5 places in Greece for winter getaways – Picturesque villages, stone bridges and stops for food and dessert | JOURNEY
Every corner of Greece hides beautiful destinations, ideal to escape now in winter.
Picturesque villages in mountain destinations surrounded by fir trees, activities in the bouno and food in traditional taverns by the fireplace compose the whole scene of the perfect getaway out of town.
Greece has beautiful places in winter in every corner, some more popular and others for sought-after travelers, in order not to arrange an excursion according to your tastes.
We gathered 5 places, ideal for winter, for combinations of picturesque villages, activities (mainly in the mountains) and delicious food in taverns.
Pelion
Every time you visit Pelion you discover something new by renewing your appointment at the place where according to Greek mythology was the summer residence of the Gods and the homeland of the Centaurs.
Skiing in Chania, walks in the stone cantons of Portaria, food in Makrinitsa, known as the “balcony of Pelion” due to its unique view of the Pagasitikos and Volos, activities in Tsagarada and hiking through routes with sound running water. One of the most beautiful walking routes is to go down to the district of Taxiarches and follow the path that leads to the central square of the village which is Agia Paraskevi. In fact, the temple was completed in 1909 and is the only one not seen in the east due to the larger plane tree that is over 1,000 years old.
And because Pelion without trying spetsofai and rooster with noodles does not become the safest choice is to be at the winery “Kardamos” in Makrinitsa.
Zagorochoria
One of the most classic mountain destinations and not unjustly so. The 46 villages that make up Zagorochoria are beautiful and picturesque keeping their continental architecture intact, while you can enjoy walks on cobbled streets and paths that some connect one village with another.
The program for Zagorochoria is rich and it is worth wearing your sportswear to enjoy walks on stone bridges, horseback riding or rafting in Voidomatis. For the most experienced athletes, the trip to the Vikos Gorge is worth it, which lasts about 6 hours.
In the heart of Epirus you will enjoy delicious pies in a wide variety: cabbage pies, mushroom pies and of course cheese pie with feta cheese. The dishes with meat and game are the protagonists in the taverns and one of the most delicious stops is the shop “Sta Riza”.
Plastira Lake
Lake Plastira is surrounded by 18 picturesque villages where the natural landscape becomes one with the artificial lake changing colors and images every season. Its area is almost 55 km and once it got there you can not cross them to see the lake in this beautiful place. In fact, in every corner it hides beauties: picturesque villages, delicious food and many sports activities such as rowing, horse riding, archery, but also hiking in the mountains.
One of the villages worth seeing and stopping for a meal tasting local wine is Mesenikolas. The picturesque village with a rich history has the most beautiful view as it reaches from Olympus to Pelion. In Mesenikolo you can definitely enjoy local wines and tsipouro in the cafes under the age-old plane trees, while it is the ideal place for hiking, cycling since the village is surrounded by oak and chestnut forests.
Τζουμέρκα
A beautiful place with steep mountain nature and 47 villages that compose the Tzoumerka or otherwise Athamanika Mountains. They became especially famous because they were one of the largest centers of Greek Kleftouria, as well as a famous armatoliki.
Lately, Tzoumerka has started to gather citizens, who prefer those places that keep their physiognomy and have not been altered by mass tourism. Bridges for walks, monasteries built on rocks, artificial lakes, caves are just all that will highlight and fill you with beautiful images.
One of the most famous villages, Praanda, where the Anemotrypa Cave is located, is built amphitheatrically and has several grills to taste the meat.
Mountainous Arcadia
The heart of winter in the Peloponnese beats in Mountainous Arcadia with many picturesque villages, some more touristic and some more unknown to the general public just as beautifully. And Dimitsana, Stemnitsa, Vytina may be among the most famous in Gortynia, but it is worth a stop in Valtesiniko, known as the base of Koloklotroni, in Chrysovitsi, one of the most beautiful non-tourist villages with alpine landscape built at 1,073 m.
On the other hand, it has beautiful villages on Parnonas with Kosmas being the most famous. It is a traditional settlement built at an altitude of 1,150 meters located at an altitude of 1,150 meters in fir forests and according to tradition, it is believed that there was the ancient city of Selinos and a temple dedicated to Apollo.
The houses in the village are all made of stone – the Kosmites are famous for their special stone constructions and entering the village you meet the central square with the age-old plane trees.
Around the square there are cafes where it is worth enjoying a Greek coffee and combine it with galaktoboureko, the traditional dessert of the village with the rich cream.