Greece: 12 Places to See from Zakynthos to Meteora
Explore Greece's most scenic destinations across 2,920 km, from the iconic Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos to the monasteries of Meteora and the coastal charm of Parga. This route covers the country's most visually striking locations, including dramatic gorges, pristine beaches, and historic sites across the mainland and islands.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Marathonisi
- End
- Sarakiniko Beach
- Stops
- 12
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Marathonisi — Small island in southern Zakynthos featuring Oasis Beach with white cliffs, accessible by private boat rental for exploration and swimming.
- Vikos Gorge & Parga — Dramatic limestone canyon plunging 3,600 feet with pristine river valley below, complemented by a charming seaside town on the Ionian coast.
- Athens & Thessaloniki — Ancient Greek capital home to the Parthenon and classical ruins, paired with Greece's second-largest city featuring Byzantine churches and Ottoman heritage.
- Mt Olympus & Mt Giona — Legendary mythological mountain and mainland Greece's highest peak, offering alpine trails through diverse ecosystems near the central mountain range.
- Rion-Antirion Bridge — Modern cable-stayed bridge spanning the Gulf of Corinth with innovative engineering, connecting the Peloponnese to central Greece across the sea.
- Monemvasia & Rhodes — Medieval fortress town perched on a rocky peninsula in the Peloponnese, complemented by Rhodes's Knights' castles and Mediterranean beaches.
- Crete & Mykonos — Largest Greek island with Minoan palaces and dramatic gorges, paired with the vibrant Cycladic island famous for whitewashed villages and nightlife.
- Zakynthos — Greek island in the Ionian Sea famous for Shipwreck Beach, dramatic white cliff walls, and crystal-clear turquoise waters accessible by boat tour.
- Shipwreck Beach — Iconic cove featuring a wrecked cargo ship surrounded by massive cliff walls, accessible only by boat, one of Greece's most visually stunning locations.
- Milos — Greek island known for stunning beaches, white-rock caves, and unique geological formations including lava beaches bleached by sun and sea.
- Kleftiko Caves — Accessible by boat tour, features dramatic white rocks jutting from crystal-clear Mediterranean waters, exemplifying classic Greek island beauty.
- Sarakiniko Beach — Unique beach composed of bleached lava rock formations, creating a lunar-like landscape contrasting with brilliant blue Mediterranean waters.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Boat tour to Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos costs about $20 and is the only way to access the beach
- Transport
- Boat rental around Marathonski island costs about $140 and doesn't require an international driver's license
- Transport
- Multiple tour boats available to reach Kleftiko Caves; access only by boat
- Tip
- Meteora monasteries located in central Greece about 4 hours drive from Athens; monks and nuns currently live in the six surviving monasteries
- Tip
- Vikos Gorge holds world record for deepest gorge relative to its width at over 490 meters deep; Akshaya viewpoint offers panoramic views
- Where to stay
- Konitsa town lies at the base of mountains near Vikos Gorge and is a perfect base to explore the area
- Transport
- Lefkada is accessible by car via causeway connecting it to mainland, about one hour from Parga
- Tip
- Acropolis in Athens costs about 20 euros to enter and offers panoramic views of the city
- Transport
- Thessaloniki is located in northern Greece about 6 hours drive from Athens
- Tip
- Mount Olympus hike takes 2-3 days and a guide is recommended as it can be dangerous; town of Litokoro is at the base
- Transport
- Rion-Antirion Bridge is nearly 3 kilometers long and crosses the Gulf of Corinth with mountain backdrop
- Tip
- Corinth Canal is 4 miles long connecting Aegean to Ionian Sea; completed in 1893 but too narrow for most modern ships
Video on this route
Top 20 Places To Visit In Greece - 4K Travel Guide