swimming spots – from pebble beaches on the coast to idyllic freshwater ponds, deep in the forests, refreshed by waterfalls.

The island is home to several charming traditional villages, each with their own unique character. The small village of Mylopotamos is set around a duck pond and is proud of its many well-preserved water mills.

For a memorable non-touristy trip, there’s no doubt about it! Kythira Island is one of the best places to visit in Greece.

7) Kefalonia

Then again…

Maybe Kefalonia is the most beautiful Greek island.

Found among the Ionian Islands, it’s best known as the place where the movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was filmed – a nice bit of Greek trivia.

If you seek picturesque waterfront villages, look no further than Asos on the northeast coast. The 16th century Asos Castle perches on a rocky hill above the town.

Just down the road, Myrtos Beach beckons – the beach dazzles with its marble and limestone pebbles.

Or, if beaches are your preferred reward, hike to pristine hidden beaches like Kimilia Beach in the northern part of the island.

Unique romantic places in Greece

8) Skiathos

Skiathos Island may be a little difficult to get to, but we think it’s rather beautiful – and one of the best Greek islands for couples.

Remember the movie Mama Mia? It was filmed on this hilly pine-covered island (and nearby Skopelos).

Outside the more touristy areas, however, you’ll find some incredible natural beauty. Pine forests, threaded with scenic hiking trails, cover most of the island.

Then there are the secluded beaches that are only accessible by boat – hidden places in Greece you might not know about. 

Tip: We think the best months to visit Skiathos are May, June and September. July and August are much busier – but they’re great if you want to enjoy Skiathos nightlife at its liveliest.

9) Folegandros

Folegandros is a small Greek island that’s only eight miles long.

It’s close to Santorini (#3 above) – but soooo much quieter – scoring high on the romance scale.

The beaches are oh-so-pretty and practically deserted. Footpaths wind around the island, so it’s a pleasure to walk. And one of Folegandros’ three small towns, Chora, is completely car-free.

So if you’re looking for romantic non-touristy places in Greece – add Folegandros island to your list!

Must do: Climb the stone zig-zag path up to the Church of Panagia (a 15-minute walk). It commands a unique (and glorious!) location at the top of a rocky hill above Chora.

And when it comes to Folegandros hotels, check out the Anemi Hotel – it offers a Greek getaway that’s truly honeymoon-worthy.

10) Monemvasia

Monemvasia town, built atop a steep rock islet, is located on an island close to mainland Greece.

If we were 17th century Venetians, we’d have to cross a drawbridge (or wade through the sea) to enter this medieval fortress town.

Today, and quite conveniently, a modern causeway links the historic walled town with the Greek Peloponnese mainland.

Yet Monemvasia itself still evokes the past with its car-free cobblestone paths – just wide enough for a donkey pulling a wagon – and gold-tinged houses that date back to the Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman empires.

We visited Monemvasia on a Greek cruise. It’s also possible, however to visit the town on a road trip from Athens.

11) Rethymnon

On the larger island of Crete, you’ll find Rethymnon (or Rethymno). It’s the third largest city on the island and one of the most beautiful cities in Greece.

Rethymnon is bordered by a long sandy beach on one side and a rocky coastline on the other – described poetically as “on the boundary between calmness and fierceness” by local writer Pantelis Prevelakis. 

What’s lovely to see is that this Old Town is full of local life.

Women embroider while sitting on doorsteps, students drink coffee and play tavli (backgammon) in cafés and children kick balls in the alleys.

Avli, a 16th century Venetian villa, has gorgeous suites for a romantic stay in the heart of the Old Town.

Other unique places in Greece

12) Mount Athos

Mount Athos, in northeastern mainland Greece, is one of the more secret places in Greece.

This mountain sits atop a peninsula, climbing up from the sea with steep cliffs, its top often shrouded in clouds.

It’s a profoundly spiritual place, once home to some 40 monasteries. Today, 20 remain – a ‘Holy Mountain’ for those seeking a spiritual retreat.

It’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also an autonomous Greek state, similar to the Vatican.

We didn’t actually set foot on Mount Athos, but cruised slowly by (boats have to keep a distance of over 1,500 feet away).

To visit, you first need to secure permission through your consulate. Then you have to submit testimonials of your good character and reasons for your visit. Even then, you can only visit Mount Athos for three days.

What further makes Mount Athos one of the most unique places to visit in Greece, is that no women are ever permitted entry. In fact – get this – while the self-sustaining monasteries have farms, female animals are even prohibited too!

In fact – get this – while the self-sustaining monasteries have farms, even female animals are prohibited!

So if you’re aiming to have the most unique Greece holiday, a visit to Mount Athos definitely takes the prize – though, be warned, access is selective…

13) Ancient ruins of Philippi

Philippi, found on Greece’s mainland, is another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This ancient city was all about gold, wine, murder and mayhem – with Alexander the Great and St. Paul playing starring roles.

Intrigued? Then read our post on the ancient Philippi ruins.

14) Meteora

The rock formations of Meteora in northern Greece are home to several remarkable Byzantine monasteries and nunneries.

Meteora means “suspended in air” – and if you’ve ever seen photos of these Meteora monasteries, you’ll understand why Meteora is one of the most interesting places in Greece. The monasteries are perched atop towering sandstone rock pillars over 1,200 feet high.

They were first built in the 11th century, and for centuries the only way to get to them was to be lifted up in a net basket (or to climb up a retractable ladder). They’re home to monks and nuns who still live there today.

The Great Meteoron Monastery is the oldest and largest of the monasteries. It houses priceless Byzantine-era manuscripts and an ossuary with the skulls of monks who lived there.

The only thing is that we visited Meteora in the peak tourist season in Greece (high summer). It may be a must-visit place, but jostling with hundreds upon hundreds of tourists detracted somewhat from our experience.

Tip: To avoid the crowds, we suggest timing your visit to Meteora during the off-season – maybe late October, November or March?

15) Mycenae

Up in the northeast of Greece lies the ancient city of Mycenae. This archeological site was once the center of the highly developed Mycenaean civilization.

If you dig ancient Greek history, Mycenae is calling out to you!

Homer wrote about this intriguing place in the Iliad around 850 B.C. – and its rediscovery proved Homer’s epic poems were rooted in reality.

Furthermore, the legendary King Agamemnon was buried here with all his gold treasures. He was the leader of the Greek army during the Trojan War. (His brother’s wife Helen was the lovely lady taken to Troy by Paris, igniting the Trojan War.)

All that remains today inside Agamemnon’s huge, rounded limestone tomb (which would have looked like a grassy mound centuries ago) is black soot clinging to the walls, remnants of the cooking fires lit by medieval occupants when they lived here.

Last words on off-the-beaten-path Greece and unique Greek places

So there you have it – our guide to the most unique and special places in Greece.

We trust we’ve given you a good idea of where to go in Greece.

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Photo credits: 4 to 6, 30 to 32, 34, 37, 41, 43 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase

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