As winter begins to settle into North America, many climbers will be making plans to travel somewhere milder. One of those places will surely be Greece, which often has temps from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius when Canada and the U.S.A. are freezing.
Fly into Athens and connect to spots like Leonidio in the Peloponnese or the island of Kalymnos, where flights and ferries run direct. There are thousands of bolted routes of all grades on hundreds of limestone cliffs. Arrive in November, the shoulder season, when there are less crowds and the rock dries fast after brief showers. You can get around by renting a car or using a shuttle service. Book rooms in advance, as modest apartments near the sea cost under 50 euros a night.
Leonidio’s has tall limestone walls that rise above town and shelter climbers from any wind and weather. Follow the road from Athens for three hours to reach the base, where thousands of routes span from 5.8 to 5.14. Kalymnos has over 4,000 routes on cliffs that drop straight into turquoise bays. A ferry from Kos lands you in Pothia, and buses run to the climbers’ hub of Massouri. Hit up the famous Grande Grotta first, a massive cave with 100 overhanging lines up to 5.13+. Rent boats for access to coastal walls, or hike the moderate trails between crags.
After a day of climbing, head down to one of the many beaches to rinse off. In Leonidio, there are several kilometers of beaches, while in Kalymnos, beaches can be found near almost every crag. Check out some footage below of climbing in Greece, and follow the area Instagram accounts for more content.
Leonidio
Kalymnos