Greek island still undiscovered by tourists, a legendary place in Homer’s Odyssey

Just a short ferry-ride from Corfu or Lefkas, are two of the Greek islands most visited by the Britons. Meganissi, a green paradise surrounded by turquoise waters, yet undiscovered by tourists, is the perfect place for those seeking  peace and quiet in order h to recharge their batteries.

The waters surrounding this small island are among the most transparent in the Mediterranean. The ferry docks under the village of Spartochori, the first sight being given by the pastel-colored houses on the cliff. Apart from Spartochori, there are only two villages on the island, but the first one offers the most spectacular frames for photographs, due to the narrow paved, labyrinthine streets, and the courtyards with the shady vineyards.

Although roads are impeccable, like in any other island in Greece, you will not find cars here, just donkeys loaded with “all.” And you will be warmly welcomed by locals everywhere. There are plenty of beaches, and perhaps their greatest charm is that most are accessible only on foot or by boat, so you can enjoy days exploring the island and testing a different beach every time.

The island is almost untouched by tourists, but in recent years, some of those who have arrived there have built holiday homes that can be rented at very affordable prices, half of Corfu’s offerings, which has led to the establishment of a Taxi firm.

Meganissi has only 22 square meters and about 1,500 inhabitants, so it’s easy to get to know it very well in one vacation. But there are quite a lot of things to discover. You can rent a motorcycle or a bike, but those who come here prefer to walk, simply.

The rock on the west coastline has some formations that over time have become true natural artworks with so many caves, that a Greek submarine hid here during the war to get rid of the Nazis. These caves are also very old, as they appear in the Homer’s Odyssey, being the Cyclops house, the monster killed by Ulises.

Other parts of the coast are rich in idyllic bays full of white sailing boats, whose beaches are made of fine stones. Prices for a seven-night stay for two people on Meganissi island in July start at 560 euros, according to Booking.com offers. Most of the offers include spacious apartments with facilities such as kitchen and barbecue in the courtyard, within traditional villas. In Corfu and Lefkas, prices are generally much higher.

And for those who want to invest in a holiday home to rent it, prices are half the prices of nearby Corfu: an acre building plot on Meganissi would cost £128,000 to £170,000, and on Corfu it would be £215,000 to £256,000. New-build three-bedroom villas on Meganissi start at £280,000, on Corfu, a four-bedroom detached east coast villa with pool is on the market for £467,000, according to Homes and Property.

Getting to Meganissi from London involves an easyJet flight from Gatwick to Preveza airport on the mainland, a 20-minute drive over a sea-crossing bridge to Lefkas and then 20 minutes by sea taxi.