Aegina is one of the most rewarding Greek islands to explore slowly. Just 30–40 minutes from Athens by ferry, it offers a rare combination of ancient archaeology, living island traditions, pine-covered hills, pilgrimage sites, walkable villages, and a world-famous pistachio culture – all without the gloss or crowds of more heavily touristed islands.

This 10-day Aegina itinerary is designed for travellers who value depth over box-ticking. It mixes archaeology, coastal walking, food, art, rural landscapes, and everyday island life, and is ideal for those who miss Greece as it once was, before curated became a word used outside of museums.

Why Aegina Still Feels Real – The un-Disneyfied island

Let me begin by saying that what really illuminates the special character of Aegina is the number of orthopaedic shoe shops, children’s clothes stores, and art supply shops. I realise this sounds like faint praise, but bear with me… you will understand how highly this is to be valued once you’ve read the rest of this article. Trust me. The Five Star Team have asked me not to write this but I am the boss…

Aegina sits firmly within the Athens commuter belt – just a short 30-minute, frequent high-speed ferry ride from Piraeus. As such, it tends to get overlooked as little more than a long-weekend escape or a day trip to the Doric Temple of Aphaia before heading straight back to the mainland. 

Yachts do stop there as they know the beautiful places to anchor and swim – you can charter a yacht with us if you wish to explore by sea – but the hoi polloi (not Five Star Greece guests, of course) and somewhat snobbish Greeks rarely give it serious thought. 

This is their loss.

This guide is written for those who yearn for Greece as it felt 50 years ago, for travellers who are curious and love discovering the underrated, and for anyone who has seen enough Cycladic whitewashed cubic villages and Disneyfied harbour waterfronts and would quite like to see something more real.

Day 1 – Explore Aegina Town & the Working Harbour

A Neoclassical Waterfront That Still Works for a Living

Pastel-coloured neoclassical houses with iron balconies and shuttered windows line the waterfront – some gently crumbling, others repurposed as bars, eateries or commercial buildings. 

The harbour in Aegina Town is where fishing boats and vegetable caikia clink together gently and excellent bars, tavernas, patisseries,  coffee-shops and ice cream parlours stretch from the little park at one end, to the magnificent Church of the Panagitsa at the other.

This is a working harbour, not a set piece. You’ll see strolling families, pick-up trucks and horse-drawn carriages all happily co-existing. The narrow streets behind are full of really useful shops, and not a cheesecloth Greek goddess dress or donkey fridge magnet in sight. Bliss.

Evening at the Lighthouse

Behind the town’s main streets, you can take in the old customs house, the fish market, and several neoclassical mansions before ending the day at the Bouza Lighthouse. Watch the sea turn violet at sunset, then settle in at Aiakeion for what may well be the best taramosalata and whole grilled shrimp that I have ever tasted.

It also has an ice cream parlour with eight different varieties of Pistachio ice cream. After all, you can’t end the day with a shrimp taste in your mouth.

Day 2 – Temple of Aphaia, Forest Walks & Kapralos Museum

Visiting the Temple of Aphaia

This is the big one. Coaches with guides come for the day, and if you must buy a fridge magnet, this is the place to do it.

The Temple of Aphaia stands high on a pine-covered hill above Agia Marina. Built around 500 BC, it is one of the best-preserved Doric temples in Greece. The approach path winds through a fragrant forest before the pale limestone columns emerge above the trees.

The temple has six columns on each end and twelve along each side, many still standing with visible tool markings. Its pediments once depicted scenes from the Trojan War. The older, western pediment showed more rigid, archaic warriors, while the later eastern pediment displayed more natural, dynamic figures that marked the transition into the early classical style. 

Today, the originals are kept in Munich, but detailed replicas and fragments in the museum help recreate the full sculptural program. These scenes connected the local goddess Aphaia with the wider heroic myths of Greece. 

Aphaia herself is thought to have been a local deity associated with nature, fertility, and the protection of sailors, whose cult long preceded the classical temple.

Views Across the Saronic Gulf

From the temple platform, you can gaze over the Saronic Gulf, taking in the smaller islands, the Peloponnese coast, the Attica coast, and the glittering new skyline of Athens Hellenikon – which is backed by the snow-capped mountains of Parnassos on a clear winter day.

Forest Trails & Café Stop

Surrounding the sanctuary are the remains of the large altar platform where sacrifices once took place. There’s also a stone-lined cistern which was used for ritual purification, foundations of priests’ quarters and storerooms, and parts of the perimeter wall that once enclosed the sacred area. Broken blocks and carved stones lie half-buried in the earth with wild flowers peeping out from between.

The Temple café has old stone seats and tables and one of the best views over the hillside dropping down to the sea, shaded under more of Aegina’s fabulous pine trees. Energetic walkers can continue along the Aphaia ridge trail – often entirely alone.

Christos Kapralos Museum

A nice addition to this day is a visit to a pottery workshop in Mesagros. After that, you can end the day at the Christos Kapralos Museum – a sea-facing art studio filled with expressive wooden, bronze and stone sculptures that feel deeply rooted in the Greek landscape.

Day 3 – Perdika, Moni Island & Coastal Walking

Spend the morning in Perdika, a small fishing village of narrow lanes and quiet cafés. From the harbour, we can arrange a boat to Moni Island – a protected nature reserve known for turquoise water, pine forests, tame deer, and peacocks.

