Greek

Some Greek islands, such as Santorini and Mykonos, are brimming with tourists in summer and can get crowded so a travel fan has shared an alternative that is less busy but is just as beautiful

Brits with a love for Mediterranean getaways often jet off to Greece, particularly during the summer months. Seeking sun without straying too far from home, UK holidaymakers typically opt for Greek destinations, as most flights are under four hours.

Greece’s allure lies in its iconic white-washed structures, idyllic beaches, and a history steeped in ancient ruins. While many British tourists gravitate towards famed Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini, these spots can become quite congested during peak season. However, there are lesser-known gems that offer equal charm without the crowds. Essex-based travel content creator Dorota Urbaniak shares advice, inspiration, and hotel reviews, with a particular fondness for European trips. In a recent TikTok video, she shone a spotlight on the island of Paros.

Dorota emphasised that “not every Greek island is busy in summer” by showcasing the serene atmosphere of Paros from dawn till dusk on a day during her visit.

Nestled in the Aegean Sea, Paros is celebrated for its golden beaches, lush mountainscapes, and villages perched atop cliffs.

Centrally located within the Cyclades Islands, it boasts numerous sandy shores, verdant peaks, and cliff-side hamlets.

The bustling hubs of Parikia and Naoussa are popular for nightlife, as noted by Greeka. These villages are full of “traditional taverns, luxurious restaurants and sophisticated bars.”

Holidaymakers who prefer tranquillity over loud music can explore the serene villages of Lefkes and Marpissa.

Dorota’s TikTok video, which features clips of Paros from 9am to 8pm, showcases the island’s peacefulness as she strolls down the streets and relaxed on a quiet, sandy beach.

She also highlights the white buildings, a seaside restaurant with outdoor tables, and vibrant flowers.

In her TikTok post caption, she notes: “I’m only saying…not every Greek island is busy in summer.” Her video portrays Paros as a relaxing and uncrowded destination.

Greeka points out that the island is renowned for its “stunning” beaches, including Santa Maria, Golden Beach and Kolymbithres, which are among the most popular.

However, the Greek tourism website also mentions numerous secluded beaches for those seeking privacy.

The weather in Paros is hot and sunny in the summer but mild in the winter, and it “gets very humid at night”, according to Greeka.

Paros is a prime spot for water sports like windsurfing and kitesurfing, thanks to the ideal wind conditions provided by the Meltemi winds, strong, dry, northerly winds that blow across the Aegean Sea during the summer months.

The island is easily accessible by plane from Athens International Airport and by ferry from the ports of Athens (Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio), Mykonos, Santorini Naxos, and many more Cycladic islands.

In the comments of her TikTok post, Dorota emphasised “not every Greek island is busy” and advised followers to “choose wisely.” A user said: “I need to go asap” while another labelled Paros as “amazing.”

Cycladic islands like Santorini, Mykonos and Naxos have long been synonymous with Greek holidays, but if you’re looking to discover Greece without the crowds, consider this lesser-known neighbour

Destinations like Santorini and Mykonos are renowned for their iconic beauty – but also for the number of tourists that flock to the islands every year.

Overtourism is a growing problem all across Europe – which is all the more reason to explore some alternatives that are just as exceptional.

Travellers keen on immersing themselves in the Cyclades should consider a trip to Folegandros. One of the westerly Cyclades islands, Folegandros may be on your radar already because of the stone-paved capital of Chora, which has become an increasingly popular holiday destination of the years.

Home to the same whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches that define the Cyclades, Folegandros is a great way to enjoy a classic Greek experience around fewer crowds. It also boasts an incredible natural landscape that sets it apart from its neighbours.

Following the zigzagging road up the dry hill to the Panagia church—the most famous church on the Folegandros islands—travellers can capture exquisite views of the Aegean Sea. But Folegandros has more to offer than can be found within the bounds of the capital.

READ MORE: Europe’s hidden country next to Greece with nowhere near as many tourists

There are two other key villages worth exploring. Just three kilometres from Chora is Folegandros’ only island port and one of only two seaside settlements: Karavostasis. The Karavostasis port functions all year round and is the arrival port for all ferry travellers headed to Chora.

Karavostasis is also home to charming tavernas and mini-markets, as well as a beloved beach. The village’s main beach is only a small strip of pebbles but low-grown trees offer much-needed shade and Vardia – a more expansive beach – is close by.

The second biggest but fairly traditional village of Ano Meria is known as the calmest region of Folegandros, sitting on the northwestern tip of the island. It is 5.5 miles from Karavostasis and 2.4 miles from Chora, with the agricultural village being made up of only a few dispersed neighbourhoods perched on a small hill. Most houses in this village are “themonies” meaning they are dwellings as well as self-contained farming units.

