In recent years, Greece has become one of the main holiday destinations for Romanians. It is accessible, close to Romania and offers a diverse landscape, dominated by its many islands. As popular as they are, some of its popular islands might make tourists uncomfortable.
Over a million Romanians visit Greece every year, many of them during vacations and summer vacations. One of the favorite destinations of Romanians is the Halkidiki peninsula, with its three arms – Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos, located 750–800 kilometers from Bucharest, at the end of a road that can be traveled in 9–10 hours, or much faster by plane.
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For an even shorter trip, about 600 kilometers from Bucharest, many Romanians prefer the island of Thassos, famous for its beaches and attractive for monuments such as the Monastery of the Archangel Michael or the village of Panagia. The Greek island of Lefkada, located over 1,000 kilometers from Romania, also remains a favorite destination, thanks to its beaches, being accessible thanks to the bridge that connects it to the mainland. Athos is dedicated to monastic life, but its monasteries can be admired from the sea during cruises. Greece has thousands of islands that can be explored, although most of them are uninhabited.
“Islands are the main feature of Greece’s topography and an integral part of the country’s culture throughout the ages. The country comprises 6,000 islands and islets scattered in the Greek seas, of which only 227 are inhabited. The Greek coastline offers a diverse landscape: beaches stretching for many kilometers, sheltered bays and coves, sandy beaches, dunes, pebble beaches, wetlands and deltas, caves formed by sea water and dark sand in volcanic areas”, notes the official Visit Greece tourism page.
Some Greek islands are extremely popular, but this very fame can make the holiday less relaxing, due to overcrowding, high prices and infrastructure that is increasingly struggling to cope with the large number of tourists. Tourism specialists show their shortcomings and which are the islands to avoid on holidays in Greece by those who want authentic and relaxing experiences.
Santorini, too crowded
Santorini is among the busiest Greek islands. Its spectacular landscapes with a steep caldera, blue sea and sandy beaches have made the island extremely famous. Although only about 15,000 people live here permanently, the destination attracts about two million visitors annually, especially in summer.
“The island’s popularity as a stopover for cruise ships compounds the problem: up to 8,000 passengers can disembark on the island daily for day trips, a number that local authorities have capped in recent years to reduce overcrowding. Despite these measures, Santorini’s infrastructure is struggling to cope with the huge number of tourists, leading to traffic jams, more trash and higher prices“, shows the Smart Travel platform.
The overwhelming influx of visitors has created a conflict between the island’s charm and the locals’ desire for privacy and quiet. Exasperated by tourists trespassing on their properties in search of the perfect Santorini sunset photo, locals have resorted to putting up “no trespassing” signs.
In high season, tourists can expect crowded beaches, where sunbeds can be rented at exorbitant prices. The peaceful atmosphere of Santorini’s beaches has been replaced by overcrowding and over-commercialization, which can disappoint those hoping for a peaceful vacation.
“If you do go: Fira and Oia are two of Santorini’s most popular towns. To avoid the crowds, head to the quieter eastern side and stay in more affordable towns like Perissa or Kamari“, informs the platform dedicated to travel.
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Mykonos, an increasingly expensive island
Mykonos, one of the most famous Greek islands, is criticized because luxury, parties and cruise tourism have come to dominate local life. The island attracts a huge number of visitors every year, but its popularity comes with very high prices, congestion and the loss of some of its authentic charm.
“Visitors complain about the aggressive commercialization of the island, where businesses have taken over beaches that were public and charge entry fees. Many tourists have reported being made to pay outrageous prices, with some restaurants charging hundreds of dollars for a simple appetizer and a few soft drinks, taking advantage of the boom in tourism.”notes Smart Travel.
Those arriving here can move away from Mykonos Town, where the narrow streets are choked with tourists, choosing the north or south of the island, where they find attractive beaches and more space.
The island of Kos, avoided by those seeking tranquility
Kos, one of the southernmost Greek islands, enjoys high temperatures and sunshine for most of the year, which is why it is one of the most visited. But the island has also gained a reputation as a party destination, especially among British tourists who want to drink in the sun.
Kos Town, Kardamena and Tigaki are the most famous places for nightlife, and the parties really don’t start until around 1am, so earplugs are not a bad idea if you want to sleep.
“If you do go: It may be tempting to book a holiday in the off-season to avoid the crowds, but be aware that many restaurants and shops are closed in the off-peak season, and activities like boat trips may not work. Better to stay in one of the island’s quieter towns, such as Kefalos in the south“, show the specialists on the website dedicated to travel.
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Rhodes, avoided due to prices
Rhodes, an island famous for its UNESCO-listed old town, spectacular clifftop villages and historic fortress, was recently ranked the third worst Greek island to visit in a survey by British magazine Which.
“Despite its rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes, Rhodes has become a victim of its own tourist attraction, being overrun by crowds that risk ruining its charm. Many tourists arriving in Rhodes complain of unexpectedly high prices. Accommodation, food and drinks are expensive, especially in the summer months.”shows Smart Travel.
In recent years, Rhodes has established itself as a major destination for all-inclusive resorts, which may disappoint those looking for a fancier, more local, boutique experience.
“If you do go: The biggest crowds gather in Rhodes Old Town, but if you rent a car and hit the road, you can easily find more secluded spots. Choose accommodation in the southwest of the island, which tends to be quieter.”tourism specialists recommend.
