Greece Road Trip – Ultimate 2 Weeks Mainland Itinerary

Home to such iconic sites as the Acropolis of Athens, the Monasteries of Meteora, and the Ancient City of Delphi, Greece has an incredible wealth of cultural gems. The only trouble is that they’re all scattered across the country! That’s where a Greece road trip comes in.

We’ve rented a car in Greece on a couple of occasions, just so we could see more of the incredible attractions that the country has to offer. The truth is that public transportation just doesn’t cut it if you want to go beyond the major cities.

We’ve put together a 2 weeks in Greece itinerary that’s made up of some of the best places that we’ve visited by car. Some of these are obvious – hello, Athens! – but some have largely managed to sail under the radar so far, like Patras and the Pelion Peninsula. Of course, we couldn’t fit everything into 14 days, but we’ve tried to squeeze in as many of our favs as possible!

Greece Road Trip Map + Quick Overview

Day 1: Arrival In Athens

Athens is the oldest continuously inhabited capital in Europe. Its recorded history stretches back more than 3,500 years, without even counting prehistoric humans! The city is a goldmine of ancient ruins, so much so that we constantly stumble upon bits of millennia-old masonry every time we visit.

Importantly for travellers, it’s also where the largest airport in the country is located, so you’ll probably want to start your Greece road trip from Athens. Don’t bother to pick up the car, though, until you’ve finished exploring the metropolis – it’s not a place anybody needs or wants to drive!

📍 Monastiraki

Once you’ve dumped your bags in your accommodation, make a beeline for the Monastiraki neighbourhood, one of the buzziest bits of the capital.

Start at the Church of Panagia Kapnikarea, a relatively small but old Byzantine church that dates to the 11th century. It has amazingly well-preserved frescoes that are definitely worth checking out.

Head west from here to Monastiraki Square, which we’d say is the most vibrant part of the city. Both tourists and locals thrum the plaza, which is surrounded by monuments that are like a journey through history. The oldest is Hadrian’s Library (1st century AD), located in the southeast corner. There’s also a 10th-century Byzantine church and a former Ottoman mosque (now a museum) from the 1700s.

The square also has a metro station, which connects the city centre with both the airport and Piraeus Port, as well as a brilliant flea market. It’s a great place to snap up some bargain antiques or a smaller souvenir like those evil eye trinkets that are found all over Greece.

Monastiraki has numerous rooftop bars and places to grab a bite. One of our favs is Ellyz Cafe, a pretty-in-pink spot that’s wreathed in floral decorations and serves up Insta-ready cakes and sandwiches.

📍 Ancient Agora

Just a short walk from Ellyz, the Ancient Agora is a large area stuffed with Greek ruins from the BC area. Historically, it was where the Athenians gathered to trade, pray, and just chat.

Most of the buildings and statues here are only fragments, but the area never fails to conjure up vivid visions of the past for us. 

The best place to get a photo is at the Temple of Hephaestus, which is the most complete building on site. Dedicated to the god of fire, blacksmiths, and craftsmen, its conversion into a church helped save it from falling into disrepair.

If you still have time before dinner after checking out the Agora, wander over to the hipster district of Psyri. We love checking out the cool street art and artisan stores here, which show off a more modern side of Athens.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Dinner In The Sky

The best road trips in Greece involve plenty of eating, so start the holiday right with a one-of-a-kind dining experience. 

Dinner in the Sky takes you up into the air, suspending you 40 metres above the ground from a crane as you eat your way through multiple courses. There’s also unlimited beer and wine, though you might not want to drink too much booze if you don’t have a head for heights!

This was one of our favourite things that we did in Athens on our most recent trip. Aside from being a completely unique sensation, the food was great, and the views were spectacular.

It does come with a hefty price tag – we paid about €160 per person – but when else are you going to do something like this in your life?

📍 Rooftop Drink At A For Athens

Finish your night at the rooftop bar of the A for Athens Hotel, which looks out over Monastiraki and the Acropolis. 

The signature cocktails we had here were good, and the setting was perfect for enjoying the sunset, then sticking around to watch the cityscape glow with evening lights.

