Discover Our Favourite Hidden Gems in Greece: Off The Beaten Path

Situated in the Cyclades and just a short flight from Athens, this jaw-droppingly beautiful volcanic island boasts an emerald coastline of white-sand beaches set against ragged red rocks and secluded caves.

Although it's not one of the biggest Greek islands, beach-wise you’ll have over 70 to choose from, but you won’t want to miss the spectacular Sarakiniko which is so picture-perfect it could be AI-generated.

More than just glorious beaches, Milos has a fascinating history too and many a hidden gem to stumble upon - Milos island was in fact where the famous Venus de Milo statue was first discovered.

Here you can explore the ancient catacombs and archaeology museum, hike the hilltops, sail the coastline and snorkel in sea caves, or simply sip wine while enjoying fresh fish from the day’s catch at a local seafront restaurant. Perfection.

Part of the Dodecanese, a short ferry journey from Rhodes and just off the Turkish coast you’ll find this gorgeous Insta-worthy Greek island, characterised by its colourful neo-classical homes straddling the hillside as you pull into the harbour.

One of Greece's lesser-known islands, Symi is a sublimely romantic destination perfect for couples. On this tiny island you can while away a day relaxing on one of many small but beautiful beaches, or strolling the harbour and the picturesque town complete with a cathedral, market square and fascinating Naval museum.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, we’d recommend strolling off the beaten path with a hike up to the castle, which will afford you beautiful views over Symi and some of the other neighbouring Greek islands.

Despite serving as the setting for the legend of The Odyssey, the mystical island of Ithaca is one of the hugely underrated hidden gems in Greece, boasting crystal-clear waters, picturesque fishing villages and a scenic landscape, framed by a jagged coast.

Aside from spending time on one of its many gorgeous beaches, there are over 30 archaeological sites to explore here, as well as quirky natural wonders such as The Cave of Nymphs and The Fountain of Arethusa.

Meanwhile, for nature lovers, the island offers the chance to get up close and personal to its resident sea life by snorkelling or scuba diving, or, by taking in your surroundings on a hike through the dramatic mountainous areas of the island.

This archaeological site has got to be one of the most spectacular of Greece’s ancient ruins, and easily earns its place as one of our top hidden gems in Greece. The landscape itself is simply breathtaking, characterised by preserved monasteries built into the sides of massive rock formations and sandstone pillars.

Situated in mainland Greece, the best way to see it is to do a tour of these magnificent Byzantine monasteries, where you'll discover their ancient artefacts and exhibits, all while soaking up the spiritual and peaceful atmosphere. Our friendly Travel Experts are more than happy to book this for you. Just don't forget to take your camera along!

Of all the Greek islands, you’re quite likely to have heard of the beautiful Santorini, and if that’s where you’re headed, you won’t want to miss iconic Oia.

Renowned for its blue-domed whitewashed churches, and panoramic views over Santorini and the Aegean Sea, it’s an excellent spot for watching the sunset (or sunrise if you’re an early bird!). Wander the town in search of trinkets or pay a visit to the serene Castle of Agios Nikolaos, a 15th-century Venetian fortress that offers dreamy views.

One of our favourite hidden gems though, is the gorgeous Amoudi Bay only a few miles from Oia. It's known for its beautiful swimming and snorkelling, adrenaline-fuelled cliff-jumping and excellent seafood restaurants surrounding the port. After cooling off in the sea, enjoy fresh fish by the waterside as you take in the incredible natural beauty of your surroundings.

If you’re basing yourself in Mykonos, you shouldn’t miss the stunning Greek island of Delos, just a short boat ride away. You could even visit it as part of a Greek island-hopping adventure, thanks to its proximity to other islands.

This ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage site features hundreds of archaeological ruins dating from 300 BC, as well as the remains of beautiful grand villas with intricate mosaic tile floors, the most notable of which showcases a Dionysos riding a panther. If you’ve been asking yourself what the most mythical place in Greece is, we’d argue Delos is up there, after all, it was the birthplace of Apollo as well as being a major religious centre in the first millennium.

One of our favourite hidden gems? The Terrace of the Lions, where you’ll see majestic white-stone lions perched along a wall. Not all of the lions are original, but it does give you an idea of the grandeur of the original site.

Wondering what the most underrated part of Greece is? The magical island of Skyros is arguably near the top of the list.

This small Greek island is part of the Sporades archipelago and is accessible by ferry from the port of Kymi, around three hours from Athens. It definitely makes sense to spend a night there, as opposed to squeezing in a day trip - something which our Travel Experts can arrange for you.

Similar to other Greek islands, it’s known for its beautiful beaches, hidden caves and picturesque seaside villages, but what makes Skyros unique is its uniquely painted ceramics and its residents – resident Skyrian horses that is. These small ponies roam the land freely and are rumoured to be descendants of the horses used by 5th-century BC cavalries in Ancient Greece. If you have little ones, you can even book a ride for them on one at one of the island’s farms, an experience they’ll surely never forget.

The beautiful island of Skyros is also home to several brilliant hiking trails allowing you to explore the rocky coastline or the scenic forested west side of the island. Another tip? If you love seafood you have to sample the island’s fresh lobster while you are here – it’s quite simply the best.

The fifth largest Greek island, yet less touristy than the likes of Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Corfu, Chios is home to 24 charming medieval villages, each with their own splendidly unique architecture and design. Anavatos is one of these traditional villages and a real gem in Greece, complete with preserved fortress, churches and an old school, plus quaint coffee shops where you can sample local products such as honey, cheese and homemade desserts.   

Aside from exploring the ghost villages of times gone by, in Chios you can stroll the black-pebbled beaches at sunset, snorkel the seas, or - if you're feeling adventurous - dive, where you'll have the opportunity to discover mesmerising sea caves and shipwrecks.

Perhaps one of the most interesting things Chios is renowned for is its mastic – a natural product cultivated by hand and used in food, medicine, dentistry and cosmetics. At the central town market you can try and buy mastic-based jams, sweets, and even popular Greek tipple Ouzo!

One of the most sophisticated islands in Greece, while still retaining an authentic Greek feel, Spetses is the place to go for enjoying your holiday at a relaxed pace and relishing in the finer things in life.

Just a couple of hours from Athens by ferry, Spetses island boasts a glamorous marina, elegant boutique hotels, high-end restaurants and plenty of secluded beaches with those sparkling turquoise waters the Greek islands are known for.

Hop on one of the tourist boats from Dapia and you’ll have a choice of beaches to visit, but arguably the best and most beautiful on the island is Agia Paraskevi, with its golden sands and clear waters framed by a verdant pine tree forest.

Spetses Old Harbour is a must-visit, as well as the island’s lighthouse. After a wander there, you can admire the nearby art park featuring a number of pretty bronze statues.

This little slice of paradise is located in the Ionian Islands and is the only Greek island you can drive to – which is great if you’ve got a hire car. One of our favourite hidden gems in Greece, it's best known for its awe-inspiring beaches and imposing cliff-bordered scenery, so this is the place to go if you’re a nature lover.

Hike the mountains, swim and snorkel in the sea, or unleash your adventurous side with kayaking or windsurfing. If you love a sandy beach, you can't miss Porto Katsiki and Egremni for their majestic white cliff faces and perfect turquoise waters. Meanwhile, away from the beaches, we’d recommend a visit to the serene Nydri waterfalls where you can cool off after a hike through lush forests and rocky hills.

So, there you have it, your go-to guide to some of the best hidden gems in Greece. Ready to start planning an incredible adventure to one of the best Greek islands or perhaps Northern Greece? Chat to one of our friendly Travel Experts today.