# Road trips in Greece > 11 road trips and 46 hand-picked places in Greece, with routes, stops and practical tips for driving and camping. Source: https://camping-spirit.com/roadtrips/greece/ 11 road trips and 46 hand-picked places in Greece, with routes, stops and practical tips for driving and camping. ## Road trips through Greece - [Peloponnese: Corinth to Olympia](https://camping-spirit.com/guides/peloponnese/): The Corinth Canal, Venetian Nafplio, the rock town of Monemvasia, the tower houses of Mani and Ancient Olympia. - [Zagori: stone villages and the Vikos Gorge](https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b7-zagori/): From Igoumenitsa to Ioannina and into the Zagori, a region of stone bridges, slate-roofed villages and one of the deepest gorges in the world. - [Mount Olympus and the Vale of Tempe](https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b7-olympus/): From Thessaloniki to the sacred city of Dion, up the mountain of the gods to Prionia, then past Platamonas castle to the Vale of Tempe. - [Halkidiki: Kassandra, Sithonia and the Athos coast](https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b7-halkidiki/): Three fingers of pine forest and clear water, from the cliff village of Afytos round Sithonia to the tower of Ouranoupoli. - [Crete: Chania to Knossos](https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b7-crete-west/): Overnight ferry from Piraeus to Chania, the lagoons of Balos and Elafonisi, the Samaria Gorge, Venetian Rethymno and the Minoan palace of Knossos. - [Sounion and the Argolid: Corinth, Mycenae and Epidaurus](https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b16-argolid/): From Athens to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, then across the isthmus to Ancient Corinth, Mycenae, the theatre of Epidaurus and Nafplio. - [Messinia: Ancient Messene, Navarino Bay and the Venetian castles](https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b16-messinia/): The south-west Peloponnese from Kalamata to Ancient Messene, Voidokilia beach, Pylos and the sea castles of Methoni and Koroni. - [Greek Macedonia: Vergina, Edessa and the Prespa lakes](https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b16-macedonia-prespa/): West from Thessaloniki to the royal tombs of Vergina and Pella, the waterfalls of Edessa, the hot springs of Pozar and the lakes of Prespa and Kastoria. - [Pelion: mountain villages between two seas](https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b16-pelion/): From Volos up to the stone village of Makrinitsa, over to the Aegean coast at Tsagarada and Mylopotamos, and back on the little Pelion railway. - [Eastern Crete: Lasithi, Spinalonga and the palm beach of Vai](https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b16-crete-east/): From Heraklion up to the Lasithi Plateau and the cave of Zeus, then along the coast to Agios Nikolaos, Spinalonga, Toplou Monastery and Vai. - [Epirus coast and Lefkada: Parga, the Acheron and Porto Katsiki](https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b16-epirus-lefkada/): South from Igoumenitsa to Parga, the springs of the Acheron, the oracle of the dead and Roman Nikopolis, then across to the white cliffs of Lefkada. ## Places worth the detour in Greece - [Metéora](https://camping-spirit.com/places/meteora/): Monasteries perched on top of sandstone pillars. Opening days vary by monastery; dress modestly. - [Ancient Olympia](https://camping-spirit.com/places/ancient-olympia/): The sanctuary of Zeus and the stadium of the first Olympic Games, under pine trees. - [Stone Bridges of Kipi](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-kipi-bridges/): Arched stone bridges from the 18th and 19th centuries over the gorges around Kipi, including the three-arched Plakidas bridge. Most are a short walk from the road. - [Oxia Viewpoint](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-vikos-oxia/): A rocky balcony at the end of the road above Monodendri, looking straight down into the Vikos Gorge. Go in the morning for the best light. - [Dion Archaeological Park](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-dion/): The sacred city of the Macedonians at the foot of Olympus, with sanctuaries half-flooded by springs and fine mosaics. The museum in the village holds the best finds. - [Prionia](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-prionia/): The end of the road into Mount Olympus at about 1,100 m, where the main trail to the summit begins. A short walk leads to a waterfall; the drive from Litochoro is 18 km of bends. - [Karydi Beach](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-karydi-beach/): A