Outdoor & Adventure
Hiking, diving, kayaking and mountain days
Greece has more mountain than coastline, and the outdoor side of the country is badly underrated. Spring and autumn are the right seasons for anything on foot; summer belongs to the water.
What to look for
Gorge and trail hiking
Samaria and Imbros in Crete, Vikos in Zagori and the old stone paths of the Cyclades and the Mani.
Sea kayaking and SUP
Half-day paddles along coastlines you cannot reach on foot, common in Crete, Milos, Kefalonia and the Peloponnese.
Diving and snorkelling
Clear water, caves and a growing number of accessible underwater archaeological sites.
Cycling and mountain days
Road cycling in the Peloponnese, and 4x4 or e-bike routes across the larger islands.
Where it works best
Crete
The best hiking in Greece, from Samaria to the White Mountains, plus excellent diving.
Zagori & Epirus
Stone bridges, the Vikos gorge and rafting on the Voidomatis river.
Kefalonia
Mount Ainos, coastal kayaking and caves at Melissani and Drogarati.
The Peloponnese
Mani trails, Nemouta waterfalls and long, quiet cycling roads.
Good to know
- Hike between April and early June or in late September and October; midsummer is genuinely dangerous on exposed trails.
- Start at dawn, carry more water than feels necessary and tell someone your route.
- Trail markings vary a lot. On longer routes, go with a local guide or download an offline map.
- Sea conditions change quickly with the meltemi wind — always check with the operator on the morning itself.
Related guides
Free Camping in Greece. Is it allowed?
Greece is famous for its summer and many will choose free-camping to spend their holidays — but what does the law actually say?
Kefalonia beaches | Myrtos beach
Myrtos Beach — the place where I learned how many nuances of blue Greece has.
Crete, more than an island
Crete is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea — a rare potpourri of nature, myth, history and modern sophistication.
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