This is a real highlight, as the island is well known for its beautiful water. On cooler days in spring or autumn, you can hike the path to the island’s highest viewpoint, swim in rocky coves, and enjoy the peaceful beaches before returning to Perdika.

In the late afternoon, walk back along the coastal path toward Aeginitissa, passing stone terraces, small chapels, fishing docks, and quiet rocky inlets. Seafood here is excellent and unppolished – exactly as it should be. 

Day 4 – Kolona Archaeological Site & Aegina’s Early History

Kolona & the Archaeological Museum

The Kolona site, named after the single standing column of the Temple of Apollo, includes prehistoric houses, fortifications, storerooms, and ancient city remains.

Next door, the Archaeological Museum of Aegina (founded in 1829) holds an exceptional collection for its size.

You can expect to see:

• Mycenaean pottery, including stirrup jars and vases with spiral and marine motifs, illustrating Aegina’s role in the Bronze Age trade networks.
• Terracotta figurines and votive offerings from sanctuaries across the island, portraying animals, worshippers, and deities.
• Detailed replicas and fragments of the sculptures from the pediments of the Temple of Aphaia, showing how these pieces were once placed.
• A display of early Aegina coins; Aegina was one of the first places in Europe to mint silver coinage. The famous “turtle coins,” with a sea turtle stamped on one side, are highly covetable as well as speaking  to the island’s early importance as a maritime centre.
• Stone tools, small idols and household objects from prehistoric settlements offer a glimpse into life on Aegina long before the classical period.

Outside in the museum’s courtyard, beneath the open sky, lie scattered column drums, capitals, sarcophagus fragments, and blocks from various monuments.

Neoclassical Aegina Town

When returning to Aegina Town, it’s worth visiting the pink Tower of Markellos. This was the former Government House of Ioannis Kapodistrias, one of Greece’s earliest prime ministers in the 19th century after liberation from the Ottoman Empire, and the neoclassical Orphanage.

In town, pop into the Vriniotis Art Gallery and pass by the Old Girls’ School – a preserved 19th-century educational building. Walking through the town’s back streets is a great way to see the famous Aegina neoclassical homes with carved stone door frames, iron balconies and colourful shutters, many with gardens full of flowers and citrus trees.

The combination of ancient monuments in such close proximity to neoclassical warehouses, churches with tiled roofs and small bell towers,  and houses with balconies overflowing with flowers gives Aegina town a unique character of continuous history and ongoing vitality. 

Day 5 – Agios Nektarios, Paleochora & the Ancient Olive Grove

The Monastery of Agios Nektarios

Dedicate this day to the island’s spiritual and rural heartlands. The Monastery of Agios Nektarios, one of the largest monasteries in Greece, is a major pilgrimage site and a popular Sunday church-excursion destination for pious families – and some rather less pious children who inevitably end up playing football in the courtyards.

It is a vast and steep complex, with impressive domes, wide staircases and arched colonnades that create a sense of grandeur. At the same time, the inner courtyards, filled with flowers and quiet corners, retain a feeling of peace. Inside the main church, pilgrims light candles and pray before icons and relics of Saint Nektarios.

Exploring Paleochora – Aegina’s Medieval “Ghost Town”

From the monastery, a road and footpath lead uphill to Paleochora, Aegina’s medieval hilltop settlement. Built inland to protect residents from pirate raids, Paleochora once contained dozens of houses and more than 30 churches scattered across the slopes.

Today, many of these churches still stand. Some retain fragments of frescoes, others are partially collapsed, and a few remain beautifully intact. 

Chapels, Frescoes & Forgotten Paths

You can happily spend several hours wandering Paleochora’s network of paths. Small churches dedicated to different saints appear unexpectedly among ruins and scrub. One of the most beautiful is the Chapel of the Theotokos, with its solid stone walls, arched doorway and faded interior paintings that still hint at their former richness.

The Ancient Olive Grove of Eleonas

To complement the rural vibes, look for the ancient olive grove of Eleonas. Here, centuries-old olive trees grow, their thick trunks twisted into intricate shapes by time and weather. The ground is dotted with wildflowers and low stone walls. The combination of age, resilience and quiet beauty makes this one of the most atmospheric places on Aegina.

Day 6 – Eastern Coast: Souvala, Loutra & Agia Marina

Souvala & the Quiet Northern Coast

This day is dedicated to the eastern and northeastern coastline. Begin in Souvala, strolling along the waterfront where tavernas and cafés face a small harbour that still feels local and unhurried.

From there, continue to Loutra, the area of the thermal springs that once drew visitors for their therapeutic waters. While the bathing facilities are now largely quiet, the surrounding coastline remains beautiful, with rocky edges and clear water.

Agia Marina & Folk Traditions

Agia Marina is one of Aegina’s most popular beach resorts. You can visit the small local Folk Art Museum, which displays traditional clothing, household objects and photographs documenting earlier island life. Afterwards, reward yourself with a swim at the long sandy beach, where shallow and clear waters lap the shore. 

