Top 10 Scenic Drives in Greece
Greece, a land of myth and legend offers some of the most breathtaking drives in Europe. From winding coastal roads to mountain passes through olive groves, exploring Greece by car is an adventure like no other.
Here at HellasCar, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 scenic drives that will make your Greek road trip unforgettable. We’ll start with the shorter, more focused routes and build up to the most comprehensive and awe-inspiring journeys.
10. The Apollo Coast: Athens Riviera to Cape Sounion
- Route: Athens – Glyfada – Vouliagmeni – Lagonisi – Cape Sounion
- Distance: Approximately 70 km
- Duration: 1 day
For those short on time but still wanting to experience a scenic Greek drive, the route from Athens to Cape Sounion along the Apollo Coast is perfect. This coastal road offers beautiful sea views and passes through some of Athens’ most upscale suburbs.
Leave the bustling city centre of Athens behind as you head south along the coast. The road hugs the shoreline, offering constant views of the Saronic Gulf. Stop at Glyfada, often called the “Hellenic Hamptons,” for some high-end shopping or a coffee by the marina.
Continue to Vouliagmeni, home to an unusual lake fed by underground thermal springs. It’s a great spot for a swim or a relaxing break.
As you drive further south, the landscape becomes more rugged and less developed. The winding coastal road offers numerous spots to pull over and admire the view or take a dip in the crystal-clear waters.
Your journey ends at Cape Sounion, home to the Temple of Poseidon. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea, this 5th-century BC temple is one of the most dramatically situated ancient sites in Greece.
Highlight: Time your drive to reach Cape Sounion for sunset. The view of the sun setting behind the Temple of Poseidon is unforgettable.
9. The Nestos Gorge Route: Thrace’s Hidden Natural Wonder
- Route: Xanthi – Stavroupoli – Galani – Porto Lagos
- Distance: Approximately 150 km
- Duration: 2 days
This route in northeastern Greece takes you through the stunning Nestos Gorge and ends at the tranquil Vistonida Lake.
Start in the beautiful old town of Xanthi, known for its Ottoman architecture. Drive north into the Rhodope Mountains, following the Nestos River. The road through the gorge offers breathtaking views of the river winding through steep forested slopes.
Stop at the village of Galani for panoramic views of the gorge before descending back towards the coast. Your journey ends at Porto Lagos, a small fishing village on the shore of Lake Vistonida, an important wetland and bird habitat.
Highlight: The view of the Nestos River from the winding mountain road is stunning, especially in autumn when the forest is ablaze with colour.
8. The Arcadian Escape: Heart of the Peloponnese
- Route: Tripoli – Vytina – Dimitsana – Stemnitsa – Karytaina
- Distance: Approximately 120 km
- Duration: 2-3 days
This route takes you through the heart of the Peloponnese, exploring the mountainous region of Arcadia, known for its natural beauty and traditional villages.
Begin in Tripoli, the capital of the Arcadia region. Drive northwest to the mountain village of Vytina, famous for its production of honey and its beautiful stone houses.
Continue to Dimitsana, perched dramatically on a hillside overlooking the Lousios Gorge. The drive from Dimitsana to Stemnitsa is particularly scenic, with the road winding through chestnut and fir forests.
End your journey in Karytaina, a village dominated by an impressive Frankish castle. The view of the surrounding valley from the castle is breathtaking.
Highlight: The drive along the Lousios Gorge, with its hidden monasteries and rushing river, is unforgettable.
7. The Halkidiki Peninsula: Azure Waters and Green Forests
- Route: Thessaloniki – Kassandra – Sithonia – Ouranoupolis
- Distance: Approximately 300 km
- Duration: 3-4 days
Often overlooked by international tourists, Halkidiki is a hidden gem in northern Greece. This three-pronged peninsula offers a perfect combination of pristine beaches, lush forests, and traditional villages.
Begin your journey in Thessaloniki, Greece’s vibrant second city. As you drive southeast, the bustling urban landscape gives way to pine forests and crystal-clear waters. The first “leg” of Halkidiki, Kassandra, is known for its lively resorts and golden beaches.
