These driving routes will stay with you forever.
A road trip offers a sense of freedom and adventure. You stop at as many villages and beaches as you can, uncover hidden beauties, gaze out, unwind, grow nostalgic... Now that summer is coming, it may be the easiest idea for a getaway. To inspire you, we gathered five of the most beautiful routes you can do by car in Greece in summer.
North Evia
An accessible and nearby destination, at least for Athens, North Evia combines it all and has so much to offer. The ideal springboard is Chalkida, just 80 km from Athens. After a stroll along the seafront admiring the «crazy» waters of the Euripus, you head uphill... Your first stop is Limni, considered by many the loveliest village in northern Evia. This beautiful «seafaring town» is amphitheatrically laid out, so all the houses have a view of the sea. Next youll come to Rovies, built within an olive grove. The interplay of mountain and sea is unique. Here youll relax on a long beach with fine pebbles and sand and clear, deep azure waters. Nature lovers should also put on their program a stroll to the beautiful Drymonas Waterfalls, located between the villages of Kerasia and Drymonas, at an elevation of 620 meters.
Next stop, Edipsos. Greeces largest spa town, with centuries of tradition thanks to its famed thermal springs, is a year-round destination. Reaching the northwestern tip of Evia, on the Lichada peninsula youll find some of the islands most beautiful beaches: Gialtra, Gregolimano, Agios Georgios and of course the famous Lichadonisia- or the «Seychelles of Greece» – which you can reach by boat from Kavos.
Pelion
Nowhere else in Greece does the sea blend so perfectly with the mountain as in Pelion. An ideal summer drive starts from Volos towards Kala Nera and from there continues east to Tsagarada (about 48 km). This verdant village with its four quarters (Agioi Taxiarches, Agia Paraskevi, Agios Stefanos and Agia Kyriaki), its stone-paved lanes and its picturesque squares is one of the mountains loveliest. A short distance away, Kissos and Mouresi, villages spread across an area of outstanding natural beauty, draw nature lovers like a magnet.
Youre on Pelions eastern side, above the Aegean. In a place that can lead you into the forest to discover the magic of Pelions nature while at the same time sending you to gorgeous beaches for refreshing swims: The exotic and beautiful Mylopotamos, the tiny cove of Fakistra, Damouchari (known from the film Mamma Mia), Plaka, Ai-Giannis, Papa Nero, Agioi Saranta and Chorefto are just some of the must stops that prove Pelion is the ultimate summer paradise.
Coastal Epirus
Epirus is not only about its famed mountain destinations. Its coastal side is equally wonderful and enticing. Seaside towns, picturesque villages and exotic beaches with turquoise waters offer the ultimate summer setting. Preveza, at Epiruss southernmost tip, at the entrance to the Ambracian Gulf, will win you over with its pedestrian seafront promenade and its many ouzeris and meze restaurants. 60 km from Preveza, Parga is a beautiful, colorful town that could rival any island. Built amphitheatrically at the head of a picturesque bay, where the lush islet of Panagia nestles, sheltered under the shadow of its Venetian castle, this famed seafaring town will surely steal your heart. Dreamy beaches such as Valtos, Lichnos and Sarakiniko await you for refreshing dips.
Next stop, exotic Syvota. With a signature seascape of verdant islets like lace, sweeping beaches with tropical waters and hidden coves, they evoke something of... the Caribbean. Dont miss Pisina and Bella Vraka, the areas star beaches. Between Syvota and Perdika, two more wonderful beaches await you: Mikri and Mega Ammos.
Messinias Coast
Impressive castles gazing out over the Ionian, fantastic beaches for every taste and small seaside settlements with tavernas at the waters edge. Messinia fully meets the promise of unforgettable holidays. Starting from Kyparissia, the third-largest town in Messinia, you can take a wonderful coastal drive. One of your first stops should be the renowned Voidokilia, the star beach of western Messinia. Pylos, built amphitheatrically on the Bay of Navarino, with tall houses with red-tiled roofs mirrored in the waters, will remind you of an island settlement. History lovers will also add to their plan a visit to the famed Palace of Nestor, the best-preserved Mycenaean palace in Greece. South of Pylos lies Methoni with its impressive castle. You then come to Finikounda with many nearby beaches that make it an ideal destination for family holidays.
Next stop, Koroni, the stately town with a strong island vibe and the beautiful castle that is still inhabited even today. Southeast of Kalamata, Messinian Mani awaits, full of beautiful scenes. First stop, Kardamyli, a historic seaside village and one of the Peloponneses most picturesque corners. Here youll dive into the beaches of Ritsa, Foneas and Delfinia. Then the road leads to Stoupa, with its three beautiful beaches: the central one right in front of the village, the famous Kalogria to the north (where Nikos Kazantzakis was inspired to write «Zorba the Greek») and Halikoura to the south.
Mani
Impressive tower houses, landscapes of wild beauty and traditional settlements of incredible charm. Sun, stone, sea... The capital of Laconian Mani is Gythio, a lovely seaside town built amphitheatrically, with colorful neoclassical houses mirrored in the sea. Continue to Areopoli, Manis liveliest town. The entire old fortified settlement is listed as traditional, while its cobbled lanes brim with tavernas and charming bars. Descending from Areopoli towards the sea, the enchanting Limeni appears, one of the most picturesque settlements in Greece, where crystal-clear waters reach up to the stone houses. Oitylo is another beautiful traditional village with stone tower houses, harmoniously combining mountain and sea.
After a stop at the famous Diros Caves, continue further south to the seaside Gerolimenas with its blue-green waters. At the southern tip of the Mani peninsula lies imposing Vatheia. Set within a wild and imposing landscape, its stone tower houses clinging to a hillside, it is perhaps Manis most photographed village. Last stop on your tour of Mani, the southernmost tip of mainland Europe: Cape Tainaro, where, according to mythology, the gate to Hades was located.