Coastal Walks & Viewpoints

A trail begins in the pine forest behind the village and leads to Metamorfosi Church, a small chapel perched on a hillside with views across Agia Marina and the sea. Returning along the eastern road, stop at Saint Vlasis Chapel, set directly beside the water, and at the Sarantakos viewpoint, where pine-covered slopes frame long stretches of coastline. Along this route, several small coves along this route tempt with their clear, quiet waters.

Day 7 – Crafts, Workshops & Maritime Heritage

Aegina’s Artistic Community

Aegina has a thriving community of artists, designers and photographers who have moved here for the quality of life, the easy access to Athens and the island’s authenticity. Hence the excellent art supply shops…

Workshops & Traditional Crafts

In and around Aegina Town, Mesagros and Kipseli host a series of workshops and pottery studios. You can watch potters throw clay on wheels and see icon painters work patiently through various stages of completion – from gessoed wooden panels to the final solemn image.

In other workshops you can still see textile weaving on looms, embroidery, and the preparation of local honey and herbal blends. Pistachio-based sweets and spreads also appear everywhere, as Aegina is famous for its Pistachio industry – we’ll come onto this more below… 

Maritime Museum & Shipyards

The Maritime Museum shows models of traditional wooden boats, navigational instruments and photographs that document Aegina’s long relationship with the sea. To continue the maritime theme, walk through the shipyard area just outside Aegina Town, where craftsmen continue to repair wooden fishing boats (trehantiria), preserving both the vessels themselves and the skills required to maintain them.

Day 8 – Mount Oros, Vagia & the House of Rodakis

Hiking Mount Oros

From Vagia, a quiet beach village, pack water and a picnic and hike to the summit of Mount Oros – the highest point on Aegina. The trail climbs steadily through pine forest and low shrubs, with occasional views opening over the northern coast.

At the summit stands the small white chapel of Prophet Elias. From here, the panorama extends across the Peloponnese, Salamina, Poros and, on clear days, the outline of Athens on the horizon.

Ellanios Zeus Sanctuary

On the way down, look out for the Ellanios Zeus Sanctuary – one of Aegina’s oldest religious sites on the mountain’s slopes. Scattered stones, low walls, and traces of altars mark a place associated with some of the island’s earliest cult activity.

The House of Rodakis

If you go back via Mesagros, visit the House of Rodakis – if you can find it hidden behind prickly pear cactus and if it happens to be open, which is part of Aegina’s charmingly casual attitude to its treasures. 

This 19th-century farmhouse is a beautiful example of local folk architecture, built with stone, earth and wood, and decorated with symbolic sculptural motifs such as lions, serpents and eagles. Its elongated courtyard and surrounding rooms reflect the rhythms of rural life.

Day 9 – Churches, Museums & Faneromenis

Churches of Aegina Town

This day is devoted to churches, small museums and quieter corners of Aegina Town and its surroundings. Begin with Saint Dionysios’s Church, with its painted interior and icons, then Saint Spiridon near the harbour, dedicated to sailors and travellers. 

The Cathedral of Aegina is closely linked to the early years of the modern Greek state and was the setting for some significant moments in Greek modern history.

The Catacomb Church of Faneromenis

Outside the main town, a wonderful find is the Catacomb Church of Faneromenis. Surrounded by pine trees, the upper Byzantine church stands in atmospheric ruins. Below it, a whitewashed cave chapel filled with candles and icons opens into early Christian catacombs – stone-cut chambers pierced by a shaft of daylight from a hole at the top.

A knowledgeable guardian gives thoughtful explanations and insights – sadly only for Greek speakers, but pretend you can understand. It gives him great joy and then you can drop some euros into the collection box and light a few candles for your loved ones.

Day 10 – The Pistachio Heritage of Aegina

Pistachio Landscapes & Harvest Traditions

Devote a day to Aegina’s most famous agricultural treasure: the pistachio. Mesagros is the main pistachio-growing village, where low, twisting pistachio trees grow in red volcanic soil bordered by dry-stone terrace walls. Orchards stretch across gentle hillsides, many with views towards the sea.

Harvest takes place from late August to early September. Branches are shaken with long poles, so the ripe pistachios fall onto cloths spread beneath the trees. The thin outer hull is then quickly removed, and the nuts are laid out to dry in the sun for several days.

Pistachio Products & Local Specialities

The pistachio cooperative of Kipseli produces an impressive range of products from the PDO-protected Aeginan pistachio. You can sample:

• Fresh roasted pistachios (plain, salted, lemon-salted)
• Pistachio butter  (absolutely addictive)
• Pistachio pesto
• Honey blended with crushed pistachios
• Pralines 
• Nougats
• Spreads
• Sweet green pistachio liqueur

Aegina Town is full of specialty shops devoted almost entirely to pistachio-based sweets from baklava to the Greek childhood heaven of Gliko tou koutaliou – spoon-sweets or Greek childhood heaven.

A Bonus for September Visitors – Aegina’s Pistachio Festival

The Fistiki Fest is Aegina’s most beloved annual celebration, held every September to honour the island’s world-famous PDO Aeginetan pistachio. The harbour and old town transform into a colourful celebration of Aegina’s culture, history, and agricultural tradition. The festival is a showcase of creativity and flavour. There are pistachio treats in every imaginable form, which I listed above.

