Travel

5 undiscovered places in Greece

By Adeline Mans | #!31Sat, 31 May 2025 05:04:24 +0200+02:002431#31Sat, 31 May 2025 05:04:24 +0200+02:00-5Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202531 31am31am-31Sat, 31 May 2025 05:04:24 +0200+02:005Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam2025312025Sat, 31 May 2025 05:04:24 +0200045045amSaturday=9#!31Sat, 31 May 2025 05:04:24 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam5#05-31-2025#!31Sat, 31 May 2025 05:04:24 +0200+02:002431#/31Sat, 31 May 2025 05:04:24 +0200+02:00-5Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202531#!31Sat, 31 May 2025 05:04:24 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam5#

A green island with Mamma Mia vibes, a magical monastery on a mountain or a beach that looks like the moon: Greece is bursting with surprises off the beaten track. For those looking for something other than Crete or Rhodes in 2025, I take you to five undiscovered places in Greece that will make your holidays unforgettable.

1. Skopelos: the Mamma Mia island without the tourist drama

You recognise Skopelos perhaps from the film Mamma Mia!, but fortunately the island itself is still wonderfully authentic. Skopelos is Greece's greenest island, with golden beaches, quiet villages and no crowds of tourists. So: sing ABBA in your head, but mostly walk the beach on your own.

Skopelos

2. Meteora: magical Greece at its most beautiful

Meteora is on mainland Greece and is... wow. Think: giant rock formations with monasteries balancing on the edge of the sky. You fly into Thessaloniki (another cool city) and drive from there into the mountains. No beach, but goosebumps and views that will leave you speechless.

3. Milos: lunar landscape meets dream beach

For those who want to swim among volcanic rocks in 2025: Milos is your island. Sarakiniko resembles a moonscape, but with azure sea on top. Kleftiko - accessible only by boat - is Greece's most photographed rocky outcrop. Milos is raw, photogenic and surprisingly peaceful.

4. Elafonisos: Greece, but tropical

Elafonisos is located near the Peloponnese and is small, idyllic and truly undiscovered. Simos Beach is white, vast and so beautiful that it will leave you speechless. You come for the peace and quiet, a good book and dinner with a view. And yes, you will want to stay here longer than you planned.

5. Lefkada: peninsula with jet set history

Lefkada, or Lefkas as we call it, is less than three hours' flight from the Netherlands. Think white beaches, green mountains and a good dash of Greek cosiness. Extra fun: off the coast lies Skorpios, the former private island of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. So yes, a touch of jet set is also allowed.

Travelling to Greece in 2025: what do you need to know?

Good news: travel to Greece will be smooth again in 2025. Check travel.gov.gr for the most up-to-date info. No more PLF form needed, but still smart to check current rules. And what else? Pack, bring your bikini and go!

Smart island hopping through undiscovered Greece - here's how to do it
Start by flying to Athens or Thessaloniki. From there, grab a rental car or domestic flight to your first destination.
Pick 2 or 3 places from this list. You really don't have to cram everything into one holiday (although we understand that tendency).
Hire a boat trip from local fishermen. On Milos or Lefkada, you can sail to secret beaches in no time - and support the local economy at the same time.
Go off-season. May, June or September are perfect: everything is open, the sun is shining brightly, but the crowds stay home.
Grab your camera (or smartphone). Because say what: white cliffs, blue sea, monasteries on mountains and deserted beaches? Content heaven.

Credits: Main image Leros Milos - P. Merakos, Meteora Thessaly - Stefanos Mon