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- Book the morning ticket for 8 a.m. (since 2024 there are time slot tickets, 20 euros) and be the first one at the Propylaea Gate.<\/li>\n
- Best time to travel:<\/strong> May and June are perfect \u2014 warm enough for swimming, but not the 40-degree heat of high summer.<\/li>\n
- Here you will find monasteries perched atop 300-meter-high sandstone cliffs, mountain villages where time has stood still, and a capital city that is so much more than just the Acropolis.<\/li>\n
- The Meteora rocks rise like fingers from the plain of Thessaly \u2014 300 to 600 meters high, with centuries-old monasteries on their peaks.<\/li>\n
- The Palamidi fortress towers 216 meters above the city \u2014 999 steps lead up to it, and whoever is there at seven in the morning has it all to themselves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
I spent a total of three weeks traveling around mainland Greece\u2014with a rental car, a drone in my backpack, and no fixed plan. What resulted was one of the most diverse trips I've ever taken. From the floating monasteries of Meteora to the wild gorges of the Peloponnese and the hidden rooftop bars of Athens. In this post, I'll share everything: routes, costs, drone spots, and the mistakes you should avoid.<\/p>\n
Meteora: Monasteries between heaven and earth (on the map)<\/h2>\n
The first impression that changes everything<\/h3>\n
I arrived in the evening, as the sun bathed the sandstone cliffs in orange. And I swear to you: no photo or video can do that moment justice. The Meteora rocks rise like fingers from the Thessalian plain\u2014300 to 600 meters high, with centuries-old monasteries perched on their peaks. It looks like another planet.<\/p>\n
Six monasteries are still active today and open to visitors. My favorite is Varlaam Monastery\u2014not just for the frescoes, but for the view from the terrace. You stand up there and see nothing but rocks, green valleys, and in the distance, the snow-capped peaks of the Pindus Mountains. Entry costs \u20ac3 per monastery, and I recommend visiting at least three.<\/p>\n
Drone footage in Meteora \u2014 what you need to know<\/h3>\n
Now, this is important for all drone pilots: Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and officially, flying near the monasteries is prohibited. The Greek Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) requires a special permit, which you must apply for at least 30 days in advance. In practice, I flew at 5:30 a.m. when no one else was around, keeping the monasteries themselves out of my flight path. I focused on the rock formations and the landscape\u2014the result was spectacular, without breaking any rules.<\/p>\n
My setup: drone<\/a> My setup: DJI Mini 5 Pro in normal mode, maximum altitude 120 meters above the starting point, no overflights of the monastery buildings. The best spots are the viewpoint near Psaropetra and the road between Kastraki and the Roussanou Monastery. Golden hour is essential here\u2014during the day the light is too harsh and the shadows obscure the details.<\/p>\n
Kalambaka and Kastraki \u2014 the base camps<\/h3>\n
There are two villages at the foot of the cliffs: Kalambaka (larger, more infrastructure) and Kastraki (smaller, quieter, closer to the cliffs). I stayed in Kastraki, at the Tsikeli Guesthouse\u201455 euros per night, breakfast included\u2014and the view of the cliffs from the balcony was better than any hotel lobby on Santorini. Two nights minimum, three are better. You absolutely need to experience at least one sunrise and one sunset here.<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nPeloponnese \u2014 Greece's wild south<\/h2>\n
The Mani Peninsula: Stone towers and turquoise sea<\/h3>\n
To be honest, I didn't have high expectations for the Peloponnese. I was wrong. The Mani Peninsula in the south is breathtakingly beautiful\u2014barren landscapes, crumbling stone towers from the Byzantine era, and bays with water so clear you can see the bottom at a depth of five meters.<\/p>\n
The drive from Kalamata to Gerolimenas is a road trip in itself. Approximately 80 kilometers along winding roads, past abandoned villages and small chapels. Stonitio Beach was my absolute highlight\u2014a hidden cove accessible only via a dirt track. In June, we were completely alone there. The contrast between the dark rocks and the turquoise water looks incredible from above with a drone.<\/p>\n
Monemvasia \u2014 the hidden fortress city<\/h3>\n
