Hi! I’m planning a trip to Greece but all I can find is info on the beaches and island hopping but I personally wanna go to see the mountains rather than do any partying stuff, the landscape and geology of Greece is fascinating and I’d like to see it up close but at the same time I want to be supporting local communities rather than major tourist corporations. Do you have any tips? Also if it’s helpful I am learning Greek so I don’t mind any recommendations for areas that are unlikely to have any English speakers! Thank you! 😊
Hello! I believe the official site of Greek Tourism Organisation "Visit Greece" has plenty of information about all places in Greece, not just the islands. Now, before getting to exactly what you asked, I would like to make some clarifications so you have a more accurate picture about Greece as a travel destination.
First, while the islands get the tourists by a long margin, it does not mean that they are all about partying. Only few islands are specifically partying destinations, namely just Mykonos and Ios, although even there you might be able to find regions which are more traditional and good for more chill, authentic and secluded vacations. Also, if staying far from mass tourism is very important to you, there are several islands that are not very known to tourists yet. Because they are islands, by nature some of them not yet touched by mass tourism and investments are actually very remote, more remote than many places in the mainland.
Second, Greece indeed has an interesting landscape and it has it both in the mainland and in the islands. While most islands have lower altitudes and less vegetation than the mainland, the vast majority has a very rugged terrain too. The type of "flatbread" landscapes, as I call them respectfully, virtually does not exist in Greece. Then four out of five active volcanoes in Greece are in the islands, which create interesting landscapes. And then there's Crete with its ultra mountain ranges. This is not me trying to sway you from your wish to go to the mainland, in fact I do think the mainland is severely underrated. I just want to give you a more spherical and accurate perception of Greece as a destination. So back to your ask!
I had trouble figuring out how to approach your ask. Asking me about seeing "the mountains" is in fact not easier than asking me about seeing "the islands". I thought about it long and hard (a bit too long, I hope you're still hanging around to see it) and based on your interests as described above I decided to offer four general plans about your itinerary. I called them "the plans of the triads". Every plan is a triad, I'll explain this in a bit.
Apologies in advance that I will go out on a limb and not include Thrace and include only a tiny bit of Macedonia in my plans. I did not include Thrace because even though it has the Rhodope mountains and perhaps the best or amongst the best woodlands, it is not as mountainous as the other regions. As for Macedonia, I include it only slightly and it's definitely a choice because literally the four biggest mountains in Greece are in Macedonia LOL including most of freaking Olympus. However, the reason I am leaving it out for the most part is because it is a slightly less mountainous region than the others, in the sense that there are larger intervals of hills and lowlands between the mountainous destinations for someone who tries to make a clever mountain itinerary, you know? So, you understood this correctly, I am leaving Olympus out of this lol. I will also leave out Mount Pelion of Thessaly, the most touristic Greek mountain, which is gorgeous, because I believe it's more cosmopolitan and not what you're asking for exactly. I had to preface this so one would not be weirded out by my exclusions, they are conscious choices.
So, I call the plans triads because all plans are based on visiting three geographic regions. These regions are all next to each other and they are all very mountainous so it would make it easier for you to explore in relatively close distances. By the way, you will need to rent a car for this or come by land with your own. You don't get to do a mountain itinerary in Greece with a bus or a train. Unless you get in touch with a travel agency but they will have some other itinerary in mind perhaps.
The triad plans are four:
The Mediterranean alternative
Here's a map with all plans:
The Screamer (Ioannina - Trikala - Grevena)
Why that name: I call this one the "screamer" because it is the most obvious choice perhaps for someone who wants mountains. It's not necessarily more mountainous than the others but it is the flagship of mountainous and landlocked mainland destinations in Greece.
Which major regions are featured: Epirus, Thessaly and Macedonia.
What's the X-factor: It has perhaps the ideal combo of "geology and landscape" out of the four as I am not only recommending mountains here but also the most famous natural wonder of the country and also a Record Guinness gorge.
Season: From middle spring to middle autumn, you don't want to get trapped there in a snowstorm.
