The Greek summer is inextricably linked with the countless, wonderful, small and large, popular and lesser known, secular and alternative, organized and relaxed νησιά of our country in the waters of the Aegean and the Ionian.
Pale white buildings of Cycladic architecture or colorful buildings with Venetian influences, dreamy beaches with turquoise waters or tiny bays "immersed" in the rich nature of our country, delicious seafood dishes with ouzo next to the sea, are among the images that we all bring to mind when we hear the of words "Greek summer".
With this year's global reality, however, 100% reversed, we choose destinations in mainland Greece, which are accessible by car and not by boat, however, the feeling they create in their visitors is extremely island-like. As is our mood!
Colorful, picturesque amphitheater houses built in a small bay embracing the watery embrace of the sea. This particular description could very easily refer to one of the idyllic villages on Italy's Amalfi Coast, such as the lovely Positano.
However, this setting is in Greece and in fact in the proud Epirus. Also known as the "diamond" or the "island" of Epirus, the Parga it is a beautiful seaside picturesque town, which has nothing to envy corresponding popular resorts abroad. In the northwestern part of the prefecture of Preveza and built amphitheatrically at an altitude of 140 meters, it combines the beauty of nature with the picturesqueness and the special atmosphere, characteristic elements that have made it a favorite destination of Greeks and not only.
The colorful buildings reach up to the waters of the Ionian, while going up the picturesque alleys towards the hill with the castle, the visitor can observe the local folk architecture in each doll house. The fortress of Parga with its arched gate, cannons, bastions and forts once played a vital role in the city's survival.
What certainly piques the interest is the tiny Island of Panagia right across from the town, which looks like something out of a beautiful postcard. There dominates the church of Panagia and a castle built by the French. The beaches of the area (Lichnos, Piso Kryoneri, Valtos) – the alternations of sandy shores and small coves are amazing – with crystal clear waters and golden sand or fine pebbles are the stars of the summer!
Keeping its traditional color and wonderful picturesqueness untouched by mass tourism to this day, Kyparissi is "hidden" at the edge of Laconia, owes its name to the many cypress trees in the area and is an inexhaustible destination full of magical landscapes.
With an image that does not at all remind you that you are at the foot of Parnon and in the watery embrace of Myrtou, it is more reminiscent of an island destination, while it enchants its visitor with its unadulterated and virgin beauty. Elements shaped by its long isolation, as until the 70s access to it was only possible by sea. Invisible from the beach, it was built at this particular spot for security reasons from the pirates, who infested the Peloponnese coast.
The picturesque seaside village, between Leonidio and Monemvasia, consists of three settlements: Paralia, Mitropoli and Vrysi (the oldest settlement). In Paralia, the pale white, low houses with the colored windows and the characteristic tiled roofs create the impression of being on an Aegean island, and they are also the star of most of the photographs.
The important attractions of the village include the Asklepiion of Vrysis, the ancient city of Kyfants, one of the most famous healing centers of the ancient world, as well as the Byzantine Castle in Kastelli. Among the things worth visiting in the wider area are the beaches, with Megali Ammos being one of the most famous, while equally beautiful options are the coast of Agia Kyriaki, as well as that of Fokianos at a distance of 20 km from the village.
One of the most beautiful seaside areas in the prefecture Argolida, Hermione looks like an island, there are not a few who call it "city-island", as it ideally combines the island atmosphere and aesthetics with that of the city.
It is a beautiful and well-kept town, next to a wonderful, pine-covered promontory, Bisti, distinguished by its stately aura and picturesque landscape, in the south-eastern part of Argolis, at a distance of 85 km from Nafplion and directly opposite the Hydra. Built amphitheatrically on both sides of a narrow strip of land, in the eastern part of the Peloponnese, it is small enough for an excursion that has it all, while offering its visitors images of incredible beauty and moments of relaxation overlooking the waters of the bay right in front of it.
In the northern part of it is the small and picturesque port with the picturesque ouzos and summer bars, while in the southern part of the "peninsula" are the Mandrakias (the back port), where sailboats and boats of sea visitors to the area moor. A stop at the stately Kranidi, but also the cosmopolitan Porto Heli, among the things one should do during their visit to Ermioni.
If Pelion is famous for anything, it is none other than its wonderful villages in the rich, green nature on the slopes of the mountain of the Centaurs. There are not a few, however, those who choose it for their summer vacation as well, as it has a multitude of options in dreamy beaches and coastal settlements for all tastes.
One of them is the beautiful fishing village of Katigiorgis. It is found at the easternmost tip of Messinia, at a distance of 60 km from Volos (about an hour and a half by car) directly opposite and very close to the most famous beaches of Skiathos. The quiet village gives the visitor the feeling of being on a small and calm, remote island
To reach Katigiorgis follow the Agria-Argalasti route and shortly after Argalasti signs for Lafko lead to the village, a few kilometers after the village of Promyri. The small and golden sandy beach of the settlement invites you to take a refreshing dip in its clear waters, while the seaside taverns, for which Katigiorgis is famous, prepare delicious seafood delicacies and an abundance of tsipouro mezedas, which are served almost on the beach.
At a distance of 50 km from Kalamata is one of its most beautiful small towns Messinia. The reason for Pylos, in the gulf of the same name (also known as Navarino gulf) which is surrounded by the waters of the Ionian Sea and is amphitheatrically built so as to offer a panoramic view of the Ionian waters. With white houses with red roofs, it reminds a lot of something from the Argosaronic islands.
The central square of Three Admirals will certainly be your point of reference as this is where you will drink your coffee or try some of the delicacies in the taverns of the area before starting to explore its attractions. Among them, Niokastro, the Archaeological Museum of Pylos, as well as the Palace of Nestor, on the hill of Upper Egliano, stand out.
Among the beaches of the wider area that you should definitely visit is none other than the much-photographed Voidokoilia north of Pylos, with its crescent-shaped, fine, powder-white sand and turquoise, crystalline waters. It is also worth swimming in the endless beach of Romanos and visiting the Lagoon of Gialova, a habitat of exceptional beauty where more than 250 species of rare birds are housed.
Aegean wind blows in Limni, in North Evia, most of whose inhabitants are of Aegean origin, as during the 16th century many captains of the Aegean islands moved to the area. For most, Limni is the most picturesque destination of North Evia, which immediately wins over the visitor with its tranquility and untouched by mass tourism beauty that distinguishes it.
Amiably built above the waters of the Northern Euboea, it seems to "gaze" at the windless bay, enjoying a view that often reaches as far as the nearby coasts of Central Greece. The traditional houses with red tiled roofs and the neoclassical architecture painted in bright colors, the narrow streets and the greenery of the pine-covered mountain of Kantiliou, which almost touches the sea, in its characteristic elements village that make it unique.
The "heart" of Limni, however, beats on its beach front with its ouzories and taverns, cafes and bars, where one can enjoy their coffee or delicious seafood with a view of both the blue-green waters of the Euboea, and on the green slope of the village.
It is worth mentioning the fact that the Lake is built near the ancient Elymnion, where, according to Sophocles, Zeus met Hera for the first time.