Every year in spring, as the sun gets brighter and warmer, our mind starts to veer towards dreams of summer holidays or at least to a fabulous trip to the seaside.
There’s no need to hop onto a ferry to enjoy a good dose of fresh sea air, as there are several idyllic coastal locations on the mainland that will make you feel as if you have magically been beamed to a cosmopolitan Cycladic island or the Saronic Gulf. From Epirus to the Peloponnese, the seas of Greece are crystal clear and the picturesque villages that grow on and around them have all the charms necessary for enjoying a short yet deeply revitalising holiday.
Visits to several of these places can easily be combined with a great exploration of the surrounding historic area, while others offer the absolute seclusion and tranquility that many of us crave so intensely after a cold, dark winter.
Galaxidi
Once one of the most prosperous and powerful maritime towns in Greece, beautiful Galaxidi has retained its majestic architectural character, showing visitors who arrive there from all corners of Greece and the world, signs of its glorious past.
It will take you around three hours by car from Athens to reach the aristocratic Galaxidi, with its crystal clear waters and open views of the Peloponnesian coast. The route is a wonderful one, with constant changes and magical contrasts. As you leave behind cosmopolitan Arachova and picturesque Agoriani, head towards the blossoming valley of Delphi, ready to discover the mystical beauty of this ancient landscape. No matter how many times you come here, it is never enough, as it is one of the most important and fascinating archaeological sites you’ll ever visit. Next, take the road to Itea and Galaxidi.
As you enter the picturesque seaside town, washed by the waters of the Corinthian Gulf, you will almost forget that you’re still in mainland Greece, since everything in Galaxidi is reminiscent of a traditional fishing village in the Argosaronic Gulf. The impressive old captain’s houses stand to your right and left, the cobbled streets with stairs leading to the harbour intertwine with each other and the air is thick with the reviving smell of the sea.
Among the sights that you should definitely visit while staying here is the excellent Maritime Museum, which is housed in a wonderfully preserved building from 1870. Then, take a stroll along the seaside street of Nikolaos Mamas, which starts from Heroes’ Square and ends in the town’s main square right on the harbour. Across the street you will also see the very beautiful Pera Panda Park, which was planted by locals in 1929 and is now the perfect spot to enjoy a lovely walk under the pine trees.
As for surrounding beaches, if you want total seclusion, head to the quiet beaches of Agios Vasileiou and Agioi Panton in the village of the same name, and if you prefer livelier spots, with beach bars and sunbeds, head to the famous beach of Kalafatis or the smaller Nautical Club (‘Naftikos Omilos) beach. Everywhere the waters are sparkling, crystal clear and ideal for families with young children. The hotels in this small town are equally beautiful and welcoming and retain Galaxidi’s island character. And of course, you can’t leave here without enjoying delicious fish meze dishes and ouzo by the sea in one of the many seaside taverns and ouzeri in the area.
Parga
One of the most beautiful towns in Greece, built amphitheatrically on an pretty, verdant hill with a unique view of the Ionian Sea, Parga has a rich history that goes back to a long, long time ago. It was marked by the presence of the Venetians in the area during the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries and even today you can still see the proud Venetian Castle dominating the hilltop.
Parga remains the most characteristic example of a mainland destination with a strong Greek island vibe, both because of its enchanting location on the water and because of its close affinity with the neighbouring Ionian Islands. And if there is only one place in mainland Greece that so clearly conjures images of cosmopolitan, charming Capri and expensive Positano, with their winding streets, countless steps and shops that seem to hang from the rocks and hover over the sea, that is Parga. The main village is truly one of the most beautiful and picturesque places you will ever find in Greece, especially during the summer months, and a wonderful base for exploring nearby Sivota with its lovely nature and incredible beaches.
Your visit will most likely start from the Venetian Castle, the remains of the Old Town of Parga with its western roots and Venetian past, a past that gave way to the era of Turkish rule, which created dramatic changes in the area with hundreds of families leaving their homeland for good and setting sail for the islands opposite – especially Corfu. While there, visit Turkopazaro, while a stop at the amazing cafeteria of the castle, facing out to breathtaking views of the sea, is a must.