Monemvasia is one of those places you see and think: How can this be real? A medieval town hidden behind a massive cliff that juts out into the sea. From the land side, you see nothing\u2014only when you pass through the old city gate does a world of narrow streets, Byzantine churches, and restaurants with sea views open up. It feels like a movie set, except that people actually live here.<\/p>\n
Tip: Hike the 30 minutes up to the upper fortress. The path is steep and there's no railing, but the view over the open sea and the coastline is worth every drop of sweat. I booked accommodation in the lower part of the old town \u2014 Malvasia Traditional Hotel, 85 euros per night, including breakfast on the terrace overlooking the sea.<\/div>\nNafplio \u2014 the most beautiful small town in Greece<\/h3>\n
Nafplio was Greece's first capital, and it shows. Venetian fortresses, neoclassical houses, a car-free old town right on the water. The Palamidi Fortress towers 216 meters above the city\u2014999 steps lead up, and if you're there at seven in the morning, you'll have it all to yourself. The view over the Argolic Gulf and the surrounding mountains is one of the best in the entire Peloponnese.<\/p>\n
From Nafplio, you can reach Epidaurus (the ancient theater with its legendary acoustics\u2014toss a coin in the middle, and you'll hear it in the last row) and Mycenae (Lion Gate, Treasury of Atreus) in an hour. Two days in Nafplio are perfect as a Peloponnese hub.<\/p>\n
Chalkidiki Sights & Athens: More than just the obligatory itinerary<\/h2>\n
The Acropolis \u2014 but properly<\/h3>\n
Yes, you absolutely must go to the Acropolis. But please, not at 11 a.m. with 3,000 other tourists. Book the morning ticket for 8 a.m. (timed tickets have been available since 2024, \u20ac20) and be the first one at the Propylaea gate. The Parthenon in the morning light, almost deserted\u2014it's a completely different experience than the midday madness.<\/p>\n
What most people don't know: The Acropolis ticket also grants access to six other archaeological sites in Athens, including the Agora and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The combination ticket for \u20ac30 is definitely worth it if you want to see more than just the Parthenon.<\/p>\n
Athens beyond the classics<\/h3>\n
Exarchia is the neighborhood that doesn't really feature in any guidebook, but is actually the most exciting in all of Athens. Street art on every corner, independent bookstores, bars where ouzo costs \u20ac2 and you can strike up a conversation with locals. The rooftop bar A for Athens on Monastiraki Square has the most iconic view of the illuminated Acropolis\u2014cocktails cost \u20ac12, but the view is priceless.<\/p>\n
For foodies: The Varvakeios Agora market hall is a must-see. This is where Athenians shop, not tourists. Fresh fish, olives, spices\u2014and upstairs there are small tavernas where you can get souvlaki for \u20ac3.50 that tastes better than any restaurant in Plaka.<\/p>\n
Athens as a drone spot<\/h3>\n
In short: You can't fly in central Athens. The entire city center is a no-fly zone due to the airport and military installations. My solution: Cape Sounion, 70 kilometers southeast of Athens. The Temple of Poseidon on the cliff overlooking the sea is one of the most photogenic drone spots in all of Greece. The sunset here is legendary\u2014the sun dips directly into the sea behind the temple. You can get there by KTEL bus (\u20ac6.90, 90 minutes) or rental car.<\/p>\n
Greece map: 14-day itinerary mainland incl. Chalkidiki insider tips<\/h2>\n
Days 1-3:<\/strong> Athens (Acropolis, Exarchia, Cape Sounion day trip)
\nDay 4:<\/strong> Drive to Nafplio (approx. 2 hours), Palamidi Fortress
\nDay 5:<\/strong> Epidaurus and Mycenae Day Trip
\nDays 6-7:<\/strong> Trip to Monemvasia, two nights in the old town
\nDays 8-9:<\/strong> Mani Peninsula (Gerolemenas, Stonitio Beach)
\nDay 10:<\/strong> Drive to Delphi (approx. 4 hours via Corinth)
\nDay 11:<\/strong> Visit Delphi, then continue to Kalambaka
\nDays 12-13:<\/strong> Meteora (monasteries, drone flights, hiking)
\nDay 14:<\/strong> Return journey to Athens (approx. 3.5 hours) or onward journey to Thessaloniki<\/p>\n\n\n- \n
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<\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nAre you planning a Greece campaign with a Travel Creator?<\/h3>\n
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Request Greece campaign \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nCooperation with Max Haase \u2014 Greece & worldwide<\/h3>\n
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Costs \u2014 What you need to budget for 14 days in mainland Greece<\/h2>\n
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