Little summer paradises at the edges of Greece for holidays in their purest form.
Often, the magic of summer holidays is hidden in small paradises. In undiscovered destinations that promise a different kind of escape far from everyone and everything.
If your holiday plan calls for solitary dips on pristine beaches, idyllic sunsets, quiet nights and complete relaxation away from the crowds, then it’s worth discovering these small, frontier islandsof Greece, which promise unforgettable experiences to those seeking the authentic and the exceptional.
Gavdos
BetweenCreteandAfrica, at the southernmost tip of Europe and almost in the middle of the Libyan Sea, the island ofGavdosis a paradise for campers and a serene refuge for those who want to holiday far from everyone and everything. The journey is long, but Gavdos rewards its visitors with experiences of a lifetime. From Chania, by car or by KTEL bus, you will travel to Paleochora or Sfakia and from there you will take the boats to Gavdos. The port that receives the ships is Karaves, while the island’s capital and the village with the most infrastructure is Kastri. Using Kastri as your base, you can visit almost the entire island, either by car or along the lovely, easy trails - Gavdos is an idealdestination for hikers. The island’s exotic beaches are in themselves reason enough to reach the southernmost point of Greece. Relaxation and swims at Sarakiniko, Ai Giannis, Lavrakas, Potamos and Trypiti will stay with you forever.
Pserimos
Between Kalymnos and Kos, the tiny Pserimos of 15 square kilometers is an ideal destination for a day trip from the neighboring islands or for peaceful holidays. Summer visitors come to enjoy the island’s pristine beaches and a landscape that truly soothes. Avlakia is the only village and the island’s port. There you will enjoy your swim on a very lovely, crystal-clear beach with shallow waters. On Pserimos there are no roads and no cars. If you follow the path that leads out of the main settlement, you will find the island’s other beaches after 10 minutes up to an hour of walking.
Arkoi
The Arkoi are a small jewel of the Dodecanese, the largest of a cluster of islets, with wonderful landscapes and a calm atmosphere. The island has ferry connections withPatmos, Leros and Lipsi. In this little corner of the Aegean with 40 permanent residents, the main pastime is endless swimming and sunbathing on unspoiled beaches. A famed sandy beach is Tiganakia, with crystal-clear waters that resemble a pool. There are just two settlements on the island, one of which is the picturesque port. There you will find tavernas and shops to relax with views of the endless blue. The other settlement is Pano Chorio. Climb the hill with the quaint little church of Panagia Pantanassa to enjoy the view over the Aegean.
Kastellorizo
The easternmost point of Greece, a breath away from the Turkish shores, is an ideal destination for those seeking holidays with authentic character and serenity. The island’s only settlement is set around the natural harbor and consists of the neighborhoods of Pigadia, Chorafia and Mandraki. The mansions, strikingly painted and amphitheatrically built around the sea, are authentic examples of traditional Dodecanese architecture. Kastellorizo does not have wide beaches and sandy strands, only gorgeous blue-green waters for dives from the rocks. The Blue Cave, which you can visit only by boat, and the now-ruined medieval castle are two of the island’s most enchanting spots. You can also take the boat to the islet of Ro with its small sandy beach.
Othonoi
The Diapontia Islands(Othonoi, Erikousa, Mathraki), to the northwest of Corfu, gather all the beauty of the Ionian into their few square kilometers. This island complex, unknown to most, is a small paradise where life flows at a slow pace. Othonoi is the largest of the Diapontia Islandsand the westernmost tip of Greece. Ruins of Venetian castles, small settlements with beautiful old houses, ancient olive trees, paths and dreamy shores with blue-green waters provide the ideal setting for a break from everything. The boat from Corfu will drop you at Ammos, a small cove with a lovely beach and a few shops. On Othonoi you will definitely swim at Aspri Ammos - one of the most beautiful beaches in the Ionian - and visit by boat the impressive Cave of Calypso. For swimming, the uniquely beautiful Fyki cove on the northern coastline is also ideal. If you take the road to the eastern coast, you can visit Cape Kastri and the island’s lighthouse, which was constructed in 1872.