WHERE: Google location

Day 2: Athens

There’s a lot to see in Athens – as you would kind of expect from a city that’s existed for thousands of years! Of all the incredible pieces of history to see in the capital, though, one stands out above all others, literally. Perched on one of the highest hills in Athens, the iconic Acropolis is the place to start Day 2 of your Greece roadtrip. 

📍 Acropolis & Acropolis Museum

You might be thinking, why would I not head to the Acropolis as soon as I get to Athens? Well, unless you come during a super-off-peak season or are really lucky, the place is usually swarming with people. The government even introduced a cap on visitors last year to try and curb the enormous number of tourists that descend on this ancient jewel each year.

That’s why we recommend booking tickets to come here as soon as the Acropolis opens, at 8 am. That way, you’ll get to explore the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike in (relative) peace. 

A short walk from the Acropolis is the Acropolis Museum. It’s 100% worth going here because it houses more than 4,000 marble sculptures and friezes, pieces of pottery, and other archaeological finds that have been recovered from the area.  

WHERE: Google location

📍 Anafiotika

The Acropolis and the associated museum can easily take up 3 or 4 hours, so you’ll probably want to chill for a second. We’ve got the perfect place for that: Anafiotika.

On the northeast side of the Acropolis, in the Plaka district, it’s an adorable, bougainvillea-clad neighbourhood that started as housing for carpenters in the 19th century. There’s a place here called Yiasemi that we’re particularly fond of for brunch or when we need to take on some much-needed caffeine.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Food Tour

Food tours aren’t just about discovering delicious delicacies – although that is a big part of the attraction for us! They’re also a way to see a city through the eyes of a local guide and pick up plenty of useful tips.

There are quite a few that we’ve tried in Athens that are worthy of any mainland Greece itinerary, but our fav so far is this one. It does last quite a long time – more than 3 hours – but it includes a lot of different food and covers several downtown neighbourhoods, including Monastiraki and Psyri.

📍 Mount Lycabettus For Sunset

There were a lot of places on our road trip where we enjoyed the sunset, but Mount Lycabettus is hard to beat for city views. At 277 m above sea level, it is the tallest hill in Athens, so you are basically looking down on everything else!

We opted to walk up, which was straightforward and only took us 30 minutes with plenty of stops for photographs, but there’s also a funicular if you have mobility concerns.

There’s a café at the top where you can grab a refreshing beer, as well as the small Church of St. George.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Dinner in Plaka

End the day by returning to Plaka to explore more of what the district has to offer. One of the oldest parts of Athens, its streets are mainly pedestrianised, so it’s a nice place to go for an evening stroll. 

Numerous souvenir shops selling jewellery, clothing, pottery, and spices fill the area, as do family-run tavernas. If you aren’t still full after the food tour, you can easily find a good place to eat amid the myriad restaurants cooking up traditional Greek eats. 

Day 3: Corinth Canal & Ancient Corinth

There’s always more to see in Athens, but a couple of days is a good taster. After boosting your energy levels with a hearty breakfast, it’s time to get on the road!

For our Greece road trip, we got our pre-booked rental car in Plak, which was one of the cheapest options as well as being super convenient. However, you should factor in where in the city you’re staying before deciding on a pickup point.

The first stop on our 2 weeks in Greece itinerary is Ancient Corinth, one of the most important cities in Ancient Greece. 

Distance from Athens: 90km, 90 minutes drive

📍 Corinth Canal

To get to Corinth, you’ll have to drive across the Corinth Canal, a narrow stretch of water with a fascinating history. 

Almost 2 millennia ago, people first mulled over the idea of cutting through the Isthmus of Corinth to create a new waterway to speed up the transportation of goods. The Roman Emperor Nero even started the project but was assassinated before it got very far. 

It wasn’t until the late 1800s that the canal became a reality, but even then, the problems with tides and rock slippages hampered trade. In fact, the whole thing was closed for two years after a landslide in 2021.

