Five of the best farm stays in Greece
Whether it’s learning the art of beekeeping or spinning wool at a working sheep farm, guests are encouraged to get their hands dirty at these farms with accommodation too — ranging from stays in the Peloponnese to the Central Macedonian region.
At The Margi Farm, which comprises vineyards, orchards, paddocks and vegetable gardens, guests can go on private tours before seeing the organic produce used in seasonal Greek and Mediterranean dishes.
1. Eumelia: Laconia, Peloponnese
Situated in Laconia, in southern Greece’s Peloponnese, Eumelia, an agritourism and wellness retreat, offers guests the opportunity to take part in a range of experiences centred around life on its working organic farm. Whether it’s harvesting olives and grapes from centuries-old groves and grapevines or putting the farm-to-table philosophy into practice at one of its chef-led cooking classes, there’s a range of relaxed and hands-on activities to suit any interest.
Doubles from €160 (£143), B&B.
2. Opora Country Living: Nafplio, Peloponnese
The refined 30-acre country estate in Argolis, just minutes from the historic resort of Nafplio, offers guests cooking classes using seasonal ingredients picked from its own grounds. Wine-tasting sessions are available, plus olive harvesting and beekeeping tutorials. Don’t miss the nearby historic landmarks either: the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus and the archaeological site of Mycenae are just over 20 miles away.
Doubles from €90 (£80), B&B.
At Ktima Bellou, the chemical-free farm, filled with vegetable and herb gardens, orchards and olive groves, supplies the restaurant.
3. Ktima Bellou: Pieria, Central Macedonia
Owned and operated by the Bellos family since 1860, this boutique farmstead is located in the wild surrounds of Mount Olympus. The chemical-free farm, filled with vegetable and herb gardens, orchards and olive groves, supplies the restaurant. Guests can get to know the botanicals and their uses with help from the hosts — from Rosa damascena, harvested for use in sweet preserves, to lavender, the buds of which are used to create an essential oil. Other on-site guest activities include beekeeping and oil distillation workshops.
Doubles from €133 (£119), B&B.
4. Rokka Guesthouse: Zagori, Epirus
Immerse yourself in family life on this working sheep farm near the Epirus’ Pindus Mountains. Here, livelihoods are tied to agriculture: whether it’s the daily herding and feeding of sheep, spinning and dyeing wool with looms and natural vegetable dyes, or cheesemaking, harvesting and gardening. The mountainous surrounds are ripe for adventures — and these can be organised too, from riding horses through meadows and mountain foothills or rafting in the waters of the Voidomatis river.
Doubles from €50 (£44), B&B.
5. The Margi Farm: Athens
Guests needn’t pass up a more earth-bound lifestyle at this luxury boutique hotel, just 25 miles outside of Athens. On its farm — comprising vineyards, orchards, paddocks and vegetable gardens — guests can go on private tours before seeing the organic produce used in seasonal Greek and Mediterranean dishes. Situated near the coast, there are plenty of other local hangouts to sample too, from sandy beaches to the nightlife of the capital itself.
Doubles from €170 (£149), B&B.
Published in the April 2021 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)
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