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Camping in Greece directly by the sea - Campsites and tips
Greece is a breathtaking destination and regularly comes up as an absolute camping recommendation when we talk to experienced camping enthusiasts.
There are many reasons for this: the warm climate makes Greece an extremely flexible, year-round destination, ensuring that even inexperienced campers can enjoy their vacation unconditionally. Prices are often cheap, Greek cuisine is delicious and nature and adventure potential is endless: the many mountains are ideal for hiking, there are bays full of crystal clear water and countless campsites in Greece right on the beach.
This article gives you practical tips on how to get there, rules and organization, as well as inspirational travel recommendations on regions, campsites and activities. So your vacation in Greece in your camper will be perfect!
One thing is for sure: The road to Greece is long. But we promise: The journey is worth it. There are several possible routes to get there. The most common one leads to Italy first. From different cities you can take a ferry to Greece then. This route - by sea from Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Ravenna, Trieste or Venice to Patras or Igoumenitsa, Greece - significantly reduces travel time, but generates travel costs that can be saved if the land route is chosen. The overland route leads you over Balkan route. For the journey via Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and northern Macedonia, a maximum of 500-700 km should be planned daily. The reason for this is mainly the many speed limits in the transit countries. The route is as picturesque as it is exhausting, but the highway network is sufficiently well developed and the supply of rest areas and gas stations is also guaranteed.
A vignette is not necessary in Greece. It is best to pay cash or with a card directly at the toll station (Attention: for the route through Austria and Slovenia, a vignette must be bought in advance).
Since Greece is part of the EU, the identity card, driver's license and the vehicle documents of the camper (registration) are sufficient for entry. Children also need an identity document. Passports or an international driver's license are not necessary.
Small tip: If you cross the border in the early morning or at night, you save unnecessary waiting time.
The traffic rules in Greece are mostly identical to the German ones. However, there are some exceptions to be aware of. Look out for colored parking space markings. Yellow means no parking, blue indicates paid parking and white means free of charge.
Your behavior at roundabouts is also important.
ATTENTION: In Greece, the person entering the roundabout has the right of way!
Speed limits are set as follows:
Inner city:50 km/h
Out of town: 90 km/h
Motorways: Up to 130 km/h
Highways: 110 km/h
Stay and costs
How much do you pay for camping in Greece? One of the many advantages of camping in Greece are the prices. Greece is clearly one of the cheapest places in Europe to spend a vacation at - if you want to, of course.
Food is cheaper compared to German prices. It is best to use regional markets on site: the fruit is freshest and you support the vacation region in the most direct way.
How affordable a pitch is depends (as with everything else) on your needs: A few pitches are free of charge. Pitches with facilities and supplies are (depending on the respective providers) between 10-15 € and for more extensively equipped campsites you should always plan between 15 and 40 €.
Find campsites in Greece
But how do I find the right campsite? If you are spontaneous, then let yourself drift and follow signs. Campsites in Greece are often signposted along major roads. In this way, however, you run the risk of searching for a long time or arriving at places that are already fully booked or do not meet your requirements. To avoid this, you should go the classic way. Apps like ProMobile or the ADAC app help you to find a parking space. Furthermore we recommend www.camping.info (a booking portal for campers) and www.pincamp.de (the campsite finder from ADAC). Also the Greek Camping Association itself has created a site that can help in your search. Once you have decided, we advise you to make a reservation. Whether by phone or online often depends on the location, but the earlier you book, the better the location.
Wild camping in Greece
Officially, wild camping - i.e. free parking and spending the night in a car, camper or motor home - is not allowed in Greece. In the high season, this is consistently punished. This applies especially to tourist areas, nature reserves and beaches. Here costs can be up to 3000€. Outside of tourist areas and especially in the off-season, wild camping is dealt with much more loosely. This is the case because many campsites are closed during this time. The alternatives to camping in nature are therefore limited and so you always discover some campers on the roadside.
What is the weather like in Greece? The answer is `Fantastic` especially in the summer months from June to September. Here the temperatures are between 20° C and 33° C. Even the water temperature is around 25° C during this time, making it ideal for water and water sports enthusiasts of all kinds. Attention in some places (such as Crete) it can get even hotter on some days. Therefore, it is important to always take enough water with you, to protect yourself from the sun and to do physical activities in the cooler morning or evening hours. In the low season, temperatures average between 15° C and 25° C, offering potential for the perfect camping vacation even outside the main tourist season.