As tourists rather than traders, though, we thought it looked pretty cool! There are a few places to park nearby, so you can get down and take some snaps from the bridge. For the brave-hearted, it’s possible to bungee jump into the gorge, but we passed…

WHERE: Google location 

📍 Visit Ancient Corinth

About 10-15 minutes beyond the canal is Ancient Corinth. Once, it was one of the most important cities in Greece, but all that’s left now is bits of stone and a few intact pillars. Still, on a sunny day, it has a kind of magic, recalling faded glory in a mournful way.

Definitely visit the on-site museum, which helps put the site in context and explain in more detail exactly what you’re looking at!

From here, you can either hike for an hour or drive 10 minutes to Acrocorinth (the Acropolis of Corinth), a citadel on a hill that was the old city’s fallback defensive position. The site was refortified multiple times throughout history because it’s basically in a great location to beat back invaders, so there are complete walls and towers to explore.

There are quite a few cheap B&Bs around Ancient Corinth, so hunker down here for the night. Alternatively, check out the accommodation options in modern Corinth, located on the coast.

WHERE: Google location

Day 4: Kalamata

Distance from Corinth: 160km, 1 hour and 45 minutes drive

From Corinth, cross the Peloponnesian Peninsula to Kalamata, a coastal city that’s famous for its dance festival in July but has plenty to see all year round.

📍 Kalamata Olives & Wine Tasting

If there’s one thing that Kalamata immediately calls to mind for us, it’s olives. Bursting with flavour, they’re a staple in supermarkets all over Europe.

We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try these tasty little fruits on our mainland Greece road trip. Instead of heading in blind, we opted to go on a tour, choosing one which combined a look at olive oil groves with a sampling of local wines.

A lunch of traditional Greek foods – including an amazing olive tapenade – was included in the tour, which fitted in nicely with our schedule after the drive from Corinth.

📍 Visit Kalamata Castle

The tour takes place a little outside of Kalamata, in a village called Androusa. After lunch, it’s a 25-minute drive to Kalamata proper, which is home to a ruined Frankish castle.

Although we didn’t think the remnants of the fortification were particularly impressive, the location on top of a high hill is a great spot to enjoy views of the city below. 

At the foot of the castle is Kalamata Old Town, where you can explore a couple of historic churches and museums.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Stroll The Waterfront

Kalamata is home to a long stretch of shoreline that is lined with eateries, shops, and hotels. Parts of the beachfront Navarinou Street are very charming, while other parts are slightly dilapidated, but there’s always the view of the mountains in the east providing a dramatic backdrop.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Chill At Kalamata Beach

The beach at Kalamata is largely gravel, but there’s plenty of space to throw down a towel and enjoy a bit of sun on a pleasant afternoon. It’s certainly not one of the best beaches we saw in Greece, but it’s perfectly fine for a quick dip.

WHERE: Google location

Day 5: Nafpaktos On Your Way To Patras

Distance from Kalamata to Nafpaktos & Patras: 240km, 3 hours and 45 minutes drive

Leave Kalamata after breakfast, timing your departure so you arrive at Nafpaktos at about noon. We took the slightly longer route along the western coast, which had some very pretty sea views, but you can also opt for the faster route back past Corinth.

📍 Visit the Venetian Castle

Now, this is a building for castle lovers! Much better preserved than the one in Kalamata, the Venetian Castle of Nafpaktos is an impressive 15th-century edifice that still has many of its battlements intact.

There are also fab views from here over both the sea and the terracotta-coloured rooftops of the city below.  

WHERE: Google location

📍 Lunch At The Old Nafpaktos Port

Just a short walk from the castle, the old harbour is another interesting piece of Venetian history that’s worth checking out. Fortified by strong stone walls that survive to this day, it used to house war vessels but now protects pleasure craft.

