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The 5 paradises on Earth that are found in Greece

The most precious gifts come in small packages, just like the islands that you will get a taste of below. The sophistication they have, the history, the culture and the mesmerizing beauty they are blessed with will lure you in to witness it all for yourself. You will have stepped away from the mass crowds, from the endless nightlife and you will have entered a new world that is ambrosial and angelic. With more authentic experiences and with courteous locals, you will have your most meaningful vacation on these unique islands. How can one island be so tiny but in possession of all these elements that make it unforgettable? Find out below! Paxos & Antipaxos Only about an hour away from Corfu, there lays the magnetic island Paxos. With just 3 villages and 2,300 permanent residents, Paxos is one of the most picturesque islands one can visit in Greece. The villages of Gaios, Lakka and Loggos can be visited easily in only one day, but we guarantee you that a lifetime won’t be enough to truly appreciate the dazzling scenery. The capital of the island is Gaios and it is protected from rough seas by the two little islets of Panagia and Aghios Nikolas, home to a monastery and three little churches. Sail to the island of Antipaxos that is even smaller, with fewer residents and mostly covered in vineyards. In 15 minutes you will reach an island with clear turquoise waters, virgin beaches and you will find your peace. Koufonisia Koufonisia is a cluster of 3 islands, Upper Koufonisi, Lower Koufonisi and Keros. They used to be the secret gems of the Cyclades, but now are cramped with tourists, as their charm and heavenly flair wasn’t able to stay hidden for too long. The Upper Koufonisi is the only one that holds permanent residents, with close to 400 people living there all year round. The other two islands are only reachable by boats and are exquisite for daily excursions and camping trips. These islands will fascinate you, as they seem as if they were taken straight out of the Caribbean just to be showcased in the Aegean Sea for a few months. Kastelorizo Kastelorizo is a remote island where the movie Meditarraneo was filmed in 1991. Its bright colors and its amphitheatrically built harbor will spellbind you and once you actually realize what there is to see on this island, you surely will book to stay a few more nights. The Lycian Tomb is one of the must-sees of the island. It is a 5thcentury BC grave built into a rock face, a truly impressive site. The churches of Aghios Konstantinos and Aghia Eleni as well as the 14th-century castle Kastello Rosso (which gave the island its name) are also landmarks that musn’t be missed.  However, the true masterpiece on this island is the blue cave. Locals say that the water has taken the deep blue color from the sun’s reflection in the walls of the cave. You cannot capture the precise color of it with your camera, you must experience it and see it for yourself! Symi Located in the Dodecanese, Symi is a small jewel that has around 2,500 permanent residents. The island mainly lives off of tourism so it is natural that during the summer months, the number of residents increases. Gialos is the port of the town and it is famously known for its bright colored neoclassical mansions built all around it. Walk the 500 steps to get to Ano Symi (the island’s capital) and take in the extraordinary view! Gavdos Gavdos is the southernmost Greek Island, located in the Libyan Sea, 45km from Hora Sfakion in Crete. There are only 50 permanent inhabitants on the island of Gavdos all year round, but the digits go up to a few thousands during the summer months, as the island welcomes many tourists who are mainly nature-loving campers. Kastri, is the capital of the island and it’s where the locals live. Although it is a completely off the grid island with not that many accommodations and taverns, the stunning sandy beaches will make up for it! Maria Nikolakaki is Managing Partner at Beyond Spaces Villas. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Maria Nikolakaki

Maria Nikolakaki is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Beyond Spaces Villas. Beyond Spaces Villas is one of the leading luxury villa specialist in Greece, going beyond finding the perfect Greek Island luxury villa and design a sophisticated and branded villa experience seeped in luxury, exclusivity and bespoke service from start to finish. Prior to her involvement in the luxury hospitality Industry, she spend 20 years in the capital markets in various senior executive positions based in various countries. She has lived in London, New York and Moscow and has travelled extensively to almost 35 countries with a travel attitude of finding the non guides guides.

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9 Comments

  1. Hard to disagree with that title. If the pictures are anything to go by then these places really are paradises.

  2. I think I’m getting to that stage of life when I have had enough of mass tourism and I’m certainly tired of endless nightlife. These five paradise destinations are just the sort of holiday I crave to get away from it all.

  3. Until I’d read this post I had never heard of Symi. Taking on those 500 steps would definitely boost my Fitbit score, Looks like a place that I’ve got to visit.

  4. That comment on Kastelorizo about not being able to really capture it with a photo is so true of so many places. That’s the problem with the Instagram Generation they just don’t get it that there is far more to a place than what you can capture with an image. You’ve got to be there to drink it in with all of your five senses.

  5. I hadn’t actually realised before that Koufonisia is made up of three individual islands. It’s not surprising they’ve proven popular with tourists, and I think the 400 residents who get to live on Upper Koufonisi are very lucky, I wouldn’t mind trading places with one of them!

  6. The five paradises idea is an interesting concept. My boyfriend and I have very different ideas of holiday paradises. I’m happy just soaking up the sun whilst he’d rather been active out doing some water-sports.

    I suppose you could find various paradises in many places. Be interesting to know what paradises other ALTB bloggers can find in their favourite destinations?

  7. These islands are truly mesmerizing. It seems that the places are well taken care of because despite the number of tourists visiting the area, they still managed to maintain the clear waters and clean coasts. I also love the simple yet elegant features of the mansions located in Symi. It adds beauty to the view and complements the dark blue color of the water. Aside from that, it also projects cleanliness due to the colors used in painting the mansions.

  8. Not just one paradise but five paradises!

    Work is maniac and I doubt that I’m going to get away in the next month or two and I expect that even Greece will be less than hot by late November.

    No, I’m doing my research for spring 2020. I want to ring-fence a good 10 day break into my diary now. That’s why I’m looking through ALTB to seek out some inspiration for a great trip. Reckon I could cope with five paradises.

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