Stalls on the harbour lining the waterfront are decorated with pistachio branches, live music fills the air while locals and visitors stroll between stands, and the scent of roasted pistachios is everywhere.

To give your sugar levels a rest,  there are less calorific displays of raw pistachios from different orchards, demonstrations of harvesting and drying techniques, information panels explaining PDO status and pistachio history, and tools used in traditional pistachio production.

Beyond the pistachios, Aegina’s artistic community brings the festival to life with art exhibitions inspired by pistachios and Aegina’s landscapes. You’ll also find handmade ceramics, jewellery and textiles, live painting and open studios, and photography exhibitions showing orchards, harvests and rural life.

Chefs from across Greece present pistachio-based recipes. These include pistachio-crusted fish, pistachio risottos and salads, and all the usual and less usual cakes, pastries and desserts. Cooking enthusiasts can pick up recipe cards to try them at home.

The evenings are a time for traditional Greek dance groups, folk musicians, modern bands and children’s puppet performances. You might even catch an iconic “Karayiozi” puppet show here.

Some years also feature a rather wonderful illuminated Pistachio Boat Parade with fishing boats decorated in lights and pistachio motifs gliding across the harbour.

The Real Deal

You may now be wondering what this has to do with orthopedic shoe shops and children’s clothes stores – well, the magic of Aegina is that with all these treasures, all this heritage and all this charm, it remains primarily a community of farmers and tradespeople.

They still ask “How do you like our island?” with genuine curiosity and humility, they have not Disneyfied their home to serve the god of tourism, nor has it occurred to anyone to open a Louis Vuitton or Nobu here.

Long may that last, and if you have bunions or hammer toes, fancy a pistachio ice-cream, need some more Pthalo blue acrylic paint (so much blue sky and sea to paint), or a child’s party outfit, your stay on the island in one of our luxury villa rentals in Aegina will be perfectly complete.

If this way of travelling resonates, you’ll find more of the same in our travel blog, where we share further insights into places that still feel quietly, confidently themselves.

FAQs

Where is Aegina?

Aegina is a Saronic Gulf island located about 27 km (17 miles) from Athens, easily reached by a ferry in 40–75 minutes.

What is Aegina best known for?

Aegina is best known for the Temple of Aphaia, its PDO-protected pistachios, neoclassical harbour town, and pilgrimage sites.

How do you get to Aegina from Athens?

Frequent ferries depart from Piraeus to Aegina Town and Agia Marina. High-speed ferries take around 40 minutes, whereas conventional ferries take roughly 1 hour to an hour and 15 minutes.

What are the top things to see on Aegina?

The top things to see on Aegina are the Temple of Aphaia, Aegina Town, Agios Nektarios Monastery, Paleochora, and Moni Island.

When is the best time to visit Aegina?

The best time to visit Aegina is April–June and September–October as they offer mild weather and fewer crowds – the Pistachio festival also takes place in September. July and August are hot and busy, so they’re ideal for beach holidays. It depends on what type of experience you want on your visit.

Is Aegina good for families?

Absolutely. The beaches are calm and shallow, whilst the villages are relaxed and walkable for little ones.

Are there good walking and hiking routes?

Yes, there are some amazing walking routes in Aegina. Trails around Aphaia, Paleochora and Mount Oros are particularly rewarding.

Does Aegina get crowded?

The weekends and summer can be busy in Aegina. If you want a quieter experience, weekdays and shoulder seasons remain peaceful.

The post What to Do in Aegina in 10 days – from Five Star Greece  appeared first on Five Star Greece.

 

 Sometimes one just wants to stay home, not see anyone, and pretend the outside world doesn’t exist. If only home were seamless luxury, lapped by pale blue waters, fringed with a sandy beach, nestled in a fragrant pine forest, gazing over endless peaceful sea views, and staffed to perfection. The Five Star Greece annual retreat took place in just such a home, half way down the coast of Sithonia; the middle finger of Halkidiki. The trouble was, so divine is Halkidiki EST, the house we stayed at, so pampered and protected were we, so surrounded by beauty, that no one wanted to go out and explore the area, visit the beaches, hike the trails, view the historic sites or test the tavernas. We did of course as we are professionals, but it was a wrench to leave this paradise.

Rewards do await those who manage the separation ; the Old Town of Nikiti is a gem – the early Christian Basilica of Sophronio dates from the early 5th Century, and the folklore museum has an utterly charming display of artifacts preserving the history of rural life in Nikiti. Free, but do donate! 

Bee-keeping is an essential part of Sithonia’s culture, and Natalia, one of the team, is herself an accomplished bee-keeper and well connected to the network, we can arrange very bee-spoke experience for apiculturally- minded guests, and for any Winnie the Poohs who happen to be with them. 

For the more active, there is riding nearby, and golf on the Porto Carras golf course. You can also taste the wines at the Domaine Porto Carras – Greece’s largest single organic vineyard in Greece, 450 hectares or hillside. Perhaps best to play golf before the winery. 

For Speliologists, the Petralona cave is a magnificent experience not to be missed with its dramatic stalagmites and echoing chambers. 

Not far away is Halkidiki NT- open aspect and on a large beach, clean, slick lines and, sleeping 16, a great choice for a large family group in the summer. 

