Galaxidi – One of 10 of the best crowd-free Greek islands and coastlines

March 13, 2021 By

Greece is the word on everyone’s lips and, fingers crossed, its sun-kissed beaches will welcome us back soon. All these places offer a taste of true Greek culture.

by Mary Valiakas

With the end of lockdown in sight, holiday bookings to Greece are surging, as people plan what will be some of the most-anticipated holidays ever. For a really restorative taste of Greek life, though, it’s worth swapping the limelight locations for places where mass tourism hasn’t obscured the essence of Greek culture: hospitality and a soulful way of life.

These 10 stunning island and mainland destinations offer a more nourishing side of Greece. These are places where people take pride in offering hospitality – in line with the ancient custom of filoxenia, love of strangers – and where things are done with meraki, love and soul.

Galaxidi

What to do
The sleepy, unspoilt town centre is full of captains’ mansions with colourful facades, cobbled streets, traditional squares and seaside cafes. The landmark church Agia Paraskevi and the Maritime Museum are worth checking out, too. The oracle of Delphi is half an hour’s drive away, with its temple complex and breathtaking views of the olive tree-covered valley below. On Clean Monday (Ash Monday, 7 March next year) visitors can join in Dyonisian Alevromoutzouroma (flour smudging), when locals in carnival costume throw coloured flour at one another to mark the start of Lent.

Where to stay
Ganimede
(doubles from €65 B&B), a family hotel in Galaxidi’s port, Chirolakas, is big on traditional Greek hospitality. At breakfast, served in the flowery courtyard, everything is homemade. The jams, the curds, the chutneys. Owner Chrysoula’s husband is also a baker.

This is only a part of the original article.

Source : The Guardian