A TINY neighbourhood in Athens has been compared to Santorini by both holidaymakers and travel experts.
Islands like Santorini and Mykonos are a magnet for tourists, with both places becoming crowded during the summer months.
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In recent years, the tiny neighbourhood of Anafiotika in Athens has been compared to the Greek islands by visitors.
Located on the northeastern side of the Acropolis Hill, the picturesque neighbourhood was built during the reign of Otto of Greece in the 19th Century.
When construction workers were needed to work on the King’s Palace, they came from Anafi – a tiny Cycladic island located near Santorini and Ios.
Because the workers needed somewhere to live, they built themselves houses in Athens, hence the name Anafiotika.
The residents of Anafiotika were all exclusively from Anafi, until 1922, when other immigrant communities arrived in Athens.
Just over 100 years after they were built, 950 houses were destroyed in order for archaeologists to conduct research.
But in the 1970s, the Greek state began buying the picturesque buildings to help save their heritage, with around 45 houses remaining in the neighbourhood to this day.
Because the houses were built by construction workers from Anafi, the buildings greatly resemble the architecture of a Greek island, with their white-washed walls and blue window frames.
While Anafiotika has flown under the tourist radar on most travel bucket lists in Athens, several holidaymakers have gone out of their way to visit the tiny village in recent years.
Travel blogger One Quarter Greek wrote: “The quirk of Anafiotika is that it looks like a village of an island.
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“With its white walls, blue doors, narrow streets, plants everywhere, it really reminds you of a typical Cycladic island.”
The little-known area has even been reviewed by holidaymakers on TripAdvisor, with one person saying: “It’s just like being on Santorini!
They added: “An amazing traditional Greek village on a hillside at the base of the Acropolis, packed with quintessentially ‘Greek’ homes and restaurants.
“It’s a bit hard to find (it’s not a tourist attraction, just a neighborhood), but well worth the effort. A visit to Athens is not complete without visiting Anafiotika.”
Located on the northeastern slope of the Acropolis, just a six-minute walk from the Plaka neighbourhood, Anafiotika can be quite difficult to find.
The main thing to do in Anafiotika is wander through the narrow alleyways and quaint streets.
There are plenty of other things to do in Athens, including the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora and the views from Lycabettus Hill.
Cine Thission is another must-visit experience in the Greek capital.
Dubbed the world’s coolest cinema, the outdoor cinema has a large screen with views of the Acropolis in the background.
Both easyjet and Jet2 operate direct flights from the UK to Athens, with prices starting from £31 for a one-way ticket in April.
There are other islands and destinations in Greece that have been likened to Santorini, including Folegandros.
Folegandros
Located near Paros, Folegandros has been compared to the popular Greek island in recent years, with one added bonus – it has fewer crowds.
Greek travel agency Greeka wrote: “Relatively untouched by international tourists, Folegandros island still manages to keep its unspoiled charm.”
While the island doesn’t have its own airport, it can be reached by ferry from Athens, Santorini or Piraeus.
The island is home to three villages, two beaches and accommodation starts from as little as £25.50 per night per person.
Three little-known Greek islands to visit
There are plenty of Greek islands to visit, including several little-known spots that are free from the crowds.
- Located in the Dodecanese Sea, Symi is a fairytale-like island home to traditional Greek villages and harbour-front bars and cafes. Reaching the tiny island became a lot more accessible after Jet2 announced the launch of a new route from the UK.
- Despite being twice the size of Mykonos, Tinos is often overlooked by most holidaymakers. But holiday demand for the island is predicted to grow thanks local food and sandy beaches.
- Meanwhile, the island of Paros has a wave of chic new hotels opening. The island has its own airport – making it much easier to visit than some other smaller islands in Greece that can only be accessed by ferry.
If you don’t want to go this far, then a beautiful UK seaside town has been compared to a Greek island.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
And another seaside town in the UK is also home to dolphins, whales and puffins, as well as amazing castles.
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