Authentic Mediterranean experiences, olive oil tastings, and local Greek flavor—Loutraki has it all, just an hour from Athens and off most tourist maps.
Most people flying into Athens are already planning their escape: they go straight to Santorini, Mykonos, or maybe catch a ferry to Crete. And I get it, the islands are stunning. But I’ve got a little tip for you, especially if you want to experience a true Mediterranean diet and authentic Greek food that isn’t a tourist trap, and it’s just an hour’s drive from Athens: Loutraki.
I’ve been visiting Loutraki since I was a kid. It’s known for its thermal springsits beach and relaxing seaside air. But on a recent visit, I saw it in a new way, not just as a wellness destination, but as a place where you can enjoy traditional Greek food and experience the Mediterranean without it feeling like it was curated for tourists. It’s just how people eat.
Here’s why this under-the-radar town should be on every food lover’s travel list:
An Olive Oil Tasting That Actually Teaches You Something
The first thing I did—and one of the highlights of my visit—was a tour of a local olive oil producer just outside the town. Markellos Olive is a fourth-generation, family-run business just 20 minutes away, and they offer detailed olive oil tastings.
Now, Greece is one of the top producers of extra virgin olive oil, and here, you get to taste it at its source: peppery, grassy, golden-green oils straight from the press.
As a Mediterranean diet expert, nutritionist, and coming from a family that produces its own olive oil, I’ve done many of these—and every time, I’m reminded how different real, fresh extra virgin olive oil is from what most people know.
Here, you can taste the difference in oils depending on the olive variety, the region, and the harvest time. It’s not a marketing gimmick—it’s education. And for anyone interested in the Mediterranean diet, seeing where this cornerstone food comes from and how it’s made is invaluable.
Olive oil tastings are much like wine tastings: you sample different varieties, learn to identify quality, and understand how climate, soil, and cultivation methods affect flavor. For anyone interested in the Mediterranean diet, tasting authentic Greek olive oil is an eye-opening experience that deepens your appreciation of this essential ingredient.