Greece - Cycling Destination

Greece is the jewel of Southern Europe in terms of cycling. The islands, the Peloponnese, but also the more rugged North of Greece. Let yourself be amazed by the beauty of this country, before relaxing on a terrace and enjoying the local cuisine. The people are friendly and the roads are remarkably well maintained.

The region

Greece is a fantastic cycling destination. The country is very diverse, has some beautiful mountain regions where you can really get outdoors, and is unique because of the large number of islands. Not all of them are perfect cycling destinations, but islands like Crete and Zakynthos deserve the title of ‘cycling destination’ with pride.

The country can roughly be divided into the mainland, with Northern and Southern Greece, and the islands. You have, among other things, the Ionian Islands (also called the ‘seven islands’), the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, and the North-Egean Islands.

Cycling in Greece is highly recommended, but there are a few tips you should keep in mind. If you follow them, you are guaranteed to have a great cycling holiday. Greece should definitely be on your bucket list.

Highlights

One of the most popular cycling destinations in Greece is the Peloponnese. This peninsula southwest of Athens is a true cycling paradise. Kalamata or Kardamili are the best starting points. Nearby is the climb over the Taygetos: you can drive there from Kalamata, but you can also climb up to around 1,300 meters from Sparta. A long, beautiful climb with beautiful views.

One of the main reasons to come here is the low population density, and with that the great hospitality of the local people.

In addition, it is necessary to Northern Greece, Greece, Macedonia, on your bucket list. West of Thessaloniki lies the town of Kastoria, and from there you have an almost undiscovered cycling area at your feet. You can drive there in just a few hours to the tripoint with North Macedonia and Albania, by the beautiful Prespa Lake. A big tip is the climb to the mountain village of Nymfaio, where you should definitely spend the night: the village has only a handful of inhabitants and the guest houses are a delight.

And then there is of course Cretemountains reaching over 2,000 meters, canyons and coastal paths, and a season that already starts in March.

When are you leaving?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best periods: the weather is mild and there is less traffic. In the summer, it can get very hot around Athens, the Peloponnese, and Crete. So, avoid July and August, when the roads are also busier due to all the tourists. In the pre- and post-season, you have the road to yourself and the temperatures are more pleasant.

What should you pay attention to?

Snow in the winter. There are ski resorts in Northern Greece, around Nymfaio and Florina. There is also snow in Crete from time to time, so check the weather on the spot.
Traffic. Greece is making the switch to more cyclist-friendly policies. In the north and on the Peloponnese, you won’t be driven off your feet quickly, but you do need to be alert in and around the cities.
Roads. In cities, the road surface can quickly deteriorate. In the countryside, you often drive over beautifully smooth asphalt.
Animals. You have to work hard to find a bear, but they do live in the mountains in the north. You’ll encounter stray dogs more often.

How do you get there?

Due to the distance, the plane is the most popular option, but there are alternatives:

Aircraft. There are many direct flights to, among others, Athens and Thessaloniki, and to holiday islands like Crete, Kos and Zakynthos. Kalamata has its own airport. Sometimes you have to change; also check the holiday flights to Thessaloniki.
Train and boat. An adventure, with almost 3,000 kilometers to Athens. Travel to Southern Italy, to the port of Brindisi or Bari, and take the boat there. Boats also depart from Venice and Ancona to the Greek mainland. You will then arrive in Igoumenitsa (for Northern Greece) or Patras (for the Peloponnese).
Car. Drive to one of the Italian ports and take the ferry; that way you have your own bike and luggage at hand.

Also read our tips for Flying with your bike.

This is how we calculate: We calculate distances and travel times starting from Utrecht. Our flights always depart from Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport or Eindhoven Airport. Want to know how to travel from your place of residence the best way? Let us know, We are happy to help you. After all, we built this site together.

Overnight stay

Greece is not densely packed with real bike hotels. Still, we can recommend a few places where you will be well received as a cyclist.

Peloponnesus

Grand Hotel Kalamata (Kalamata). A five-star hotel that feels like home: everything you need for a worry-free stay in the region.
Pharae Palace (Kalamata). Greek Cycling uses this hotel for the first day of their coast-to-coast journey across the Peloponnese. If they use it, it’s also good for you.
Mythos Villas (Kalogria). The owner is a true cyclist himself, and the villas have everything you would expect from a nice stay.

Northern Greece

Orologopoulou Mansion (Kastoria). Perhaps the best hotel in Kastoria. The owner is very friendly and one of the staff is a true cycling enthusiast who also suggested the route towards the southwest for us. Spacious rooms, a place for your bike, a perfect breakfast, and the town and waterfront are just around the corner.
The Lynx Mountain Resort (Florina). If you want to spend the night in style after a challenging ride through the mountains of the north, then look no further. The only downside is the casino in the hotel, but the view, grandeur, and facilities make up for it.
La Moara Guesthouse (Nymfaio). A large garden with a beautiful terrace, a traditional and stunning interior, and a host who makes you feel like you could be sitting at a table in a classic movie. All of this in a setting that could be straight out of a classic movie.