Adventures Unlimited: Soar, Climb, and Drive through Greece

While Greece is known for its stunning scenery and breathtaking vistas, tourists looking for extreme activities on their Greek vacation will find plenty of opportunities. Whether you’re jumping off a bridge or skydiving over Athens, any adrenaline junkie can stay busy in Greece. Check out the four most thrilling activities.

1. Off-roading

The network of dirt roads across Greece is a maze of opportunities for free-wheeling exploration of the country’s gorgeous countryside. Routes often run through Greece’s lesser-known areas, giving off-roaders a view of Greece that many tourists never see. Roads run through traditional villages, over old stone bridges, and by medieval castles. The locals typically are happy to provide off-roading visitors with directions or snacks, and occasionally they’ll even invite tourists into their homes.

While Greece is home to hundreds of off-road trails, a few are must-sees for serious adventurists. The Verdant Parnon, a mountain route, begins at Kosmas in Parnon. Heading toward Prastos, you’ll find yourself in a sea of greenery as the route takes you through thickets of fir trees.

Another popular route crosses the Agrafa Mountains, where drivers will be awed by the mountains towering above as they follow the Agrafiotis River on this primarily off-road trail. This route can be difficult, especially in the winter, so it recommended for skilled drivers traveling in a vehicle with high-clearance, heavy-duty tires. For a slightly less intense trip, head to Asterousia in Crete and the Ahentrias-Maridaki-Ethia trail, a 30-kilometer run through the eastern range of the Asterousia Mountains. The views of the sea from the drive’s highest points are incredible.

2. Skydiving

This extreme sport will give you a literal bird’s eye view of Greece’s renowned scenery. If you’re a beginner, Greece’s certified instructors offer skydiving seminars at schools in places such as Megara, Lamia, Thiva, Crete, and Thessaloniki, all approved by the Greek Civil Aviation Authority.

All skydivers take the plunge in Greece’s official drop zones, which typically are based near small airports. Many operate year-round. The Greek Freefall Club, based out of the Kopaida Airport in Kastro, operates a turbine plane that can seat up to 10 skydivers and reaches a 14,000-foot exit altitude. Tandem divers, new skydivers, and longtime jumpers are welcome to skydive at Kopaida, which provides a large landing area and newer rental equipment.

Be sure to check out which paperwork you’ll need to skydive, especially if you are a licensed skydiver. When choosing a drop zone, also be aware that some drop zones with locations in Greece operate from nearby Bulgaria.

To see the best skydivers in Greece, plan to visit in September during the country’s National Skydiving Championship.

3. Rock climbing

With a temperate climate that’s ideal for year-round outdoor adventures, Greece is home to many natural formations offering rock climbers a variety of interesting challenges. Whether you’re climbing limestone, caves, or marble, Greece’s landscape has something for all levels of climbers.

The island of Kalymnos is a must for any serious rock climber. Filled with rock formations, it is known as one of the best climbing sites in the world. While climbing has been a sport for almost 100 years, the first routes in Kalymnos weren’t laid until 20 years ago, when a group of Italian climbers visiting the island realized its potential. Now, about 10,000 sport climbers visit Kalymnos each year. The climbing here is safe and well organized, and you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of the blue Aegean Sea from almost any climbing point.

If you prefer to stay near Athens, you’ll find about 2,000 sport climbing routes within a 30-minute drive of the city. You can climb in abandoned marble quarries in Penteli or experience a range of landscapes, animals, and plants climbing in Hymmetus and Parnitha.

4. Paragliding

This parachuting sport is another way to see Greece from the air. Even better, one of the best paragliding outfits in Greece is in Delphi, which allows you to soar over some of the country’s most significant ancient ruins, including the famed Oracle at Delphi. You will fly tandem with an instructor, allowing an expert to guide your flight as you take in the overhead views of the cliffs, ruins, and one of the world’s largest olive groves before landing the valleys below.

Flights last between 20 and 45 minutes, and while the weather in Delphi is conducive to paragliding throughout the year, sometimes daily weather changes mean paragliding schools move their flights to nearby locations. Most paragliding outfitters offer film and photos of your flight (GoPro cameras are welcome, too) and pick up from your landing point.

All you’ll need is long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, sunglasses, sturdy shoes that grip the ground, and a dose of courage. All ages are welcome; you’ll only need to be able to run gently for about 10 feet before leaping off a cliff to launch your flight.