Diaporos Island is a tiny speck of an island, just a handful of houses, no roads, no infrastructure, no shops, no ferry, no pretension, no helipad, only accessible by private boat. It has the most glorious bays and sandy beaches and we loved the shipping tycoon feeling of being picked up by private launch, taken to the dock where a waiting member of staff served us iced drinks, and escorted us by golf cart to the two villas we represent there – Halkidiki Beach House is a small jewel on a pristine white sand beach, a huge array of services and amenities, perfect for a family who can’t quite keep up with the Onassis’s of this world but want to get a feel of private island life. Close by is Halkidiki WH – a hugely spacious, sprawling beachfront villa for 20 people or so, also with its private beach and a totally relaxed and easy vibe. 

We recommend a stopover in Thessaloniki before catching the plane home – the city is one of the new capitals of cool – a great culinary scene and, as evidenced in its rich traditions – buildings museums, archaeological sites – referencing its classical Greek, Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine, Jewish and Ottoman heritage, a object lesson in how different cultures and faiths all co-existed together in fruitful creativity. 

Villa inspection is a hard job, we have to overlook the obvious glamour and try to find faults- not always possible – but the team does their best!  

Don’t miss our destination guide of Halkidiki

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On Paros, you are spoiled for choice – the coastline is long and fertile land slopes gently down to the sea, creating plenty of easily accessible sandy beaches – some fringed with tamarisk trees, others with kite-surfing and wind-surfing,  yet others with umbrellas and cantinas offering snacks and cold drinks.

It takes less than an hour to drive across the full length of the island, which means that there’s nothing stopping you from exploring as much of the coast as possible.

Paros has plenty of variety, and in this article, we share our recommendations for the best beaches in Paros to enjoy when you’re on the island. The guiding factor is wind – the prevailing wind is a northerly, so seek out the sheltered ones for windy days if you want calm seas, or head for the adrenaline surges of the exposed beaches for exhilarating sports and excitement.

Kolybithres Beach

The most famous beach on the whole island is  Kolybithres Beach,  located in the bay of Naoussa on the northeastern coast of Paros, and with lovely views of the water, picturesque rock formations and soft, pale gold sand, the bay is relatively sheltered and it’s easy to see why so many people favour this spot on the coast.

Rent a sunlounger on the sand, spread your towel out on the rocks, or pay a visit to one of the handful of beach bars and cafes right on the edge of the sand. SUP paddle-boards and kayaks are also available to rent if you want to get out on the water, or, of course, you can make the most of the beautifully clear conditions and swim or snorkel.

Kolymbithres beach in Paros does see a lot of tourist traffic over the summer, so be aware that it’s likely to be incredibly busy between June and August. If you don’t fancy arriving very early in the morning to secure a place, this is a beach that is best enjoyed in the shoulder season so that you’re not fighting for space and can enjoy the scenery that makes it so popular.

Santa Maria Beach

Another of the most popular beaches in Paros is Santa Maria, which is also on the northern coast of the island close to Kolybithres Beach. Five minutes north, you’ll also find Mini Santa Maria beach which is just as lovely, although as the name would suggest, it’s also a lot smaller! 

Easy to reach from Naoussa, it’s a great place to spend a sunny day if nearby Kolybithres is too busy to find a space, even during the high season. Santa Maria beach doesn’t have a lot of options when it comes to places to get food and drink, but if you’re looking for things to do alongside swimming and sunbathing, Filizi Island is only  a fifteen-minute walk away and offers a totally wild and unspoiled experience of a tiny circle of land surrounded by the sea.

Santa Maria beach in Paros isn’t particularly protected from the wind, which can mean that the waves get rough and swimming is exciting rather than zen-floating. The good news is that Mini Santa Maria is much more sheltered, so if you do want to take a dip then you just need to walk to the edge of the bay.

Monastiri Beach

If you’re looking for a  large and sheltered part of the coast, then Monastri is certainly one of Paros’ best beaches. Tucked into a small bay in the north of the island with tall, rocky cliffs rising on either side, it’s a wonderful place for swimming and sunbathing.

Monastriri Beach in Paphos gets its name from the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Detis, which overlooks the beach from one of the hills that protect it from the wind. The calm and shallow water, which is great for snorkelling and swimming, as well as the good selection of nearby amenities, means this is a really popular spot for families with young children.

It can get quite busy on Monastiri Beach over the summer, so be aware that this isn’t one of the best beaches in Paros to enjoy peace, quiet and uninterrupted space on the sand! However, in the evenings over the summer, there is often live music at one of the beach bars, making it a fabulous spot for a sunset cocktail and night of dancing.

Golden Beach

Golden Beach unsurprisingly gets its name from the colour of the 700 metres of smooth, golden sand that lines the edge of the bay. Located on the southeastern coast of the island, it’s another of the most popular beaches in Paros, particularly amongst watersports lovers. 

Windsurfing and kitesurfing are high on the list of the best things to do at Gold Beach, or Chrissi Akti as it’s known to the locals. But you can also enjoy swimming and snorkelling or enjoying the relatively quiet and relaxed atmosphere created by the beach’s size.

As one of the biggest Paros beaches, Golden Beach is a great choice if you don’t want to have to fight for space on the sand over the summer and are looking for somewhere that won’t get too noisy or cramped. There are several bars and beach clubs spread around the beach, and the western edge is particularly popular with families because of the shallow and safe water.

