Beyond the Crowds: The Most Beautiful Underrated Places to Visit in Greece

Santorini’s sunsets and Mykonos’ beach clubs might dominate the travel brochures, but Greece has a treasure trove of hidden spots that offer an equally captivating experience—without the cruise ships and Instagram mobs. From dramatic mountain villages to low-key islands and historical towns steeped in local life, here are 9 lesser-known but stunning places in Greece where authenticity still thrives and tourism hasn’t taken over.

1. Zagori Villages – Epirus Region’s Stone-Built Wonderland

Hidden in the rugged mountains of northern Greece, the Zagorochoria (or Zagori villages) are a group of 46 traditional stone villages surrounded by lush forests, arched stone bridges, and alpine views.

• Why it’s special: The architecture here is strictly preserved—no neon signs, no billboards, just cobbled paths, slate-roofed houses, and centuries-old stone bridges. The region is perfect for hiking, especially the dramatic Vikos Gorge, one of the deepest in the world.

• Local tip: Stay in Papigo or Dilofo, two of the most scenic and accessible villages. Don’t leave without trying kontosouvli (slow-roasted pork) and local mushroom dishes.

2. Tinos – The Artistic Soul of the Cyclades

Often overshadowed by its glitzy neighbors, Tinos is an unspoiled Cycladic island with deep religious significance, artistic heritage, and over 40 beautiful villages tucked into its hillsides.

• Why it’s special: Tinos is famous among Greeks for the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, a major pilgrimage site. But beyond that, it’s an island of sculptors, painters, and marble artisans—especially in the village of Pyrgos, where you’ll find museums, galleries, and working studios.

• Local tip: Rent a car and explore inland villages like Volax with its strange boulder fields, and dine at a seaside taverna in Ysternia as the sun sets.

3. Pelion Peninsula – Where Mountains Meet the Sea

Located between Athens and Thessaloniki, the Pelion Peninsula is one of Greece’s best-kept secrets. It’s a mix of lush mountains, stone villages, and hidden coves that offer both winter and summer activities.

• Why it’s special: Villages like Tsagarada, Makrinitsa, and Portaria are perched on green slopes with views of the Aegean. In the summer, you can swim at beaches like Fakistra or Mylopotamos, and in winter, hit the ski slopes of Chania.

• Local tip: Try a traditional sweet called spoon sweet (preserved fruit) with Greek coffee at a village kafeneio. And don’t miss the tiny scenic train from Ano Lechonia to Milies.

4. Nafplio – Greece’s Romantic Old Capital

Just a couple of hours from Athens, Nafplio is a romantic port town that blends Venetian, Ottoman, and neoclassical influences into one beautiful package.

• Why it’s special: Think pastel-colored mansions, castle ruins, and palm-lined promenades. It’s also incredibly walkable, with a relaxed pace and lots of seaside dining options.

• Local tip: Climb up to Palamidi Fortress (yes, there are technically 999 steps), and visit Bourtzi Castle, which sits on an islet in the harbor. Try the local gelato—some of the best in Greece.

5. Ikaria – The Island Where Time Slows Down

Ikaria is known as one of the world’s “Blue Zones,” where people regularly live to 90 and beyond. But beyond longevity, it’s an island full of soul, natural beauty, and defiant simplicity.

• Why it’s special: Life here follows its own rhythm. Locals nap at noon, eat late, and dance until sunrise at all-night panigyria (village feasts with traditional music).

• Local tip: Visit Nas Beach, where a river meets the sea at the site of an ancient temple, and hike the Halari Gorgenearby. Stay in Armenistis or Christos Raches for a true local experience.

6. Nymfaio – A Hidden Alpine Village in Western Macedonia

Nymfaio, nestled at 1,350 meters in the mountains of northern Greece, is a little-known village with a unique mix of noble mansions, cobbled lanes, and environmental activism.

• Why it’s special: It feels more Central European than Mediterranean, with traditional stone mansions and beech forests all around. It’s also home to Arcturos, a wildlife NGO protecting bears and wolves.

• Local tip: Visit in autumn for fall colors, and warm up by the fireplace with a glass of tsipouro (strong grape spirit). Nearby Florina is a cultural hub worth exploring too.

7. Kythira – The Island of Aphrodite (With No Crowds)

Floating south of the Peloponnese, Kythira is technically part of the Ionian Islands but feels like a world of its own—quiet, spiritual, and utterly untouched by mass tourism.

• Why it’s special: It’s a place of waterfalls, caves, Venetian castles, and empty beaches. Legend has it Aphrodite was born here.

• Local tip: Visit the medieval ghost town of Paleochora, swim under the Neraida Waterfalls in Mylopotamos, and wander the hilltop town of Chora at sunset.

8. Drama & Kavala – Northern Greece’s Wine & Culture Duo

In Macedonia’s northeast, the cities of Drama and Kavala offer a refreshing blend of history, nature, and local flavor—far from the tourist trail.

• Why it’s special: Kavala has an amphitheater-like harbor, Ottoman aqueducts, and a charming old town. Drama is inland and surrounded by vineyards producing some of Greece’s best wines.

• Local tip: Go wine tasting in the Drama Wine Route, visit the ancient site of Philippi, and explore the Nestos River Delta for kayaking, birdwatching, and hiking.

9. Syrrako & Kalarites – Twin Villages in the Clouds

Perched in the Tzoumerka mountains, Syrrako and Kalarites are two mirror-like stone villages separated by a dramatic ravine—and connected by a historic footpath.

• Why it’s special: These places feel frozen in time. Both villages have preserved their architecture, and you’ll find no modern buildings or cars in the center. The views are unreal.

• Local tip: Stay in a family-run guesthouse, dine at a taverna with mountain-raised lamb, and make the 45-minute hike between the two villages. A real off-the-grid escape.

Choose Your Own Greek Myth

There’s more to Greece than caldera views and party islands. If you’re the kind of traveler who prefers local tavernas to rooftop bars, stone cottages to infinity pools, and hidden trails to packed tour buses, these under-the-radar destinations are calling your name. Whether you head to the mountains of Epirus, the wild beaches of Ikaria, or the timeless alleys of Nymfaio, these places offer something rare: the chance to experience Greece the way locals do.