Greece is an amazing country for travellers looking to spend their next holiday camping. With sandy shores, gorgeous natural landscapes and a wonderful welcoming atmosphere, Greece is the perfect place to relax and reset on your holiday. We’ve put together a guide to help you plan your trip and decide where to go. Whether you’re an experienced camper or you’re looking to try it for the first time, you can find the perfect place to go camping in Greece.
Why you should go to camping in Greece for your next trip
Camping tends to take you off the beaten tourist path in many countries, offering variety, surprises and the opportunity to get away from the big city and out into nature. Camping offers excellent socialising opportunities, as you’ll be sharing an area with many different travellers from around the world. It’s also a great way to travel with pets, as many campgrounds are pet-friendly and nearby hikes double as excellent dog walking trails, so it’s a great opportunity to explore another country with your animal companion.
Glamping
Have you avoided camping in the past because you feel like you’re not the outdoorsy type? You may love nature but don’t fancy being too exposed to the elements, or maybe you just feel like you don’t know what to do. Glamping is a great way for beginner campers to dip their toe into the water or for more experienced campers to take a more laid-back trip. Glamping sites offer spacious tents, domes or cabins, all set up and waiting for you to arrive, along with amenities like heating, cooling and even private bathrooms and kitchen spaces. Don’t worry about stuffing your luggage full of camping gear, just bring yourself and your favourite campfire stories.
Traditional camping
If you’re a more experienced camper and you’ve got the gear you need, then camping can be one of the most budget-friendly ways of travelling, with many campsites costing less than other budget options like hostels. Beginner campers will often find that they can stick to a tighter budget, even with the upfront costs of buying or hiring camping gear. Plus, camping often puts you close to amazing activities that don’t cost a cent, like beach adventures, nature hikes and more.
Camping in Greece: Tips
Greece is an incredible country for camping, with lots of stunning natural landscapes, coastal getaways and island retreats. You’ll find plenty of amazing, highly organised campsites offering tent hire, on-site restaurants, fun activities and much more. Many campsites are located super close to one of Greece’s beautiful beaches, so if you’re planning a relaxing coastal trip, camping is the perfect way to fall asleep to the sounds of the sea. Make sure to bring sunscreen, insect spray, good walking shoes and your favourite swimwear to ensure you have an amazing trip while camping in Greece.
Camping holidays in Greece: Costs
The cost of your camping holiday in Greece will vary depending on where you stay, how you choose to camp and when you go (July and August are usually the more expensive months). If you plan to bring your own gear and just need somewhere to set up, then you might be spending as little as 5-10 € (£4-9) a night and an extra 5 € (£4) or so if you want a powered site. Fancier tents or cabins can cost between 30 € and 100 € (£26-90), while glamping sites with full amenities and activities can cost up to 200 € (£175) per night. Note that free wild camping in Greece is not allowed, but luckily there are plenty of wonderful campsites throughout the country, both on the mainland and the surrounding islands.
Where to go camping in Greece
From casual campsites on sunny shores to tucked-away glamping retreats, you’ll find amazing places to go camping all over Greece. Remember, you don’t have to stick to just one location for your whole trip. Greece has plenty to explore and camping offers you the freedom and flexibility you need to go island hopping and see everything it has to offer. Keep reading to discover just a few of the best places to go camping in Greece.
Camping Elizabeth, Crete
Camping is one of the best ways to experience Crete, the largest Greek island, well-known for its dazzling beaches and fascinating ancient ruins. Camping Elizabeth is a laid-back, straightforward campsite at Rethymno Beach, a gorgeous sandy beach in Northern Crete. It provides plenty of flexibility for different budgets, offering caravans, tents, safari glamping tents or simply a space where you can pitch your own. There are barbecue facilities, kitchen facilities and toilets, and the campsite is close to a lovely taverna on the beach where you can get some delicious Greek fare. Camping Elizabeth is a lovely way to get off the beaten path of Crete and immerse yourself in an incredible coastal atmosphere.