Kalogeros Beach

One of the best beaches in Paros that still has something of an ‘undiscovered’ quality is Kalogeros on the southwest coast. If you’re seeking a beach experience with scenery unlike anything else you’ll find on the island, this is the place to visit.

The cliffs that flank Kalogeros Beach on either side are of red and yellow rock, providing a striking contrast to the bright blue water. But what makes this beach really different is that the sand is actually a type of mud that has excellent properties for skin. Many visitors cover themselves in the mud for an hour and then wash it off in the sea, which apparently leaves you feeling brighter and softer!

This is quite a rugged beach in comparison to many of the others around Paros, so be aware that there isn’t the usual collection of beach clubs, bars and cafes nearby. However, the scenery and unique properties of the mud make it an excellent addition to your holiday itinerary.

Faragas Beach

Another of the wilder beaches in Paros is Faragas Beach, also located on the south of the island. There are actually three beaches in this area; one main and then two smaller stretches of sand, making this a great place to visit if you want to avoid any overcrowding over the summer.

This is one of the harder Paros beaches to reach, as you need a car to get there, so it tends to be less busy than other beaches. Once you arrive ,you’ll be treated to golden sand, calm water, green pine trees and protection from the wind.

The main Faragas beach is nicely developed with a beach club and places to rent stand-up paddleboards or sea kayaks. The two nearby coves are much quieter and feel a bit more remote, which is ideal if you just want to relax whilst you’re there.

Punda Beach

Punda, or Pounda, Beach is the place to go in Paros if you’re looking for the liveliest atmosphere on the whole island. A favourite spot among younger travellers, it’s a beach destination on the east coast of the island.

There are two main beach clubs on Punda beach, Punda Coast and Viva Punda, which offer the chance to party on the sand from daytime well into the night. With a pool, several bars, and live music and DJs until the clubs close, this Paros beach is undoubtedly the place to come if you’re looking for a fun experience of the coast on the island.

You don’t have to drink and dance to enjoy Pounda Beach in Paros beach however. There are lovely views of nearby Naxos from the shore, the sand is lovely and soft, it’s sheltered from the wind and there are plenty of loungers on which to relax. 

Lageri Beach

Our final recommendation for the best beach in Paros is Lageri Beach, which is on the northern tip of the island. You’ll have to follow a dusty road through a nature reserve to get here, but once you arrive you’ll fall in love with the beautiful and off-the-beaten-track scenery and atmosphere.

This isn’t a spot that’s on the typical tourist trail, which means that you won’t have to worry about overcrowding or disturbances even if you visit in the summer. It is one of the unofficial naturist beaches in Paros, but it’s a very respectful and relaxed place that can be a good choice if you’d rather not share the beach with families.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere peaceful for the peak season or would rather enjoy a beach without any tourist developments around to interrupt the view, Lageri Beach is a top recommendation for enjoying the coast of Paros in an authentic way.

If you’re thinking about booking a trip to Paros to explore the beaches on the island, Five Star Greece can help you craft the perfect bespoke experience. Find out more about our services or get in touch to start speaking to our team and planning a five-star experience.

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My father’s family were an old and not very ambitious Greek shipowning family-  hence my working for a living.  His generation though knew how to live well, and was the generation which “discovered” Mykonos, fell for its gorgeous little port with its maze of alleys, its hillside  all hedgehog-prickled with windmills and dovecotes, rosy-pink in the sunset. They fell for its timeless stone walls that snaked across the landscape, fell for its bounty of golden sand beaches,  the clear, open gaze of the old Mykonian captains, the songs, dances and the simple dignity of its  celebrations.

Brand Mykonos is now known all over the world; the luxury, the style, the glamour, the dining, the shopping, the music, the hotels, the clubs, the service, the crowds, the modernity, the hype, the excess…. Five Star Greece bows to no-one in its admiration for some of what Mykonos has to offer, however, a little part of us was always a bit nostalgic for what Mykonos used to be before the party started.  So, on my last trip to Mykonos, we were happily surprised to find that in some ways,  Mykonos is going back to its roots –  is the pendulum is almost imperceptibly swinging back to a simpler and more natural aesthetic, in keeping with the global mood?

Back to roots –  literally and metaphorically; “Rizes” is a farm to table,  family enterprise and the word means “roots” in Greek. Maroulio Zouganelli’s family rear the animals and birds, keep pigeons in the original “peristeronas” – the famous decorative dovecotes of the Cyclades,  grow the vegetable and herbs, make the wine and the oil, it is all simply and  perfectly cooked by the chef, and enjoyed in a peaceful setting that is rural island Greece. A world away from the coastal excesses.

If you quail  at the thought of the second rate, over-priced accommodation that afflicts much of the island in high season, let me share with you now the fruits of our trip, fruit gathered from the older trees with deep roots – the  charming older properties that have got lost in the sea of new and shiny luxury, but have that indefinable charm and magic.

Far from the bustle of Mykonos town, but conveniently close to Rizes, is a laid-back beach house, our Mykonos ML, where the main entertainment is watching the moon rise from the sea. The owner carefully and lovingly collected old tiles, reclaimed doors, timber, marble fragments,  and with an artist’s eye has created a uniquely low-key hideaway. Designers and fashion folk are the main guests here, and no one is crass enough to ask for a gym or media room.

