Cycling in Greece

The pearl of southern Europe

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Greece is southern Europe's pearl of cycling. The islands, the Peloponnese, but also the more rugged northern Greece. Be amazed by the beauty of this country, then settle down on a terrace and enjoy the local cuisine. The people are friendly and the roads are remarkably good!

The region

Greece is a fantastic cycling destination. The country is very varied, has some beautiful mountainous areas, where you can really indulge yourself, and in addition, it is unique considering the number of islands. Not all are perfect cycling destinations, but certainly the islands like Crete and Zakynthos can wear the stamp of 'cycling destination' with honour.

The country can be roughly divided into the mainland, with a division into northern Greece and southern Greece. The islands are almost all on the south-west side. Among others, you have the Ionian Islands (also called 'the seven islands'), the Cyclades, Dodecanese Islands and the North Aegean Islands.

Cycling in Greece is highly recommended, but there are some important tips and tricks to keep in mind. If you follow our tips, you are guaranteed to have a crazy holiday on your bike. Cycling country Greece should not be missing from your bucket list.

Highlights Cycling in Greece

One of the most popular cycling destinations in Greece is the Peloponnese. This peninsula, south-west of the capital Athens is a true cycling paradise. If you want to head in that direction, you should use Kalamata or Kardamili as a starting point for your cycling trips. Nearby, you will find the ascent of Mount Taygetus. You can conquer it from Kalamata, but you can also climb to 1,300 metres from Sparta. It is a long and beautiful climb with great views.

One of the reasons to go here is the low population density, but with it the high level of hospitality of the locals.

In addition, the region of northern Greece, the well-known 'Macedonia' is one that should definitely be on your bucket list. Just west of Thessaloniki, you will find the small town of Kastoria. From there, an almost unexplored cycling area lies at your feet. You ride straight to the tri-border point with northern Macedonia and Albania. The beautiful Lake Prespa lies at your feet here.

For a taste, watch this beautiful video we shot in spring in this region. Also a big tip is the climb to the secluded town of Nymfeio, where you should definitely stay overnight. The town has only a limited population and the many guesthouses are an absolute delight.

What to watch out for

When planning a cycling holiday in Greece, it is important to consider the time of year. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are generally considered the best times to visit, as the weather is mild then and the crowds smaller. In summer, it can certainly get very hot around Athens, on the peninsula and also on Crete, for instance.

It would be best to avoid the summer months of July and August. The roads also tend to be busier because of all the tourists. If you go in the shoulder season, you have the road all to yourself and temperatures drop to more pleasant levels.

Just a couple of thick disclaimers, though:

In winter, it can just snow. Especially in northern Greece, around Nymphio and also near Florina, you have several ski resorts. Crete also sometimes has snow, so in that respect it is well advised to check the weather on location
Traffic and roads: Greece is currently making the turn towards being more 'cycle-friendly'. In the north, you won't easily be knocked off your socks and on the Peloponnese too, but it does mean you have to be attentive in town on your return.

Roads can also deteriorate quickly in the city. In the countryside, you often have beautifully smooth asphalt, so no complaints there!

Recent Articles

Here you will find our latest articles on cycling and cycling routes in Greece. Tips, tricks and undiscovered areas.

7 Tips for Cycling in Autumn: The Best Cycling Holiday Destinations in October

In the footsteps of St Nicholas

Cycling in Kastoria - so much variety in one day

10 reasons to go cycling in Greece this autumn

Cycling in northern Greece: from Florina to Nimfeio

Cycling in Greece: on an adventure in Western Macedonia

How do I get there

Greece can be reached in several ways. Because of the distance, air travel will be very popular. But there are also other options:

Train: Granted it is not the most logical option, especially considering the distance of almost 3000km to Athens. But if you want to make an adventure of it, it is possible. Just remember that you can cross by boat from southern Italy.

Train: This is also a slightly more adventurous venture. Your best option is to travel to southern Italy, to the port of Brindisi or Bari and catch a boat from there. You can also find boat connections to mainland Greece from Venice and from Ancona. You then end up in Igoumenitsa for northern Greece and Patras for the Peloponnese.

Aeroplane: There are many direct flights to Athens, Thessaloniki, among others, as well as to popular holiday islands such as Crete, Kos and Zakynthos. In addition, Kalamata also has its own airport, served by state-owned Aegean Airlines. You will often have to change flights to get to a destination quickly. Be sure to check the well-known holiday providers for direct fills to Thessaloniki

Overnight

Greece is not densely populated with 'dedicated' cycling hotels. Still, we can recommend some places where you will be treated in a bike-friendly way anyway.

Peloponnese

Kalamata - Grand Hotel Kalamata

This fantastic five-star hotel is a 'home away from home'. Everything you need for a carefree stay in the region.

Kalamata - Pharae Place

This hotel is used by Greek Cycling for the first day on their coast-to-coast trip through the Peloponnese region. If they use it, it's good for you too.

Kalogria - Mythos Villas

The owner is a true cyclist and the Mythos Villas also definitely meet what you would want as a minimum for a nice stay.

Northern Greece

Kastoria - Orologopoulou Mansion

This is probably the best hotel in Kastoria. The owner is a very friendly man and one of the staff is an absolute cycling nut himself. He also recommended the route heading south-west. The rooms are spacious and you can easily park your bike. a perfect breakfast awaits you and if you want to eat something in the evening, the town is very close (as is the waterfront). It's a stylish hotel!

Florina - The Lynx Mountain Resort

If you want to spend the night in style after a beautiful, challenging ride in the northern mountains, think no further. The only downside might be the indoor casino, but the views, grandeur and facilities do more than enough to make you forget that.

Nymfeio - La Moara Guesthouse

Think a large garden, with a beautiful terrace. A traditional but stunning interior. A hotel boss who is really the boss, but who you can spend evenings at the table with. All this in a setting that could be straight out of a film classic. Why hesitate?

Routes

On our Komoot page, you will find a lot of great routes for cycling in Switzerland. Among others, from Crans-Montana and around the Alpes-Vaudoises, we have beautiful routes.