Beyond the islands

Mainland Greece

The islands take the headlines, but the mainland has Athens and the Acropolis, the long beaches of Halkidiki and the Olympic Riviera, the coves of Parga, Nafplio and the Peloponnese, and the monasteries of Meteora — and you can drive to most of it.

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Α · 1 destinations

Athens & Attica

The capital, the Acropolis and the Athens Riviera, plus the ports of Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio that most island trips start from.

Athens & the RivieraΑθήναAthens pairs the Acropolis and some of the world’s great museums with a working, late-night city and a coastline of beaches and coves running south to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. It is also where most Greek island trips begin.🏛️ Culture🍅 Food🏙️ City break✨ Luxury 14 Beaches 25 Attractions 26 Restaurants & tavernas 26 Where to stay 14 Beach clubs & nightlife

Β · 3 destinations

Macedonia

Northern Greece: Thessaloniki, the three peninsulas of Halkidiki and the beaches under Mount Olympus — the part of Greece most Romanians reach by car.

Γ · 1 destinations

Epirus

The north-western mainland facing Corfu: Parga, Sivota and a coast of coves with Ionian water.

Parga & SivotaΠάργαA Venetian-castle town on the Epirus coast paired with Sivota’s turquoise bays and islets, close to Preveza airport and within driving range for Romanians. Come for beach-hopping by boat, the Acheron river and relaxed family summers.👨‍👩‍👧 Families🏖️ Beaches🚗 Road trips 16 Beaches 14 Attractions 15 Restaurants & tavernas 15 Where to stay

Δ · 1 destinations

The Peloponnese

Nafplio, Greece's first modern capital, and the ancient sites around it — Mycenae, Epidaurus and, further west, Olympia.

Nafplio & the PeloponneseΝαύπλιοNafplio is the Peloponnese’s most graceful harbour town: Venetian fortresses, marble lanes and seafront tavernas, within an easy drive of Mycenae, Tiryns and the theatre at Epidaurus. Base here for ancient sites by day and the waterfront by night.🏛️ Culture💞 Couples🍅 Food🚗 Road trips 13 Beaches 14 Attractions 15 Restaurants & tavernas 15 Where to stay

Ε · 1 destinations

Central Greece

The monasteries on the rock pillars of Meteora, and Delphi on the slopes of Mount Parnassus.

Meteora & DelphiΜετέωραMeteora and Delphi are mainland Greece at its most dramatic: Byzantine monasteries on sandstone pillars above Kalambaka, and Apollo's sanctuary on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Two World Heritage sites that pair well on a road trip from Athens or Thessaloniki.🏛️ Culture🥾 Hiking🚗 Road trips 7 Beaches 15 Attractions 15 Restaurants & tavernas 15 Where to stay

All Greek islands

The Greek islands

Santorini, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Zakynthos and the rest — island by island.

All Greek islands

Frequently asked

Which mainland destinations suit a road trip?

The ones we flag for a road trip: Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Olympic Riviera & Mount Olympus, Parga & Sivota, Nafplio & the Peloponnese, Meteora & Delphi.

Where are the best beaches on mainland Greece?

On our list: Halkidiki, Parga & Sivota.