Start your adventure in Greece by visiting Mount Olympus near Thessaloniki. It's the highest mountain and is known as "The House of the Gods". This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve offers stunning natural beauty, challenging hiking trails to reach its peaks, and a chance to spot unique flora and fauna.
Explore the Samaria Gorge National Park, a stunning 18km-long gorge located in Crete. Take a challenging hiking trail through the gorge, surrounded by cliffs 400 meters high, and spot unique flora and fauna such as Kri-Kri goats.
Next, visit the Vikos Gorge, the world's deepest gorge and located in the Zagori region. Hike through its trails or view its beauty from the overlooks. You might also have a chance to see rare wildlife species such as the brown bear or wildcat.
Continue your nature adventure by visiting the Meteora rock formations, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most beautiful and impressive natural wonders in Greece. They are one of the world's most important centers of Eastern Orthodox monasticism and were home to 24 active monasteries at the height of their existence.
Drive to the southernmost point of Attica region of Greece to experience the beauty of the Cape Sounion. It's famous for its ancient temple of Poseidon, stunning panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, and breathtaking sunset.
Explore the National Park of Ainos in Kefalonia, known for its rare species of fir trees and wild horses. It offers a calming hike through a thick forest to the top of the highest mountain of the Ionian islands. If you're lucky, you might even spot a Loggerhead Sea Turtle on the beaches of Kefalonia.
End your nature adventure in Greece at the Navagio Beach on Zakynthos island. This award-winning beach offers crystal clear waters, white sand, and an iconic view of a shipwreck from above. You can even plan a boat tour to explore the caves and cliffs surrounding the beach.
To enjoy the nature destinations, you need a car or a rental to explore these beautiful locations. All of these locations are accessible by car or private transport. It's best to rent a car for a week or more in advance to save on costs and avoid any last-minute availability issues. Prices vary depending on car class, starting around €30 per day. Gasoline costs average around €1.60/Liter, and toll roads are common in Greece, so it's advisable to carry some extra cash for unexpected road tolls.
If you have more time, you can visit Mount Athos, the magical complex of monasteries and gardens, or if you're willing to go more south, the Bay of Balos with its beautiful white and pink sand.
If you have less time, you can reduce the trip to 4-5 days by skipping one or two locations, depending on your interests.
Athens International Airport (ATH) is the main international airport in Greece, located about 20 km southeast of Athens. It is the busiest airport in Greece and serves most of the major international flights from Europe and other continents. The airport is located around 309 km from Thessaloniki and is well-connected through domestic air travel or high-speed train service. This airport is the best option to fly into Greece when you want to follow this nature itinerary.