Explore Greece by Motorcycle

Greece is the perfect antidote to the long northern European winter. While the rest of us are wrapping up against the cold, Greece is basking in sunshine, offering warm Mediterranean riding when the roads back home are wet, dark, and uninviting. With quiet twisting roads through ancient landscapes, a coastline that glitters around every bend, and a history that stretches back thousands of years, Greece extends your riding season and feeds your soul at the same time.

The Land of Legends

For motorcyclists, Greece offers something rare — genuinely excellent roads through landscapes steeped in mythology and history, without the heavy traffic that plagues more popular Mediterranean destinations. The Peloponnese Peninsula, south of Athens, is the heartland of ancient Greece. This is the land where Hercules fought the Nemean Lion, where the Argonauts set sail for the Golden Fleece, and where gods were said to walk the earth. Today, classical temples, Mycenaean palaces, and Byzantine cities dot a landscape of mountains, olive groves, and sparkling coastline.

The roads through the Peloponnese are a motorcyclist’s dream. Twisting mountain routes wind around Mount Parnonas with sweeping views down to the Mediterranean, before dropping to coastal roads that hug the Argolic Gulf. Traffic is light, the tarmac is good, and the pace of riding feels perfectly matched to the laid-back Greek way of life — ride hard through the mountains in the morning, then settle into a harbourside taverna for a long lunch as the afternoon heat builds.

Nafplio, once the capital of the Kingdom of Greece, is widely regarded by Greeks themselves as the most beautiful town on the mainland. Perched overlooking the Argolic Gulf, its narrow cobblestone alleys wind between Venetian and Turkish buildings draped in bougainvillea, past neoclassical mansions and Ottoman fountains, to a harbour where the Bourtzi fortress stands guard on its own tiny island. It’s the kind of place that makes you wonder why you’d ever book a beach resort when you could be exploring towns like this on two wheels.

What to Expect on the Road

Greek roads have improved enormously in recent years, and the routes through the Peloponnese and around the mainland offer some of the best riding in the Mediterranean. Mountain roads are well-surfaced with satisfying curves and elevation changes, while the coastal routes provide more relaxed riding with constant sea views. Traffic is light outside Athens and the major cities — once you leave the capital behind, the roads open up quickly.

The terrain combines mountain riding with coastal stretches, giving each day genuine variety. Climbs through pine-forested hills give way to descents towards sandy coves and fishing villages, with ancient archaeological sites appearing around seemingly every other bend. The compact geography means you’re never riding long distances between highlights.

Beyond the Bike

Greece excels when the helmet comes off. The food is outstanding — fresh grilled fish, slow-cooked lamb, village salads with tomatoes that actually taste of something, and local wine that’s far better than its reputation suggests. Eating in Greece is a social event, and taverna dinners that stretch long into the warm evening are one of the great pleasures of touring here.

The historical sites are world-class. The 3rd-century amphitheatre at Epidaurus, famous for its astonishing acoustics, sits in a hillside overlooking olive groves and is worth the visit for the setting alone. The Peloponnese is scattered with similar treasures — ancient Mycenae, the fortress town of Monemvasia, and countless Byzantine churches tucked away in mountain villages.

Best Time to Ride

Greece’s riding season stretches from March to November, far longer than Northern Europe. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots for motorcycling — March to May and September to November offer warm sunshine, comfortable riding temperatures, and quieter roads. Mid-summer brings peak heat that can make midday riding uncomfortable, though early mornings and evenings are still glorious. For riders looking to extend their season beyond the typical European calendar, Greece is the ideal destination.

Ride Greece with Motorrad Tours

Our Greek tours are designed as short breaks that pack maximum riding into a long weekend format — fly into Athens, collect your BMW, and spend your days on the quiet mountain and coastal roads of the Peloponnese before heading home with a tan and a head full of memories. With experienced guides, carefully chosen routes, and the best of Greek hospitality, it’s the perfect way to keep riding when the UK weather says otherwise. Browse our upcoming Greece departures below.