Great Budget Alternative Holiday Destinations in Greece

The Mediterranean country offers many opportunities for a pleasant holiday with swimming and relaxation without having to spend too much money.

While most of the public rushed to the islands, some very popular destinations, others chose to spend their holidays in the mountains, limiting themselves to a very modest budget. August is the “heaviest” month in Greece. As hoteliers report, our country offers many opportunities to spend a holiday, enjoy nature and swimming, relax and escape from everyday life, without spending too much money during a period when high demand increases prices.

Many regions of Greece have destinations that combine mountains and sea or other outdoor activities, which are a great choice.

As Aggelos Kallias, Secretary General of the Panhellenic Federation of Hoteliers (POX), points out in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, “the mountains offer a solution for a relaxing holiday and affordable prices ranging from 50-100 euros for a double roomThere is a choice of the sea in the immediate vicinity, rivers and other types of experiences such as cycling, gastronomy, etc. More generally, there are many holiday opportunities in regions such as Thrace, Peloponnese, Pieria and the North Aegean.“.

According to POX CEO, that the fact that greeks still prefer to go on holiday mainly in august creates a big problem as the occupancy rate is very high and this causes some difficulties.

«We need to change our philosophy and generally consider other solutions that will allow us to relax peacefully and economically.“, says Mr. Kallias. He says there are mountain destinations where occupancy rates exceed 70% in the summer, such as Zagoria, Pelion, Arcadia and the Peloponnese in general, but this year traffic has been somewhat reduced. It should be noted that from Of the specific hotels, about 40% remain open during the summer months, i.e. about 800 units.

Epirus

The likelihood that someone will want to holiday here is even higher this year, says Spyros Sourelis, president of the Hoteliers' Union of Ioannina Province. However, some traditional tourism markets have been lost or reduced (for example, Israel and central European countries).

Therefore, the occupancy rate fluctuates on average at 30%, with the exception of some weekends and, of course, August 15, which still fluctuates around 60%.

The Vikos Gorge, 30 km northwest of Ioannina, is one of the most famous in Greece

“The most touristy areas are Metsovo, Tsumerka, Konitsa and Zagorohoriya, where you can spend a few days of vacation from 50 euros per double room. Many also choose Ioannina and from there make excursions to Sivota, Parga, Preveza. The mountain may not have a sea, but there are rivers and opportunities for rafting, hiking, etc., which is an excellent choice,” notes Mr. Surelis.

Mountains and sea in Kalavrita

Accommodation
from 50 euros and hotels from 80
a holiday that combines mountains and sea is available in the area of ​​Kalavryta, says Konstantinos Dafaleas, president of the Association of Hoteliers and Tourist Facilities of Kalavryta.

“For us, occupancy is currently low, except on weekends, when it reaches about 60%, considering that only 40% of the premises remain open at that time. However, this area is a very good choice, as the visitor can swim nearby and sleep at night in the cool, without air conditioning“,” says Mr. Dafaleas.

The sea is about 30 km away, as the beaches of Aegialia, such as Punta, Akrata and others, as well as Diakopto are nearby. It is also possible to take the steam train (οδοντωτό) as an excursion to Diakopto. In addition, there is the possibility of religious tourism, where you can visit the monastery of Agia Lavra and the Great Cave, the oldest monastery in Greece.

Of particular interest are also the visits to the cave lakes and waterfalls in Taxiarchis, Ano Vlasia, the area of ​​Kleitoria, as well as the sources of the river Aroani, located in the village of Planitero in the plane tree forest.

Zarouhla and Kato Zachloru are also very beautiful traditional villages.However, apart from the Kalavryta area, Trikala in Corinth is a very attractive option combining mountains and sea, as the beaches of Xylokastro are nearby“,” Mr. Dafaleas concluded.

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