There may be some superior mountaineering in Greece, take a look at 15 of the perfect hikes in Greece. After all, this isn’t even the tip of the iceberg as there may be a lot to discover in Greece.
Greece is a rustic recognized for its turquoise waters, sandy seashores, and snow-white buildings set upon rocky cliffs. Nevertheless it would possibly shock you to know that this nation, because of a range of landscapes together with meadows, mountains, hillsides, and forests, has a protracted listing of mountaineering trails to fulfill even probably the most adventurous traveler.
Although you gained’t discover easy classics just like the Acropolis on this listing of the perfect hikes in Greece, we are able to promise that these we have now listed ought to be in your radar for those who’re planning to go to this lovely Mediterranean nation. Whether or not you’re a mountain climber or extra taken with shorelines, there’s one thing for everybody.
The place to Go Mountain climbing in Greece
Vikos Aoos Nationwide Park
To start out of this mountaineering in Greece publish I’ve to say Vikos Aoos Nationwide Park. Situated within the middle of mainland Greece, this area is commonly ignored with regards to surroundings, nevertheless it has simply as a lot to supply as the preferred sports activities within the nation. Vikos Aoos is the area’s resident nationwide park, inside which you’ll discover a lengthy listing of conventional stone villages and views that parallel even the islands.
There’s a mountain vary with peaks as much as 2000 ft, and views of close by drakolimni (“dragon lakes”), so named due to the folklore that they have been inhabited by dragons. The infighting between the dragons resulted within the existence of the close by mountain ranges.
Location
Zagori, Epirus, Midwestern Greece
Insider Tip
Attempt the Vikos Gorge – one of many deepest on the planet – for one thing just a little extra daring.
Kythira
That is a straightforward hike in Greece with unbelievable surroundings and a bonus historical past lesson, so it’s a win-win-win. The hike is positioned on the island of Kythira, and this route has a place to begin in Mylopotamos, a village simply inland from the island’s western coast.
This quick hike is lower than two hours and can take you thru the island’s historical watermills, alongside mystical waterfalls, and throughout a small river. Be sure you work in a go to to the Filippi watermill, which has been restored to perform.
Location
Kythira Island, south of the mainland
Insider Tip
The tip of the path has lovely plunge swimming pools excellent for a year-round dip.
Mount Olympus
It wouldn’t be a listing of finest hikes in Greece with out mentioning the best-known peak in all the Mediterranean area. Mount Olympus is the best peak within the nation (therefore its legendary standing as the house of the gods), so if views are your precedence, you gained’t be disillusioned.
Olympus is a nationwide park, so there are literally quite a few mountain peaks (52, to be precise) and over 160 kilometers of trails suited to quite a lot of talent ranges. Your complete space is a haven for wild natural world. Mixed with the vistas, that is mainly heaven on earth.
Location
On the border between Thessaly and Macedonia.
Insider Tip
Mount Olympus itself (the principle mountain) ought to solely be undertaken by knowledgeable hikers.
Sifnos Path
Beginning in Apollonia Village, the Sifnos path is positioned on Sifnos Island. This hike is reasonable in issue, however at seven hours, it’s manageable. We’d advocate not less than an intermediate talent degree for this route, however you don’t must be an knowledgeable.
The path goes via steeper areas (stairs are carved into these spots for simpler navigation), however alongside the best way, you’ll go protected pure reserves within the hillsides, lovely flora, and a number of the finest views of the Aegean Sea. There’s additionally a gorgeous historical monastery for added sightseeing alongside the best way.
Location:
Sifnos Island
Insider Tip:
Don’t miss the folklore museum in the principle village.
The Menalon Path
Should you’re searching for some epic mountaineering in Greece this one is for you. This hike is a protracted one. At 75km lengthy, the Menalon Path runs via the mountains of Gortynia in central Peloponnese. So far as surroundings, you’re handled to just a little little bit of the whole lot on this hike – from mountains and dry canyons to lush valleys.