The village is ideal for travellers seeking seclusion and unhurried exploration, offering a more authentic experience of rural Greek life. It is also perfectly carved for hikers, as there are four great hiking routes travellers can take from Ano Meria.

Apart from these three villages, Folegandros is also home to the Agali village—the newest island settlement and predominantly a summer one—and two additional rural settlements of Petousis and Livadi.

Keep in mind, this Cycladic island has no airport or cruise ship terminal, and there’s only one daily hour-long ferry from Santorini. The somewhat inconvenient trek to the island is what has helped it stay in the comfortable shadow of Santorini and Mykonos.

Other small Cycladic islands that should be on your radar if you’re looking for less crowded alternatives are Sifnos, Milos and Tinos. All three are as lovely as Santorini but have maintained an air of serenity and untouched beauty.

British tourists flying over to one of the popular Greek island of Santorini this summer have been issued a stark driving rule, as experts reveal a simple mistake could leave you with a ‘hefty fine’

UK holidaymakers heading to one of the most desirable Greek islands could get stung with a ‘hefty’ fine when hiring a car.

Despite a surprising slump in visitor numbers and growing cries from fed-up locals, millions of selfie-stick-waving tourists will still flock to Santorini this year – enticed by blue-domed buildings, pristine beaches, and Instagram-worthy sunsets. Measuring just 29.4 square miles, the tiny island is ideal for those comfortable with hiring a car.

It’s a great way to explore all of the island’s nooks and crannies and escape from the coach-load of cruise passengers that get herded in everything morning. You can check out stunning vineyards over at Venetsanos Winery, spend the day at the iconic red beach, or have dinner in Fira, the capital famed for its whitewashed buildings and buzzing atmosphere.

READ MORE: Insanely beautiful 31C country loved by Brits named among world’s most dangerous

There are a slew of hire car companies on the island, meaning prices can get competitively low. Still, it is worth booking in advance to secure a bargain, especially if you’re travelling during the peak period. Make sure you go with a reputable vendor to afford being ripped off too.

Experts over at Lonely Planet, who advise hiring a car through your accommodation provider, say having your own vehicle can give you ‘full freedom’ to explore the island – but warns there are certain ‘drawbacks’. “The relatively short drives along the island’s diminutive road network can be harrowing due to narrow lanes, cliffside plunges and incessant peak season traffic,” they explained.

“Parking is also stressful in Fira and at the beaches. Expect hefty fines if you decide to leave your car in an unapproved spot. A good strategy is to rent a car for just a day or two of exploration, thus saving yourself from the attendant hassles at other times.”

Parking in clearly-designated spaces – that may incur a small fee – is your best practice. You can always ask your hotel for recommended parking spots, or check Google reviews if you’re unsure. According to reports, parking violations come with a fine of up to €80 (approximately £68.39), so it’s never really worth the risk.

“I have hired a car in Santorini and this evening got a parking ticket and my number plates taken away,” one tourist wrote on Facebook back in 2023. “I know I have to pay a fine at [the] post office in Thera but how do I get the number plates back?” If anything like this happens to you whilst away, contact the company you rented your car from. It is still your responsibility to pay the fine, but staff may be able to help explain the process – and get your number plates back.

Cycling is another popular way of navigating Santorini, which is a great way to avoid any steep fines. However, prepare for your thighs to burn as the island is filled with harsh inclines and twisty roads. “Add in drivers maniacally speeding to make up for time spent stalled in traffic and the challenges multiply,” Lonely Planet added.

“Still, you can easily rent a bike on the island from multiple sources. Ask about e-bikes, which are becoming more available in Santorini, unless the many hills fit into your training scheme for the Tour de France.”

*You can fly directly to Santorini from London, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. Return fares cost as little as £56 in July, based on Skyscanner listings.

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Brits jetting off to the sunny Greek islands this summer have been warned over a strict flight rule that left one tourist dealing with ‘a journey from hell’. Here’s how to avoid getting stung

Brits heading to Greece this summer have been warned over a strict curfew that recently caught one tourist off-guard.

Despite deafening cries to curb over-tourism, a record-breaking 40.7 million international visitors flocked to Greece and its cluster of Instagram-worthy islands last year. It marked a huge 12.8 per cent increase from 2023, and is believed to have created a whopping €21.7 billion (approximately £1.85 billion) in revenue.

Zakynthos, often referred to as just Zante, is one of the many islands affected by the influx. Situated in the crystal-clear Ionian Sea, it lures in swathes of tourists thanks to its lush beaches, rich history and party-mad resorts.

The island’s airport is also often used to whizz passengers over to other popular Greek destinations such as Santorini and Kefalonia. However, many tourists are unaware of a little-known rule that has actually been in place since the early 1990s.

READ MORE: Huge blow to Greece as tourists abandon popular island for key reason

In a statement sent to the Mirror, experts over at Travel Republic warned UK holidaymakers that night flights to the island a ‘limited’ due to a ‘long-standard effort to protect the island’s endangered loggerhead turtles. “This reflects a growing commitment across the travel industry to support responsible tourism and environmental conservation,” they added.

