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I have always been in favor of a Greek beach holiday and after years of exploring almost all of the country’s many, many sunny centers, I’ve become something of an expert too.
I’ve seen everything from the white stone houses of Santorini to the (in my opinion, overhyped) beaches of Mykonos, but this summer some of my all-time favorite destinations emerged as the best destinations of the season. fastest growing hotspots.
And to those of you who think you missed out on that perfect island vacation just because summer is over, I say, think again!
With temperatures ranging between 18°C and 28°C, quiet beaches and reasonable prices – September and October could be your best bet. perfect months to visit these 5 amazing gemstones.
Crete
I may be a little biased when it comes to Crete as it is one of the very first places I flew to years ago as a newly independent adult, but the fact that I kept going back Since then it has been shown time and time again that there is something truly magnetic about Greece’s largest island.
Thanks to its size, you’ll never run out of things to see or do. Even those of you who have been here more than once or twice can find plenty of places right here on this list that you didn’t even know existed.
However, if you are seeing Crete for the very first time, you want to see Chania first.
Not only is it close to many of the island’s most famous beaches (Balos, Elafonissi, Falassarna and so on), but the town itself is also incredible – the mix of Greek, Venetian, Egyptian and Ottoman influences makes for some sort of architecture and overall charm that I have never experienced before.
That said, if you stay here, you’ll probably need that too rent a car since the beaches near the city aren’t really that great (I’ve mostly used Go Car Rental before that).
The same goes for Heraklion.
If you want to stay somewhere with both an active cityscape (complete with shops, bars and restaurants) and great beaches you can walk to, then I recommend traveling to lesser-known spots. Hersonissos instead of.
Corfu
Corfu is living, breathing proof of a Greek island getaway doesn’t have to be expensive not at all, especially now that peak prices in the summer are slowly but surely starting to fall.
This season you can experience the island’s stunning beaches, Venetian architecture and impeccable cuisine for cheaper than ever, with return flights from just $458 – that’s a bargain!
You also don’t have to worry about accommodation eating up your travel budget.
I have personally loved Philoxenia Hotel; here you get a clean, spacious, comfortable room for over $100 and also a free breakfast.
Zakynthos
Zakynthos promises the quintessential Greek island experience – the charming old town, the harborside cafes, the world-class beaches – it really has everything!
One thing I have noticed in recent years about both Zakynthos and Lefkada (coming next) is that they become too busy for their own good.
Don’t get me wrong, they’re still beautiful, but the summer crowds (and heat!) can really put a damper on the overall experience. That’s why I only travel to these islands in May/June or September/October. .
And since this is one of the pricier destinations on today’s list, dodging those sky-high summer prices will also provide your wallet with some much-needed relief.
But just a word of warning: the famous Navagio (Shipwreck) beach is still closed to the public as of the time of writing this article – you can only approach it by boat.
That said, there are still some plenty of beautiful beaches across the island to enjoy this time of year, with some of my personal favorites Gerakas, Makris Gialos and Porto Limnionas.
Lefkas
It’s only been a few months since my last trip to Lefkada, so you can read my more in-depth review here, but long story short: it’s one of the most stunning places where I have ever traveled.
Yes, it is one little bit more expensive than Corfu and Kefalonia (yet cheaper than Zakynthos), but the capital is incredibly vibrant and picturesque and the beaches are to die for.
The main reason I included it in today’s list is that the quality of your experience in Lefkada will be greatly influenced by when you go – and this could be the best time.
Take Egremni Beach for example.
It is without a doubt one of the most breathtaking places I have ever seen in my life and I had a blast here; Meanwhile, a friend of mine, who came here in mid-August, complained that all the ships floating along the coast completely deteriorated the quality of the water, making it almost impossible to swim.
The same applies to the whole customer service.
I fell in love with a little restaurant in the city center called Κελάρι μεζεδοπωλείο Λευκάδα – I always found a table, the food was sublime, the prices were reasonable, and I got a free drink or dessert at the end of my meal.
That same friend who went to Lefkada in August complained that the prices in that same area (but not the same restaurant) were too high and that they never got anything for free – they even got a bill for something they didn’t order.
So if you want to make the most of this incredible island, you’ll definitely want to do so book those tickets quickly!
Cephalonia
Kefalonia could well be one of Greece most underrated hubs – do yourself a favor and google the towns and beaches and tell me this isn’t straight out of a postcard.
And believe me when I say the pictures don’t do it justice either.
I took this photo at a seaside cafe on the island, and while beautiful, the view I have in my mind, along with the overall atmosphere I felt there, leaves me a little breathless every time I think about it.
And right now 3 and 4 star hotels in Kefalonia can be booked for less than $100 per night (my top choice would be Hotel Ionian Plaza) – definitely worth it if you spend a day on Myrtos Beach under the warm Greek sun.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
