Undiscovered winter destinations: 8 choices away from the crowds

If you've already been to Arachova and Zagorochoria and are looking for something less obvious, winter has much more to offer. The destinations that follow have no queues, no inflated prices, and a much more authentic character.

Eight hand-picked suggestions, detailing what makes them special and where to stay.

Summary table: distances, times and costs

Before we go into detail, see a summary of what each destination means in kilometres, hours, and euros. The table helps you quickly choose based on your time and budget.

Destination	Distance	Driving time	Tolls (one way)	Round trip cost*
Mani	300 km	3 hrs 35 min	9.40 €	100 €
Kythira	340 km	4 hrs 20 min	9.40 €	110 €
Galaxidi	215 km	2 hrs 35 min	6.80 €	72 €

*Estimate with petrol at 1.92 €/litre, consumption of 7 litres per 100 km, and tolls in both directions. Toll and fuel prices change — use these figures as a rough guide.

The destinations one by one

1. Nymfaio

The first destination we recommend is Nymfaio.

• One of Greece's most beautiful stone villages
• The Arcturos bear sanctuary
• Beech trees and forests around the village

When it comes to food, the local 'rule' is simple: local cheeses, pies, and Amyntaio wine. Ideal for a winter weekend with a fireplace. Tip: the last few kilometres are uphill — be careful of ice in winter.

Where to stay: good options we've checked include Guesthouse Enterne, Casa Mare, Manis Hotel. For full details on all areas, see our guide where to stay in Nymfaio.

2. Prespes

If you want something that works all year round, add Prespes to your list.

• Little and Great Prespes with their pelicans
• Agios Achillios island with its basilica
• Virgin nature and birdwatching

When it comes to food, the local 'rule' is simple: Prespes beans and lake fish. Ideal for a quiet escape into nature. Tip: bring binoculars — birdwatching is the main reason to visit.

Where to stay: good options we've checked include Archontiko, Guesthouse Ariadne, Panorama Prespes. For full details on all areas, see our guide where to stay in Prespes.

3. Pozar Baths

One of the safest choices is Pozar Baths.

• Natural thermal pools within the gorge
• Waterfalls and hiking trails
• Close to Edessa and Kaimaktsalan

When it comes to food, the local 'rule' is simple: grilled meats and local Goumenissa wines. Ideal for a winter weekend with warm baths. Tip: go early morning or late evening — Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes have queues.

Where to stay: good options we've checked include Pozar Salt Cave Hotel Spa, Thermes Pozar Resort, 4 Epoxes Hotel Spa. For full details on all areas, see our guide where to stay in Pozar Baths.

4. Kastoria

A little further afield, but perfectly feasible, is Kastoria.

• Lake Orestiada with its walking tour
• Byzantine churches and noble mansions of Doltso
• Dragon's Cave

When it comes to food, the local 'rule' is simple: lake fish, pies, and wine. Ideal for a romantic winter weekend. Tip: the lake circuit is 9 km — rent bicycles instead of a car.

Where to stay: good options we've checked include Hotel Orestion - Bike and motorcycle friendly hotel, Paraliako Katerina Lakefront - Biker Friendly Hotel, Hotel Kastoria in Kastoria City. For full details on all areas, see our guide where to stay in Kastoria.

5. Mani — 300 km, 3 hrs 35 min

For something different, try Mani. The distance from Athens is 300 km and the driving time is approximately 3 hrs 35 min, with 9.40 € in tolls each way. With an average consumption of 7 litres per 100 km, the total cost for a round trip (petrol and tolls) is around 100 € — an amount easily split among four people.

• Tower houses in Vathia and Areopoli
• Diros Cave with its boat tour
• Wild coastline and sunsets at Cape Tainaro

When it comes to food, the local 'rule' is simple: syglino (cured pork), pancakes, and ladotyri (local cheese). Ideal for a road trip with stone villages and seclusion. Tip: fill up with petrol in Areopoli — petrol stations are scarce in South Mani.

Where to stay: good options we've checked include Mani Hotel, Areos Polis Boutique Hotel, Sophia Areopoli Guesthouse. For full details on all areas, see our guide where to stay in Mani.

6. Kythira

Among our favourite destinations is also Kythira. From Athens, you will drive 340 km (approximately 4 hrs 20 min) and then continue by ferry: Neapoli – Diakofti, 75 minutes.

• Neraida waterfall in Mylopotamos
• Chora with its Venetian castle
• Kaladi and Firi Ammos beaches

When it comes to food, the local 'rule' is simple: fatourada (local pasta dish) and local honey. Ideal for a slow holiday away from the crowds. Tip: you'll need a car on the island — distances are long and buses are few.

Where to stay: good options we've checked include Provenza House, Studio Gaia, Eden Kythira. For full details on all areas, see our guide where to stay in Kythira.

7. Lake Kerkini

It's also worth considering Lake Kerkini.

• Boat trip among water lilies and pelicans
• Buffalo on the banks
• Mount Belles for hiking

When it comes to food, the local 'rule' is simple: buffalo meat and local dairy products. Ideal for a day trip in nature with children. Tip: book a boat in advance, especially in spring when migratory birds arrive.