small beach of white sand between smooth rocks and pines, with shallow water ideal for children. Arrive early in high summer, as parking is limited. - [Balos Lagoon](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-balos-lagoon/): A turquoise lagoon of white and pink sand at the tip of the Gramvousa peninsula. The last 8 km are a rough dirt track and a steep path down; boats run from Kissamos. - [Elafonisi](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-elafonisi/): Shallow turquoise water and pinkish sand around a small island you can wade to. It is a protected area, so keep to marked zones and leave the shells. - [Samaria Gorge](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-samaria-gorge/): A 16 km descent from the Omalos plateau to the Libyan Sea, through the famous Iron Gates. Open roughly May to October; the return is by ferry to Sfakia and bus. - [Arkadi Monastery](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-arkadi-monastery/): A fortified monastery with a Venetian Baroque façade, a symbol of Cretan resistance since its defenders blew up the powder store in 1866. - [Knossos](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-knossos/): The largest Minoan palace, partly reconstructed with red columns and copies of its frescoes. Come at opening time and see the originals in the Heraklion museum. - [Temple of Poseidon, Sounion](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-sounion/): A 5th-century BC marble temple on the cliff at the southern tip of Attica, about 70 km from central Athens along the coast road. Sunset is popular but crowded; arrive early to find parking. - [Mycenae](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-mycenae/): The citadel of the Bronze Age kings of Mycenae, entered through the Lion Gate, with the vaulted Treasury of Atreus just down the road. A UNESCO site; bring water and arrive early. - [Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-epidaurus-theatre/): A 4th-century BC theatre famous for its acoustics, part of the sanctuary of Asclepius. Summer festival performances take place here on some evenings; it is about 30 km east of Nafplio. - [Voidokilia Beach](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-voidokilia/): An omega-shaped beach between dunes and rock at the northern end of Navarino Bay, next to the Gialova lagoon. A path climbs to Paleokastro and Nestor’s Cave; parking is on the dirt lot behind the dunes. - [Royal Tombs of Aigai (Vergina)](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-vergina/): A museum built inside the great tumulus of Vergina, showing the royal Macedonian tombs including that of Philip II. A UNESCO site; the palace and theatre are a short drive up the hill. - [Spinalonga](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-spinalonga/): A Venetian island fortress that served as a leper colony until 1957. Boats run from Plaka, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos; allow an hour or two on the island. - [Porto Katsiki](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-porto-katsiki/): A beach beneath white cliffs on the south-west coast of Lefkada, with turquoise water. Steps lead down from the car park at the road end; arrive early in summer. - [Delphi](https://camping-spirit.com/places/delphi/): The sanctuary of Apollo on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, above an olive-filled valley. - [Corinth Canal](https://camping-spirit.com/places/corinth-canal/): A narrow cut through solid rock between two seas. Stand on the bridge and look 80 m down. - [Papingo Rock Pools](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-papingo-pools/): Natural pools carved by a stream in smooth limestone, a short walk from the road between the two Papingo villages. Cold even in August. - [Konitsa Bridge](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-konitsa-bridge/): A tall single-arch stone bridge over the Aoos at the mouth of its gorge. A riverside path leads on into the gorge to the monastery of Stomio. - [Platamonas Castle](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-platamonas-castle/): A Crusader castle on a hill between Olympus and the sea, with walls and a keep in good repair. It is visible from the motorway and easy to reach. - [Vale of Tempe](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-tempe-valley/): A narrow gorge of the Pineios river between Olympus and Ossa. A suspension footbridge crosses to the cave chapel of Agia Paraskevi and its spring. - [Porto Koufo](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-porto-koufo/): The largest natural harbour in