Skip the crowds in Mykonos and Santorini and visit these 6 gems on the Greek mainland instead

Greece's second-largest city is not only known as the country's gastronomic capital (definitely stop by restaurants like Kanoula or The Rouga), but it's also affectionately known as the home of "halara."

Meaning "chill" or "take it easy," the word denotes a more laid-back pace of life than in the capital, Athens.

I've always felt this relaxed vibe had much to do with the city's proximity to the Thermaic Gulf, which is best experienced with a stroll down the waterfront.

Thessaloniki is also rich in history and culture, home to the Rotunda (a Roman monument from the 4th century), Hagia Sophia Church, a Jewish Museum, and a world-class film festival.

Not long after I moved to Greece, some of my classmates and I visited the Meteora monasteries, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the central Thessaly region.

Although I'd pored over pictures, the sheer beauty and surreality of the monasteries, built and renovated between the 14th and 16th centuries on top of incredible peaks, completely floored me.

We hiked some of the trails and visited a few of the monasteries — the steep stairs were completely worth it for the views. Plus, the autumnal colors of the time made the landscape even more dramatic.

More adventurous visitors can also explore the area by paragliding or rock climbing.

My next mission is to visit the monasteries during Easter and experience centuries-old traditions in this unforgettable setting.

Halkidiki's three peninsulas (also known as "fingers" or "legs") — Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos — host some of the country's best beaches.

A couple of my favorites are Karydi and Fava Beach, located in the village of Vourvourou on Sithonia, about two hours from Thessaloniki.

In the village, I recommend stopping at Anchor Foodbar for an excellent brunch — my university friends and I went almost every day during our trip last year. The Greek-style shakshuka and yogurt bowl with tahini and poached pear was next level.

About halfway between Athens and Thessaloniki lies Pelion, a peninsula that juts into the Aegean Sea and curves back toward the mainland.

The hills are thick with chestnut trees and myths, as Jason (of Jason and the Argonauts) was said to have been raised by the centaur Chiron on Mount Pelion.

My friends and I visited Milies, a quiet village on the peninsula with cobbled streets, old stone houses, and a historic steam train, Moutzouris.

Located about four and a half hours west of Thessaloniki is the region of Zagori. There, 46 picture-perfect villages known collectively as Zagorohoria are nestled among the Pindus Mountains.

Some of the highlights of our trip included seeing Vikos Gorge (one of the deepest in the world) and the crystal-clear Papingo Rock Pools, as well as searching for the highly Instagrammable stone bridges that dot the region.

Depending on the season, activities such as rafting, kayaking, river trekking, hiking, and even truffle hunting are also available.

Mentioning Athens isn't exactly original, but there's a reason it shows up in every travel guide. It's the capital, after all, and home to some of the most iconic historical landmarks, from the Parthenon to the Theatre of Dionysus.

Still, I'd been to Greece nearly 20 times before I finally made it to Athens, and when I did go, the city surprised me.

Yes, the ruins are incredible, but so is the energy — street art, rooftop bars, and a food scene that combines tradition and creativity.

My favorite neighborhoods are the offbeat Exarchia, the creative Kypseli, and the old-school Petralona.