There are several restaurants that are right on the waterfront where you can enjoy a light lunch while gazing at the harbour and its statue of Cervantes. The Spanish writer fought in the Battle of Lepanto, just off the Nafpaktos coast, which is why he’s immortalised here.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Psani Beach

After lunch, wander down to Psani Beach, just to the west of the port. Like the beach at Kalamata, this one is gravel rather than sand, but it’s still a relaxing place to get a book out and chill for a while before continuing your road trip.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Dinner At Bodegas in Patras

Drive from Nafpaktos to Patras to spend the night. You may not have heard of the city, but it’s actually the third largest in Greece!

There are lots of accommodation options to suit all budgets, which is why we recommend staying here rather than in Nafpaktos. Plus, it means you can start exploring the area bright and early on Day 6.

We chanced upon a restaurant called Bodegas and loved the vibe. The menu is a bit of an international smorgasbord, though, so you can only come here if you want a break from Greek cuisine.

WHERE: Google location

Day 6: Patras

Patras has bits and pieces from every era scattered about its streets. From the Mycenaean Cemetery of Voudeni (more than 3,000 years old) to the OTT Cathedral of Saint Andrew (inaugurated in 1974), there’s plenty to see!

📍 Patras Castle

As you might have noticed by now, we like to start with the local castle whenever we come to a new city on our Greece road trip. It’s often the place with the best views since these kinds of fortifications were usually built in defensible positions above the rest of the city.

Looming over Patras, the oldest parts of the castle were built upon the ruins of the Acropolis by the Byzantines in the 6th century. It’s been enlarged and reinforced many times since then though, which is why it still looks in pretty good shape today! 

Admission was free when we visited, which just made the vistas from the walls all the sweeter. 

WHERE: Google location

📍 Archaeological Museum of Patras

If you didn’t get your fill of historical sculptures, pottery, and mosaics in Athens, the Archaeological Museum of Patras also has an excellent collection. Most of it focuses on finds in the local area, so we also learned a lot about the city and its past.

It’s quite a walk from the castle, so we’d suggest hopping in the car to get here. There’s free parking outside the museum.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Roman Odeon

On the way to lunch in the old town centre, make sure you wander by the Roman Odeon. It was closed for renovation when we were last in Patras, but it still looks impressive from the outside.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Lunch At Rubik’s

There are a lot of cafes on the tightly packed roads of downtown Patras, but Rubik’s was the one we picked because the food looked great. We weren’t disappointed! They do lots of brunchy things like omelettes and avocado toast, all with a healthy food spin.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Holy Church Of Saint Andrew

About 15 minutes’ walk from Rubik’s, the Holy Church of Saint Andrew is a lavishly built building that might look Byzantine but is very much a product of the 20th century. Taking 66 years to build, it’s sometimes cited as the largest church in Greece, though the title is disputed.

In any case, it’s a massive, multi-towered building that can accommodate about 7,000 worshippers beneath its beautifully frescoed ceiling.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Achaia Clauss

One of the more unusual (but definitely worthwhile) things we did in Patras was visiting Achaia Clauss, a picturesque winery in the suburbs of the city. It’s especially famous for making a fortified dessert wine named Mavrodafni, but just seeing the estate itself was worth the trip up here.

Although Achaia Clauss was only built in the mid-1800s, it was designed to resemble a medieval castle, right down to the great location, looking down on the settlement below.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Dinner At Salumeria

End the day dining on the prettily plated dishes at Salumeria. Right on the corner of one of Patras’ pedestrianised streets, it’s got a cute interior, but we sat outside and indulged in some people-watching.

WHERE: Google location

Day 7: Meteora

Distance from Patras to Meteora: 310km, about 4 hours’ drive

Meteora was one of our fav places in Greece, period! An essential stop off on any 2 weeks in Greece itinerary, it’s an incredible collection of monasteries that were built on natural stone pillars so that the monks could be closer to God.

Each of these religious sanctuaries is closed on a different day of the week, so we recommend visiting over two days to be able to go to all the best ones. 

It’s a long way from Patras, so leave early in the morning to make the most of your time.

