Greece's best-kept secret revealed with hidden beaches and mountain villages
Many people are looking to get off-the-beaten-track this summer and escape the crowds flooding popular spots like Corfu, Santorini and Mykonos.
But where's Greece's best-kept secret?
According to Ed Sharp, head of Car Hire at TravelSupermarket, its the 'scenic' Peloponnese peninsula.
He says: 'One of Greece's best-kept secrets is the Peloponnese peninsula. Connected to the mainland via the Corinth Canal and the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, this scenic region is packed with ancient ruins, hidden beaches and mountain villages.
'Public transport in the area is sparse and the best sites are spread out and best explored at your own leisure.'
Ed recommends flying to Athens Airport then taking a one and a half hour drive to Nafplio which he describes as the 'ideal base'.
Located on the southern tip of the mainland, the Peloponnese is the perfect destination to experience 'authentic Greek culture' says Lonely Planet.
And the region is the ideal hotspot to dive into Greek mythology. In the west of the Peloponnese is ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games.
It's also home to Mycenae, the base of King Agamennon and Messini, a 4th century city.
The peninsula also has some spectacular mountain villages where tourists can taste local delicacies and explore ravines.
When it comes to beaches, visitors are spoilt for choice. While the region's best beaches are located on Elafonisos, an islet that's a short ferry ride from the mainland, the area's coastline is vast and varied.
Voidokilia Beach in Messinia is a 'perfect sandy crescent', says Lonely Planet, with clear waters.
If you're a fan of olives, make sure to fit in a visit to Kalamata, the birthplace of one of Greece's most famous varieties.
The region is also famous for honey and tourists can join a food tour to understand more about the production process.
Nafplio was once Greece's capital and it's one of the country's prettiest spots with coastal views and whitewashed homes.
In the west of the Peloponnese is ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games
Due to its coastal location, visitors can expect to see menus centred around seafood dishes, including grilled octopus and fried calamari.
Daniel Carrizalez, who moved to Nafplio from London in 2010, previously told MailOnline Travel that the city 'feels very safe'.
The expat described the city as the 'perfect blend of culture, scenery and close-knit community'.
He revealed that his favourite taverna in the coastal city is Bounos.Psarosavouras which has views of the sea.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The beautiful Greek island where five-star luxury hotels cost less than £250 per night - and it's loved by Lady Gaga
Full of surprises for first time visitors, Crete has a fascinating history that begins with the Minoans, Classical Greeks and Romans - plus a traditional rural life that plods on much as it has done for centuries. Head into the hills, awash with wildflowers in spring, to discover monasteries run by bee-keeping monks and small communities producing their own olive oil (there are around 40 million olive trees on the island). Shepherding remains a common occupation, and you'll hear the tinkle of goat and sheep bells long before you see them. Beach resorts vary greatly from swanky Elounda (where the likes of Lady Gaga go) to cheap-as-chips party central Malia (as featured in The Inbetweeners movie). The island's major archaeological site, the Palace of Knossos, was excavated between 1900 and 1930 by British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans. FOR... £540 A NIGHT On a hillside between Hersonissos and Malia sits the Nana Princess, one of the island's most luxurious hotels: imagine 107 jet black stone, sea-view suites and villas topped with verdant living roofs. Spend days lounging by the pool or at the spa (widely accepted as one of the island's best), or go by private transfer for tastings at nearby wineries. Rooms are generous and brightened by eye-catching original artworks. Techies will love all the clever gadgets (the mirror concealed TVs are inspired). There are two classy restaurants, one focusing on meat and the other on seafood, where you can dine on catch of the day with a side of 'wild greens' such as fennel and asparagus (proving that even the poshest places are keeping the island's tradition for foraging alive). OR... £221 A NIGHT Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the sprawling, family-owned, five-star resort of Creta Maris (with 600-plus rooms), sits on the outskirts of Hersonissos and resembles a traditional Cretan village of whitewashed buildings dripping with bougainvillea. New for this season is an adult-only outside area that offers a beach bar, vast sea-view pool and three hot pools set in pretty gardens with sun loungers, beach cabanas, and a spa pavilion. All public areas, including the spa, which offers olive oil massages, have been recently upgraded. For sundowners and a bird's eye view of the bay, nab a swing-chair at Adama cocktail bar. New for this season is an adult-only outside area that offers a beach bar, vast sea-view pool and three hot pools set in pretty gardens with sun loungers, beach cabanas, and a spa pavilion Dining is exceptional with seven speciality restaurants alongside a standard buffet. Pithos serves farm-to-table fare from local producers, while fish restaurant Alatsi has candle-lit tables by the sea. At the breakfast buffet, try a Greek pie (the aubergine with feta is delicious), and yoghurt topped with honey made from wildflower-sipping bees. Rooms at the front of the hotel enjoy Med views; at the back, it's mountains that star.
