Venice's “floating city” claims to be one of the most beautiful towns in the world. With its stunning buildings and picturesque waterways, it's no surprise that millions of tourists gather in Italian towns every year.
But as the city of Venice gets busy, many tourists are looking for a quiet alternative with no crowds while enjoying the same stunning views. Located on an island between two lagoons in western Greece, this small town may just check out all the boxes. In fact, for many locals, the town is a small Venice version of themselves.
An older part of the town of Aitrico is romantically located on the island between the two lagoons. Aitrico Lagoon extends north and to the south is Misongi Lagoon (ancient Lake Kinnear). The latter leads to the Bay of Patras and ultimately to the Ionian Sea.
The town itself has a traditional Greek charm, with its narrow streets, whitewashed houses and picturesque harbors.
You can wander for hours, welcomed by the warm community. After that, head to one of Aitrico's many tavernas and cafes. Here you can enjoy traditional Greek cuisine with stunning waterfront views. Among its specialty is smoked or salted Avgotalajo-Greek caviar. It is famous all over the world for its unique flavor and quality. It comes from a fish egg called sturgeon (gray mullet).
One of the most striking features of Aitrico's infrastructure is its extensive canal network. The canals on Aitricho are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also serve important purposes. It helps to control flooding during heavy rains and provide habitat for a variety of fish and birds.
Another must-see is the “Bridge of Aktion” and also known as the “Queen's Bridge.” The bridge connects the town to the mainland and offers scenic views of the lagoon and surrounding scenery.
Aitrico Island also has several historic buildings and landmarks. In the island's central square is the intended church of the Virgin Mary, a beautiful 17th century church with ornate frescoes and a bell tower that gives off a stunning view of the island. Other notable landmarks include the ruins of a Venice castle.
The island has a population of about 1,200 people, and its economy is primarily based on agriculture, fishing and tourism.
Protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and included in the Natura 2000 network, Mesolongi-Aitoliko Lagoon National Park is rich in flora and fauna with around 290 species of birds and over 100 species of fish.
To arrive in Aitrico, fly from one of several British airports, including Heathrow, to Athens, and take a bus or drive to town for 2.5 hours.
