One need only think of Greece and a few things will spring to mind. The blue domes of Santorini, perhaps, or the beach clubs on Mykonos. You can almost see the ferries heaving with summer crowds and the throngs in Oia, not to mention the interminable lunches by the water.

There is no fault to be found with any of it.

Still, the country is far more than what the average tourist gets to view. Trust me for that xD.

Step outside the well-trodden path of the islands and you will find an entirely different Greece. In the old stone towns and up in the mountain villages where everyone knows one another, life has a slower pace. You will come across rivers and forests, and coastal spots with traditional tavernas where a cup of coffee does not mean putting up with a thousand other holidaymakers.

For those inclined to have an experience of the place as opposed to just ticking off its most photographed corners, make a note of these 10 destinations.

We will get to them now.

Let’s dive right in!

1. Zagori

A trip to Zagori is likely to put a different spin on your conception of Greece if up to now you have only known the country from photographs of its beaches.

This mountainous part of Epirus in the northwest is home to dozens of old villages set among the forests and deep gorges of dramatic terrain. The stone houses and arched bridges are well known, yet one goes for the atmosphere. In Papingo, Monodendri or Aristi there is a sense of being far from the usual Greek holiday hustle.

You will find the Greece of long evenings in the village square, of fireplaces and food made at home. The nearby Pindus mountains are ideal for a hike and the Vikos Gorge is a major draw.

For those looking to experience the country when the summer beach crowds have gone, Zagori has much to offer. In autumn the leaves turn and it is cooler; come winter the villages make for a comfortable mountain retreat. It is not so much a resort as a place where life is lived.

2. Nafplio

Credit to Valantis M.

It is no secret to the Greeks, who have been making their way to Nafplio for decades. As one of the country’s favourite spots for a weekend away, it is well known.

And yet put it side by side with Santorini or Mykonos and you are in another world entirely.

In the Peloponnese lies Nafplio, former first capital of modern Greece. Its old town is a thing of beauty, with its neoclassical architecture and an assortment of small shops and eateries. All of this is set by the sea and under the watch of the Palamidi fortress, which looms over the town.

The appeal of Nafplio is that there is no pressure to get through your day. You can take your time: wander the old streets and the waterfront in the morning, make your way up to Palamidi, and have a leisurely dinner when evening comes. There is no point in hurrying from one sight to the next. For those on a mainland itinerary, it is also very convenient being so near to Athens.

3. Pelion

There are few places where one can spend a morning in a mountain village and find oneself by the sea before the day is out. Pelion is one of them.

The peninsula in central Greece is all mountains, with its forests and old villages connected by roads that make their way down to the Aegean. You will come across stone houses in abundance in spots like Makrinitsa, Portaria or Tsagarada, set against very verdant backdrops.

And for the beaches, do not expect the arid scenery one might put the Greek islands in mind with. Pelion has an unexpected greenness about it; in some areas the forest goes right down to the water, a world away from what you would see in the Cyclades.

It is a place to go beyond the usual summer months as well. Come winter, the region is a spot for skiing. For the traveler in search of an alternative to the conventional Greek island experience, that is what makes Pelion so appealing.

4. Monemvasia

You will not find many places in Greece to compare with Monemvasia.

On the southeastern Peloponnese coast a massive rock juts out of the sea, linked to the mainland by little more than a causeway. On the far side of it lies a medieval town, walled and fortified.

Step through the entrance and modern Greece is left behind. The settlement is all stone edifice and old churches, with its share of small squares and tight lanes. You will be hard put to find a car in the old town, so there is a certain pleasure in wandering about.

It is a place with centuries of history behind it, having been put through its paces by the Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans. In truth, the best way to see Monemvasia is to do without a sightseeing itinerary and let yourself get lost. Make your way up to the upper town and now and then pause for a view of the water.

While there are fine options for dining and lodging as one would expect of a tourist destination, it never has the air of a resort built for the purpose; it remains a genuine historical settlement.

5. Mani

One has to ask why there is not more talk of the Mani Peninsula; it is a place that demands attention.

Found in the southern Peloponnese, Mani is well known for the stone villages and tower houses set against a rugged terrain. Do not expect the Greece of white buildings with blue shutters here. The architecture is of a darker, more dramatic sort, as is the wild, rocky landscape.

There is a palpable sense of local identity in the region, born of a long and at times turbulent past. The fortified tower houses are a testament to the traditions of the Maniot people. For the traveler inclined to a good road trip, this is an ideal destination. Areopoli or Limeni serve as fine bases from which to set out, and the coastal roads have views to spare. A car is the way to go: put in some time on the open road to see the smaller villages and beaches. In the end, the drive will be as memorable as where one ends up.

