Walking holidays in Greece
flavours, heritage and the Aegean Sea

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Giovanna Crippa

Product Manager Europe

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David Praire

CEO

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Kristiina Gaillard

Greece & Mediterranean specialist

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Why discover Greece on foot with Kelifos

Greece reveals itself fully to those who take the time to explore it step by step. Where a classic tour shows you the sights, a walking holiday lets you live the country: the scent of fig trees along the path, a spontaneous conversation with a shepherd perched on a dry-stone wall, the sudden coolness of a Byzantine chapel forgotten by the world.

At Kelifos, we design each stay around pleasure and discovery. Our hidden paths wind along turquoise coastlines, pass through villages where life flows with the seasons, and lead invariably to a generous table. Your luggage awaits you each evening in a carefully selected boutique hotel. All that remains is to walk, gaze and taste.

With over forty years of expertise on Greek soil, we have forged close ties with local partners who share our vision: offering an authentic immersion, far from the crowds, in a Greece that only walkers truly know.

Our destinations: Cyclades, Crete and Ionian Islands

The Cyclades: light, charm and island joie de vivre

The Cyclades possess that rare gift of combining raw beauty with the sweetness of slow living. Along paved paths linking whitewashed villages, you discover vistas where the blue of the sky merges with the blue of the sea. Each island has its own character: the serenity of Serifos, the elegance of Sifnos and its culinary traditions, the majesty of Santorini's cliffs at sunset. Our walks are designed to make the most of this unique light, with time to stop at a village patisserie or plunge into a secret cove.

Crete: terroir, gorges and millennia of heritage

The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is a world unto itself. Its spectacular gorges, plateaux scattered with wildflowers and sculpted coastlines offer a variety of landscapes that never tire the curious walker. But the true Cretan treasure is also on the plate: village-pressed olive oil, cave-aged goat cheese, aromatic herbs gathered from the highlands. Our stays invite you to this double discovery, between hidden paths and terroir flavours, at a pace that leaves room for wonder.

The Ionian Islands: Adriatic serenity and emerald forests

Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos: the Ionian Islands surprise with their lush vegetation, deep blue waters and Venetian heritage. Here, the paths wind beneath cypresses and centuries-old olive trees, lead to clifftop monasteries and open onto bays that look as though they have been painted. The atmosphere is more intimate, the rhythm naturally peaceful. It is the ideal escape for those seeking serenity and authenticity on the shores of the Ionian Sea.

When to go and how we take care of everything

The best seasons for walking in Greece

Spring (April to June) is a magical time: temperatures are mild, wildflowers carpet the hillsides and the sites are still free from summer crowds. Autumn (September to November) brings an incomparable golden light, a sea still warm enough for swimming, and the first olive and grape harvests. Both seasons are ideal for walking in comfort and making the most of every day.

A worry-free trip, from first day to last

We know that the true luxury in travel is having nothing to think about except the pleasure of the moment. That is why every detail is arranged in advance:

• Charming addresses hand-picked with care: boutique hotels, family-run guesthouses, always well situated and with a local touch
• Your luggage awaits you each evening in your room, with no effort on your part
• Detailed route notes with our best addresses for lunch, swimming or simply wandering
• English-speaking leaders for our guided trips, or complete freedom with our self-guided holidays and round-the-clock assistance
• Small groups for guided departures: conviviality without the crowds

Whether you travel as a couple, with friends or solo, we adapt the rhythm to your wishes. At Kelifos, every day is an invitation to take your time: walk in the morning, sit down for lunch at noon, explore or rest in the afternoon. Greece is to be savoured, not rushed.

Fancy a change of pace? Discover Greece by bike too, another gentle way to explore these exceptional landscapes.

Frequently asked questions about walking in Greece

Guided or self-guided walking: how do I choose?

It all depends on the atmosphere you are looking for. On a guided trip, an English-speaking leader shares the history of each place and their own favourite addresses, in a small and convivial group. On a self-guided holiday, you set off as a couple or with close friends, at whatever hour suits you, with route notes marking out each day. Both formulas offer you the same comfort: charming hotels, luggage transported for you and an unhurried pace.

Which island or region should I choose for walking in Greece?

Every destination has its own temperament. Crete wins you over with its gorges and its generous terroir, the Cyclades with their whitewashed villages and their light, the Ionian Islands with their olive forests and sheltered bays. To walk on the mainland, the Peloponnese unfolds its forgotten villages and unspoilt shores. If you are still hesitating, our advisers know every one of these islands first-hand and will help you settle on the right one.

Do you need to be very fit to go walking in Greece?

Not at all. Our itineraries are walked at a gentle pace, in stages of a few hours, with all the time in the world to stop for a swim or a lunch that runs long. The days adapt to what you feel like, and since your luggage travels separately, you walk with a free mind. It is a peaceful way to discover the country, open to anyone who enjoys taking a path quietly.

Where can I find a map or a walking route for Greece?

If you want to plan a route yourself, the Greek topographic maps published by Anavasi or Terrain cover most of the mountain ranges and the islands. With Kelifos, though, there is nothing for you to organise: our self-guided holidays come with detailed route notes and the track for every stage, along with our best addresses for lunch and for wandering. All that is left is to follow the path.