“It is certainly something for holidaymakers to be aware of. But, by adjusting flight schedules to align with local curfews, airlines and travel providers are helping safeguard the ecosystem.”

Loggerhead sea turtles are particularly active at night, and are vulnerable to light and noise pollution from planes – especially during their nesting season. The curfew therefore prohibits flights departing from sunset to 7am.

One TikToker, who goes by the username NKD Zante, recently got stung by the rules after her 10pm flight was delayed until the next day due to the curfew. Describing the ordeal as ‘a journey from hell’, the social media star fumed: “We had to go back to arrivals, get all our luggage. They took us to the front of the airport, gave us 15 euros snack vouchers for some crisps and stuff, and then it was another three-hour wait while they tried to organise the rest of us to find a place to stay, transfers, [etc].

“They said they had no idea when our flight would be the next morning, and that they’d just text us with the new time the next day. But basically, pretty much everything at Zante Airport shuts at 10pm. So if you have booked a really late flight and it gets delayed for whatever reason, past 10pm, they will just delay you to the next day. I didn’t know this obviously, but apparently, it has happened to six or seven flights in Zante Airport this summer.”

In the comments section, travellers shared concern that the same might happen to them over the summer period. “Don’t say this, my flight back is at 10pm,” one person wrote. Another added: “Me watching this with a flight home from Zante tonight at 10pm.”

The Mirror has approached Zakynthos Airport for comment.

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As thousands prepare to jet off to sunnier climes, there’s a ‘little-known’ rule on one Greek island that could catch some travellers out

With the peak travel season just around the corner, thousands will be getting ready to fly away to sunnier climes. For numerous holidaymakers, Greece stands out as the preferred getaway. This European country has consistently been a popular retreat, attracting hundreds of thousands of Brits to islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, and Zakynthos every summer.

However, there exists a ‘little-known’ curfew regulation on one of these Greek islands that flyers may not know about. If they are caught off guard, they might end up stuck for an extended period. Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH) imposes a nighttime flight curfew to safeguard the endangered loggerhead sea turtles that reside on the island.

Flights are prohibited from approximately 10pm until 5am, and in some cases, even until 7am. This is to protect these turtles, which are most active at night, especially during their nesting and hatching periods.

Consequently, this curfew can occasionally lead to flight delays or cancellations. If this occurs in the evening, passengers could be left stranded until the following morning, reports Glasgow Live.

On social media, several passengers have shared their experiences of not knowing about the curfew. On TikTok, one woman called Nkdzante uploaded a video to say how her flight was cancelled just five minutes before 10pm as the airport began shutting down in adherence to the curfew. The video sparked comments from anxious flyers. One wrote: “Me watching this with a flight home from Zante tonight at 10pm”. Another said: “Don’t say this my flight back is at 10pm”.

Zakynthos Airport, often used for trips to Santorini and Kefalonia, implemented its night flight restrictions in the early 1990s. These turtles, native to the Mediterranean, lay their eggs on the nearby shores. The beaches of Zakynthos are among the most important nesting sites in the region, with about 80% of the Mediterranean loggerhead turtle population choosing to nest here.

It’s crucial to protect their nesting habitats, as these turtles are considered endangered due to threats such as habitat destruction and human interference. Loggerhead sea turtles are particularly active at night. They are vulnerable to disturbances caused by the noise and lights from aircraft, especially during their nesting season.

The noise and light from planes can disrupt the turtles’ nesting behaviours, posing risks to both them and their eggs. To minimise this disruption, Zakynthos Airport has implemented a night curfew, banning flights during the times when the turtles are most active.

Rules also apply across the beaches of Zakynthos, particularly those located in the National Marine Park, to protect the local ecosystem and the endangered loggerhead sea turtles. These regulations include restrictions on access, activities, and the use of certain equipment.

The beaches within the National Marine Park are typically open to visitors during daylight hours, from 7am until sunset. To avoid any disturbance, it is essential to keep a distance of at least 15 meters from nesting turtles.

While swimming is permitted, activities such as strolling, using parasols, and laying towels beyond a narrow strip of beach near the water (approximately five metres from the sea) are not allowed. Boats can sail in specified zones, but their speed mustn’t surpass six nautical miles.

On nesting beaches, the use of parasols, anchoring, and fishing is strictly forbidden. To protect the turtles and the environment, it’s vital to keep the beaches clean by properly disposing of all rubbish and cigarette ends.

The presence of cars, motorbikes, bicycles, horses, and dogs is prohibited on nesting beaches due to the threat they pose to the turtles. Visitors are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these regulations and respect the protected areas to help preserve the island’s breathtaking natural beauty.