Greece, an almost enclosed bay between steep hills at the tip of Sithonia. Good for a swim and a fish lunch. - [Ouranoupoli Tower](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-ouranoupoli-tower/): A Byzantine tower on the harbour of the last village before Mount Athos. Boat cruises from here sail along the monasteries, which women may only see from the sea. - [Ancient Corinth](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-ancient-corinth/): The ruins of the Roman city with the archaic Temple of Apollo, below the fortress hill of Acrocorinth. A road climbs to Acrocorinth for a walk around its gates and walls. - [Palamidi Fortress](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-palamidi/): A Venetian fortress from the early 18th century above Nafplio, reached by a long stairway or a road to the car park at the top. The views over the Argolic Gulf are best in the late afternoon. - [Ancient Messene](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-ancient-messene/): One of the largest and best-preserved ancient cities in Greece, with a stadium, theatre and long city walls. It sits in a green valley below Mount Ithomi, about 30 km north-west of Kalamata. - [Polylimnio Waterfalls](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-polylimnio/): A chain of waterfalls and green pools in a gorge in the Messinian hills, linked by a path with steps. Park at the free lot by the trailhead; swimming is allowed in some pools; wear shoes with grip. - [Palace of Nestor](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-nestor-palace/): The remains of a Mycenaean palace under a protective roof, with walkways above the throne room and a well-preserved bathtub. It lies on a hill above Navarino Bay. - [Methoni Castle](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-methoni-castle/): A Venetian fortress on a promontory with the octagonal Bourtzi tower on a rock at its tip, joined by a stone causeway. Parking is by the beach below the gate. - [Pella](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-pella/): The capital of ancient Macedon and birthplace of Alexander the Great, with pebble mosaics in houses and a modern museum. It is on the main road west of Thessaloniki. - [Edessa Waterfalls](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-edessa-waterfalls/): A group of waterfalls dropping from the edge of the town, the largest being Karanos at about 70 metres. Walkways lead behind the falls and into a small cave; parking in town. - [Pozar Thermal Baths](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-pozar-baths/): Warm thermal pools and a steaming river at the foot of Mount Kaimaktsalan, open year-round. Go outside the weekends if you can; parking at the entrance. - [Agios Achilleios](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-agios-achilleios/): A small island in Lake Small Prespa reached on foot by a long floating footbridge, with the ruined 10th-century basilica of St Achilleios. The Prespa area is a nature reserve rich in birdlife. - [Mylopotamos Beach](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-mylopotamos/): A white pebble beach on Pelion’s Aegean coast, split into two coves by rocks with a passage through them. The access road ends at a small car park; steps lead down to the water. - [Pelion Railway](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-pelion-railway/): A narrow-gauge railway line from Ano Lechonia to Milies, crossing the De Chirico bridge. A heritage train runs on set days; the station at Milies is a short walk from the village square. - [Dikteon Cave](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-dikteon-cave/): The cave on the Lasithi Plateau where Zeus was said to have been born, with stairs down to stalagmites and a small pool. A 15-minute uphill path from the car park. ## FAQs **What are the best road trips in Greece?** Popular routes include Peloponnese: Corinth to Olympia, Zagori: stone villages and the Vikos Gorge, Mount Olympus and the Vale of Tempe and Halkidiki: Kassandra, Sithonia and the Athos coast. CampingSpirit has 11 trip guides that pass through Greece, each with a stop-by-stop itinerary and a route map. **Which places in Greece are worth a detour?** Our editors recommend Metéora, Ancient Olympia, Stone Bridges of Kipi, Oxia Viewpoint, Dion Archaeological Park and Prionia. **Do you need a vignette or pay tolls in Greece?** Motorway tolls. Rules and prices change. Check official sources before you travel. **What is the motorway speed limit in Greece?** 130 km/h on motorways for cars, unless signs show otherwise. **Are there low-emission zones in Greece?** Few or none.