8 Days Self Drive Off Road Adventure in Mountainous Greece

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to Athens
1 stop
1
Athens
Arrive in Athens, and if you have the time, explore the city’s rich history. Start with a visit to the Acropolis — a must-see site where you'll admire the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. These iconic landmarks offer a stunning panoramic view of the city. From there, descend to Areopagus Street and continue to the Acropolis Museum, home to original artifacts and impressive exhibits from ancient Greece. Next, stroll through the picturesque Plaka neighborhood, with its colorful alleys, boutique shops, and authentic Greek tavernas. Then head to the Roman Agora and the Library of Hadrian. Continue through the vibrant Monastiraki Market, bustling with antique stalls, souvenirs, and street food. End the day at Syntagma Square to witness the changing of the guard in front of the Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. If time permits, wrap up the day with sunset views from Lycabettus Hill for a breathtaking panorama of Athens.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Evrytania Region – Mountainous Greece
1 stop
2
Pick up your 4x4 SUV and head north toward the majestic mountains of central Greece. Your destination is the Evrytania region — often called the “Switzerland of mountainous Greece” for its dramatic peaks, deep valleys, and untouched nature. Begin your off-road adventure along winding mountain trails, surrounded by fir trees and panoramic views. Stop at a small mountain chapel perched above the valley, offering sweeping views of the rugged landscape. For lunch, visit the village of Makrakomi and dine at Pithári, a warm, rustic family-run spot. There’s no menu — you’ll be served whatever the owner has cooked that day. It’s authentic, homemade Greek cuisine at its best. After lunch, continue your off-road journey through the highlands. Pass remote villages, traditional shepherds’ chapels, and soak in the timeless charm of rural Greece. The route winds through Evrytania’s mountains, gradually descending into the peaceful Karpenisi valley.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Evrytania, Eternal Rainfalls & Local Dessert
2 stops
3
Continue exploring the Evrytania region on scenic off-road drives through traditional villages, mountain passes, and riverside trails. Immerse yourself in the charm of mountainous Greece with a perfect mix of adventure and culture, ending your day with a traditional local dessert. Stop at Maria’s Step, a local landmark where footprints on the rock are believed by locals to be those of the Holy Mary. Hike a trail marked with red diamonds through lush forest and waterfalls to the mysterious Black Cave — a refreshing detour into nature. Take a spectacular off-road drive above the Krikolopotamos River gorge. Pause for a riverside picnic and walk through the shallow waters of the Canyon of the Eternal Rainfalls, one of the region’s most untouched corners. Arrive at the picturesque village of Megalo Chorio. Park your vehicle and head to Rakómelo Café by the main square for a pastry workshop and fine coffee in a cozy mountain setting.
9 hours • Admission ticket free
4
Pastry Workshop and fine coffee at Rakómelo Café, Megalo Chorio.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Proussos Monastery, Agrafa, Off-Road Trails & Lake Plastira
1 stop
5
Begin your day at Proussos Monastery, a sacred site in Evrytania known for its icon of the Virgin Mary, nestled between steep cliffs. Park your jeep and explore this peaceful complex. Then, head toward the remote Agrafa area, stopping at a working water-powered flour mill with a traditional washing station—a rare glimpse of old rural Greek life. Continue through the rugged Agrafa mountains, famously “unregistered” during Ottoman times. Pass Lake Kremaston, one of Greece’s largest artificial lakes with striking turquoise waters and bridges. Finally, arrive at Plastiras Dam and Lake Plastira, a scenic alpine reservoir surrounded by forests and peaks—an ideal spot to relax after a day of exploring.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Pili Bridge, Off-Road, Meteora Cliffs & Monastery Visit
1 stop
6
Begin your day at the ancient Pili Bridge, then follow an off-road trail through the Vlach villages with stunning viewpoints. Arrive in Meteora in the afternoon to witness the breathtaking rock formations. Visit one of the monasteries and enjoy panoramic views of the cliffs and the surrounding area. The ancient bridge of Pili was once a necessary crossing on the way to northern Greece. Take a walk across this enormous and historic structure. Travel along a scenic dirt road following the old mule path to the Vlach villages in northern Greece. Visit the first monastery built on the cliff tops in the 15th century — the largest of the Meteora monasteries, Megalo Meteora Monastery. It sits atop a massive cliff 534 meters high. It’s important to arrive by 3:00 PM to have enough time to explore the monastery. Between monastery visits, stop at one of the best viewpoints in Meteora for spectacular views of the monasteries and the Kalambaka Valley.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Rafting, Vovousa Village, Kipoi Bridges & Zagori Villages
2 stops
7
Start your morning with rafting on the Aliakmonas River. Continue to Vovousa, a village by the Aoos River. From there, take an off-road trail into the magical stone villages of Zagori. Visit the famous stone bridges of Kipoi and sleep in one of Zagori's traditional villages. The rafting base on the Aliakmonas River is where you change clothes, receive protective and safety equipment, and head out onto the river. At the end of the trip, you will be returned to the rafting base. Take an off-road route from the village of Vovousa, located on the Aoos River, to the stone villages of Zagoria. The village of Kipoi was part of the Ottoman Empire and was liberated after the Balkan Wars in 1913. It is known for its beautiful old stone bridges, built over the many streams surrounding the village, connecting the old footpaths. One of the most famous bridges is the three-arched stone bridge known as the Plakidas Bridge.
7 hours • Admission ticket free
8
Rafting at Aliakmonas River
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Wild Nature, Picturesque Villages & Vikos Gorge
1 stop
9
Spend the day exploring Zagori, meaning “land beyond the mountains,” in the Pindos mountains of Epirus, known for its traditional stone villages. Discover wild nature, old bridges, and villages like Kipoi and Mikro Papingo. Walk from Monodendri village center to the Vikos Canyon view at the Monastery of Saint Paraskevi — about 40 minutes. Visit Mikro Papingo, a beautiful village on Mount Astraka’s slopes, a national historical monument. Stroll stone alleys, the main square, and admire typical Zagori stone houses with large courtyards. Explore the Papingo Rock Pools, natural pools and small waterfalls formed by erosion, and take a short off-road trail to Kalidonia Bridge over the Voidomatis River. Cross the bridge and follow the old mule path by the river, surrounded by plane trees. Stop at the Vikos Canyon Lookout, one of Europe’s deepest canyons and the world’s narrowest proportionally. It’s a sanctuary for endangered species, with trails offering stunning panoramic views.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Ferry Ride, Rio-Antirio Bridge, Corinth Canal
1 stop
10
Say goodbye to the Zagori villages with a morning viewpoint over the Albanian border and Ioannina Valley. Head to the Corinthian Gulf, cross by ferry near the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, visit the Corinth Canal, then drive to Athens airport to return your vehicle. The Monument to the Women of Zagori and Pindos in Mikro Papigo honors local women who helped Jews escape the Nazis in WWII. The Rio Antirrio Bridge, officially the Charilaos Trikopis Bridge, is Greece’s longest suspension bridge and among the world’s longest. The Corinthian Canal, dug in the late 19th century, connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf. It’s narrow (21–25 m) and now limited in economic use. Return your vehicle at Athens International Airport, ending your trip.
10 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Car rental is subject to the terms and conditions of local rental companies, and local laws

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