The route is split into eight components, all ranging in issue, to make sure that a number of the routes are accessible to even novices however not too boring for extra seasoned hikers. Regardless of the place you stroll alongside this route, you’ll go via lovely landscapes and picturesque historical villages.
Location:
Arcadia, Peloponnese
Insider Tip:
The eight sections have choices for shorter hikes in case you like one thing that gained’t take up your entire day.
Parnitha Mountain
When considering of mountaineering, Athens isn’t often a spot that involves thoughts. However Parnitha Mountain, positioned simply outdoors town, is a straightforward addition to the listing of finest hikes in Greece. There are a number of routes up the mountain, with various issue ranges regardless of every one being uphill to totally different summits.
Whatever the route, the climb to the peaks is about three hours up and round one and a half hours again down, so it will take round half your day. On the prime, attempt rakomelo—a drink comprised of alcohol and honey. There are additionally meal choices for those who’re hungry.
Location
A half-hour drive from the middle of Athens
Insider Tip
Heads up—be ready for no cellular phone service on the mountain.
Corfu Path
At 220 kilometers in size, the Corfu Path on the island of Corfu is certainly one of many longer ones on this listing. Except you propose to deliver loads of tenting gear, most individuals have a tendency to decide on a piece and deal with it as a day hike.
The path leads away from the busier vacationer areas of the island into extra unspoiled pure areas. There’s a large number of pure environment right here, like seashores and dunes, olive groves, and plateaus and gorges within the north.
Location
Corfu Island
Insider Tip
The route for the annual marathon follows the Corfu path in a number of locations, however is in any other case a very totally different route. Be sure you observe the right signage!
Pelion (Outdated Mule Trails)
That is one other hike that welcomes all ranges, and it’s fairly fascinating as well. The Pelion Peninsula is positioned midway between Athens and Thessaloniki. It’s a lush area the place the previous mule paths that used to hyperlink villages could be discovered. Right this moment, these historical paths function historic mountaineering paths for vacationers.
As a result of these trails linked settlements, you can begin from many alternative cities within the area, every extra lovely than the final because of wealthy biodiversity that has resulted in a substantial number of greenery. It is a a lot quieter various to the Greek islands.
Location
Mideastern coast of mainland Greece
Insider Tip
Look out for tiny fishing villages and secret seashores for an island-like expertise.
Vikos Gorge
We briefly talked about this insane gorge on the prime of the listing, because it’s positioned in Vikos Aoos Nationwide Park. The Guinness E book of World Data lists this gorge because the deepest on the planet relative to its width. It lies on the slopes of Mount Tymfi and is half a kilometer at its deepest level.
The hike is round 12km lengthy, and the world is well-known for stone bridges and previous monasteries. Between that and the views, you’re in for a deal with on this hike. A few of the pathways are slender ledges on the edges of the gorge, so remember that the hazard degree is a bit larger right here.
Location:
Zagori, Epirus, Midwestern Greece
Insider Tip
The perfect path to descend into the gorge is thru the village of Monodendri.
The Battery Path, Kefalonia
A few of the finest mountaineering in Greece could be discovered right here. Reasonable in size (3.5 hours) and well-suited to rookies, this can be a good center floor hike. The place to begin is positioned in Fiskardo, a highly regarded seaside city. It’s extra of a stroll than a hike. You’ll wander alongside historical cobblestone pathways and historical (empty) settlements earlier than reaching an deserted German navy base from World Struggle II.
When you attain the strawberry groves (doesn’t that sound fairly magical?), you’ll attain the pathways main right down to lovely white-sand seashores, the place you possibly can chill out for the remainder of your day. That is excellent year-round, even in the summertime, because of shade from foliage.
Location
Fiskardo, Kefalonia
Insider Tip
Add Kimilia Seaside to your listing, too—it’s received lovely clear waters excellent for a swim.