Continue to Sithonia, the middle peninsula, where the pace slows down and nature takes centre stage. The road hugs the coastline, revealing secluded coves and small fishing villages. Take time to explore the charming town of Neos Marmaras or relax on the stunning Kavourotripes beach.
Your drive concludes in Ouranoupolis, the gateway to Mount Athos, an autonomous monastic state and UNESCO World Heritage site. While access to Mount Athos is restricted, you can take a cruise along its coast to admire the mediaeval monasteries from afar.
Highlight: The sunset view from the western coast of Sithonia, overlooking Mount Athos in the distance, is truly magical.
6. The Ionian Island Hop: Exploring Kefalonia and Zakynthos
- Route: Argostoli (Kefalonia) – Sami – Fiskardo – Zakynthos Town – Shipwreck Beach (Navagio)
- Distance: Approximately 200 km (plus ferry crossings)
- Duration: 4-5 days
This unique route combines two of Greece’s most beautiful Ionian islands, Kefalonia and Zakynthos, connected by a short ferry ride.
Begin your journey in Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia. Drive east across the island to Sami, stopping at the stunning Melissani Cave along the way. Continue north to the picturesque port town of Fiskardo, with its colourful Venetian-style buildings.
Take the ferry from Fiskardo to Zakynthos, where you’ll drive south to Zakynthos Town. From here, head northwest to the viewpoint above Shipwreck Beach (Navagio), one of the most photographed beaches in the world.
Highlight: The view of Shipwreck Beach from the cliffs above is spectacular. Time your visit for sunset for a truly unforgettable experience.
5. The Pelion Peninsula: Mountain Villages and Hidden Beaches
- Route: Volos – Portaria – Tsagarada – Mylopotamos – Argalasti
- Distance: Approximately 200 km
- Duration: 2-3 days
The Pelion Peninsula, located in central Greece, is a place of myth and natural beauty. This drive takes you through mountain villages with traditional architecture and down to secluded beaches.
Start your journey in the port city of Volos, known in Greek mythology as the homeland of the Centaurs. As you ascend into the Pelion mountains, the road becomes winding, offering panoramic views of the Pagasetic Gulf.
Your first stop is Portaria, a charming mountain village with stone-built mansions and cobblestone streets. Continue to Tsagarada, famous for its thousand-year-old plane tree in the main square.
The drive from Tsagarada to the beach of Mylopotamos is particularly scenic, with the road descending through chestnut forests to reveal the blue Aegean Sea. Spend some time at this beautiful beach before continuing your coastal drive to Argalasti.
Highlight: The drive from Tsagarada to Mylopotamos beach, where the dense forest suddenly gives way to a view of the sea, is breathtaking.
4. The Cretan Adventure: Heraklion to Elafonisi
- Route: Heraklion – Rethymno – Chania – Elafonisi
- Distance: Approximately 280 km
- Duration: 3-4 days
This route takes us to Crete, Greece’s largest island, offering a mix of historical sites, charming cities, and stunning beaches.
Start in Heraklion, visiting the famous Palace of Knossos before heading west along the northern coast. Stop in Rethymno to explore its charming Venetian old town.
Continue to Chania, arguably Crete’s most beautiful city, with its picturesque harbour and narrow alleys. From Chania, head southwest towards Elafonisi, famous for its pink sand beach.
The drive from Chania to Elafonisi is particularly scenic, with the road winding through the White Mountains and offering spectacular views of the Libyan Sea.
Highlight: The first view of Elafonisi beach as you descend from the mountains is truly spectacular.
3. The Meteora Marvel: Thessaly Plains to Suspended Monasteries
- Route: Larissa – Trikala – Kalambaka – Meteora
- Distance: Approximately 150 km
- Duration: 2-3 days
This drive takes you from the fertile plains of Thessaly to one of Greece’s most awe-inspiring sights: the suspended monasteries of Meteora.