When to go: Early April to late October
Simos Camping, Simos, Elafonisos
Simos Beach is widely considered to be one of the best beaches in Greece, found on Elafonisos, one of its smaller, lesser-known islands, which lies off the coast of Cape Malea. At Simos Camping, which sits only about 50 metres from the ocean, you can stay under shade just moments from shallow, blue waters and beautiful white sand. You can choose to bring a tent of your own or hire one of theirs on site, which includes 24-hour security, a playground and a handy free shuttle service from the port to the campsite (and back). They also have a self-service cafe-restaurant offering delicious Greek food, and from 10 pm you can get drinks, including cocktails at the bar.
When to go: Late May to early October
Camping Pitsoni, Halkidiki
The Halkidiki region in Macedonia is one of the most beautiful locations in Northern Greece, with fantastic beaches, stunning landscapes and tranquil seaside villages. Camping Pitsoni sits at the tip of the Sithonia peninsula, in the Halkidiki region, with trees offering shade to tents and caravans at the edge of the beautiful Sykia Beach. This campsite is perfect for families, with plenty of shallow waters where smaller swimmers can have tons of fun. The campsite has free parking and a minimarket on site that stocks basic groceries, drinks and beach gear.
When to go: June to September
Nisi, Phthiotis
Nisi offers some excellent glamping experiences at their spacious accommodation, with full amenities including power, heating, fans, lounge spaces, and bathrooms. There are classic cabins and tents available to hire, but you can also stay in one of the large domes, handcrafted eco-houses, or cordwood bungalows built out of tree trunks. Nearby hiking trails and biking paths provide ample opportunity for outdoor adventure, and there’s an excellent wine-tasting tour nearby. On-site, you and the kids can pass the time with playgrounds, minigolf, volleyball, and climbing walls.
When to go: May to September
Surf Club Keros, Lemnos
The Greek island of Lemnos, in the Aegean Sea, is well known for its hillside landscapes, fascinating historic sites and excellent beaches with conditions perfect for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Surf Club Keros has deluxe safari tents in a range of sizes, which combine luxurious comfort with a connection to nature, offering private bathrooms and air conditioning or a fan so that you can stay cool during the hot Greek summer. They also offer certified surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons, so you can get out on the water and learn a fun new skill. You can find delicious food at the on-site cafe-restaurant, which has buffets at breakfast and dinner, with homemade Greek dishes of local produce and á la carte options offered throughout the day.
When to go: April to November
Poros Beach, Lefkada
Close to the gorgeous Mikros Gialos Beach, the Poros Beach campsite is the perfect place to set up your tent or park your caravan for a lovely beachside holiday. Although you’re welcome to hire a spot for your own tent or caravan (they have powered sites too), you can also book one of their studio or family rooms. There’s a nearby restaurant on the hilltop, which serves up both excellent Greek food and stunning seaside vistas (definitely consider booking a table on their open terrace). The campsite offers bicycle hire, a shuttle bus service and a mini market, plus their studio and family rooms have a small kitchen area.
When to go: April to October
Club Agia Anna, Evia
Club Agia Anna brings back the feeling of going on summer camp as a kid, with a family-friendly vibe and tons of activities that provide fun for both kids and adults. You can partake in classic schoolyard races, splash out in one of their swimming pools or go 1v1 on the basketball court or table-tennis tables. When you’re running low on energy, chill out with one of their cinema screens or in one of their spacious cabanas or yurts. There are multiple places on site and nearby to grab a bite to eat, such as the Masaboukas self-service restaurant, the Esperia buffet restaurant, Poldos (an excellent sandwich place) and Souvlaki, where you can get delicious grilled meats.
When to go: April to October
Coralli Camping, Serifos
Camp on the golden sands of Livadakia Beach at this lovely family-friendly campsite on Serifos, one of the most beautiful Cycladic islands. With plenty of shade, toilets, showers, an on-site taverna and a beach bar, you’ll feel comfortable and welcomed by their friendly staff. You can choose between using your own tent on one of their shaded tent spots or booking one of their bungalows built using traditional Cycladic architectural style.
When to go: April to October