Neda Waterfalls
If river trekking sounds cool to you, then make an observation of this one. Neda is a river that passes via the Peloponnese area, in an space extraordinarily well-known for its lovely waterfalls. Regardless of the pure great thing about its environment, this hike stays largely unknown and continues to be thought of a bit off the crushed observe. Should you’re eager to keep away from large crowds (fortunately with mountaineering, usually, that is fairly straightforward), then this may very well be a superb possibility for you for those who don’t thoughts getting your ft moist.
Search for the kiosk promoting ice cream and the little signal stating ‘waterfalls this fashion,’ and also you’ll be in your method. It’s laborious to seek out at first, however when you’re on the path, all you should do is observe the river. The swimming pools on the finish are a gorgeous oasis for a swim.
Location
Peloponnese
Insider Tip
It is a very untouched spot, with little to no paved areas or handrails, so put on applicable footwear.
Samaria Gorge
Crete is understood for its gorges, with Samaria Gorge being maybe its best-known one. A technique, this hike takes 4 to 6 hours, relying in your start line, so it’s to not be undertaken calmly. The path is round 16 kilometers lengthy, following the river and passing via Byzantine ruins. There are various (shorter) routes for those who’re not eager on the entire thing.
On the finish of the trail is Agia Roumeli seashore, a gorgeous rocky seashore excellent for a swim; you probably have time, that’s, as a result of that is the place a ship will wait to take you again for those who’re not going again the best way you got here.
Location
Crete, southern Greece
Insider Tip
Put on correct footwear, since components of this hike proper alongside the river could have you strolling on rickety wood paneling.
The Moist Stone Quarry Path
That is a straightforward hike, nevertheless it nonetheless takes three hours and is seven kilometers lengthy. It begins within the village of Taxiarches on the island of Lesbos, an space marked by large deserted marble quarries. Situated on the base of Falakro Mountain, a river fashioned when (way back) stone staff hit an underground creek as a substitute of a marble vein; water quickly crammed the chasm, leading to right now’s lake.
The stroll via the encircling oak forest is rife with these historical quarries. It’s fascinating to stroll the footsteps of the long-gone marble staff in fashionable occasions.
Location
Taxiarches-Drama
Insider Tip
The beginning and endpoint of the hike are in entrance of the Jennifer Residence Resort.
Meteora Monasteries
Situated round a four-hour automobile journey from Athens, the Meteora Monasteries have been a collection of 24 monasteries, with six nonetheless in operation right now. They sit atop unbelievable rock formations that developed from a collection of historical earthquakes, close to the city of Kalampaka. You may trek the areas within the area, together with heading as much as some monasteries. They sit very excessive, so be ready for an upward climb and convey good footwear.
Native corporations within the space provide guided excursions for those who desire an area to take you round, however you’re additionally free to do your individual factor.
Location
Kalampaka
Insider Tip
The monastery has a costume code – a protracted skirt (no pants) and a scarf round their shoulders for girls, and lengthy pants for males.
Halkidiki
Situated round one hour from Thessaloniki, Halkidiki is a peninsula in Macedonia. There’s all kinds of landscapes right here – olive groves, wetlands, wooded areas, and seashores. Between the villages, there are sometimes tough trails to simply journey between cities to make sure you see probably the most doable spots within the area.
There are a ton of protected pure areas (12, to be precise) on this area, so that you’ll be wandering via a number of the most unspoiled pure territories within the nation.
Should you really feel snug biking, this can be a nice space to take action, as there are a lot of flatter areas alongside the coast.
Location
Macedonia
Insider Tip
You gained’t be removed from Mount Athos, however don’t attempt climbing it—it’s a holy place off-limits to ladies and youngsters.
Plan For a Mountain climbing Journey in Greece
How A lot Does a Journey to Greece Value?