Places you can hope to see in this plan ideally:
the UNESCO World Heritage Meteora Rocks and their medieval monasteries, as well as the scenic towns surrounding them
the National Park of Vikos-Aoos with its trademark Vikos gorge, the deepest gorge in the world in relation to its width
the National Park of Northern Pindus with the woodlands of Valia Calda
the quaint mountain villages of Elati, Pertouli and Neraidochori in Mount Koziakas, Trikala
the region of Zagori with its numerous UNESCO Cultural Landscape traditional villages
Mount Tymfi, also in Zagori, with its alpine lake
the northern part of Tzoumerka (Athamanian mountains) with villages such as Kalarrytes and Pramanta
the lake city of Ioannina, the 6th largest in Greece. If there, visit also the lake's island and its museum. It's the only place in Greece you can eat frog legs and lake eels, if for some reason you're up for this
the towns of Trikala and Grevena. Eat mushrooms if you visit the latter.
Metsovo, one of the largest mountain towns of the country. Visit the museums and eat cheeses and cured meats there.
Samarina on Mount Smolikas, one of the highest mountain villages in Greece and the Balkans. Smolikas is the second tallest mountain after Olympus but it has smooth slopes and it can be easily hiked.
IF you take the risk to go in winter, you can visit the Ski Resort of Vasilitsa in Grevena. Check if it's open / it has snowed enough first.
Remember, winter in Greece is either summer or Siberia, there's no in between and it's hard to predict which version you'll get.
Note! If you hike up to the alpine Dragon Lake of Mount Tymfi, DON'T swim in it even if it's summer. The lake hosts endangered endemic tritons and other fauna that is vulnerable to germs we might introduce to them.
Danger! If by any chance, you lose your way with the car in the mountains of Ioannina and Trikala, DON'T try a road named "Katara". It's a dangerous road. Keep driving in the highway.
Fun Fact: In this region, especially in Grevena, if you're very lucky, you might see bears. Greece's brown bears (almost?) never attack humans but of course keep your distance and observe from afar.
Will I be able to see all this in my journey: No, of course not. From now on, you'll have to make your internet search, check these places, find the ones you like best and ideally choose ones close to one another, check the distances, the accessibility, the average weather, the accommodations.
Meteora, the Dragon Lake of Mount Tymfi and Northern Pindus (probs Mount Smolikas). All these pics are clearly taken in spring, April or later.
The Recluse (Karditsa - Arta - Eurytania)
Why that name: From all the plans this is the one that is most likely to feel far from organized tourism and with the highest chances of meeting people not knowing English.
Which major regions are featured: Thessaly - Epirus - Sterea Hellas
What's the X-factor: It's a highly untouched and authentic feeling region with traditional pretty villages, imposing mountain scenery and several lakeside destinations, an ideal region to seek serenity and getting away from it all. At the same time, it has the most mountainous regional capital city in the country as well as high quality accommodation, including chalets.
Season: From middle spring to middle autumn, you don't want to get trapped there in a snowstorm, unless you have the means to spend the adverse weather in your accommodation, without worrying about being back on time.
Places you can hope to see in this plan ideally:
Agrafa mountains and their villages
the well known Plastira lake, it has organized tourist facilities
Karditsa town and its UNESCO protected public market
The region of Argithea in Karditsa with the small but beautiful Stefaniada lake
the central and southern part of Tzoumerka (Athamanian mountains), their villages such as Agnanta and Theodoriana, their woodlands and their waterfalls
The town of Arta with its fabled Bridge of Arta
Kremasta, the largest man-made lake in Greece
if you come in winter, the Ski Resort of Velouchi
Karpenisi, the mountainous capital of Eurytania
The natural wonder of Panta Vrechi Canyon. You 'll probably know that "Panta Vrechi" means "it's always raining".
the beautiful region of Prousos with the 12th century monastery and the canyon of the Black Cave
Will I be able to see all this in my journey: No, of course not. From now on, you'll have to make your internet search, check these places, find the ones you like best and ideally choose ones close to one another, check the distances, the accessibility, the average weather, the accommodations.
Agrafa mountains, the village of Agnanta in the Central Tzoumerka mountains and Proussos.
