35 Cities That Feel Like a Different Country Without Leaving the U.S.

5. Tarpon Springs, Florida – A Greek Island Getaway

Few people expect to find a Greek island experience in Florida, but in Tarpon Springs, Greek culture is alive and thriving, making it the most Greek city in the United States. Located along Florida’s Gulf Coast, this seaside town has deep roots in Greek history, cuisine, and traditions, thanks to waves of Greek immigrants—especially sponge divers—who settled here in the early 1900s. One of the town’s biggest draws is Dodecanese Boulevard, a waterfront district lined with Greek restaurants, bakeries, and sponge shops. As you stroll past whitewashed buildings and blue-painted awnings, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Mediterranean village on the Aegean Sea. Here, you can watch sponge divers at work, a tradition passed down for over a century, and visit the Sponge Docks, where boats still bring in fresh natural sea sponges harvested from the ocean floor. The food scene in Tarpon Springs is as authentic as it gets. You’ll find flaky baklava, rich moussaka, savory souvlaki, and freshly baked spanakopita at family-run tavernas. Be sure to try loukoumades—crispy, golden Greek doughnuts drenched in honey and cinnamon—a local favorite. Many restaurants also serve Greek-style seafood, featuring octopus, grilled fish, and shrimp prepared with lemon, olive oil, and herbs.