Active Discovery in Greece

I highly recommend travelers consider exploring the beauty of the Greek Islands on foot, if you can take even a day to hike and explore the area outside of the main city or villages you will have a deeper appreciation for the beauty and uniqueness of this part of the world. I was fortunate to hike between 5-10 miles on Paros, Santorini, and Naxos, each island offers an enchanting and unforgettable experience, combining stunning natural beauty with a rich historical and cultural heritage. 

First and foremost, the landscapes on each island is simply breathtaking. From Paros rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and sandy beaches, to Santorini's stunning caldera rim trail that offers dramatic caldera views and the chance to walk through white-washed villages with the iconic blue domed churched, and last but not least Naxos, the largest of the three, offers endless hiking trails through the picturesque landscape of rolling hills, ancient ruins, and quiet villages. It's easy to understand why you must take time on each island to get off the pavement and onto a trail so you can enjoy the individuality of each place.

Aside from the natural beauty each island has its own history and cultural story. On the island of Paros you can hike the ancient Byzantine trail from the village of Lefkes to the east coast of Paros. This route is 1,000 years old and used to be the only way to traverse the entire island. Along the trail are Cycladic villages, such as Prodromos, that has a labyrinth of narrow winding streets designed to protect villagers from pirate attacks. 

While Santorini is the one of the most known and visited Cycladic Islands, few people take the time to wander outside the main towns of Thira and Oia. The trail offers no shortage of breathtaking views as you hike the 6 miles along the caldera rim, passing through smaller towns such as Imerovigli. The geological history of the Minoan volcanic eruption, is also fascinating as it reshaped the entire island, and buried successful bronze age civilizations such as Akrotiri on the southern part of the island. 

Naxos not only offers endless hiking trails and a true "mountain" Mount Zeus (3,200 ft above sea-level) to explore, but it is home to the famous Naxian marble quarries, where along your path you come across fully carved marble statues that broke in transport and have been left to rest for thousands of years. While exploring the lush fields and hiking through the countryside you can feel the ancient history that such a place carries. 

Hiking in the islands is a beautiful experience and something that people of all ability levels can enjoy, from short level walks, to full day treks across large areas, you won't run out of options. However it is important to consider the weather when planning an active trip such as this. While sea breezes blow across all of the islands it can become quite hot and tiring under the Mediterranean sun. The idea time for island adventures is either spring or late fall when the temperatures start to drop and you can enjoy time outside without overheating. 

Hiking the Greek islands of Paros, Santorini, and Naxos will give you a unique and completely different experience and deeper understanding for each place than you can have from a quick port stop on a cruise. An active itinerary on the Greek islands offers something for everyone whether you are an adventure enthusiast or simply seeking to unwind amidst the natural beauty, these islands promise an unforgettable experience.