Greece has remained one of the top holiday destinations offering travelers with varied experiences. Hence, if you are unsure about where you should head for your upcoming holidays you can pick Greece as one of the destinations on the list. With its sunny climate, stunning natural beauty, whitewashed fishing villages, rich culture and history and delicious food you cannot go wrong with Greece.
However, not all travelers are the same and many today are becoming aware of how their travel does impact the planet negatively. Over the years, there has been a growing trend for sustainable tourism and many Greek islands are now adopting responsible tourism initiatives and practices.
If you are planning a trip to Greece you need to book the right accommodations that can make a difference. When you are with family and friends you can book a villa where you can make the most of your Ionian & Aegean villa holidays.
However, you must also focus on Greek islands that focus on sustainable tourism and are perfect for eco-conscious travelers.
Tilos
If you are thinking of sustainability there are plenty of Greek islands that have begun projects and initiatives you should know about. However, Tilos is the first island in the Mediterranean that runs entirely on renewable energy. This means that most of the accommodations and homes here run on solar and wind power. Also, when you are here you will find that the island takes a lot of care about the endangered bird species and monk seals.
Taken by Fredrik Rubensson the summer of 2006 with a Nokia N70 cameraphone – Also available at Flickr.
The island also focuses on waste management practices which make this island a perfect spot for eco-conscious travelers. Apart from all this, you can also follow various tips for sustainable travel in Greece to enhance your holiday experiences.
Corfu
Overlooking the Ionian Sea, Corfu remains one of the popular Greek islands that can make your trip worthwhile. There are plenty of accommodations in Corfu which are eco-friendly and this means that they make use of natural resources to provide you with excellent convenience and comfort.
Credit: User:Dr.K. (talk) 00:40, 22 October 2008 (UTC) – Own work
Corfu also encourages sustainable transport and this means that when you are in Corfu you can ride bicycles, and e-bikes and take walking tours to reduce carbon emissions.
Various tavernas, restaurants and cafes in Corfu also focus on embracing local traditional farming and offer farm-to-table dining experience which reduces waste, support local farmers and encourage sustainable food practices.
Astypalea
Astypalea is one of the lesser-known Greek islands that has been promoting electric mobility as a part of the sustainable tourism initiative. This means that most visitors can now have access to bicycles, e-bikes and scooters. This makes it easier for the island to embrace responsible tourism. Additionally, the island is also shifting to renewable energy from traditional power sources.
When you plan to stay at Astypalea you will find many eco-friendly accommodations that focus on energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction. The island also promotes various outdoor activities like hiking, walking and cycling that can help them to reduce their carbon footprint. Astypalea has some of the most pristine beaches in Greece that allow you to put your feet up and unwind.
Rhodes
Unlike Astypalea, Rhodes has gained a lot of traction in terms of tourism and popularity. This means that there are more tourists here enjoying their Greek holiday.
Credit: Aga Khan (IT) – Own work
To ensure that they embrace eco-friendly tourism, various hotels and resorts in Rhodes now make use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Rhodes is also taking proactive steps to safeguard endangered sea turtle nests. Visitors can buy and participate in eco-tours that promote the safeguarding of marine life.
When you are in Rhodes you can also look out for eco-conscious activities like exploring the Valley of the Butterflies where tourists can hike, and enjoy birds and butterflies as well. You can also come across various restaurants, cafes and taverns in Rhodes that focus on local farming and offer farm-to-table dining experiences.
Hydra
When it comes to environment-friendly initiatives, Hydra is one of the top Greek destinations that can provide you with a car-free holiday experience. With no motorized vehicles allowed Hydra can ensure that you can have a clean environment when you are visiting the island. Hence, you can experience the no-car-low-pollution holiday experience.
Hydra has also come up with regulations on preserving traditional architecture and cultural heritage. Various hotels and resorts in Hydra already make use of solar and wind energy. They also focus on various waste management and water conservation techniques that allow them to recycle a lot of materials.
Hydra is mostly visited by various creative individuals like artisans and farmers and therefore the focus is on buying local which contributes to the island’s sustainable economy.
Paros
When it comes to sustainability programs, Paros has already come up with the “Clean Blue Paros” initiative. This is the island’s initiative to promote recycling, waste management and a ban on single-use plastics. Unlike other islands, Paros aggressively promotes various eco-friendly outdoor activities like walking tours, hiking and cycling. This also allows the visitors to visit some of the lesser-known local attractions and sites.
Various local restaurants, cafes and taverns today make use of local farm products. This not only makes it convenient for the people to enjoy fresh food but also supports local farmers and small businesses.
Syros
One of the lesser-known islands Syros also is a great destination for eco-conscious travelers who want to reduce their carbon footprint. Syros has already invested in various renewable energy projects making it easier for the local hotels and resorts to use solar and wind energy.
Credit: Hans Peter Schaefer, http://www.reserv-a-rt.de – Self-photographed
You can use this first-time guide to Syros to help you optimize your trip to this island. The island also promotes sustainable tourism by using hiking, cycling, and walking tours to various scenic points and major landmarks. The island also promotes local businesses and therefore you will find many stores that support local artisans and craftsmen.
This helps in retaining the cultural identity of the island while promoting local businesses and talent. As you explore Syros you can enjoy delicious Greek food made from locally sourced produce.
Alonissos
If you are looking for beautiful Greek islands that focus more on sustainable tourism you also need to add Alonissos to your list. This is one of the lesser-known islands that can provide you with an amazing Greek holiday experience.
The island was among the first Greek islands to ban single-use plastic. On the other hand, the island is also home to the largest marine park in Europe. Hence, you can get some great experiences here while responsibly keeping the nature and environment clean.
Visitors can participate in various eco-tours that focus on marine life conservation and a clean environment. While you are here you can make use of the island’s natural beauty and go hiking, bird watching and diving in the pristine waters. Many hotels on the island have already embraced eco-friendly initiatives and are using solar and wind energy and making greener choices.