Beautiful Greek island named the best place to avoid crowds in Europe

Anyone looking for a beachside holiday this summer and also avoid tourists should consider a trip to one of the lesser-known Greek islands known for its breathtaking scenery. 

Symi is a small island close to the coast of Turkey known for its brightly coloured harbour with rainbow homes sitting on a backdrop of lush green hills. 

It is known for its well-preserved historic architecture, peaceful atmosphere, and its many beaches surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise water which makes it a beautiful spot for a holiday. 

This pretty little island has recently been named the best European destination to visit for holidaymakers wishing to avoid crowds by Sarah Kingdom, a travel expert from Travel Awaits.

She said: “Fortunately, there are so many Greek islands that it’s relatively easy to find one free from crowds. Tucked between Rhodes and Kos, Symi is a world away from those tourist hotspots.

“Accessible only by ferry, you’ll arrive at one of the prettiest harbours in the world, with stunning pastel houses sprawling up the hillside.” 

Symi is a very small island made up of two towns, with Gialos being the main port at the bottom of the waterfront while Chorio sits higher on the hilltops and offers stunning views for anyone that visits. 

Anyone who visits Symi will likely spend their first moments in Gialos to take some photographs of the harbour but nearby are many tavernas, bakeries and shops so anyone hungry after travelling will have no bother finding something tasty to eat. 

Those wishing to explore the Gialos’ rich history should visit the museum and stunning church, but the town is also a spot for various boat taxis which are worth booking for anyone wishing to take a guided tour or even snorkelling. 

Visitors can travel to Chorio by bus but anyone brave enough should consider taking the Kali Strata stairs, which is a set of historic bright blue steps which were originally designed as a way for the wealthy to pleasantly make their way about the island. 

The Kali Strata stairs are roughly 500 steps which may sound exhausting but it only takes an hour to climb and there are plenty of opportunities to take a break and even grab a cool drink from many of the establishments nearby. 

Symi also has several beautiful beaches, with the three biggest offering many facilities such as taverns, bars, restaurants and sunbeds to hire while other beaches are more secluded coves which are ideal for anyone wanting a quiet day out. 

One of the best places to view the sunset in Symi is the ruins of a Byzantine castle, which was built by the Knights of Saint John in the 14th century and overlooks the harbour. 

Another great place for a hike is Pontikokastro, a large hill where an old tomb and the remains of old windmills also overlook the towns and sit behind a large pine forest which makes it a great place to take in the island’s natural beauty. 

Despite its beauty, Symi is a quiet hidden gem when compared to the other Cyclades islands and worth a visit for anyone looking for a peaceful beach holiday. 

On Tripadvisor, one visitor wrote: “Absolutely excellent place. A proper Greek feel to it. A million miles from the hassle and bustle of Rhodes even though it is only a 50-minute (fast ferry) ride away.”

Another tourist said: “Symi was breathtaking….it is very picturesque and my camera was working overtime. It is quiet and peaceful and the local shopkeepers are so friendly and don’t force their goods on you. A cold beer and lunch looking out onto the harbour was idyllic.”