Ahead of the swarms of travellers booking trips to Brit favourites this summer, blogs urge visitors to take a chance and explore this underrated island – which remains a well kept secret by locals.
If you’re looking to book a tranquil holiday this summer surrounded by authentic food and culture, and that’s safe from throngs of tourists, then this underrated island spot might be perfect for you.
With its wall-to-wall sunshine, light cuisine and beautiful scenery, Greece is a top pick for holidaying Brits. Greeks have welcomed the travelling Brit with open arms. However, many have found the waves of sightseers on some popular coastal islands to be too much, pushing locals to a secret spot instead.
If the typical choices of heavily populated beaches, crowded ruins and loud family resorts are not your idea of a blissful break in the sun, then this local-favoured island could be your next trip this summer. Away from the congested beaches of Mykonos or the couple-littered streets of Santorini, Andros has been named a favourite for locals who wish to enjoy their native sunsets away from the watchful eyes of tourists.
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One of the lesser-known Greek islands, Andros is located close to the capital Athens and is largely skipped by holidaymakers. Around the holidays, the gorgeous island boasts clear blue waters perfect for weary Athenians visiting for a well-needed weekend break. The island’s timeless nature and lack of international mass tourism have left it almost paused in time, with wild greenery, unspoilt coves, and a sense of walking across the Mama Mia set.
Before the get-away enters the mainstream radar, visitor’s can experience the stress-free marbled streets full of majestic neoclassical mansions. You can enjoy moussaka and flaky fennel pie at Ta Skalakia, explore the reflective alleys and witness its many galleries.
If trying new foods is your favourite part of a holiday, there are many local restaurants like Melisses, which the ‘delicious’ blog describes as an “epicurean haven that offers stylish suites along with local feasts” that offer fresh produce “picked daily from the garden”.
The island boasts a variety of beaches: organised, remote, and even accessible by car or boat. It’s most visited are Agios Petros beach, Batsi beach and Golden Sand beach (Chrissi Ammos), which are all found on the western side. Ormos beach on the eastern side is also well-known for its windsurfing conditions – perfect for other water sports.
On the northern side of Andros, you will find a selection of private beaches, however whether the sights are worth the difficult dirt roads – or whether those roads layer onto the rural experience – is up to the individual.
Andros visitors have also claimed the island’s scenic hills to be ideal for hiking. There are several signposted hiking trails in its centre which lead out to valleys, waterfalls, mountainous villages, secluded beaches, and abandoned chapels, reports greeka.com. The travel site recommends autumn and spring as the best time for hikers as the weather is not overly hot.