Unreal Places · Greece and Portugal · Series
5 coasts that look edited but are real
These five coasts in Greece and Portugal look edited, and every one is real. Volcanoes made three of them: the crater rim of Santorini, the white rock of Sarakiniko on Milos, and the island of Madeira. The sea carved the golden stacks of Ponta da Piedade, and people built the marble doorway on Naxos more than 2,500 years ago.
The places in this film
- 1
Santorini, Greece
White villages on the rim of a flooded volcanic crater. Oia is the famous one, and it is busiest at sunset.
- 2
Sarakiniko, Milos
Pale volcanic rock shaped by wind and waves into smooth white forms beside the sea. Go early, before the heat.
- 3
Ponta da Piedade, Portugal
Golden sea stacks, arches and caves near Lagos in the Algarve. Small boats and kayaks go in between them.
- 4
Madeira, Portugal
A volcanic island in the Atlantic. The eastern peninsula is bare red and black rock, crossed by a walking trail.
- 5
Portara, Naxos
A marble doorway from an unfinished ancient temple, on an islet joined to the harbour of Naxos town. Best at sunset.
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Plan it
- Best time
- May, June and September for all five, when the sea is warm and the crowds are thinner. Madeira is mild all year.
- How long
- Each is a half-day to two days on the ground, as part of a longer trip.
- Getting around
- Ferries link the Greek islands from Athens. The Algarve is reached by car or train from Lisbon, and Madeira by a short flight.
Good to know
- Strong north winds are common in the Greek islands in July and August.
- The Madeira peninsula trail has no shade. Carry water.
- Boat trips at Ponta da Piedade depend on the sea state. Mornings are calmer.
Frequently asked
Why is the rock at Sarakiniko white? +
It is volcanic rock laid down in pale layers, then worn smooth by wind and waves. There is almost no vegetation, so the white stone meets the blue sea directly, which is why people compare it to the surface of the moon.
What is the Portara on Naxos? +
It is the marble doorway of a temple begun in the sixth century BC and never finished. The rest of the building was dismantled over the centuries. The doorway stands alone on a small islet beside the harbour, linked by a causeway.
Can you go inside the caves at Ponta da Piedade? +
Yes, by boat. Small boats and kayak tours leave from Lagos and pass through the arches and into the caves when the sea is calm. A stairway also leads down the cliff to the water for the view from below.