So how a lot spending cash per day ought to you’ve gotten in Greece? Asides the pre-trip bills like airfare, baggage, and any Greece packing listing gadgets you’ll wish to purchase I consider you may get by in Greece for underneath
That’s for those who’re staying in low-cost lodging, not consuming a lot alcohol, cooking your meals and consuming paninis, and never partaking in expensive actions. If you wish to journey on a extra modest and cozy finances I might plan on spending €100 per day. If you wish to be taught extra take a look at our publish on what a visit to Greece prices.
Whole Two Week Journey to Greece Value (pp)
Price range | Value |
Backpacker | €500 – €750 |
Primary | €800 – 1,400 |
Mid Vary | €1,400 – 2,000 |
Excessive Finish | €2,000 – €4,000+ |
Flight to Greece
Like with most journey, your flight to Greece shall be your primary expense. It’s finest to ebook prematurely if you understand your journey dates. You probably have flexibility along with your schedule you stand a better likelihood at scoring a deal. We like to make use of Google Flights and Skyscanner’s open search function to seek out good offers to Greece. This could drastically decide what a visit to Greece prices.
The summer season can actually harm with regards to flight costs to Greece. It’s fairly widespread even with advance reserving to spend $1,500 USD per ticket from the states. Whereas in Europe flight costs could be discovered for a discount of lower than €100 repeatedly.
Baggage for Greece
You’ll have to determine if you’d like a backpack or suitcase to your Eire journey. I personally prefer to journey with a tough shell suitcase for my garments, and use a keep on backpack for my necessary electronics. See a number of of our posts right here for suggestions:
Journey Insurance coverage for Greece
Healthcare is pricey when overseas, so ensure you have journey insurance coverage in case something goes fallacious. We don’t journey with out journey insurance coverage and neither do you have to.
You by no means know what can occur abroad and it’s finest to be ready. World Nomads gives good quick time period protection. Whereas SafetyWing is ideal for digital nomads. See our full evaluate right here!
Featured Journey Card
The Chase Sapphire Most popular has a beneficiant signup bonus of 60,000 factors that has loads of flexibility in redemption choices. Chase Rewards are a few of our favourite factors to earn as they’re excessive worth and could be redeemed in a large number of how. We love the Chase Sapphire Most popular because it was one of many first journey rewards we obtained and it’s well-loved by loads of others. The superior enroll provide of 60,000 Final Rewards factors which could be redeemed for $750 of free flight if booked via the Chase journey portal.
The opposite possibility is to switch the factors to a big collection of airways equivalent to United, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Southwest, or Korean Airways. This is without doubt one of the finest all-around bank cards for journey! After all, everybody wants one thing totally different so take a look at our publish on the finest journey bank cards right here or you possibly can be taught extra in regards to the Chase Sapphire Most popular on Card Rankings!
Plan and Pack for Greece
Waterproof Speaker
This all is dependent upon the place you’re heading to the seashore, however a conveyable Bluetooth speaker is nice to have once you’re in a bunch. We journey with a small BOOM speaker and take it with us when it feels applicable. We are saying this as a result of it’s usually finest to go away it at residence on small secluded seashores so to not annoy anybody else along with your music — nobody’s that good of a DJ.
Rainbow Sandals
Need to slot in in Greece? Get your self some Rainbow model sandals, severely everybody round you may be carrying them – and for motive. They’re uber snug when you break them in and final eternally!
Sunscreen
Pores and skin most cancers is for actual! Don’t overlook your SPF when touring round Greece. We advocate ordering some on-line earlier than leaving the home as you have to it beneath the solar in the summertime.
Sun shades
Be sure that to guard your eyes from the solar. There are loads of choices for sun shades and everybody ought to personal not less than a pair. It’s finest to ensure they do have UV safety for the well being of your eyes.
Journey Towel
Most lodges will give you a towel, however they usually aren’t appropriate or allowed on the seashores. I prefer to journey with a microfiber towel as a result of they’re gentle and fold up small, and so they additionally don’t cling on to sand our filth. Listed below are a number of of our favourite journey towels.