Visit the Greek islands and eat like a local!

20/07/2021
Six unique gastronomic destinations on the Greek islands!
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Everyone knows about the many health benefits of the Mediterranean and Greek cuisine. And probably most of us salivate at the sight or smell of a Greek souvlaki and spanakopita. But there's more to the Greek cuisine than the oftentimes hard-to-pronounce mouthwatering foods and dishes. Traditional recipes passed down from generation to generation have contributed to the country's rich culinary tradition. Handmade treats from delicious native ingredients are offered to tourists as a welcome gesture. Grape stomping to be followed by dancing and drinking the night away with the locals has been part of the many summer food festivals on the Greek Islands…

Gastronomic tasting with cheese varieties
Gastronomic tasting with cheese varieties


This year, combine travel and eating. Get to know Greece not only through its beautiful sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and whitewashed houses but also through its authentic culinary traditions. Here are six Greek island destinations, where you can eat like a local and live like a local!
Choose your favorite ones, book your ferry tickets at Let's Ferry and journey through the rich Greek gastronomy!

Savor the Ionian Island “Madolato”
You may have heard or read about this Greek delicacy or you may have picked it from a supermarket aisle on a day you felt like experimenting with not-so-familiar treats.
Madolato the Greek version of the nougat, is a confection consisting primarily of egg whites, honey and almonds. The Ionian Islands' locals pride themselves on making the best madolato all over Greece… and they may very well be right! Produced mainly by small local businesses on the islands of Zakynthos, Corfu and Kefalonia, this sweet treat is readily available throughout the country.

The greek delicious madolato in Ionian islands
The greek delicious madolato in Ionian islands


Every summer, there are many food festivals organized on the Ionian Islands, such as the Meat Farmers' and Robola Wine Festivals in Kefalonia and the "Lefkadian Gastronomy Festival" in Lefkada. These events offer a great opportunity to mingle with the locals, try new dishes and experiment with unknown tastes, such as Kefalonia's Robola wine and the madolato. When you vacation in Zakynthos, make sure to visit some of the small local businesses, see how the madolato is produced, and try it fresh out of the oven …guaranteed to melt in your mouth and your heart!

The beautiful beach in Zakynthos
The beautiful beach in Zakynthos


Enjoy the Amorgos “Pasteli”
Amorgos became widely known when the “Deep Blue” movie was filmed on the island, but the island's charm extends beyond its beautiful scenery. We love Amorgos for the hospitality of its locals and its flavorful dishes and local treats. The pasteli is one of our favorite! Made with honey and sesame seeds, this Greek take on an energy bar is both tasty and healthy, and it is super yummy when consumed fresh. During the summer, on the first Sunday following the nationwide celebration of August 15th in Greece, the cultural association of Amorgos hosts the "Pasteli Festival". A cauldron is placed in the middle of Loza Square on the island's Chora, where a team of locals shares the secrets of the authentic pasteli recipe. Fresh pasteli is made right there, cut in small diamond-shaped pieces and served on lemon leaves. The party goes on until the early hours, singing, dancing and drinking raki. An ode to the Greek island lifestyle!
Check out the itineraries to Amorgos and book your ferry tickets through Let's Ferry. Planing your vacations is now stress-free!

The small boat in Amorgos island
The small boat in Amorgos island


Try the Naxian Potatoes
Naxos is known for its excellent quality food products and dishes including its french fries, the Raki, the Citron liqueur and the local cheese varieties, such as the Graviera, the Xinotiro and the Kefalotyri (also known as Arseniko). Visiting the island for the sole purpose of savoring the local dishes in Plaka, Pyrgaki or any of the many beautiful villages of Naxos, is reason enough for many to go there. And while the local cuisine is plain delicious, everyone can't rave enough about the local potatoes! Thanks to soil composition and climatic conditions, the potatoes of Naxos are delicious whether fried, boiled, stuffed or barbecued. You will have the chance to savor the island's potato-based recipes during the annual Potato Festival that takes place in Agia Anna. The event is organized by the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Naxos and draws tons of people of all ages, both locals and visitors. In 2018, Naxos broke the Guinness World Records by cooking 625 kilos of french fries during the festival! So, enjoy your time on the island and make room in your stomach for those potato-based dishes and local delicacies!

The Naxian Potatoes are delicious
The Naxian Potatoes are delicious


Taste the Chios Mastic
Follow the production process of the muskiest product of Greece: the mastic! Start by visiting the “Mastichochoria,” the mastic villages of Chios that date back to the Medieval times. Learn everything about the arduous work of the mastic farmers, starting with the cultivation of the mastic trees all the way to the processing and production of the mastic products we find on store shelves. The villages of Armolia, Pyrgi, Kalamoti, and Mesta are among the most famous villages where the mastic is produced, and many of them are also preserved settlements. Visit the Chios Mastic Museum to learn more about the island's mastic production, its history, cultivation techniques and different uses. Explore the option of joining an agritourism program! And before you leave the island, make sure to take with you a mastic liqueur! Enjoy it chilled or as a base in mastic liqueur cocktails!

Τhe muskiest product of Greece, the mastic
Τhe muskiest product of Greece, the mastic


Experience the “Grape Harvester” in Ikaria
Early September marks a very important event on the green Cycladic island of Ikaria: the “grape harvester.” Ikaria's fertile ground and appropriate climatic conditions contribute to the island's production of many wine varieties, some of which organic, with distinct aromas and flavors. The island's wine tradition dates back to ancient times and is associated with the worship of Dionysos, the Ancient Greek God of grape harvest, winemaking and wine! There are many wine-making secrets to be shared, so join the Harvest Festival that is organized in many wineries on the island. In most of them, entrance is free so sign up early to reserve your spot and experience up close and personal the fun of grape stomping and harvesting! Enjoy the “fruit of your labor” (aka lots of local wine) after the sun sets! Many local wineries often pair their wines with local dishes and cheese. As each Greek island has its own twist on food and wine varieties, wine pairing has gained popularity in recent years on many Greek islands! Santorini has taken the lead on wine pairing packages that include tours to local wineries with wine and food pairing, where you can also marvel at the view of the volcano or the backdrop of the Caldera.

Wine varieties, some of which organic, with distinct aromas and flavors.
Wine varieties, some of which organic, with distinct aromas and flavors


Participate in the Rakizio in Tinos
Most think that August 15, the date when most Greeks celebrate the Assumption of Mary, is the only peak of the tourist season for the island of Tinos. But that is not necessarily the case. If you prefer vacationing in Greece during the month of September, admittedly an amazing time to do so, make sure to participate in the Rakizio! This is how the locals refer to the process of producing the Raki for the year. Rakizio mainly takes place in the villages of Falatado and Steni, but the custom is spreading fast to many other villages across the island. Trust the Greeks to turn the production of Raki to an all-night party with local music and dancing! If you can hold your liquor and drink like a boss, by all means try the “Protorako,” the first distillation of the year's production. If you want to play it safe, wait for the next batch to come out and try.

In the island of Tinos the raki drink
In the island of Tinos the raki drink


Whether you are a deliberate culinary traveler, a foodie who loves visiting new places and trying out new dishes, or a lover of the Greek cuisine whose bucket list includes traveling to Greece, there is a place for you on the sunny Greek islands. Keep our suggestions in mind when you plan your next trip to Greece and set off to a journey of gastronomic delight! Take advantage of Let's Ferry's online booking system and stay COVID-19 safe. Purchase your ferry tickets at www.letsferry.com and have them delivered to your home or pick them up at the port.