📍 The Great Meteoron Monastery

It makes sense to drive to the first two monasteries, beginning with Great Meteoron. Built in the 14th century, it’s the oldest and the largest of the monasteries in Meteora. The walls enclose a lovely church, a fresco-decorated museum containing a few select artefacts, and a garden that boasts an eye-popping panorama of the valley.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Varlaam Monastery

Named for an ascetic who made his home up here away from civilisation, Varlaam Monastery has some of the most beautifully painted interiors in Meteora. There’s also a museum stuffed with religious relics and sacred manuscripts.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Dinner At Kastraki Village

Head into Kastraki, at the foot of the Meteora rocks, to grab an evening meal. There are quite a few tavernas to choose from, all charmingly rustic and with similar menus of traditional Greek eats.

There’s also a museum in the village that has some interesting exhibits on the geological history of Meteora and the formation of the stone pillars. It closes at 3 pm, though, so if you do want to check it out, you’ll have to come back another day.

There are guesthouses in Kastraki where you can stay, but we picked a place in nearby Kalambaka, which is a bigger habitation with more options.

WHERE: Google location

Day 8: Meteora

A Greece road trip obviously involves a lot of driving, which is why we like to work in a day here and there when we take a break from the car.

For your second day in Meteora, we recommend leaving your vehicle behind and instead trekking to a couple of monasteries.

📍 Hike To The Holy Trinity Monastery

From Kalambaka, there’s a well-worn trail that starts from behind the Holy Church of Dormition of the Virgin Mary and goes all the way up the Holy Trinity Monastery.

This was our favourite of all the monasteries we say in Meteora – maybe because hiking there was so satisfying! It’s not as large as Great Meteoron or Varlaam, but it’s beautifully decorated and has some of the best views.

WHERE: Google location

📍 St. Stephen’s Monastery

A short walk away from Holy Trinity is St. Stephen’s, which was probably the place we found least interesting – although it does have a couple of funky, terracotta-red circular towers. It was originally a monastery but was converted into a nunnery in the ‘60s.  

WHERE: Google location

📍 Dinner At Kalambaka 

We found heading down the steep bits of the trail more challenging than going up, so take your time getting back to Kalambaka. After all the tramping over rock, dinner feels very well-earned, and there are a lot of family-run places to eat.

We ended up at Ambrosia just because it was close to our hotel, but we’d give their grilled lamb and beetroot salad two thumbs up.

WHERE: Google location

Day 9: Thessaloniki

Meteora to Thessaloniki: 235km, about 3 hours’ drive

Next up on our Greece mainland road trip is Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki. It’s got a more modern, trendy vibe than Athens, even though fewer tourists seem to make it up to this part of the country.

We had a great time exploring this coastal gem, and there’s plenty to fill a couple of days!

📍 Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Start at the city’s Archaeological Museum, home to statues of hard-bodied Greeks and Romans, funerary artefacts, and the giant bronze Derveni Krater, which was used to mix wine and water and looks just about the right size for a hedonistic party!

WHERE: Google location

📍 Heptapyrgion Of Thessaloniki

There are several incredible Byzantine landmarks in Thessaloniki, starting with the Heptapyrgion (good luck pronouncing it correctly).

One of the most forbidding fortresses we saw on our Greece road trip, it’s hardly surprising that it was transformed into a prison in the 1890s.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Platia Aristotelous

Going from the hill to the sea, head from the Heptapyrgion down to Aristotelous Square. This grand plaza borrows heavily from European architecture and scenically abuts the sea. It’s a super buzzy part of town, with plenty of locals coming here to enjoy their evening.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Orizontes Roof Garden

Just behind the Platia Aristotelous, the Orizontes Roof Garden is a fancy place to go for an indulgent dinner. The menu is essentially upscale Greek food, and the views from the terrace are stunning, looking out on the plaza and the sea.

WHERE: Google location

Day 10: Thessaloniki

There’s a whole other day’s worth of stuff to see in Thessaloniki, so leave the car behind at your hotel and hit the streets on foot.

📍 Stroll The Promenade

Thessaloniki has a long waterfront promenade that’s just for people and bicycles. It’s clearly a popular workout spot, too, as we saw quite a few people jogging here as we wandered around in the morning. It’s a nice, soothing way to start the day.

