Have you ever heard of Pogoniá or Palairos? Neither did I, until recently. These are two more authentic places on the mainland of Greece. They can be found between Lefkas and Athens. Palairos is an ancient city, but nowadays a village. It is the larger one among the two. Therefore, I will mainly mention Palairos in this article. But Pogoniá is around the corner and that’s actually where we stayed. More and more apartments and villas are being built in this part of Greece. So if you still wish to enjoy the authenticity of this region, you better book that flight soon!
When you think of an authentic Greek village, what pops into your mind? I see old ladies greeting me with a big smile, “kalimera”, ” kalispera”, trees full of big lemons, a tiny hidden bakery, beautiful coastal roads, abandoned villages, herds of goats and sheep crossing the road, fresh seafood and more Greek dishes full of flavour.
How to reach Palairos?
There are two common options to reach Palairos by plane. You can either fly to Athens or Preveza (PVK). Since there are way more flights to Athens and this city is obviously worth a visit as well, we chose this option. Besides that, the drive from Athens to Palairos offers some spectacular views. It takes about 4 hours to reach and the roads are pretty great. Unfortunately, great roads come with a price, so make sure to have some cash/coins for the tolls! We rented a car at one of the many rental places near the airport. Make sure you rent a car in advance, as prices increase in no time. Sunnycars offers an all-in car rental concept, which can save you from a lot of hassle. And trust me, that hassle can ruin the start of your holiday.
Transavia flies to both airports, check out their flights and best prices here.
Where to stay in Pogoniá
or Palairos?
We stayed in Villa Hermes, a gorgeous villa in Pogoniá. It has 3 bedrooms, a lovely terrace and private pool overlooking the bay. The area of the villa is quiet and surrounded by a couple of other villas. It’s only a short drive to the beach and other villages.
Things to do in Palairos region
Enjoy one of the beach clubs in Palairos
There are two beach clubs in Palairos, Ammos and Rio de Paleiro. They have various nice seats and sun beds with parasols for rent. We didn’t have to pay for the beds when we visited in May. We did order some drinks and food from the bar so that may have been the reason.
Get the freshest fish in Mytikas
Café Ouzeri O Pharos is an absolute gem of a restaurant! After a short coastal drive to Mytikas, you will be rewarded with some super fresh fish. You should add this amazing little restaurant to your to-do list right now. It’s next to a stone beach and you’re sitting almost in the water. I loved this place big time! You can literally watch the fishermen do what they do best from your seat; catch some hella fresh fish. Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen because sea + wind + sun = the perfect recipe for a sunburn.
Enjoy a sunset dinner at Palairos Yacht Club
The Palairos Yacht Club is a laid-back restaurant serving a mix of local and international dishes. We went here for dinner on our first night, and were pleasantly surprised. Their spacious terrace gives you such a nice view on the marina and sea.
Tip of the day: get yourself one of their nutty/fruity/choco bars!
Visit picturesque Vonitsa by day and night
Vonitsa is a city northeast of Palairos with several restaurants and bars and a lovely vibe. If you visit Vonitsa during the day you can enjoy a coffee on one of the terraces near the water. Followed by a walk around town and perhaps a visit to the castle. Visiting during the evening is not a bad idea either. The boulevard offers the perfect spot to watch the sunset while sipping a cocktail. What more do you need?
Discover the gorgeous white beaches at Lefkada
Lefkada, also known as Lefkas, has some of the best beaches in Greece and guess what!? It’s within driving distance from Pogoniá, YAY! This means it was time for a girls’ trip with my sister and mom. I always thought Lefkada was an island but it’s actually a peninsula as it is connected to the mainland by a bridge. You can easily spend more than a day exploring Lefkada, as there is plenty to do and see. You can take the type of photo here that already looks photoshopped. The sea is fifty shades of blue and the white colours of the sand almost hurts your eyes. Keep in mind that Lefkada is everything but flat, so prepare yoursel for some hairpin turns. Luckily, you will get some views that won’t disappoint in return! We visited Porto Katstiki which is a very pretty beach. However, there are no sun beds or umbrellas, so it can get pretty hot.
Travelbecks 
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