SIX HIDDEN GEMS OF THE AEGEAN
Nowhere is the sea bluer, clearer, and cooler than the Aegean. It is on the bucket list of seafarers from all over the world. That is how special it is. We investigate where these people set sail in the timeless Aegean Sea. From Greece to Turkey, from Marathi Island to the pool-like St. Paul’s Bay, and from Kuzbükü to Ekincik, here are six lesser-known beaches worth visiting.
Secluded Marathi (35°50’50.22 N, 24°17’44.72 E)
Marathi is a 90-acre island nestled between Lipsi and Arki in the northern Dodecanese.
It’s so hidden that it takes a while to even pinpoint on a map. Marathi is best known for its privacy. About 30 nautical miles away, Didim is the closest Turkish port. There are no vehicles on the island. All you will hear are the fishing boats. Lots of goats, a small church and cemetery, a sandy beach, and three tavernas. That is all there is on the island. There are a few rooms available for staying the night at the tavernas. Pantelis is the most famous and popular with its docking pier, pleasant beach, and lobster pasta.
Artist Hydra (37°34’98.42 N, 23°47’66.74 E)
The Saronic island of Hydra is about 40 nautical miles southwest of Athens. The island has a multicultural character, a relic from the invading forces during the Greek War of Independence. Today, it has an upscale bohemian feel with its magnificent houses, charming shops, and art galleries. Hydra was a shelter and source of inspiration for artists in the 1960s. Leonard Cohen lived there for a while, and those who visit still stop by to see the house he lived in. The sun loungers of the Four Seasons Hotel on Plakes Beach are available for walk-in guests. It is a 35-minute walk from the main port to Plakes. You can also hire a taxi.
A natural pool – St. Paul’s Bay (36°08’62.03 N, 28°08’83.93 E)
Thought to be the place mentioned in Homer’s Iliad, Lindos is in the southeast of Rhodes. The sandy beach of St. Paul’s Bay is the second natural harbor of Lindos. This is considered one of the most fascinating beaches in Rhodes, Greece, and even the world. Named after Paul the Apostle, who played an important role in the spread of Christianity, the bay is like a pool almost completely surrounded by rocks. A sailboat can stay aloft in the bay. The tiny white church at the tip of the bay turns the picturesque view into a fairytale atmosphere. Tambakio Restaurant is the place to go for loungers and good food.
Italian Fiskardo (38°46’63.02 N, 20°573580 E)
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands in the west of Greece. Sailors must pass through the Corinth Canal and the Gulf of Patras to reach the island. Fiskardo is a cosmopolitan, charming village at the northern tip. The distance to Fiskardo from Corinth is around 60 nautical miles… Kefalonia was part of the Republic of Venice until the 18th century. Fiskardo was not affected by the great earthquake in 1953, so it has preserved its architecture and Italian atmosphere. Nearby is Emplisi Beach, which is in a crescent-shaped bay. There is no service at Emplisi, so go with provisions, but the characteristic white pebbles, the sapphire blue, and the crystal-clear sea are heavenly. The waters of Emplisi are suitable for snorkeling but a little deep for children…
Gourmet Kuzbükü (36°42’26.91″ N – 28°01’33.64″ E)
Kuzbükü is one of Turkey’s best bays in the dark blue Hisarönü Gulf. It is located in the south of Koca Island, and since there is no connection to the mainland, you can quickly feel like you are in a completely different place. Kuzbükü looks very open and may not be perceived as a bay, but there are islets surround it, and it is relatively sheltered from the winds. Neighbors Restaurant is considered the region’s best establishment, attracting gourmets to taste its delicious food. It has a pier for boats. Surrounded by olive and fig trees, the restaurant has sun loungers on the beach and a few rooms suitable for overnight stays.
Famous Ekincik (36°49’42″N 28°33’90″E)
The sheltered Ekincik Bay lies between Göcek and Marmaris. In the southeast of Ekincik, there is a unique small marina: My Marina. It is located at the boundary of the Aegean and the Mediterranean, a great location to enjoy the magnificent beaches of Dalyan and the Ancient City of Kaunos. The pier has facilities and amenities like water, electricity, laundry, and garbage-bilge-liquid waste collection services. The marina’s restaurant has hosted celebrities like Sting, Uma Thurman, Prince Charles, and Dustin Hoffmann.
