8 under-the-radar places to visit in Greece if you're trying to avoid tourists

The islands of the Argo-Saronic Gulf are a much less busy alternative to the popular Cyclades, the island group including the Instagrammable ― yet overcrowded ― Mykonos and Santorini. Just as dreamy, they boast marvelous beaches and amazing scenery.

Agistri has to be the most serene, combining lush vegetation with crystal-clear waters. Only a 60-minute ferry ride from Athens' main port, this tiny heaven (just 14 square kilometers in size) is still largely undiscovered by tourists.

The island's gem is Aponisos, a little islet connected to Agistri through a small bridge. Surrounded by pine trees, the emerald, pool-like waters of Aponisos' sequestered shingle beach are ideal for snorkelling.

Bonus: Also worth a visit, the sophisticated island of Aegina lies a short, 15-minute ferry ride from Agistri.

If it's the vast blue of the Aegean Sea or the striking white of a Cycladic house you're after, then Folegandros should be high on your travel list.

This bohemian island is bound to captivate you with its idyllic beaches and mesmerizing chora, its town, half of which is built within a castle suspended over the edge of a 200-meter cliff. Cobbled alleys and whitewashed courtyards will surely lure you in.

Try the flavorful matsata, a local variety of homemade pasta, before venturing a climb to the top of the rock, where the imposing church of Panagia lies, unveiling some magnificent views of the town.

To get to Folegandros, choose between an 11-hour (or four-hour high-speed) ferry trip from Athens, and a short boat ride from Milos or Santorini, both accessible by ferry or plane.

Although the Greek islands are typically top travelers' bucket lists, mainland Greece can be just as splendid.

Accessible by plane or car (a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Thessaloniki or six hours from Athens), Macedonia's Kavala city proves just that. Ottoman buildings, relics of Byzantine churches, and colorful houses of varied architecture unveil years of history in Kavala's Old Town.

Among the must-sees are Egyptian ruler Muhammad Ali's iconic 19th-century Imaret (former religious, educational, and philanthropic center now housing a luxurious hotel), Kavala's Tobacco Museum, and the Archaeological Site of Philippi; this UNESCO-protected ancient theatre still hosts shows during the summer.

Kavala's wonderful, sandy beaches are perfect for relaxation, while its delectable cuisine will keep you coming back for more.

Bonus: The nearby, green island of Thassos displays unique wildlife and astounding beaches.

Located an hour away from Rhodes by boat, Symi is the Dodecanese islands' precious little jewel. Having been inhabited since the prehistoric period, the island is steeped in tradition and history.

Here you'll find some of the oldest and most astonishing neoclassical mansions of Greece, built amphitheatrically around the port. Their elegant architecture and balmy colours echo Symi's opulent past — in mid-19th to early-20th century, the island served as the world's largest sponge trade center.

Hop on a boat to reach Symi's most stunning, tranquil beaches, before tasting the delicious "symiako garidaki," the island's famous shrimp, at a tavern by the sea.

For an almost-transcendental experience, visit the 15th-century Monastery of Taxiarchis Mihail Panormitis; his icon is said to be miraculous.

Lying opposite the south-eastern tip of the Peloponnese peninsula, somewhere between Greece's mainland and the island of Crete, Kythira fuses the allure of the wilderness typically found in the Peloponnese, with the effortless beauty of a Greek island.

Only it's not your typical Greek island. Rocky beaches, pine forests, waterfalls, caves, intricate hiking trails, and impressive archaeological sites (including a prominent Venetian fortress) all amount to Kythira's diverse landscape.

In the chora, you'll find little boutiques and relaxed bars, while during the summer, Kythira's quaint villages host traditional Greek fiestas (panigiria), calling for endless drinking and dancing.

Bonus: Accessible by ferry from Athens or Laconia, or by plane, Kythira is also close to Monemvasia; this historic Peloponnesian town is entirely built on a rock within a medieval fortress.

For a more cosmopolitan option, but one that's still authentically stylish, make sure to give the dazzling Epirus Riviera a go.

A little over four and a half hours by car from Athens (or four hours from Thessaloniki), Epirus's Parga is the picturesque little town with the superb views to the Ionian, the refined restaurants, and the cobbled neighbourhoods full of flowers; ideal for long, carefree walks.

Just across, the islet of Panagia and its ever-illuminated fortress complete the romantic setting.

Around 30 minutes from Parga lies Sivota, a seaside village with tropical, pink-sand beaches and secret coves, often favored by A-list celebrities and sailing aficionados. The almost transparent, turquoise waters of Pissina beach (fittingly meaning pool) in the opposite isle of Agios Nikolaos guarantee an unforgettable dive.

Who knew a mountain could be such an appealing summer destination? Located in the region of Thessaly, about four hours from Athens by car (or two and a half hours from Thessaloniki), Pelion was "the gods' summer residence" according to Greek mythology.

It's no wonder, since it strikes the perfect balance between a verdant highland area and a seaside paradise. Sandy or pebbled, the fantastic beaches around Pelion give way to the mountain's scenic villages ― no doubt, Pelion's highlight.

Some are sumptuous, like Portaria and Makrinitsa, with traditional stone houses and lavish hotels, while others are beautifully swallowed by nature, like Tsagkarada, which is semi-hidden underneath the shadow of an enormous sycamore tree.

Bonus: Try the intense distilled spirit of tsipouro at the local tsipouradika in the town of Volos, at the foothills of Pelion.

Seven hours from Athens by ferry, somewhere between the islands of Ikaria and Leros, you'll find Patmos, the most spiritual of the Dodecanese islands.

It's in Patmos' Cave of the Apocalypse where Saint John (one of Jesus Christ's 12 Apostles) received the visions that led him to write the holy "Book of Revelation" around 95 AD. The cave has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, together with the majestic 11th-century Monastery of Saint John the Theologian that brims with priceless religious artifacts.

An important hub of hagiography and architecture during the Renaissance, Patmos is now creatives' favorite sanctuary; its unpretentious chora and quiet little harbors are frequented by intellectuals and artists from around the world, who enjoy the island's rare mix of peacefulness and cosmopolitan finesse.

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