5 Greek islands to visit when Greece reopens to tourists after the coronavirus lockdown. As the world gradually reopens coronavirus closures, Greece opens its borders to tourists on June 15. Greece, which relies heavily on summer travel, will try to revive the economy in time for the high season.
Greece, with less than 200 deaths and less than 3,000 of the virus, has been praised for its early locking, preventing the spread of the disease. Tourism is the main cog in the economy, accounting for 20% of GDP (gross domestic product).
Now that summer travel is approaching, here are five Greek islands on vacation where it's safe to travel to Greece.
Cephalonia
Unblemished Kefalonia is the fifth largest island in Greece. Until the mid-1990s, it remained hidden in the less crowded Ionian Sea. The novel by British author Louis de Bernières - Captain Corelli's mandolin, on the Italian soldiers invading Greece during the Second World War - became romantic in 1994 in the adaptation to the big screen with Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz.
Its seaside fascinates travelers. Its crown jewel beach is the turquoise and aquamarine waters of Myrtos regularly hailed as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. The attractive stretch of sand flanked by high limestone walls sparkles when the sun shines in its translucent waters.
The cave excavators marvel at the Melissani cave and the lake combining freshwater and seawater. It's two caves in one. While one remains lit by the sun, the other blackened, mysterious, and covered with stalagmites. At midday, when the sun is shining directly above, letting direct light create a luminous illusion in its turquoise waters.
The picturesque villages of Fiscardo, Assos with its Venetian castle of Agios Georgios and Sami overlook picturesque fishing carts and bordered by seaside restaurants captivate all those who dive in the less crowded Ionian islands of Greece.
Despite the hustle and bustle of summer residents, the lush, mountainous island is very large for exploration. The best way to cross the varied island is to rent a car in the lively capital of the city of Argostoli.
No boat departs from the Athens port of Piraeus. Most visitors to the island arrive by daily ferries from the Peloponnese city of Patras to the port of Poros. Ferries connect the neighboring Ionian islands of Zakynthos, Ithaca, Killini and Lefkada to Kefalonia. In summer the ships also operate from Brindisi in Italy. Its international airport accepts daily flights from Athens and charter flights from European capitals.
Kimolos
The attraction of the island of Kimolos is that time seems frozen. It looks like the Kimolians lived like the Cyclades 30 years ago. Although a stone's throw from Milos, much grander, few vacationers escape on the road to the less traveled island. Today, the land to the rhythm of the snail remains one of the most unknown treasures of the Aegean Sea.
Kimolos is the polar opposite of raucous Mykonos or hordes of tourists watching the caldera swarming over Santorini. The inhabitants of the Greek islands come to this beautiful sanctuary island to immerse themselves with the inhabitants whose authentic and original hospitality is evident from the departure of the ferry at the port of Psathi. There are at least 15 beautiful beaches for swimming, some of which are confined by sequestered coves. Learn about local life in quaint fishing villages, where tiny boats dot the bay, while long-time locals discuss day catch.
Going too far or getting lost is not an option. All the roads finally lead to the village and the capital of Chorio, pronounced "Horio" and to the Kastro or castle, a fortress within the confines of the enclave of the island.
Yet the 38-kilometer island (about 23 miles to circle the tiny island) has impressive peaks and valleys perfect for hiking.
There are enough beaches for all tastes. Another highlight is the Gerakias cave. Dive into the sparkling waters and explore its shallow waters inside the cave.
For the perfect end of any day on Kimolos Island, head to Ellinika Beach for its impressive sunsets and admire the mesmerizing rock formations straight on the Aspragremna Sea, there are vestiges and wrecks of the ancient city of Kimolos as well as the ancient tombs. Hike to the Rock of Skiadi, a particular rock shaped like a giant mushroom.
Kimolos, located in the chain of stellar Cycladic islands to the southwest, is about 90 miles south of Athens. The boats leave from the Athens port of Piraeus for the longest journey of 7 to 8 hours while the ferries stop along the way on other islands. The short 20-minute crossing from Milos operates 5 to 7 times a day. Besides the service of Milos, the well-attended islands of Kythnos, Serifos and Sifnos. As Milos has an airport, you can fly to Milos and catch the launch towards Kimolos.
Milos
It is breathtaking that the volcanic volcano of Milos remained on the road less traveled, far from the hordes of sun seekers who flock to the trendy districts of the Cyclades.