WHERE: Google location

📍 White Tower Of Thessaloniki

At the northern end of the promenade is the White Tower, which sounds like something out of Lord of the Rings but was actually built by the Ottomans.

It’s a sensuously rounded stone fortification that makes for a gorgeous snapshot from the outside, though you can also head inside for the museum and panoramic views.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Rotunda

From the White Tower, head inland, through the Roman Arch of Galerius to the Rotunda. Built in the 4th century AD, it survived the passing of time because it was continuously used as a place of worship, whether as a church or a mosque. It’s a little sad that more of the decoration hasn’t survived, but hey, who is going to look their best at the grand age of 1,600?

WHERE: Google location

📍 Holy Church of Saint Demetrius

The Rotunda is one of 15 sites that contribute to Thessaloniki’s UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Another is the Holy Church of Saint Demetrius, the largest church in the city. It’s home to a rather fabulously ostentatious chandelier, though it’s the Byzantine mosaics and metal-clad icons that are the most impressive.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Lunch At Salento Wood Fired Street Food

Yes, Salento is technically Italian rather than Greek food, but you have to try these toasted sandwiches! We’re also always up for a good pizza, and the wood-fired ones here are to die for.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Chill At Perea Beach

Take the afternoon off to chill out at Perea Beach, a clean bit of shore with plenty of places nearby to grab a cocktail or other refreshments. It’s not up to the standard of the beaches on the Greek islands, but it’s a pleasant enough place to relax.

If you only have enough time for a 10 days in Greece itinerary, this is a pretty chill way to spend the last afternoon.

WHERE: Google location

Day 11: Volos

Distance to Volos: 210km, about 2 hours and a half by car

Next up on our 2 weeks in Greece itinerary is Volos, another coastal city, but one that’s much smaller than Thessaloniki. Right at the base of Mount Pelion, it cascades down the slopes towards the sea – and yes, it’s just as picturesque as it sounds!

📍 Church Of Agioi Konstantinos and Eleni

Start off right down by the bay at the Church of Saint Constantine and Helen. It’s less than 100 years old but still makes an impression with its funky art-deco-esque clock and gilded modern mosaics. 

WHERE: Google location

📍 Saint Konstantinos Park

Right next to the church is a nice park where there are several benches facing the water. It’s a good spot to just sit a while and enjoy the feeling of the salty sea air on your face before continuing a walk along the esplanade.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Athanasakeion Archaeological Museum

About 10 minutes from the park, Volos’ Archaeological Museum houses artefacts from the BC era. To be honest, this is definitely a minor attraction compared to the other archaeological museums we’ve been to in Greece. Still, for history buffs, the collection is interesting enough to keep you engaged for an hour or so.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Volos Museum Of The City

From the Archaeological Museum, make your way to Palia, known as the old town of Volos. It’s quite a long walk, but you get to see quite a bit of the city centre if you make the journey on foot. 

The crumbling ruins of the castle here are so faded away they’re not really worth exploring, but nearby, you’ll find the intriguing (and free) Museum of the City. It basically covers the modern history of Volos and how it changed over the 20th century. 

WHERE: Google location

📍 Train Station

Right behind the Museum of the City is Volos Rail Station, a quaint old building that has largely remained unchanged since it opened in 1884. It might sound like an unusual thing to include on a travel itinerary, but it’s a cute little bit of history that transports you back to a different age.

Palia has some cool bars, so stick around for a drink before heading back into the centre for dinner.

WHERE: Google Location

📍 Dinner At Mezen

End your first day in Volos at Mezen, a casually cool eatery in the heart of the city. They specialise in small plates, aka meze, particularly ones that centre on seafood. The smoked shrimp ceviche was sublime! 

WHERE: Google location

Day 12: Volos

The countryside surrounding Volos has some amazing things to see, so take advantage of the fact that you have a car (the best way to travel around Greece) and go exploring!

📍 OPTION A: Take A Ride On The Pelion Railway

One of the unexpected joys of our Greece mainland itinerary, the Pelion Train is a small, old-school steam train that takes you up from Ano Lechonia (20 minutes’ drive from downtown Volos) to the village of Milies. 

