If you head to the northern Aegean, you will find the green island of Thasos, only 6 miles from mainland Greece. Because of its distance from other islands, Thasos has remained relatively intact from mass tourism and over-exploitation. As a result, this is the place to go if you are looking for an authentic holiday experience on a Greek island. It is literally a hidden gem, often overlooked by many tourists.

If you think Giola is the highlight of Thasos, think again. Or simply visit Marble beach to swim in a turquoise bay surrounding the modern marble queries on the island. Rather than sand, this beach is full of tiny marbles that look and feel like enlarged versions of sand. Because this small beach can quickly get crowded, make sure to visit in the early morning or instead get to the neighboring beaches of Porto Vathy and Makryammos. Of course, the island is also home to many other exquisite sand beaches, such as Paradise or Chrisi Amoudia, also known as Golden Beach, for its soft sand.