If  a private beach isn’t enough, you do want a gym, spa and a media room, want to feel the proximity of nature and tranquility but be close to the action,  we can promise you an unforgettable  stay in Mykonos Q, a newly restored, classic beach villa – not at all shiny, and with every possible luxury  – gym, wellness centre, home cinema, hamam, two professional kitchens al fresco,  private beach,and an emphasis on  quiet good taste, quality materials and the sort of soothing service that wraps its guests up in a  cocoon of fragrant  bliss.

The daughter of one of Mykonos’ grandee families now runs a small style empire between Gstaad, London and Athens – and her Myconian home showcases her good taste and exudes the quiet elegance that marked Mykonos out from the crowd.

Mykonos AM, perched on its rock, shines like a beacon of old-school style and class- the owner is beautiful and zen, so is the house, so pack your yoga kit and ask us about it.

On a similar theme, Mykonos AQ gardens area a riot of waving, scented blooms and flowers which almost hide the expansive yoga pavilion – ideal for a yoga retreat.

Looking for seclusion and privacy, low-key comfort and a beach close by? Behind the massive sea wall of Mykonos CC lies a charming and light-hearted family villa within walking distance of an overlooked beach and close to the cult taverna “Kiki”.

Mykonos AK is one of the rare villas we can wholeheartedly recommend for families wanting an affordable yet pampering Mykonos experience. Above Lia beach and with sublime views, the hospitality here is warm and friendly.

Mykonos NZ has all the charm that one would expect from its bohemian, old-school owner, again, one of the original Mykonos crew:

One of the glories though of Old Mykonos is the fabulous Mykonos 23Z – belonging to one of Mykonos’ most influential families, it has a unique location in town that money cannot buy, while the discreet and international nature of the current generation shows in the deceptive simplicity and faultless good taste of the decor. Like having your private boutique hotel.

Ask the team for more information about where to experience Mykonos’s back-to-essentials vibe.

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200 years ago, it was agreed by all except the Ottomans, that what the world really really wanted,  was… Greece.  How could there be a Europe without it? This year is the bicentenary of the War of Independence where poets, peasants, priests, and princes joined the trickle that ended up as a riptide, carving out a Hellenic homeland  in the south-east corner of Europe.

If you need an excuse to go to Paris, ( yes, spellcheck, Paris not Paros, for once you are right!) then the Louvre and the Levendis Foundation have given you  one of the best – https://www.louvre.fr/en/what-s-on/exhibitions/paris-athens#exhibition-overview

Delacroix et Cie participate in a beautifully curated celebration of the bicentenary.

If you are in London, drop in on the Hellenic Centre, 18 Paddington St, for a fabulous small exhibition of water colours painted by the folk artist Zographos, depicting scenes of the wars that were waged from Athens to the borders of the Hapsburg Empire –

A real gem, if only for Zographos’ portrait of Queen Victoria which he painted to accompany the presentation set of pictures sent to Buckingham Palace in an early display of genius fundraising PR.

Five Star Greece are proud to see how many famous names that feature in the chronicle still live on in Greece, (and how many of the villas that we rent out are associated with these names –  Miaoulis, Lembessis, Metaxas, Theotokou,  Meletopoulos, Condylis – ) Sadly, Hadzipetros’s brigand cave is not on our list, but once Glamping takes off in Greece, we will start looking for it.

As an interesting note, the 19^th century Lady Jane Digby, once she had shuffled off her dull, old husband, absconded to Greece and not only married a Theotokis and Hatzipetros, but then become the lover of King Otto of Greece- so she really tried the whole range of residences on offer.

21^st Century visitors needn’t take things to quite that extreme- just call us and ask about our heritage properties.

enquiries@fivestargreece.com

The post Brigands, revolutionaries, heroes, poets, romantics and dreamers – appeared first on Five Star Greece.

We are blessed with a fabulous network of friends and contacts, and Pavlos Carvalho has thrilled us all by agreeing to make a series of videos to  show some of the secrets behind Greek music – the history, the rhythms, the voices, the instruments, the passion, so that  we can share  the love  with you.

You can follow him  and his musician friends on our social media channels,  and  the other episodes will be posted here too.

Love, loss, joy, hope, despair, longing, homesickness, celebration, all these things which make human beings, are reflected in the music and speak to every one of us.

“Kefi” is the Greek word for when the spirit  moves you – we  wish you kefi when  watching these, and hope to see you dancing  with your friends and family in a Greek plateia very soon under the stars –  but if you want to just sit in solitude, nursing a bottle of raki  with a cigarette burning down in an ashtray, that is  also “kefi”!

The post Five Star Greece takes you on a musical adventure – Introduction appeared first on Five Star Greece.

This is a unique Greek combination of flavours and for us, the most delicate and evocative taste sensation in Greek cooking. Greek mothers make chicken broth with avgolemono sauce and rice for any ailment from a broken leg to a broken heart, and it usually works. Simple, subtle, clean and healthy, this is a classic.

Angelina Kalogeropoulou, one of our favourite chefs to whom we entrust our most demanding clients, continues her cult cooking course for us with this recipe.  Follow her on our social media or search our blog for her other videos.