Where to stay: good options we've checked include Guesthouse Kerkinatis, Mansion of Kerkini powered by hotel Oikoperiigitis, Siris Hotel. For full details on all areas, see our guide where to stay in Lake Kerkini.

8. Galaxidi — 215 km, 2 hrs 35 min

We conclude our suggestions with Galaxidi. The distance from Athens is 215 km and the driving time is approximately 2 hrs 35 min, with 6.80 € in tolls each way. With an average consumption of 7 litres per 100 km, the total cost for a round trip (petrol and tolls) is around 72 € — an amount easily split among four people.

• Naval stately port with stone captain's houses
• Quiet stroll around the two small harbours
• The 200-year-old Maritime Museum

When it comes to food, the local 'rule' is simple: fresh fish and seafood by the water. Ideal for a romantic weekend away from the crowds. Tip: combine it with the pine forests of Agia Efthymia and the Rio-Antirrio bridge.

Where to stay: good options we've checked include Hotel Galaxidi, Porto Lourba, KRISSAIA Seaside Suites. For full details on all areas, see our guide where to stay in Galaxidi.

Practical advice for car travel

Travelling by car from Athens has a great advantage: freedom. You are not dependent on schedules, you can stop wherever you want, and the cost is shared. However, there are also some points worth considering beforehand.

• Tolls: on Greek motorways, you pay per station. For long journeys, we're talking about 10-22 € each way, so double that for a round trip.
• Fuel: with petrol around 1.92 € per litre, a medium-sized car spends about 13-14 € every 100 km.
• Times: the times we give are without stops. Add 20-30 minutes for coffee and petrol, and more on bank holiday weekends.
• Winter: for mountainous destinations, keep snow chains in the boot and check road conditions before you set off.
• Accommodation: for weekends and long weekends, book a room at least 3-4 weeks in advance — the best options in popular destinations sell out first.

Which season suits each destination

The same destination changes character completely depending on the month. Coastal options are at their best from mid-June to mid-September, when the sea is warm and beach bars are open. In spring, the same areas are quieter and much cheaper, ideal for walking and dining without waiting.

Mountain villages work in reverse: from November to March, they offer fireplaces, snow, and the highest demand, while in summer they provide coolness, hiking, and significantly lower prices. Autumn is the most underrated season for day trips: the colours in the forests, the high-level lakes, and the empty roads make every journey more enjoyable.

If you have children, prefer to leave in the morning to avoid traffic and choose destinations within two hours: time in the car is the first thing that tires. For couples, mountain two-day trips outside of bank holidays offer better prices and a much calmer atmosphere.

How to organise your trip

Start backwards: first decide how many hours you can tolerate in the car, and then choose a destination from the table. This is the surest way not to regret it halfway through the journey. Second step, book accommodation before food and activities: in popular destinations, good accommodation sells out first, and prices rise as the date approaches.

Third, create a relaxed schedule with two fixed points a day — one attraction and one meal — and leave the rest open. The best moments on this type of getaway come from spontaneous stops in villages and views you hadn't planned for. Finally, always check tyres, oil, and pressure before journeys over 200 kilometres.

When is the best time to go?

Spring, from mid-April to mid-June, is the ideal period for almost every Greek destination: temperatures of 20-27 degrees, lush landscapes, fewer crowds, and prices significantly lower than in August. Autumn, especially September and the first half of October, offers the same balance with warm seas.

July and August have the most vibrant life but also the maximum demand: bookings months in advance, prices at their highest, and crowded roads on long weekends. If you go then, plan your travel for early morning or late afternoon and avoid the mid-August bank holiday weekend.

Winter has its own charm, with cosy tavernas, fireplaces, heated pools, and destinations almost empty of tourists. Prices are the lowest of the year outside of holidays, while Christmas, New Year, and Carnival are exceptions with premium pricing and mandatory multi-day bookings.

Five mistakes most people make

The first mistake is an overly ambitious schedule. Three destinations in two days means you'll mostly see the road. Choose one base and make excursions up to forty minutes around it. The second is booking accommodation with price as the sole criterion: a 15 € difference per night for a better location saves time and fuel every day.

The third mistake is arriving late at night in small settlements, where kitchens close at 22:30 and reception is not open 24/7. The fourth is ignoring the local weather: in mountainous and island destinations, conditions can change within hours, and meltemi winds can cancel ferry schedules.

The fifth and most common: not asking the locals. The best taverna, the uncrowded beach, and the time an attraction empties out are pieces of information not found on lists, but given freely in a chat at reception or a café.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closest destination from Athens on this list?

It's Galaxidi, at 215 km and approximately a 2 hrs 35 min drive.

How much does the most economical route cost?

The cheapest option is Galaxidi: approximately 72 € for a round trip in petrol and tolls, an amount that can be split among the car occupants.

Which destination requires the longest journey?

The most remote is Kythira, with approximately 4 hrs 20 min of driving. For this, we recommend at least an overnight stay.

How much will I pay in tolls in total?

It depends on the destination: in our list, tolls range from zero to 9.40 € per direction. Always calculate double for the return journey.

What is the most underrated winter destination?

Prespes. In winter, the mist over the lake and the pelicans create a scenery you won't find anywhere else in Greece.

Can I go to an island in winter?

Yes. Kythira and Mani operate all year round, with open tavernas and completely empty beaches for walking.