Around 25 kilometres outside of Parga is an important landmark reflecting its vital ancient past: the famous Necromancy of Acheron. Start from the village of Ammoudia and from there, take a boat to the mouth of the river, which the ancient Greeks believed was the gateway to the underworld. If you find yourself in Parga when the temperatures are high, there’s no better “attraction” than its fantastic beaches, which many have been quick to liken to the Caribbean coast. From the large, organised beach of Valtos with its music and crowds to the ‘secret’ beach of Agios Giannakis and beautiful but busy Sarakiniko, you will definitely feel like you’re on an island vacay.
Vivari
Located just a short distance from the largest settlement of Drepano, there is a beautiful little village right on the sea that is a popular destination for the permanent residents of Nafplio and the wider region. It is also a popular spot for visitors who come to enjoy the sunny coastline during the summer months. The coastline stretches from Nafplio and continues all the way from the popular town of Tolo to Iria, in front of the crystal clear waters of the Argolic Gulf.
Little Vivari has a picturesque harbour, where small inflatable boats stop to cruise around the bay, while impressive boats moor offshore. There are many beautiful little taverns serving excellent seafood delicacies, which will easily become your favourite go-to eateries if what you are looking for during your holiday is good food accompanied by ouzo or tsipouro by the sea, while you’re still dripping from your swim.
In Vivari, it’s as if time has stood still, and everything is within reach; there is no need to ‘commute’ anywhere while the days, especially during summer, simply roll by as you relax in your swimsuit on a towel on the warm sand.
If on the other hand you’re seeking adventure, head to the lagoon located right by the village and which is a protected area because it is such a rich ecosystem. It is no more than 1.5 metres deep, but here you will see numerous different species of fish, as well as birds such as herons, cormorants, alligators and swans. Then visit the chapel of Agios Spyridon, located very near to the lake, and a little further down from Vivari, on the road to the village of Candia, see Panagia Lefka, from where the view of the sea is dazzling.
Limeni
No other place in Greece is like striking Limeni. In Laconian Mani, it is a beloved destination that may be just three hours from Attica yet remains so unique that it is a fixed choice for visitors seeking an idyllic weekend getaway or longer.
Picture this: stone towers, old mansions, luxurious hotels with private piers that extend into the deep blue, sparkling waters characteristic of the Messinian Gulf and famous restaurants with tables set up on impressive platforms that look as if they are floating on the sea. And if we had to choose only one reason (although there are definitely many) why Limeni stands out among so many other idyllic destinations in the Peloponnese, then it would be its location, which is like nowhere else: the way the rocks soar above the land and naturally extend over the water, topped by an entire settlement that once, centuries ago, was initially created for entirely commercial purposes yet gradually evolved into a stunningly beautiful village in Greece,
The great history of the village is prevalent everywhere, from the harbour to the iconic tower of Mavromichali, which today serves as a hotel of the same name. Similarly, most of the accommodations in Limeni, which were once the magnificent stately homes of wealthy families, have retained their charms. Their living rooms and common areas are like museums, full of precious heirlooms and touching historical documents from the Mani of a bygone era, offering a very special guest experience.
Here you won’t find beaches in the classic sense of the word. At Limeni you will dive straight from the rocks or enter the sea from step ladders. However, if you are travelling with children and want something more family friendly, just 1.5km away you will find Neo Oitilo, which has a large pebble beach
Kyparissi
On the shores of the sparkling Myrto Sea, is a village that looks nothing like mainland Greece. In little Kyparissi you will feel that you have been magically transported to an island in the Cyclades or the Saronic Gulf as you catch yourself walking along the seashore, with the white houses with blue shutters lining it.
In Kyparissi the pace is slow, languid and everything you need is easily reached. In this Laconian seaside village, which in recent years has become more and more well-known, gathering more and more people every spring and summer, there isn’t much to see, but there are certainly all the right conditions to fully relax and disconnect from the strain of urban life.
For coffee and food, stroll to the port, while the most popular beaches for great swims are Agia Kiriakiaki and Megali Ammos, and 20 kilometres away you can swim at well-known Fokianos beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Peloponnese.
Read also:
Agra: The Pella Lake that evolved into one of Greece’s Most Beautiful Wetlands
The Twin Waterfalls of Tzoumerka: A Spellbinding Aquatic View
Zazari: A Beautiful Lake Nestled in Mountainous Florina, North West Greece
