The “floating city” of Venice claims the position as one of the most beautiful towns in the world. With its stunning buildings and picturesque waterways, it’s no surprise that every year tourists flock to the Italian town in their millions.

But as Venice’s streets get busier, many tourists are looking for a quieter alternative with the same stunning views but without the crowds. This small town, situated on an island between two lagoons in western Greece, may just tick all the boxes. In fact, for many locals, this town is their own, smaller version of Venice.

The old part of the town of Aitoliko lies romantically on an island between two lagoons – the Aitoliko Lagoon extending up to Stamna to the north and the Missolonghi Lagoon (Lake Kynia in antiquity) to the south. The latter connects with the Gulf of Patras and eventually to the Ionian Sea.

The town itself has a traditional Greek charm, with narrow streets, whitewashed houses, and a picturesque harbour.

You can spend hours wandering around, welcomed by a warm local community. Then head to one of Aitoliko’s many tavernas or cafes, where you can enjoy traditional Greek cuisine while taking in the stunning waterfront view. Among its specialities is smoked or salted avgotaraho – Greek caviar – which is renowned around the world for its unique taste and quality. It comes from the eggs of a fish called kefalos (grey mullet), instead of sturgeon.

One of the most striking features of Aitoliko Island’s infrastructure is its extensive network of canals. The canals of Aitoliko Island are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve an important purpose – they help to control flooding during heavy rain and provide a habitat for a variety of fish and birds.

Another must-see is the “Bridge of Aktion,” also known as the “Queen’s Bridge.” This bridge connects the town to the mainland and offers scenic views of the lagoon and surrounding landscapes.

Aitoliko Island also boasts several historic buildings and landmarks. The island’s central square is home to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a beautiful 17th-century church with ornate frescoes and a bell tower that offers stunning views of the island. Other notable landmarks include the ruins of a Venetian castle.

The island has a population of approximately 1,200 people and its economy is based mainly on agriculture, fishing and tourism.

Protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and included in the Natura 2000 network, the Mesolongi-Aitoliko Lagoon National Park is rich in flora and fauna, with some 290 species of birds and over 100 species of fish.

To reach Aitoliko, fly from one of several UK airports, including Heathrow, to Athens and then take a bus or drive 2.5 hours to the town.