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You don’t have to decide between Greece’s 6000 islands for gleaming whitewashed buildings, sinfully delicious seafood, and pristine beaches.
Heck, I’m happy attending San Diego’s Greek Festival every year, where I shamelessly close my eyes, stuff my face with gyros and galaktoboureko, and pretend I’m in Athens for the day.
As you’re surely aware, Greece has been surging in popularity for years with no signs of slowing down.
Even Santorini’s recent earthquake scares will likely be a distant memory this summer, as Greece’s most iconic island will undoubtedly be at maximum capacity when travelers use their vacation days the most.
To avoid said crowds, you don’t have to visit my favorite festival or even travel to an alternative Greek island for that matter.
Neighboring Turkiye is home to a secret paradise that’s a spitting image of Greece, and nobody ever talks about it.
The gatekeepers are typically Turkish and Greek vacationers who stay tightlipped about the Med’s best-kept secret for their own benefit, but it’s time to unveil the tiny yet mighty Bozcaada to the world.
Greek Vibes, No Crowds: Bozcaada Is The Ideal Hideaway No One Knows
Formerly known as Tenedos, this blip in the Aegean Sea packs a punch despite only having 500 people call this slice of paradise home.
Given its location, there’s a noticeable mix of Turkish and Greek influence, yet still a far cry from Istanbul or Athens.
This tiny island is the ultimate place to unwind, but also a delight to explore timeless streets to take in sweeping views of the coast and historic structures like Bozcaada Castle.
It’s no Acropolis, but the fact you can visit such an incredible landmark without having to wait in line isn’t a bad second best, right?
While much of Greece will be swarming with tourists, especially in summer, Bozcaada mostly only sees fellow Turks and occasional Greek travelers.
For Greeks, it still feels like home, with whitewashed buildings, stunning Aegean views, and similar meals to those found in Crete, Santorini, or Mykonos.
Stunning Beaches & Cozy Stays: No Curated Resorts In Sight
I’m the first person to snag a good deal at an all-inclusive resort any chance I can get, but I also appreciate authenticity when I travel.
You know, maybe fewer pool foam parties and Zumba classes and more local cuisine and homey rooms…
That’s what you’ll find in Bozcaada. This place doesn’t have to dress to impress. In fact, you could easily say it’s fashionably late to the tourism party as it’s remained unknown to most for this long.
But once you’re here, you’ll be welcomed to stunning shores such as Sulubahçe Beach, where one recent beachgoer in the know claimed, ‘the water was perfect’.
Other visitors, however, prefer neighboring Ayazma Beach, which unlike Sulubahçe, has nearby businesses and restaurants to visit.
For what it’s worth, Ayazma’s claim to fame is breaking a record number of Instagram ‘likes’ for its sheer beauty, so that’s got to speak volumes for what’s in store.
Numerous seaside hotels are available, most of which are near the town of Bozcaada, the biggest town on the island of the same name.
For prime real estate, Pelagos Hotel offers the best location, but comes at the highest price point. On the lower end, you can score vibrant boutique hotels oozing Mediterranean vibes, such as Martı Butik Otel Bozcaada, for about $50 per night.
Wine & Dine In The Mediterranean’s Most Underrated Paradise
Like Greece, and yes parts of Turkiye, Bozcaada makes for an incredible wine retreat. Turkiye isn’t just known for its traditional adult beverage, raki; it’s a great wine destination, too.
Bozaada offers multiple wineries and vineyards to visit as day trips, but perhaps no better than Corvus Vineyards tucked away from all the “action”, set along the sea.
More inland, though, is a secret winery even locals may not know of – the Old Stone Well Vineyard, a boutique winery off-the-beaten path for a truly unique and authentic wine tasting.
As for food, you’ll find mostly what you would find in Greece except for some Turkish twists and delicacies like the island’s famous varieties of marmalades.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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