May 27 (UPI) — A court in Greece charged 17 members of the Hellenic Coast Guard and four officials in connection with a shipwreck in which as many as 650 migrants drowned in the Mediterranean Sea off the southern city of Pylos in June 2023.

Piraeus Naval Court deputy prosecutor Monday charged the captain of the coast guard vessel LS-920 with causing a shipwreck resulting in the deaths of 82 people — the number of bodies recovered — reckless interference with maritime transport and failure to provide assistance to a vessel in distress at sea.

The charges stem from an alleged bungled effort by the coastguards to tow the overloaded Adriana, which was attempting to smuggle 750 paying migrants to Italy from Libya, causing it to capsize, and then conspiring to cover it up.

Just 104 survivors were rescued. Another estimated 500 people beneath the deck of the fishing boat, including 100 women and children, remain missing, presumed drowned, according to the United Nations.

The 16 crew members were charged with being complicit in the criminal acts allegedly committed by the captain, while the then-chief of the Coast Guard and the supervisor of the National Search and Rescue Coordination Center in Piraeus were among four officials charged with “exposing others to danger.”

Under Greece’s legal system, charges do not necessarily mean a case will go to trial.

Legal counsel for the victim said the charges were “a substantial and self-evident development in the course of vindication of the victims and the delivery of justice.”

Greek authorities have consistently denied the allegations made by survivors, claiming instead that the Coast Guard had instructed nearby ships to resupply the Adriana with fuel, food and water to enable it to sail on to Italy as it was not in need of rescuing.

The Coast Guard initially declined to launch a disciplinary probe into the actions of the LS-920’s captain and crew.

However, analysis by the BBC, New York Times, The Guardian, other media outlets and human rights organizations of data and evidence from eyewitnesses found that the vessel was stationary for hours before it sank.

Critical video, call and radio traffic evidence between the Adriana and the Coast Guard, said to be unavailable due to equipment failure, which has since been leaked, appears to show the Coast Guard instructing the Adriana’s captain to tell the ships offering assistance that he wanted to continue to Italy.

In one of the tapes, a National Search and Rescue Coordination Center officer apparently coaches the captain of the Lucky Sailor, one of the vessels that resupplied the Adriana, about what he had seen and heard — “ok, ok, everybody screaming that they don’t want Greece and they want Italy? — and instructs him to make sure he records it in the ship’s log.

A trial of nine Egyptians accused of people smuggling and causing the disaster collapsed in May 2024 after a Greek court threw out the case, ruling it lacked jurisdiction because the Adriana went down 47 miles out at sea, meaning it was in international waters.

The coast guard defended its record, telling the BBC in February that it was internationally renowned for its humanitarian efforts, particularly as it had rescued more than 250,000 migrants from the seas around Greece in the past 10 years and detained at least 1,000 people smugglers.

GREECE has been struck by a horror 6.1-magnitude earthquake with tremors being felt across Turkey and Israel.

Fears are now growing that a major tsunami could hit the popular Brit holiday islands of Crete and Santorini.

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The Greek government has issued a national directive ordering people to stay safe as they continue to asses the quake and any potential aftershocks.

The national fire brigade are also now on high alert for any casualties, major damage or rescue operations which need to be carried out.

As of yet no injuries have been reported.

It comes just over a week after terrified Brits were told to immediately evacuate coastal regions of Greece amid tsunami fears.

A 6.3-magnitude quake struck both Crete and Rhodes overnight and quickly sparked panic among holidaymakers and locals.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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Estonia redirects maritime traffic to prevent future incidents after Russia’s detention of the Green Admire oil tanker.

Russia has detained a Greek oil tanker sailing under the Liberian flag as it left the Estonian port of Sillamae on a previously agreed route through Russian waters, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.

In a statement published on Sunday, the ministry added that the vessel, the Green Admire, was undertaking a navigational route established in a deal between Russia, Estonia and Finland.

The Baltic nation will redirect traffic to and from Sillamea exclusively through Estonian waters to prevent similar incidents in the future, it added.

“Today’s incident shows that Russia continues to behave unpredictably,” Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. “I have also informed our allies of the event,” he said, referring to other NATO members.

Estonian Public Broadcasting (EPB), citing the Transport Administration, reported that the Greek tanker was carrying a cargo of shale oil destined for Rotterdam in the Netherlands. It added that such incidents had never occurred before.

Vessels leaving Sillamae usually move through Russian waters to avoid Estonia’s shallows, which can be dangerous for larger tankers, the EPB said.

The incident took place after the Estonian navy on Thursday tried to stop an unflagged tanker that was said to be part of a Russian “shadow fleet” of vessels sailing through Estonian waters. Russia responded by sending a fighter jet to escort the tanker, violating Estonia’s airspace.

The “shadow fleet” is meant to help Moscow maintain its crude oil exports to avoid Western sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine.