9 outdoor activities ideas to do in Greece this summer

Do you want to combine sun, incredible landscapes and strong sensations? Discover the outdoor activities to do in Greece this summer!

With a particularly rich cultural and historical heritage, Greece is an ideal holiday destination! Its sunny climate, its sweetness of living, its heavenly islands, its gastronomy and its diverse landscapes make the land of the gods a place out of time, offering a multitude of wonders.

You will therefore have the choice between holidays under the historical theme, that of farniente, or the discovery of the different outdoor activities to do in Greece.

Through this article as through Greek territory, Discover Greece with Private Trip , to add strong sensations and ineffacable memories to your next holiday.

1. The windsurfing

Going to Greece to windsurf? What good will you say, since we can do it on the Norman or Breton coasts? Sure. But imagine, the time for a moment, slippery, floating, almost flying on a turquoise water, approaching the 30°C and offering you the spectacle of cliffs coming to throw themselves on white sand beaches...

By choosing to go to the choice on Cyclades Islands (Plage Golden Beach) Rhodes or Crete (to Palekastro), you will discover sumptuous spots for "floor". Depending on the season, wind speed will range from 15 to 40 knots (annual average to 22). You will find all year round a flat water, and therefore will not have to face the waves.

If you miss them, you can still face it on the Tsoukalia spot, a 15-minute drive from Golden Beach.

2. Paragliding

Looking for an outdoor activity in Greece that will provide you with a maximum of strong sensations? Don't look anymore, and let yourself be seduced by paragliding! As Greece is full of historical monuments, mountains, white sandy beaches and turquoise water, there will be for all tastes.

You'll be able to jump from there. Mont Ainos , in Cephalonia , and discover its fishing villages, the red roofs of the island’s houses, or the ruins of the historic castle of the sixteenth century. The flight time will then be, depending on the wind, 10 to 25 minutes, and you will finish your experience by flying over the turquoise sea bordering the beach of Myrtos .

Our favorite spot still remains that of Lefkada , located on the peninsula of Leucade. Here you will go from the highest peak of the place, Stavrota, and fly over the island for about 20 minutes.

20 minutes in which you can enjoy the unique architecture of the island before flying over the white chalk cliffs. These last ones are close to the beaches of white sand (Egremni, Milos and Kathisma), and you will land on one of them by crowding the warm water from the Aegean Sea. An amazing experience.

3. Trekking

If Greece, in contrast to France, is not yet at the top of its organization concerning hiking trails, trekking remains one of the best outdoor activities to be done in Greece. Also, if you have already accumulated some experience in this field, it will be easy to follow the Greek trails.

Once again, it is on the Greek islands that we advise you to take the sea to go hiking. But not any islands! In the East, it is in the Dodecanese Archipelago you will find the most beautiful trails, while in the West, Corfu offers beautiful mountain landscapes. You can then go for a day of walking, and discover small remote mountain villages, before falling nose to nose with caves where the sea water will offer you a good refreshment.

Finally, for a complete trekking, you can also go to Crete, where you will have the opportunity to discover on the same path the Gorges de Samaria , Knossos Palace , peninsula of Elafonissi and many other wonders.

4. The snorkeling

Whether it’s the Ionian Islands, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese or even the surroundings of Athens, the diving and snorkeling spots are largely present, and therefore offer you one of the best outdoor activities to do in Greece! Indeed, if you are passing by the ancient capital, you can enjoy Cap Lemos bays , Charaka Beach and even Cap Sounion to escape the warmth of the city.

Of course, we still advise you to focus on the Greek islands in order to find your nose with a more diverse marine fauna. Thus, by electing the Ionian islands, you can discover the only spot in Europe where to discover the caouanne turtles. For this, the island of Zante, or Zakynthos , will be the best spot.

On the choice of the season, we recommend the months of September and October, when the sea is still hot but the tourists are less present. This is the time when marine fauna is approaching the shores, and is observed much more easily.

5. Cycling

For the most courageous and motivated of you, here is a new outdoor activity to be done in Greece, particularly elusive: cycling! Indeed, if discovering Greece by bike is a more than worthwhile activity, it can still push you to the end, depending on the paths!

Our two preferred regions to exercise this physical effort are the Peloponnese and the meteors. The first, rich in archaeological sites and fine sandy beaches to turquoise water, will offer you a multitude of cycling trails, with varying difficulties. You will also go through impressive forests and natural parks.

The second, Les Météores , is a more unknown destination of Greece. Yet, it also reserves many wonders. You will then have to devote yourself to many days to survey the plains. If for some, this route may seem more boring than the first, it is for us the perfect place to enjoy gentle walks without too much effort, which will allow you to empty your mind and encroach you with good energy.

6. Riding

If Europe is a very attractive continent to ride on horseback, Greece is especially! Indeed, by choosing this outdoor activity in Greece, you will discover tourist routes immersing yourself in the mythology and history of the country.

Surroundings of Athens to the Crete passing by Kefalonia , all these destinations will offer you a unique moment with your mount. In Crete, our favourite equestrian destination, you will enjoy exceptional views at the top of the mountains, before finishing the walk at sunset, along the beach, sabots in the sea. You will then be watching sunsets enchanting...

7. The escaldade

Here is one of the best outdoor activities to do in Greece, although far from being the most easy: climbing! Indeed, the latter can be practiced using a guide, but will still ask you for experience and physical strength... It must be said that the spots that we offer you are exceptional, but deserve.

First, the best known site is that of Kalymnos (see photo above). You will find more than 60 exceptional sites and 1,300 routes. You can also find your happiness on the side of the Sikia cliffs , Mont Gkiona , which will offer you a climb over 2,500 meters above sea level.

Finally, discover the gigantic rocks of the Meteors. Thanks to natural catches, they are accessible to beginners, always accompanied by a guide. Here, the real surprise will be to discover the monasteries and hermitages abandoned during your ascension... We don't tell you any more!

8. Golf

After the effort, comfort! Spend hiking trails to golf courses for this new outdoor activity in Greece. Indeed, if the golf courses in Greece are not the most recognized in the profession, they are usually located in a particularly charming environment.

Go to Corfu to discover fairways in the heart of a natural reserve with herons, birds of all kinds, and even a few otters. Costa Navarino also has two eighteen hole courses with each of the unbeatable views of the sea. You can also find your happiness in the capital on the Glyfada route easily accessible from the city center.

Finally, our favourite course is in Corfu, in the region of Corfu Hersonissos . The latter, with 18 holes, has just been renovated and, in the coming years, aspires to become one of Europe’s emblematic routes.

9. The canyoning

It is with our favorite attraction that we end this selection of the best outdoor activities to do in Greece: canyoning! In the heart of rivers and rivers offering waterfalls, jumps, recall descents and natural water slides, you will participate in an unforgettable activity for a great time with family or friends.

Throughout Greece, many descents are available to beginners and confirmed, and you will necessarily find your happiness. For example, you can choose the route of the Grotte de Grevena , which will offer you strong sensations, when you pass to the heart of vertical rocks over 200 meters high.

For those who are less comfortable and want to discover discipline, prefer the descent from Vikaki to Zagori . You will then make a more easy descent, which will offer you some jumps and an aquatic slide.

Finally, don’t hesitate to discover our article dedicated to more beautiful places to make canyoning in Crete .