Begin in Larissa, the capital of the Thessaly region, known for its vibrant culture and ancient theatre. As you drive west towards Trikala, you’ll pass through a landscape of vast agricultural plains, often called the “breadbasket of Greece.”
The scenery changes dramatically as you approach Kalambaka, with massive rock formations looming on the horizon. These natural pillars, sculpted by wind and water over millions of years, are home to the monasteries of Meteora.
The final stretch of the drive, from Kalambaka to Meteora, is truly spectacular. The winding road offers ever-changing views of the rock pillars and the monasteries perched precariously atop them. Take your time on this stretch, stopping at various viewpoints to fully appreciate the otherworldly landscape.
Highlight: The view of Meteora at sunrise, with early morning mist swirling around the base of the rock pillars, is an unforgettable sight.
2. The Epirus Odyssey: Mountains, Rivers, and Stone Bridges
- Route: Ioannina – Metsovo – Zagorohoria – Vikos Gorge – Parga
- Distance: Approximately 250 km
- Duration: 3-5 days
Epirus, in northwestern Greece, is a land of rugged mountains, rushing rivers, and traditional stone villages. This route takes you through some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country.
Start in Ioannina, a beautiful lakeside city with a rich multicultural history. From here, wind your way up to Metsovo, a mountain town famous for its local cheeses and wines. The road offers stunning views of the Pindus Mountains, often dubbed the “Greek Alps.”
Next, explore the Zagorohoria, a complex of 46 traditional villages known for their distinctive architecture and stone bridges. The drive between these villages is an adventure in itself, with narrow roads snaking through forested mountains.
No trip to Epirus is complete without visiting the Vikos Gorge, one of the deepest canyons in the world. The view from the Oxya viewpoint is breathtaking and well worth the drive.
Conclude your Epirus odyssey in the coastal town of Parga, where you can relax on beautiful beaches and enjoy fresh seafood after your mountain adventure.
Highlight: The drive to Papingo, one of the most beautiful Zagorohoria villages, offers incredible views of the Vikos Gorge and the surrounding mountains.
1. The Peloponnese Circuit: A Journey Through Ancient History
- Route: Athens – Corinth – Nafplio – Sparta – Kalamata – Olympia – Patras
- Distance: Approximately 750 km
- Duration: 5-7 days
The Peloponnese, the southernmost part of mainland Greece, is a treasure trove of history and natural beauty. This circular route takes you through some of the most significant archaeological sites in the country, coupled with stunning coastal and mountain scenery.
Start your journey from Athens, crossing the impressive Corinth Canal. Your first stop is the charming town of Nafplio, Greece’s first capital after independence. With its Venetian fortress and picturesque old town, it’s the perfect place to begin your Peloponnese adventure.
As you drive south, the road winds through the rugged Arcadian Mountains, offering breathtaking views at every turn. Stop at Mystras, a Byzantine ghost town perched on a hillside near Sparta, before continuing to the coastal city of Kalamata, famous for its olives.
The western coast of the Peloponnese is home to some of Greece’s most beautiful beaches. Take your time exploring the sandy shores before heading inland to Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games. Your circuit concludes in Patras, where you can catch a ferry back to mainland Greece or continue your journey.
Highlight: The drive from Kalamata to Kardamili along the Mani Peninsula is particularly spectacular, with the Taygetos Mountains on one side and the deep blue Messinian Gulf on the other.
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Greece’s diverse landscapes and rich history make it an ideal destination for a road trip. From coastal drives with breathtaking sea views to mountain routes through traditional villages, each of these scenic drives offers a unique perspective on this beautiful country.
Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, stop at hidden gems off the beaten path, and truly immerse yourself in the Greek landscape. Remember to drive safely, respect local traffic laws, and take your time to enjoy the journey.
At HellasCar, we’re committed to making your Greek road trip adventure as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Our wide range of vehicles can accommodate any itinerary, whether you’re planning a romantic coastal drive or a family expedition through the mountains.
So why wait? Start planning your Greek road trip today and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime!
