Beautiful Greek Destinations That You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

While living abroad in Greece, I was eager to explore as much of the land as I possibly could. And so I made it a point to try to go to some not-so-touristy Greek destinations.

Let me be the first to say that this country never ceases to amaze me. Every new area I visited was more beautiful than the last. Every landscape was a perfect picturesque representation of the Greek culture. And so I’ve compiled a list of my favorite secret spots that I found throughout my many travels in Greece.

So without further ado, I give you my list of Greek destinations that you’ve probably never heard of:

1. Greek Destination: Sounio

Sounio is located south of Athens. It’s about a 1 1/2-2 hour drive, and there are buses that run to and from Athens. Personally, we always rent a car and drive to Sounio, because I enjoy the sights along the way. But you can use the Ktel buses, found in Plaka or near the archeological museum. They cost about 5-10 euros one way. So if you’re ever on layover in Athens, or just spending a few days in the area, make it a point to see this beautiful area. You can even stay in Sounio for a couple of days at one of the area’s many hotels.

Sounio is a magnificent mixture of cliffs melting away into sparking blue waters and ancient architecture that one could say is parallel with the Parthenon. Yes, did I mention? Sounio is home to the Temple of Poseidon, an ancient temple overhanging the towering cliffs above the deep blue sea. This temple is ideally located near the sea, as Poseidon is the mythological god of the ocean.

The temple is open from 9:00am to 8:00pm daily with an entrance fee around 8 euros per person. You can choose to take private tours of the are if you’d like, but I personally like to be more independent and do things on my own schedule. There is also a restaurant/cafe conveniently located at the entrance of the temple, so if you need a quick snack or some coffee to refuel, they’ve got you covered.

2. Greek Destination: Nedas

Located just southwest of the town of Zaxaro, Nedas is a true place of beauty and tranquility. Traveling to Nedas is one of my favorite memories of my time spent in Greece and one of my favorite Greek destinations. It is hidden away from the rest of the world, and takes a bit of work to get there. But if you’re the adventurous type, like myself, it will be well worth the trip. At the time, my husband and I rented a 50cc motorbike and, despite multiple people warning us otherwise, we drove the long road into the mountains and made our way to Nedas.

Now, our bike was definitely not equipped for this journey, and we should have heeded the many people who told us so along the way, but we did make it there and back in one piece. Although, I do have to say if I were to do it again, I would definitely rent something with a little more power (jumping on and off of the bike while driving uphill was no fun!)

My recommendation to you is that you definitely take a bike or an ATV, because the sights along the mountain villages and swerving roads were something to behold. The feeling of being outside among the nature and beauty in the heat of the sun alongside the cliffs was definitely a more rewarding experience than taking a car could ever be, in my opinion. But be careful, the roads have some very sharp turns and you are very high up during the duration of this trip.

Once you arrive at the location of Nedas, you must follow the signs that lead to the waterfall. If all else fails, you simply trek down the mountain in circles until you reach the bottom, where you will find an area to park your vehicle. Nedas itself is actually a series of small waterfalls, with one main waterfall that spills fresh water from the mountains into a sort of spring-like area. You can actually swim in the water beneath the waterfall, and feel the roots of the trees beneath your toes popping out of the smooth sand of the Earth. It is a nature-lover’s paradise.

Nedas can easily be compared to the magical stories you hear about in Greek mythology where nymphs and pixies would roam through the twisted trees and enchanted forests. It has all the feeling of being lost in a beautiful, remote fairytale.

I went sometime in May and I must say, that water was FREEZING. The coldest water I had ever been in, no doubt about it. But perhaps a visit in late July/August would ensure a more pleasant dive. Just be sure to explore the surrounding area, and take your time. It’s the kind of place that makes you just want to sit back and dream the day away.

3. Greek Destination: Olympia

Ever wondered where the Olympic games started? Yup, you guessed it, Greece! Olympia is actually where the first games were held and the first Olympic torch burned, signifying the start of a thousand-year-old tradition.

You can take a bus from any of the surrounding cities (Katakolo, Pirgos, Patra, etc) and explore the ruins of Ancient Olympia. A complete bus schedule can be found here. While you’re checking out the ruins, make sure to check out the museum with authentic Greek statues and articles from thousands of years ago. Pretty cool huh? The museum can be found just a short walk from the ruins. You can purchase tickets to both the ruins and the museum for no more than 12 Euros, although you can find a complete listing of all their information here. If you are into history, I definitely recommend having a look at this area and, of course, running up and down the first Olympic stadium, pretending you’re an Olympic athlete (anyone? Just me?).

Among the ancient ruins you can find partial-structures of the Temple of Athena, the Temple of Hera, and the Temple of Zeus. Although not fully assembled, the detail and magnitude of these ruins is still quite a sight to see. And walking where an ancient civilization used to live thousands of years ago is always pretty cool to think about, especially one that made such a large impact on our history.