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
'Heart-stealer' city is a quirky foodie capital — with new direct UK flights
The world's tallest underground slide, a friendly alien, and a museum dedicated entirely to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Three attractions that won't exactly be on your hit-list when planning your perfect city break — but you've got to admit, they do sound pretty fun. This is Graz, Austria's second largest city. While it often gets overlooked by more popular counterparts, such as Vienna and Salzburg, it's quietly beloved by those in the know. Lonely Planet described Graz as an 'instant heart-stealer', while The Times said it's Austria's 'best-kept secret'. Well, the jig is up. British Airways announced the launch this week of the first direct flights from the UK to Graz, starting 25 November 2025. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Flights will run three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from London Gatwick. The new route means trips to Graz just got a whole lot easier for British tourists. So, if you're thinking of booking your flights, here's everything you need to know. Perhaps the most iconic landmark in the city in the clock tower — it sits on top of the Schlossberg, essentially a cliff face that was once the site of a fortress. You can opt to climb the steep zig-zagging stairs, take the lift or hop on the funicular, built in 1894, for just €3.20. Once you've scaled the 473m to the top, you can sit back and enjoy the view. There are cafés and restaurants, as well as a garden just below the clock tower. Don't forget to take a look at the clock face — although you might have trouble telling the time, as the two hands are the wrong way around. The longer hand points to to hours, and the short hand points to minutes. And, how do you get back down? Well, that's the best part. You can fling yourself down the tallest underground slide in the world, which at 175m long can reach speeds of up to 18mph. Once back down, take one of the pedestrian bridges over the River Mur toMur Island. Designed in 2003, the artificial island was a partly built in honour of the city being named Capital of Culture in 2003. It's sort of a floating leisure complex, with a café, shop and an auditorium which is used for concerts and cinema screenings. If being at one with nature is what you're after, there's lots of green spaces in Graz too. The largest is Stadtpark, right in the city centre. With its manicured lawns, you can take a gentle stroll around, and quench your thirst in one of the cafés. For something a little more adventurous, head to Stadstrand Graz, a city beach on the banks of the river. You can hire boats, kayaks and SUPs, and there's even a weekly community paddle. It's also a good spot to enjoy cocktails sound tracked by a schedule of DJs. In Graz, you'll come across Renaissance and Baroque architecture, as well as shiny, modern buildings. The so-called 'friendly alien' was another structure opened in 2003, and was actually designed by two British architects. It's officially the Kunsthaus, a contemporary art museum which is pretty cheap to enter, at just €12. Located in the Lend district of Graz, the former red light district is now a creative hub, and where you'll come across some of the coolest bars and shops. Auenbrugger is popular wine bar with more than 150 wines to choose from, while Scherbe is a cosy restaurant. And, while in Lend, make sure you head to Delikatessen Frankowitsch, a local institution which has been serving open-face sandwiches for more than 80 years. Back in the city, make sure you take a wonder around the city's Old Town, or Altstadt. Be sure to stop by the six-storey Kastner & Öhler department store, a 19th-century building that was renovated in 2010. You can also take a walk through the main square, Hauptplaz— it's surrounded by beautiful buildings, and weekly markets are hosted here too. There's also plenty of museums for culture vultures. The Joanneum Quarter is home to several art museums, as well as the Natural History Museum. There's also the world's largest armory, which has a whopping 32,000 objects on display. You can get a guided tour, and admission costs just €12 for adults. And last but not least, Graz's most famous son, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has a museum dedicated to his life. For just €14.90, you can learn everything there is to know about the famous bodybuilder turned governor. You might even bump into the man himself, as he's been known to visit. Graz is Austria's culinary center, known as the 'Capital of Delights', so there's plenty of options for foodies. The city is actually