The Athenian Boy (Boeotia - Phocis - Phthiotis)
Why that name: Because it is the plan closest to Athens, in case you start your journey from there (most likely) or intend to visit Athens properly as well.
Which major regions are featured: We're putting Sterea Hellas in the spotlight with this one.
What's the X-factor: Again, its proximity to Athens without making any compromises in scenery. The mountains here are just as large as the ones in the plans above. Moreover, because it is close to Athens it has both secluded, remote destinations and more touristy, cosmopolitan or organized ones in close distance with each other.
Season: All year round because (broken record alert) due to its proximity to Athens perhaps things are catered to a little more carefully and it is less likely to stumble onto issues such as blocked roads even during adverse wintry weather.
Places you can hope to see in this plan ideally:
the cosmopolitan mountain town of Arachova
if in winter, the ski resort of Mount Parnassus
the city of Livadeia and its nearby Krya springs and waterfalls
the surrounded by mountains town of Amfissa and its elevated fortress, also some interesting carnival festival taking place there in February (earplugs recommended because these celebrations get loud)
the famous Oracle of Delphi, one of the most visited sites in Greece, on Mount Parnassus
the traditional villages of Phocis (scattered throughout the several mountains of the region)
Vardousia mountains, the mountains with some of the toughest peaks to climb across most of Greece
Mount Giona, the biggest mountain south of Olympus and the one with the biggest headwall in the Balkans
the gorgeous verdant region of Pavliani in Phthiotis
the National Woodland Park and the Asopos Gorge of Mount Oeta
if in Phthiotis, you can visit Thermopylae, the site of the battle between King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans with the Persians
Will I be able to see all this in my journey: Not if you want to explore each destination and mountain thoroughly. But it's possible that you can fit more things together in this one, although don't hold me to it, I may be wrong.
Vardousia Mountains, Arahova town and somewhere in Mount Oeta.
The Mediterranean alternative (Corinthia - Arcadia - Laconia)
Why that name: This plan trails down the mountainous core of the Peloponnese, South Greece. The climate is a little more typical Mediterranean than the previous temperate and alpine elevations. It still has large mountains which get snow in the winter but the weather is certainly a little milder. Furthermore, this plan includes a peninsula featured here for its special geomorphology and remoteness and not its altitude.
Which major regions are featured: Peloponnese through and through.
What's the X-factor: The milder weather, a more easily accessible combo of mountain and sea (although to be fair that's pretty easy in most Greek places) and a lot of historical and cultural sites.
Season: All year around. If however you definitely want wintry weather, ski resorts and snowcapped mountains, this happens of course but it is less guaranteed or it may last for a few days only.
Places you can hope to see in this plan ideally:
the Corinth Canal, Isthmus of Corinth
Aroania mountains (also known as Helmos) and the National Park of the Vouraikos gorge (okay most of it is in Achaea region next to Corinthia, I am stealing a little bit here)
the historical quaint villages of Mount Menalo such as Stemnitsa, Dimitsana and Limbovisi
the town of Vytina, its nearby woods of Vytina and the Road of Love
if in winter and it has snowed, the ski resort in Mount Menalo
the very forested Mount Parnon and its villages
Mount Taygetus, the tallest mountain of the Peloponnese, overlooking the town of Sparta
the hilly Byzantine castle city of Mystras
Mani, a rough rugged - at places barren - remote peninsula with the tower houses of the Maniots, the fiercely proud and reserved people of the region. Places to see across Mani are Vathia, Areopoli, Oitylon and Cape Tenaro.
Will I be able to see all this in my journey: No but this plan is a little easier to navigate because you'll start from the north, heading from Athens to nearby Corinthia and then you can keep exploring as many of the aforementioned places as you want by going more and more south.
Lake Doxa in Feneos, a village in Mount Menalo of Arcadia and Mount Taygetus with Sparta on its foot.
Phew, okay that was it. I believe these are fairly good recs to examine and choose from. And again, to anyone that might wonder why I did not include this or that place, I know. I have left a lot of stuff out of this. But you gotta start somewhere. Anon, I hope this helps you out and also I hope you see this because it took me ages to finish it. In my defence, it was tricky!
Photos belong to their respective owners, I use them here as a visual guide for the Anon.
