Want to combine sunshine, incredible scenery and thrills? Discover the outdoor activities to do in Greece this summer!
With its particularly rich cultural and historical heritage, Greece is an ideal vacation destination! Its sunny climate, gentle way of life, heavenly islands, gastronomy and diverse landscapes make the land of the gods a timeless place, offering a multitude of wonders.
So you can choose between a vacation with a historical theme, one of idleness or one of discovery of the various outdoor activities on offer in Greece.
Through this article and throughout Greece, discover Greece with Voyage Privé, to add thrills and unforgettable memories to your next vacation.
1. Windsurfing
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Lubos K
Going windsurfing in Greece? What’s the point, you may ask, when you can do it on the coast of Normandy or Brittany? Of course. But just imagine, for a moment, gliding, floating, almost flying on turquoise water, approaching 30°C and offering you the spectacle of cliffs jutting out onto white sandy beaches…
Choose between the Cyclades (Golden Beach), Rhodes or Crete (Palekastro), and you’ll discover some sumptuous spots for windsurfing. Depending on the season, wind speeds range from 15 to 40 knots (annual average 22). You’ll find flat water all year round, so you won’t have to deal with waves.
If you miss the latter, you can still tackle the Tsoukalia spot, a 15-minute drive from Golden Beach.
2. Paragliding
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Igor Tichonow
Looking for a thrilling outdoor activity in Greece? Then look no further than paragliding! With Greece’s wealth of historic monuments, mountains, white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, there’s something for everyone.
Take to the skies from Mount Ainos on Kefalonia, and discover the island’s fishing villages, red-roofed cottages and historic 16th-century castle ruins. Depending on the wind conditions, the flight time will be between 10 and 25 minutes, and you’ll finish your experience by flying over the turquoise sea bordering Myrtos beach.
Our favorite spot is Lefkada, on the Lefkada peninsula. Here, you start from the highest peak in the area, Stavrota, and fly over the island for around 20 minutes.
20 golden minutes in which to appreciate the island’s distinctive architecture, before flying over the white chalk cliffs. The cliffs are flanked by white sandy beaches (Egremni, Milos and Kathisma), and you’ll land on one of them, treading the warm waters of the Aegean Sea. A breathtaking experience.
3. Trekking
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Piotr Kloska
Unlike France, Greece is not yet at the top of its game when it comes to hiking trails, but trekking remains one of the best outdoor activities to be enjoyed in Greece. So, if you’ve already accumulated a bit of experience in this field, it will be easy for you to follow the Greek trails.
Once again, we’re recommending that you head off to the Greek islands to go hiking. But not just any islands! To the east, the Dodecanese archipelago offers the most beautiful trails, while to the west, Corfu offers superb mountain scenery. You can then set off for a day’s walk, discovering remote mountain villages, before coming face to face with caves where the sea water offers a refreshing dip.
Finally, for a complete trek, you can also go to Crete, where you can discover the Samaria Gorge, Knossos Palace, the Elafonissi peninsula and many other wonders on the same trail.
4. Snorkeling
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Zivica Kerkez
Whether it’s the Ionian Islands, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese or even around Athens, diving and snorkeling spots abound, offering you one of the best outdoor activities in Greece! Indeed, if you’re visiting the ancient capital, you can take advantage of the bays of Cape Lemos, Charaka Beach and even Cape Sounion to escape the heat of the city.
Of course, we’d still advise you to opt for the Greek islands, where you’ll come face to face with a greater variety of marine life. By choosing the Ionian Islands, you’ll discover the only spot in Europe where you can spot loggerhead turtles. The island of Zakynthos is the best spot for this.
In terms of season, we recommend September and October, when the sea is still warm but there are fewer tourists. This is the period when the marine fauna comes closer to the coasts, and can be observed much more easily.
5. Cycling
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Olesya Kuznetsova
For the most courageous and motivated among you, here’s a new outdoor activity to do in Greece that’s particularly grueling: cycling! Indeed, while discovering Greece by bike is a more than enjoyable activity, it can sometimes push you to the limit, depending on the trails!
Our two favorite regions for exercising this physical effort are the Peloponnese and Meteora. The former, rich in archaeological sites and sandy beaches with turquoise waters, offers a multitude of bike trails of varying difficulty. You’ll also pass through impressive forests and natural parks.
The second, Meteora, is one of Greece’s lesser-known destinations. Yet it, too, has many wonders in store. You’ll need to devote many days to surveying the plains. While for some, this itinerary may seem more boring than the first, for us it’s the perfect place to enjoy gentle strolls without too much effort, allowing you to clear your mind and fill up with good energy.
6. Riding
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Alex Ochman
If Europe is a very attractive continent for horseback riding, Greece is a particularly attractive one! Indeed, by choosing this outdoor activity in Greece, you’ll discover tourist itineraries that immerse you in the country’s mythology and history.
From the outskirts ofAthens to Kefalonia and Crete, all these destinations offer you a unique moment with your mount. In Crete, our favorite equestrian destination, you’ll enjoy exceptional panoramic views from the top of the mountains, before finishing the ride at sunset, riding along the beach, hooves in the sea. You’ll witness some enchanting sunsets…
7. Climbing
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Here’s one of the best outdoor activities you can do in Greece, though far from the easiest: rock climbing! Climbing can be done with the help of a guide, but will still require experience and physical strength… It has to be said that the spots on offer are exceptional, but have to be earned.
First of all, the best-known site is Kalymnos (see photo above). Here you’ll find over 60 exceptional sites and 1,300 itineraries. The cliffs of Sikia, on Mount Gkiona, offer a climb of over 2,500 meters.
Finally, discover the gigantic rocks of Meteora. Thanks to natural holds, these are accessible to beginners, always accompanied by a guide. Here, the real surprise will be to discover the monasteries and hermitages abandoned during your ascent… We won’t tell you more!
8. Golf
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After effort, comfort! Switch from hiking trails to golf courses for this new outdoor activity in Greece. Golf courses in Greece may not be the most renowned in the business, but they are generally located in particularly charming surroundings.
Set off for Corfu to discover fairways in the heart of a nature reserve featuring herons, birds of all kinds and even a few otters. Costa Navarino also boasts two eighteen-hole courses, each with breathtaking sea views. In the capital, you’ll also find the Glyfada course, easily accessible from the city center.
Finally, our favorite course is on Corfu, in the Hersonissos region. This 18-hole course has just been renovated and, over the next few years, aspires to become one of Europe’s iconic courses.
9. Canyoning
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We end this selection of the best outdoor activities in Greece with our favorite attraction: canyoning! In the heart of rivers and streams with waterfalls, jumps, abseiling and natural waterslides, you’ll take part in an unforgettable activity for a great time with family and friends.
Throughout Greece, there are numerous descents available to beginners and experts alike, and you’re bound to find something to suit you. For example, you can choose the Grevena Grotto itinerary, which offers a thrilling experience as you pass through vertical boulders over 200 meters high.
If you’re not quite up to it and would like to discover the sport, the Vikaki descent in Zagori is for you. You’ll enjoy an easier descent, with a few jumps and a waterslide.
Finally, don’t hesitate to discover our article dedicated to the most beautiful places for canyoning in Crete.