A perennial favorite amongst holidaymakers, Greece consistently ranks amongst the top 10 holiday destinations in Europe.
But now he wants tourists to explore lesser-known places across the country 1000’s of vast islands.
“We transcend the sea and the sun. We would like to extend the tourist season each in time and in space,” Olympia Anastasopoulou, secretary general for tourism policy and development at the Greek Ministry of Tourism, told CNBC Travel.
To this end, the country is investing in its more distant locations, including Syros, Amorgos and Milos, as a part of the “All you wish is Greece” campaign.
To mitigate over-tourism, popular destinations akin to Mykonos and Santorini are being modified to seasonal destinations.
“Our goal is to make these islands develop more seasonally. We might like to see tourism expanded in other months,” said Eleni Mitraki, director of tourism promotion at Greece’s National Tourism Organization, noting that the season could run from March to November.
The plans coincide with the expansion of direct flights from the United States to Greece in March 2023.
Currently, Germany and the UK represent the largest markets for inbound tourism to Greece when it comes to revenue, followed by the US, France and Italy. Nevertheless, Anastasopoulou said further growth was expected from other markets, particularly Canada and India.
Listed below are CNBC Travel’s best picks to get you off the beaten track in Greece.
Kalymnos, Dodecanese
A paradise for climbers
Positioned in the Greek island chain of the Dodecanese in the southeastern Aegean Sea, Kalymnos is legendary for sponge diving – underwater diving to collect natural sponges from the seabed – which brought the island considerable wealth and recognition in the previous century.
Kalymnos, a part of the Greek Dodecanese island chain, has turn into a famous destination for climbers.
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Recently, the island has turn into a world famous destination climberswith greater than 3000 climbing routes encompassing the quite a few bluffs, caves and overhangs of its rugged landscape.
The height of the tourist season in Kalymnos is in autumn with the Kalymnos Climbing Festival which takes place most years. But adventure lovers can have a good time all 12 months round, with plenty to do other activities including diving, mountain climbing and boating.
How to get there: Kalymnos is well reached by boat from nearby Kos, taking 45 minutes by ferry and 25 minutes by speedboat. It is usually accessible by plane from Athens.
Ios, Cyclades
A paradise for history lovers
Ios, also often known as Io or Nio, is situated between Santorini and Naxos and was once seen solely as a celebration destination. But the island of the Cyclades has modified its image lately to embrace it historical and natural values.
Home to one in all the oldest archaeological settlements in Greece, the Skarkos Monument, Ios also boasts a robust connection to the Greek epic poet, Homer, who is claimed to have favored the island and certain ended his days there.
Once known solely as a celebration island, Ios in the Cyclades embraces its other attributes, including beautiful beaches and ancient Greek archaeological sites.
Ios Municipality
As well as to the history, visitors to Ios may also explore the many beaches and mountain climbing and snorkeling spots before sampling the local cheeses for which the island is legendary.
How to get there: There is no such thing as a airport on Ios. The island might be reached by ferry or speedboat each from Athens and other Cycladic islands. It could even be reached by helicopter from Santorini.
Skopelos, Sporades
The enjoyment of movie lovers
Skopelos became famous as the filming location for the hit musical comedy “Mamma Mia” and has since turn into a well-liked destination for weddings, honeymooners and film trips.
A part of the Skopelos archipelago in the northwestern Aegean Sea, the island connects wonderful beaches and picturesque villages with a number of diving, sailing and cycling routes.
The Greek island of Skopelos is legendary for the filming of the hit romantic musical Mamma Mia, starring the cliff-top church of Agios Ioannis Kastri.
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Legend has it that the island was founded by the son of the Greek god of wine. And although many vineyards were destroyed by pests in the Forties, small-scale domestic production continues to this present day. Meanwhile, native plums, almonds, chestnuts, figs, citrus fruits, olives adorn the local cuisine.
How to get there: Skopelos might be reached by ferry or speedboat from the port city of Volos on the Greek mainland. Services are provided all 12 months round, with additional routes from other islands being added during the season.
Andros, Cyclades
Walking retreat
Considered one of the largest islands of the Cyclades and just two hours from the Greek mainland, mountainous Andros has varied landscape forests, waterfalls, beaches and native vegetation, making it the perfect place for an outside getaway.
Considered one of the largest islands of the Cyclades, Andros boasts a varied landscape of waterfalls, forests and beaches, making it a paradise for hikers.
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Visitors can explore the island through its large network of mountain climbing trailsor try your hand at windsurfing or scuba diving before sampling the local cuisine.
Art and culture lovers can try Andros’ collection of monasteries, galleries and museums, including the Andros Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
How to get there: There is no such thing as a airport in Andros. The island might be reached by ferry from Rafina Port on the outskirts of Athens.
Astypalea, Dodecanese
The island of innovation
Astypalea, one in all the Dodecanese islands, has a wealthy ancient history. But it surely is firmly positioned in the twenty first century with the goal of becoming the first a sustainable and smart island Mediterranean.
The Dodecanese island of Astypalea has ambitions to turn into the first sustainable and smart island in the Mediterranean.
Astypalea Municipality
As a part of the agreement with the Greek government i Volkswagen, Astypalea plans to implement zero-emission mobility across the island by 2030, with traditional vehicle sharing replaced by electric cars, e-scooters and e-bikes. Charging points and renewable energy sources may even appear in different places.
Tourists arriving at the Butterfly Island it might also enjoy a natural landscape, home to beautiful beaches, rocky slopes and diverse wildlife, in addition to picturesque villages with white houses covered with bougainvillea.
How to get there: Astypalea is accessible from Athens by each ferry and plane.
Lipsi, Dodecanese
Island hopping
Surrounded by a necklace of 24 islets with dozens of blue-green beaches, Lipsi in the Dodecanese is taken into account Aegean Polynesia and an eco-paradise.
Lipsi, an eco-paradise surrounded by 24 islets, is a component of the Dodecanese Islands collection in the southeastern Aegean Sea.
Aegean marine life reserve
With wealthy momentum Wildlife protected by the European Union, the island is home to a wide range of wildlife, including monk seals and sea turtles. Dolphins are also common in the area and recent Aegean marine life reserve for dolphins is due to open on the island soon.
Vacationers can spend just a few days boating, snorkeling, beach living and mountain climbing before sampling seafood dishes and experiencing local festivals akin to the August Wine Festival.
How to get there: Lipsi can only be reached by ferry or speedboat with regular services from Athens and Leros.
Alonisos, Sporades
The enjoyment of divers
Alonissos, a part of the Sporades group of islands, is a diving paradise and destination first underwater museum. Featuring the “Parthenon of Shipwrecks”, one in all the largest classical-era shipwrecks, dating to 425 BC, it offers recreational divers a novel insight into the region’s history.
A part of the Sporades archipelago in the northwestern Aegean Sea, Alonissos is legendary for its diving spots, including Greece’s first underwater museum, the “Parthenon of Shipwrecks”.
Municipality of Alonissos
The island can be home to National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporadesnow the largest marine protected area in Europe, giving visitors the opportunity to see a wide selection of plants and animals.
Canoeing, mountain climbing and cycling are amongst others classes available on the island, and museums and a neighborhood theater group showcase the island’s art and culture.
How to get there: Alonissos might be reached by plane or ferry from the ports of Volos, Agios Konstantinos and Kimi.