Tourism: The “seven” gems of Greece through the “eyes” of CNBC Travel [pics]

A perennially favorite destination for tourists is Greece, which is consistently ranked among the top 10 countries for vacations in Europe.

Now, however, she wants tourists to get to know her lesser-known, but equally beautiful locations.

Extension of the tourist season

“We are moving beyond the sea and the sun. We want to extend the tourist season both in time and space,” Olympia Anastasopoulou, Secretary General of Tourism Policy and Development at the Greek Ministry of Tourism, told CNBC Travel.

In order to achieve this, Greece is investing in its more remote locations, including Syros, Amorgos and Milos, as part of the “All you want is Greece” campaign.

“Our goal is for these islands to expand more seasonally as well. We would like tourist flows to be extended to other months,” said Eleni Mitraki, director of tourism promotion at Hellenic Tourism Organization-EOT, noting that the season can last from March to November.

The plans coincide with the expansion of direct flights from the United States to Greece, starting in March 2023.

Currently, Germany and the United Kingdom represent Greece’s largest inbound tourism markets in terms of revenue, followed by the United States, France and Italy. However, Ms. Anastasopoulou pointed out that further growth is expected from other markets, mainly Canada and India.

CNBC’s top 7

Let’s see what are the top picks for less popular destinations in Greece, according to CNBC Travel.

Kalymnos, Dodecanese

A mountaineer’s paradise

Located in the southeastern Aegean Sea, Kalymnos is famous for its sponge diving – underwater diving to collect natural sponges from the seabed – which brought considerable wealth and recognition to the island in the previous century.

More recently, the island has become a world-renowned location for climbers, with more than 3,000 climbing routes spanning the numerous rocks, caves and ledges of its rugged landscape.

Kalymnos’ tourist season peaks in autumn with the Kalymnos Climbing Festival. However, adventure seekers can visit all year round, with a range of other activities including diving, hiking and boating.

Ios, Cyclades

A haven for history afficionados

Ios is located between Santorini and Naxos and was once considered an exclusive party destination. However, the Cycladic island has renewed its image in recent years to highlight its historical character.

Ios is home to one of the oldest settlements in Greece, the monument of Skarkos, and also has strong links with the Greek epic poet, Homer, who died on the island.
Alongside the history, visitors to Ios can also explore its abundant beaches and hiking and diving spots, before enjoying some of the local cheeses the island is famous for.

Skopelos, Sporades

A movie buff’s delight

Skopelos became famous as the filming location for the hit musical ‘Mamma Mia’ and has since become a popular destination for weddings and honeymoons.

Part of the Skopelos archipelago in the northwest Aegean Sea, the island combines stunning beaches and picturesque villages with a range of diving and cycling routes.

Legend has it that the island was founded by the son of the Greek god of wine. And although many of its vineyards were destroyed by pests in the 1940s, small-scale, domestic production continues to this day. Meanwhile, plums, almonds, chestnuts, figs, citrus fruits and olives adorn the local cuisine.

Andros, Cyclades

Hiking shelter

One of the largest islands of the Cyclades and just two hours from mainland Greece, mountainous Andros has a diverse landscape of forests, waterfalls, beaches and local vegetation, making it ideal for an outdoor getaway.

Visitors can explore the island via the extensive network of hiking trails or try their hand at windsurfing or diving, before enjoying the local cuisine.

Art and culture lovers can visit the many monasteries, galleries and museums of Andros, such as the Archaeological Museum of Andros and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Astypalea, Dodecanese

Island of innovation

One of the Dodecanese, Astypalaia has a rich ancient history. But it is “looking” firmly into the 21st century, aiming to become the first sustainable island in the Mediterranean.
As part of an agreement with the Greek government and Volkswagen, Astypalaia plans to implement an island-wide zero-emission plan by 2030, with traditional vehicle rentals replaced by electric cars, scooters and bicycles.

Tourists arriving on the so-called butterfly island can also enjoy its natural landscape, which is home to beautiful beaches, rocky slopes and diverse flora and fauna, as well as the picturesque villages with white houses draped with bougainvilleas.

Lipsi, Dodecanese

Aegean Polynesia

Surrounded by 24 islets with dozens of blue-green beaches, Lipsi in the Dodecanese are considered the Polynesia of the Aegean and an ecological paradise.

With a rich expanse of flora and fauna protected by the European Union, the island is home to a variety of rare animals such as Mediterranean seals and sea turtles. Dolphins are also common in the area and a new marine life sanctuary is set to open soon on the island.

Holidaymakers can enjoy boating, diving and hiking, before dining at seafood taverns and experiencing local festivals such as the August Wine Festival.

Alonissos, Sporades

The joy of divers

Alonissos, an island of the Sporades, is a diver’s paradise and hosts the first underwater museum in Greece. With the ‘Parthenon of the Wrecks’, one of the largest wrecks of the classical era dating back to 425 BC, the site offers divers a unique insight into the area’s history.

The island is also home to the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades, the largest marine protected area in Europe today, giving visitors the opportunity to see a huge variety of plants and animals.

Kayaking, hiking and cycling are among the activities offered on the island, while museums and a local theater group showcase the island’s artistic and cultural side.