Introduced in the late 1800s to transport goods, it’s since been converted into a tourist attraction – one that takes in some really pretty hillside views.

According to the schedule, the train leaves at 10 am train, which takes around 90 minutes. The return train is at 15:00. 

WHERE: Google location

📍OPTION B:  Explore The Pelion Peninsula

There’s a lot to see on the Pelion Peninsula for nature lovers. Along the coast, there are miles and miles of beaches, some of which are lined with parasols and loungers and others almost completely deserted. 

The hills that run through the middle of the peninsula are crisscrossed by old stone tracks known as kalderimi that were built to enable donkeys to carry cargo from village to village. These make for great hikes, whether you fancy just an hour or two scaling the slopes or a more adventurous 5-hour loop.

We stuck to the western side of the peninsula on our Greek road trip, but we’ve heard there are lots of cool places to explore on the eastern coast as well.

WHERE: Google location

📍OPTION C: Anavros Beach

If you don’t fancy driving down the peninsula, an alternative is just to hang out on the city’s Anavros Beach, located near the Archaeological Museum. 

WHERE: Google location

Day 13: Delphi

Volos to Delphi: 200km, about 3 hours’ drive

The best road trip in Greece must include one of its most stored sites, the ancient city of Delphi. It was here that people used to travel for more than a millennium to pay homage to the oracle and receive prophecies about their fate.

If you leave Volos just after breakfast, you should arrive at around 11 am at Delphi, which gives you plenty of time to explore the site.

📍 Delphi Archaeological Site

What a location to pick for a city! Set on the slope of Mount Parnassus, the legendary home of the Muses, it has fantastic views at every turn. 

Admittedly, a lot of it is indistinguishable ruins, but the large theatre and the iconic Sanctuary of Athena are memorably beautiful.

WHERE: Google location

📍 Arachova Village

After you’ve finished walking the Sacred Way through Delphi, head down the road to Arachova Village. It’s an attractive-looking town with great views out over the valley and several down-home tavernas serving heart portions of Greek food.

WHERE: Google location

Day 14: Make Your Way Back To Athens And Return The Car

Delphi to Athens: 180km, 2 and a half hours’ drive

End your two weeks in Greece back where you started: Athens! Rather than try to squeeze in any more attractions, we’d recommend just chilling with a nice cool beer in one of the buzzy bars in Psyri.

FAQs

Is Greece good for a road trip?

A Greece road trip is an awesome idea! It gives you greater freedom to set your own schedule, a chance to see more of the country, and the opportunity to blast your favourite tunes as you zoom past the fabulous Greek scenery.

Can you travel Greece by car?

Yes, you can absolutely travel Greece by car. Our Greece road trips have been a ton of fun, and it’s easy to navigate using popular apps like Google Maps and Waze. The smaller country roads could use a little TLC, but overall, it’s a great country to drive in.

Is it safe to drive in Greece?

Yes, it is safe to drive. In fact, it is arguably the best way to travel in Greece! It’s true that the locals can be a little, er abrupt in the way they approach their driving communication. Having said that, we’ve not felt any less safe driving in Greece compared to anywhere else.

Is Greece expensive to visit?

Relative to most of the EU, Greece is a very affordable destination. We wouldn’t call it a super budget holiday, but it’s perfectly possible to find cheap accommodation, cheap (but tasty) food, and reasonably priced car rentals. Just bear in mind that everything leaps in cost during the summer.

What is the best month to travel to Greece?

If what you’re after is scorching sunny days, July and August are definitely the best months to travel. Personally, we’d try and avoid that time of year, just because everything gets super busy and a lot more expensive. You can visit in May, June, September and October and still enjoy good weather without quite as much competition from fellow tourists.

Final Word

A Greece road trip is an unbeatable way to explore beyond Athens, from the Peloponnese to the northern coastal cities of Thessaloniki and Volos. You still probably won’t be able to see all the mainland in one trip, but you’ll certainly be able to give it a good go!