6. Metsovo

Image Credit to Vagelis Giotopoulos

One might be sceptical if put to the test and told there is a mountain town in Greece with all the trappings of an Alpine resort. But a visit to Metsovo would put such doubts to rest.

In the Pindus range of the north, this town is hemmed in by mountains and woodland, its traditional character on full display. The stone houses and wooden balconies, not to mention the small streets and old tavernas, create an atmosphere you would not find on the country’s better known islands.

Food lovers will find much to like here. The local restaurants put out some substantial mountain fare that is a far cry from the seafood one expects on the coast, and the area has a reputation for fine cheeses such as Metsovone.

It draws crowds in the winter as well, thanks to the ski facilities in the vicinity, so it is a year-round concern and not a place that goes quiet once the summer is over. All in all, for those looking to experience a different facet of Greece, Metsovo is the obvious option.

7. Syros

In a technical sense it is an island, but Syros does not come across as the kind of Greece most tourists have in mind.

There is a world of difference here from the summer crowds one finds on Mykonos or Santorini. Syros is a working island with its own cultural identity and a sizeable population to back it up.

The capital of Ermoupoli alone makes for an impressive town in the Cyclades. You will not find the usual small white houses dotting the hills; the place is defined by stately neoclassical architecture and broad steps. It was a commercial hub in the 19th century and you can still put that history in perspective when you are there.

For those who would rather not be in a tourist bubble for the duration of their stay, Syros is well worth considering. One can put in time swimming or dining by the water and make forays into the old villages, yet at the same time get a good look at how people live their day to day on the island.

8. Kastoria

You will not often find Kastoria on a first-timer’s run-of-the-mill Greece itinerary, and in northern Greece that is what makes it so appealing. The city is set next to a lovely lake and fans out around Lake Orestiada with the mountains as a backdrop.

There are historic mansions and Byzantine churches to be seen in Kastoria; the architecture is a testament to its days as a major trading post. And while it does not have the beach-centric focus of many other Greek spots, the surrounding countryside is there for the taking if one wishes to explore.

One of the easiest ways to pass an evening is with a stroll by the waterfront. It is a place to come for the food, the history, the mountain views and the lake itself. You can put in a few days here without any sense of having to work through a checklist of must-see sights.

9. Tzoumerka

For travelers who really want to escape the tourist trail, Tzoumerka should be on the radar.

This mountainous region of Epirus is rugged, remote and spectacular.

The mountains dominate the landscape, while traditional villages are scattered among forests, rivers and steep valleys.

Places such as Pramanta, Kalarrites and Syrrako offer a glimpse into a much older version of rural Greece.

The villages are connected by winding mountain roads, so this is another destination where having a car is extremely useful.

Tzoumerka is particularly suited to travelers who enjoy hiking, nature and road trips rather than sitting beside a resort pool.

And because the region isn’t on the standard international tourist circuit, you are much more likely to find yourself surrounded by Greek travelers and locals rather than large tour groups.

That alone can change the experience completely.

10. Nymfaio

Nymfaio may be one of the most unexpected destinations on this list.

Hidden in the mountains of northern Greece, this beautifully preserved stone village has an atmosphere that feels almost European.

The village sits among forests at a relatively high altitude, and its traditional architecture has been carefully preserved.

Stone houses line narrow streets, while the surrounding mountains provide a completely different backdrop from the beaches most people associate with Greece.

Nymfaio is particularly beautiful in autumn and winter.

In the colder months, fireplaces, mountain food and snowy landscapes give it the feeling of a classic European mountain escape.

There is also plenty to explore in the surrounding area, including lakes, forests and wildlife.

For someone who thinks Greece is only about beaches and sunshine, Nymfaio can be a genuine surprise.

The Other Greece Is Worth Seeing

There is nothing wrong with visiting Santorini.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to see the Acropolis, swim in the Aegean or spend a week on a beautiful Greek island.

But Greece becomes much more interesting when you go beyond the places that dominate Instagram.

Zagori shows you the mountains.

Mani shows you a rugged and fiercely distinctive part of the Peloponnese.

Nafplio gives you history and seaside charm without the atmosphere of a major resort.

Pelion combines forests and beaches.

Metsovo and Nymfaio show you a completely different mountain Greece.

And places such as Kastoria and Tzoumerka remind you that some of the country’s most memorable experiences can happen far away from the sea.

The best part is that many of these places are not difficult to visit. Some can be reached from Athens by car, while others work beautifully as part of a longer road trip through mainland Greece.

So if you’ve already seen the blue domes, walked through the famous streets of Mykonos or simply want to experience something different next time, don’t assume you’ve already seen the best of Greece.

You may simply have been looking in the most obvious places.

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