The most beautiful places for camping in Greece: destinations
Greece is wonderful. Almost everywhere you can find beautiful landscapes, soak up the warmth and breathe the sea air. Nevertheless, there are some places that you should not miss if you have some time to explore Greece. Greece classics, so to speak. These include the monasteries of Meteora, the capital Athens with the world heritage Acropolis, the Peloponnese peninsula, as well as some of the most beautiful Greek islands.
Lefkada - or also called `Lefkas`- is an island in the east of Greece and a real dream place for camping enthusiasts. The main reason for this is the lack of mass tourism. The island is characterized by traditional Greek flair without too much tourist infrastructure, which makes it ideal for those traveling by camper. There are white beaches, a steeply sloping west coast in crystal clear water, hidden bays and idyllic mountain villages. And best of all, the island can be reached via a bridge from the mainland! This makes getting there extremely easy.
The top campsites on Lefkada
Camping Vassiliki Beach: This site is very large and well maintained. All pitches are shaded and the sanitary facilities are more than adequate - A direct access to the sea does not exist at this site - nevertheless, the picturesque fishing village of Vassiliki is definitely worth a visit, because it combines what many people love so much about camping in Greece: Fresh fish in a fish tavern and sleepy alleys with cobblestones.
Beach Camping Santa Maura: Located in Desimi Bay in the southeast of the island, this campsite is set on spacious, shaded terraces and offers potential for a wonderful stay.
Camping in Thasos
Thasos is located in the northeast of Greece and is a true camping paradise. It is known for the clean water and the hospitality of the inhabitants and is also called `The Green Island`. This is mainly due to the extensive olive groves and fruit growing areas, as well as the ideal hiking conditions. Hiking trails here lead parallel to the coast to lonely chapels and monasteries, abandoned villages, through green valleys to hidden springs. Here the summer lasts until October and even in summer heat with over 30 degrees it is pleasantly bearable on the beach due to the Meltémi, the characteristic summer north wind of the Aegean.
Our tip: don't forget to try the Thassiot tomatoes!
The top campsites on Thasos
The coast is lined with great campsites
The campsite Dedalos is located in the northeast of the island and offers a quiet and perfectly Greek camping idyll
The Campsite at Pefkari Beach is further south and also directly by the sea. Camping under olives and pine trees. It doesn't get more Greek than this.
PS: On Googlemaps there are also some wildcamping spots marked - get some information on the location yourself in advance.
Camping in Crete
1,000 km of breathtaking coastlines
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is located in the very south of the country. Many call it the `Pearl of the Mediterranean`. Considering the many hours of sunshine, turquoise bays, small pottery villages and the countless beaches, Crete is probably more like an entire string of pearls. Here you can hike, swim, snorkel, kite surf, dive, potter and most importantly, you can camp!
The top campsites in Crete
Camping Agia Roumeli: This is located south of Chania on the south coast of Crete. It is a free campsite directly by the sea with good sanitary facilities and only 5 star ratings on Google.
Camping Koutsounari: The campsite is located in the south-west of the island and offers a location directly by the sea. Ideal conditions for the perfect camping vacation!
Camping in Peloponnese
Greece peninsula steeped in history
Peloponnese is a peninsula in the south of Greece, separated from the mainland only by the Isthmus of Corinth. It is a wonderful vacation destination for campers and RVs due to its connection to the mainland and a place full of heroic sagas, legends and history. Historical sites, ruins and numerous excavation sites give camping in this place a special flair.
The top campsites in Peloponnese
Erodios Camping: Erodios is located in the southeast of the Peloponnese. It is situated in a very peaceful environment full of nature and next to the sea.
Camping Gythion Bay: This camping is comparatively large and extensively equipped, has a pool and lies directly by the sea.
Conclusion and tips
The best time to travel to Greece in a camper is certainly just before or after the main travel season. In June, as well as in September and October, the weather in Greece is still warm enough for swimming and for a real summer vacation feeling and yet you escape the crowds of summer vacation families. But also in the acute low season - in spring or autumn - Greece is ideal for a camping trip. Free standing is tolerated in many places and it rarely gets so cold that the stay becomes more uncomfortable than adventurous. If you want to travel relaxed and stay flexible, we recommend you to plan about 3 weeks for your camping trip to Greece with round trip.
Have fun on your trip - we're sure it will be wonderful!