The post Angelina cooks…. Part 2 – Giouverlakia with Avgolemono sauce appeared first on Five Star Greece.

You can follow her on our social media, and we are also publishing her videos on our blog here.

Here is her first one:

You can view, share and like our Instagram post by clicking this link

Follow us on Instagram   Angelina cooks…. Feta and filo parcels- with a twist. appeared first on Five Star Greece.

“Where?” ask my Greek friends when I say that I have just come back from a wonderful trip to Kilada. “Kilada,”I reply, “You know, that cute little provincial seaside town in the Argolis,  on the east coast of the Peloponnese, famous for its small, succulent pink shrimps and its traditional wooden-boat-building yard?”

“Nope,” they say.

“The prehistoric cave of Franchthis? The rolling hills with sea views, windmills and artful groups of cypress trees? The vineyards, the carob honey, the artisanal wine makers, it is our Tuscany!”

“Never heard of it.”

“Near Porto Heli and a stone’s throw from Spetses and Hydra?”

“Oh Spetses….”

“No, not Spetses, opposite Spetses, come on guys,” I say,  “You live in an amazing country, wake up!”

And then I give up on them, but Five Star Greece clients have a treat in store.

The Argolis is indeed our Tuscany, but rusty and rough-edged, no Renaissance nonsense here,  just ancient stone,  small churches, sail-less windmills, orange trees, cypresses and asphodels, round hills, herbs, lizards, grapes, olives, almond blossom and peasant life – and a donkey sanctuary.   Agamemnon was king here three thousand years ago, so we are of course not short on history – Mycenae, from where Agamemnon sailed off to Troy,  and Epidauros where the plays of Euripides are still performed, are close by and wonderful to visit, and Nauplion for some neo-classical 19^th century glamour is a less known treasure.  And as even my Athenian friends know, you can hop over to the  chic and picturesque islands of Spetses and Hydra in a water taxi with the greatest of ease. Kilada itself is a charming,  cheerful, friendly and totally unpretentious little town, the real provincial Greek deal, and I love seeing the wooden “kaikia” being lovingly crafted by the last remaining craftsmen. King Constantine had his boat built here, and quite right too.

We did not hop over to Spetses, we  had fallen in love with the Argolis, and stayed there;  simple road side restaurants with their own butchery and organic vegetables,  great food,  local prices,  (important as the Five Star Greece team are all expert foodies and rather high maintenance …) wild flowers and total peace.

Yes,  the taramosalata was that good…

Still on the artisanal gastronomical trail, the Kontovraki  winery has three unbelievably soft and friendly dogs,  a white grape variety found only there,  and a family that has been pressing the grapes for generations.

The old tank where one trampled the grapes underfoot is still there. I remember doing that as a child at our house in Ithaca. At six years old, one laughed so much from the fumes that one peed into the tank. “It all makes for a good wine” said my father philosophically. They don’t do that at the Kontovraki estate by the way, they have a proper installation and the tank is just for show.

The Bairakaris Apiary is another such gem. In an Arcadian setting  of spring time almond blossom, the bees collect from carob trees, thyme, herbs and heather. The harvest is three times a year – spring for the delicate flower flavours, summer for the strong, herby notes, and autumn for the most pungent. I went for the Carob honey and the honey vinegar which is unique. The little museum displays the traditional methods and equipment, and the sea shows blue between the hills.

Down on the sea are a cluster of beautiful villas, secluded from the world and each enjoying beach access and stunning scenery, so the rustic delights of the Argolid hills can be enjoyed from a luxurious base.  A simple, local pink shrimp dinner down on the beach at Lepitsa fish taverna, and a dinner or a spa day at the nearby Amanzoe can all be arranged for the full spectrum of experiences.

Let us open the doors for you

The Chedi is planning a hotel here, based around a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, so either  hurry up and come this year, or wait till Jack has finished his work, depending on your  taste.

Personally, I would come now, while the three friendly dogs still wag their tails at you, the Lepitsa still hands out lemon-scented wipes for greasy shrimp-fingers, the honey is still made from carob  flowers,  you can still get lost on dusty dirt roads, there are enough succulent pink shrimp to go round and Athenians still say “Where?” when you say you were in Kilada.

The post Kilada in the Argolis – better known as “Where??” appeared first on Five Star Greece.

Hotels on Tinos are few and far between, so villas are the natural choice, and we have some very beautiful  and luxurious ones with pools, beach access and staff.

Here are a few of  our and Food and Travel’s tips on where to eat. Their tip on where to stay is obviously a Five Star Greece villa…

In Tinos Town- try Agkyra for fish fresh from the boats, and Itan ena mikro karavi for unusual dishes using ancient and local ingredients. if you want to sit near the water. try Tarsanas.

Out in the villages, try To Thalassaki in Ornos Ysternia,  and Maritza on Giannakis beach.

Tinos is of course more than just food- it has famously pretty villages,  fancy dove-cotes, marble fanlights, bouzouki players, simple beaches, sacred pilgrimage places, reeds, mountains, goats, surf, giant boulders, and is considered to be one of the gems of the Cyclades.

Contact us for where to stay on Tinos and let us share our secrets with you.

The post Tinos stars in the April issue of Food and Travel magazine appeared first on Five Star Greece.