4. Greek Destination: Patra

Want all the beauty of a city, but not the crowds and commotion that are often found in Athens and Thessaloniki? This next Greek destination may just be your answer. Patra was my favorite city to go to and explore while living abroad. The people are so friendly, the structure of the city is quite beautiful, and if you climb the 200 steps to the top of the city (yes I counted), the sight from the top is breathtaking.

Patra is also home to one of the more famous modern-day structures. The bridge of Rio Antirrio has become quite an icon for this city. Completed in 2004, this bridge is one of the longest multi-span cable-stayed and fully suspended bridges in the world. Due to Greece’s many earthquakes, this bridge was built in a way that helps it move with the water and resist the shock of the quakes, therefore keeping the bridge intact through even the worst of these natural disasters.

The bridge leads from Rio across the Gulf of Corinth to Antirrio, linking Patra to the mainland of Greece. Driving through this bridge, or even taking a ferry across the gulf and viewing the bridge from below, truly leaves you awe-struck.

If that wasn’t enough persuasion for you to visit this city, then lets add to the list a little. Patra also holds one of Europe’s largest Carnival festivals. What is Carnival exactly? Think about it like a huge Halloween party for adults where you run through the streets in costume and go crazy for a night. Now add fireworks, tons of food/drinks and a parade to that, and there you have it: Carnival.

Spending the night in Patra on Carnival was a magical experience. There was so much going on that it felt like the city was radiant with energy. People were laughing under the sparkle of fireworks, singing, dancing, breathing the crisp night air in and taking in every moment. Being an introvert myself, even I found myself laughing with abandon as I ran through the city streets.

Carnival takes place on what many people know as “Fat Tuesday,” or the 40 day mark before Easter. This is great timing, because tickets to Greece around this time are normally pretty low for a round trip. Make sure you take the time to experience Carnival at least once!

5. Greek Destination: Lagadia and Vitina

Lagadia and Vitina are two separate towns that are not too far from one another. They aren’t very well-known, save for the few tourists who happened to run across these little gems. Located in southern Greece, in the center of the Peloponnese area, these little mountain villages give you the feel of being in another country. They are so high up that the weather actually changes and it can get pretty darn cold! I, for one, was not prepared when I went in my shorts and tank-top and froze my little butt off.

Among these villages, are hotels, cafe, and the cutest little strips of shops you’ve ever seen, where people sell their homemade products. Everything they sell is beautifully handmade and completely natural. If you’re looking for quality, look no further. They sell all sorts of foods in bulk such as pastas, nuts, cheeses, olive oils, and so on. In Vitina, there are also a few monuments and museums that you can check out that hold some of the area’s history.

Take a few days off, relax, and enjoy the view from the top of these winding mountain roads. There is something surreal about seeing the way people live in these remote areas, far away from the rest of the world, so peaceful and content.

6. Greek Destination: Nafplio

Nafplio is located in between Tripoli and Athens. It is a big city, so there are plenty of buses that run to it. Nafplio actually became Greece’s capital in 1828.

Nafplio holds a rich history, including the history of the Greek hero, Kolokotronis. Theodoros Kolokotronis was the Greek leader in the war against the Ottoman Empire. Although the Greeks overcame the Ottoman army in 1822, Kolokotronis had some political enemies in the Greek government and was thrown into the prison of Palamidis Castle in Nafplio, the very castle he had defended in war. There, he became very sick and was almost completely blind by the time he was released.

There is still a statue in the city of Nafplio to commemorate Kolokotronis as the war hero that he is.

There is also a church (Agios Spyridonas) in the main square where the first president of modern Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias, was assassinated by the Greek government in 1831, only 9 years after Nafplio’s liberation from the Turkish occupation. The bullet holes are still visible in the church’s walls from his assassination.

Despite all of the tragic history that Nafplio has overcome, the city itself has turned into a beautiful attraction. The Castle of Palamidis is available to the public, at a small fee of 8 Euros. You can climb the steps to the top of the fortress, view he inside and outside and even see the prison where Kolokotronis was kept all those years ago. It is a beautifully preserved piece of Greek history.

The city of Nafplio itself has a wonderful vibe to it with plenty of winding alleyways where you can get lost in its beauty. I mean, what can be more beautiful than a random, live piano performance in the streets while you eat your gelato among the rustic buildings and chic, vibrant colors of merchandise glistening under the twinkling city lights? Sound amazing? Because this city is beautiful and has so much to offer. Not to mention, the entire city overlooks the sea! Trust me on this one, Nafplio will have you coming back for more in no time.

Well, there you have it! That’s my list of beautiful Greek destinations that you’ve probably never heard of. If any of them piqued your interest, go! Book that ticket now and go on your way. I’m sure this list doesn’t even begin to describe all of the wonderful places that Greece has in store, but it’s a start. Each of these experiences have held a very special place in my heart, and I’m hoping that I can pass that along to at least one of you.

Let me know where you plan to go. Which place sounds the most appealing to you?

Happy travels to your Greek destination!