Great weather pretty much the year-round and a diverse landscape make a holiday in Greece perfect for the outdoor adventurer. Hiking, river-trekking, sea kayaking, canyoning, and rock climbing are among the adrenalin-pumping experiences this Balkan nation in southeastern Europe has to offer.
Here are the top five ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Greece.
1. Hiking in Greece
From Mt. Olympus to the islands dotting the Aegean and Ionic seas, hiking in Greece mixes stunning scenery with local culture and mythology. The country has over 40 mountain ranges with breathtaking scenery and coastal hikes offering panoramic views from island peaks.
With comparatively small distances, you can trek between regions with ease over trails combining breathtaking vistas with history and culture. And the mild Mediterranean climate means you can hike comfortably in every season. Even during the hot summertime temps, you can head to the higher altitudes of the mountains in the north.
It's not unusual to pass by ancient ruins, medieval castles, and Byzantine churches along the way. You'll also find great camping spots in Greece near the beaches and historic sites. The campsites have all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay.
In the Pindos Mountains, you'll find some of the country's most impressive hiking trails highlighting the Vikos Gorge and the ancient stone villages of Zagori once interconnected by mountain roads and arched stone bridges before modern roads came into being in the 1950s.
All of the Cyclades islands, including Tinos, Santorini, and Folegandros feature unforgettable hikes. This captivating island chain encircles uninhabited Delos, a treasure trove of archeological wonders.
2. Sailing and Island Hopping
With its persistent winds and sun-kissed islands, Greece is a postcard-perfect place for sailing and island hopping. You can charter a yacht for the day or book a full week for sailing between rocky coves and picturesque islands.
The verdant Ionian islands feature fascinating Venitian landmarks to explore, and short voyages between the islands make sailing here easy-going and safe.
For those looking for more wind, the Aegean is a sailing playground that allows you to travel further and hop more islands. Each island, bay, or port gives you a different image of Greece. And in the Cyclades, the Meltemi winds will fuel your sails to explore Milos, Naxos, Santorini, Folegandros, Serifos and Sifnos.
3. Sea Kayaking and Canoeing
Broad open waters with mainland mountain views and ancient sites near the shore can be experienced with ease in the Greek waters from May to October amid comfortable temperatures. Take a day excursion or make it a week or more to circumnavigate the islands or even paddle between them. The marine life is world-class, and you will likely spot sea turtles, dolphins, or perhaps a monk seal.
Spotting ancient landmarks like the Temple of Athina Lindos in Rhodes and the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion make the excursions especially unique.
Kayaking is a popular way to explore the coastline of Milos, a volcanic island in the Aegean sea north of Crete. The island is famous for its colorful volcanic terrain and famous places such as the pirate cove of Kleftiko, the lunar-like landscape of Sarakiniko, and the boathouses of Firopotamos and Syrmata.
4. River-Trekking
River Trekking in Greece involves hiking, climbing on wet surfaces, and swimming along the country's interior wild landscapes and rivers. It involves great physical skills, dealing with sudden changes in the weather, and the ability to find an escape route when faced with danger. For these reasons, excursions are organized by river trekking clubs between May and October when the weather is less of a threat. The clubs will provide you with the necessary equipment.
You can go river trekking in many of the mainland areas including Central Greece, Geropotamos Gorge in Central Macedonia, Neda River in Peloponnese, and in many areas of Crete.
5. Canyoning and Rock Climbing
Greece has over 150 majestic gorges to explore ranging from easy routes with a minimal amount of rappels to more challenging courses that require an experienced guide.
The gorges are the result of vast amounts of water released by melting ice that carved the limestone millions of years ago and created some of Europe's most epic scenery.
The large island of Evia has several gorges for canyoning. Mankia is a small yet beautiful gorge with excellent swimming and diving spots.
Leonidio, a valley in eastern Peloponnese has limestone crags with single and multi-pitch routes. Kalymnos Island in the Dodecanese is a landmark rock climbing destination for everyone from beginners to experts while Meteora in Central Greece is reserved as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for world-champion climbers.