surrounded by countryside dotted with small farms, who produce speciality products. The most famous is pumpkin seed oil, dubbed 'green gold', which you can sample at one of the many food markets around the city. You'll also want to try Styrian apples (Graz is the capital of the Styria region, which is known as the 'green heart' of the country) and other fresh produce, including runner bean salad. Although make sure you're up early, as stalls sell out quick. Two of the most popular are Lendplatz Market and Kaiser-Josef-Market, which are both open from 6am to 1pm, Monday to Saturday. Unsurprisingly, farm-to-table cuisine is a big deal here, and if you're looking for traditional Austrian food, look for backhendl on the menu — a kind of breaded chicken. Foodies should also try to visit during some of the food-based festivals. The annual Graz Truffle festival is held every year in October, and twice a year, the city plays hosts the 'Long Table of Graz'. A table is set up in the centre, and local chefs prepare a feast — be be warned, tickets sell out within minutes. And, for an excursion outside of Graz, head to the Styrian Wine Road. There's plenty of vineyards here, and you can spend some time hopping from one family-owned winery to another, spotting some windmills along the way. During the summer, Graz reaches highs of around 26C, meaning you'll still be able to sight-see without getting too exhausted. In the winter, things turn chillier, with highs of 3C in January. Snow is common, but it's unlikely to be heavy. More Trending As Graz is in the south, it's influenced by the Mediterranean climate, and is usually slightly warmer than the likes of Vienna or Salzburg. According to Budget My Trip, you can expect to spend about £135 (£166) per day in Graz, covering food, drink and activities. Based on experiences from other travellers, you'll likely spend €56 on meals and €18 on transport. Glöckl Bräu, a popular Austrian restaurants, serves up hearty food, with a lunch time meal offer for €10.50. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: A new high-speed train is set to link three of Europe's coolest capital cities MORE: Virgin to offer 'brilliant' free perk for all passengers — but will it ruin the best part of flying? MORE: The cheapest package holiday destinations for 2025 as Spain and Cyprus soar in price
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
EastJet update in focus after flights cancelled due to French strikes
EasyJet will be looked to for any guidance on the impact of recent French air traffic control strikes when it updates on Thursday after it revealed hundreds of flights had to be cancelled. The group joined budget rival Ryanair in scrapping flights to and from France for two days in July due to the industrial action, with flights over France to destinations such as the UK, Greece, Spain and Ireland also affected. Tens of thousands of customers saw their travel plans disrupted by the two-day strike on July 3 and 4, with EasyJet cancelling 274 flights, while Ryanair cancelled 170, affecting more than 30,000 passengers with the Irish carrier alone. Luton-based easyJet's third quarter figures will be watched for any estimation of a financial blow from the disruption. The carrier's package holiday business is expected to be the standout performer once again in the quarter to the end of June, after the division delivered an impressive 42% jump in pre-tax profits to £44 million in the first half. The airline business had to cut prices to help boost demand for the airline and offset rising costs in the first half and the City will be watching to see if that remains the case as the summer season kicked off. Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'EasyJet's doing a great job of growing its fleet while keeping costs under control. 'But there had been some slight softness on pricing in the second quarter, so markets are keen to hear if that's picked back up over the third quarter. 'The market seems fairly confident that this will be the case, and full-year pre-tax profit guidance of £703 million should be well within reach.' EasyJet reported widened headline pre-tax losses of £394 million for the six months to the end of March, compared with losses of £350 million a year earlier. But the firm said at the time it was a 'slight improvement' of about £50 million when the later timing of Easter this year was taken into account. Seasonal demand for air travel means airlines often record losses in the winter followed by profits in the summer. Michael Hewson at MCH Market Insights said: 'In order to wipe out its first half losses, easyJet needs to see solid gains here, without having to discount.'