The irregularly formed flawless gem of Milos is a geological wonder carved from years of sea eruptions three million years ago, of rain and wind. Its rock formations are out of this world. It contains vast mineral deposits, including types of bentonite clay and kaolin. The private refuge has many water points with more than 70 beaches.
Every corner and crazy of Milos has a beach. Highlights include the Sarakiniko alabaster lunar landscape rocks, which give the appearance of walking on the moon. Sit is an ideal stopover for kayaking and exploring the caves.
The hot multicolored sand of Paleochori bordered by beach bars and taverns is a lazy way to spend a day. Another strangely formed bathing place is the papafragas, immersed in a cave surrounded by soft white rocks in deep blue waters. To arrive at Tsigrado hidden, you must descend a ladder or swim.
Beach goers should look for Paliochori, with its crystal clear waters, multicolored sand and shiny pebbles, and Papafragas, immersed in a cave surrounded by soft white rocks in deep blue waters.
The best way to get a glimpse of life on the rocks is to take boat trips from the port of Adamas. Among the most impressive highlights of a day sailing trip are the towering rock slabs of the former pirate lair of Kleftiko, where you will spend an hour for lunch and snorkeling. Another bright spot on Milos is Klima's brightly-colored fishermen's cottages.
There are daily flights in high season from Athens to Milos Airport and a year-round ferry service from the port of Piraeus. The journey takes four hours on high-speed boats or up to eight hours and on regular ferries that make stops in other islands. Milos has excellent connections from most of the neighboring Cyclades islands.
Serifos
The island of Serifos is as far as possible from the glitz and glamor of Santorini and Mykonos. Entering the picturesque harbor of Livadi dotted with rows of irresistible fish taverns sitting in the sand is like a quiet moment of the Cyclades in the 70s or 80s, when the island was disconnected from the ferry hoppers. The pier faces the chiseled mountain peak while looking at the capital of Hora. The enclave activates in summer.
From the fascinating cobbled streets of the rugged mountainous backdrop of the city of Chora, the aquamarine port and the bay below glisten under the bright sun. In the prominent hamlet, the stellar Venetian castle offers breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, and a kaleidoscope of colors bursts into the evening at sunset.
Today, the languid pace of Serifos attracts its good amount of Cylade explorers. However, the Serifians have managed to keep their culture intact, and therefore to attract visitors in search of an unhurried Greek escape.
Its unknown wild beauty and open spaces comparable to the central coast of California, or perhaps the Ventura Highway contains many breathtaking views leading to pebble beaches. These are cliffs, peaks and cliffs that make up the Aegean Sea.
Located in the north center of the island is the divine monastery of Taxiarches, similar to a fortress. Built in 1572, the men's monastery attributed to the island's patron saints is Gabriel, and Michael is a must visit. The sleeping beach of Mega Livadi is in the shade under the tamarisks. The shallow bay and cove are perfect for families with young children.
Walking around the port of Serifos at night is the ultimate exhibition for the Cyclades.
Serifos is a two-hour comfortable ferry ride from the port of Piraeus in Athens. Due to its increasing popularity, the island connected to Kythnos, Milos and Sifnos is optimal for a trip of 3-4 islands.
Sifnos
The chiseled masterpiece of Sifnos, teeming with olive trees, scented capers that escape from rocky beds, wild sage, oregano, and thyme, which grows through the mountainous island and its fertile valleys has amazed the larvae of the Greek island for decades. The centuries-old Greek Orthodox religion found in nearly 400 churches that dot the landscape.
The monument that crowns the island is the beautifully preserved mountain summit ruins of the Acropolis and Agios Andreas museum and the adjacent church. Although recently excavated at the beginning of the 20th century, its creation dates back to the 13th century. The magnificent Church of the Seven Martyrs reaches the edge of the Aegean Sea.
The centuries-old pottery art of the islands dates back to the Cycladic period, and there are currently 19 pottery workshops on the island.
Although no longer a best-kept secret, the island home of his son, poet, and culinary icon Nikos Tselementes and other chefs are renowned throughout Greece for its gastronomy. The aromatic puffs of Marcelo, the usual lamb dish cooked in red wine and dill cooked in clay ovens, is a delicacy of Sifnos.
The modest island of countless hidden churches and over 50 ancient towers is a hiker's paradise. The old town of Kastro is a well-preserved treasure and a step back in time, inhabited for over 3000 years. The former colony filled with antiques does not allow cars inside the village labyrinth.
Sifnos is less than three hours from Athens by high-speed ferry and offers an attractive mix of traditional Greek life, combined with some of the best sunny beaches in all of Greece.
