If you’re coming to Greece with just a suitcase and a beach towel, that’s fine. But if you’re hoping to see the real country — not just what’s printed on postcards — then you’re going to want a car. Not for speed, but for freedom. Because the Greece that people fall in love with doesn’t always have a bus stop or a ferry timetable. It’s a bend in the road with a view, a tiny church on a hill, or a beach you have to walk down to with no umbrellas in sight.
Crete – Bold and wide open
Start with Crete. It’s big enough to be its own country, and it kind of acts like one. Chania is charming and colorful, with Venetian touches and winding alleys near the harbor. Just beyond the city, you’re already in mountain territory. Tiny villages, goats on the road, beaches you get to by footpaths. If you’re flying into the west of the island, rentcarchaniaairport.gr is a local service that makes picking up your car from the airport easy. You’ll want one — public transport in Crete is sparse, especially if you plan on seeing the island beyond the main towns.
Heraklion is the other gateway to the island. It’s more urban, more practical, but it’s your ticket to central and southern Crete. From here you can reach Knossos, Phaistos, the palm forest of Vai, and some seriously remote beaches on the south coast. For travelers landing here, rentcarheraklion.gr offers quick access to well-maintained cars with fair prices and no long lines.
Corfu – Olive groves and slow drives
Up north, Corfu is different. Greener, quieter, more refined in some ways. It’s easy to fall into rhythm here — a lazy breakfast in the Old Town, a meandering drive through olive-covered hills, a swim in a cove you spotted from the road. The north of the island is more rugged and rural, while the south is relaxed and simple. You’ll need a car either way. rentcarcorfu.gr is a local option that serves the airport directly — so you don’t lose time figuring things out after landing.
The Peloponnese – A mainland secret
Once you’ve seen a few islands, head for the mainland — specifically the Peloponnese. This region is unfairly overlooked. It has everything: ancient sites like Mycenae and Epidaurus, dramatic coastlines, hilltop villages with cobblestone streets, and even mountain ranges with ski centers in the winter.
Drive from Nafplio, one of the prettiest towns in Greece, through Mani — a region that feels like it belongs in a different century. Stone towers, dry hills, quiet roads, and wild beaches. The southern tip near Cape Tainaron is as far as you can go in Europe before you hit the sea.
Northern Greece – The part most tourists miss
If you’re looking for places untouched by crowds, drive north. Start in Meteora, where monasteries balance on stone pillars in the sky. From there, head west to Zagori, a region of stone villages, stone bridges, and dramatic gorges. It’s a hiker’s paradise, but also great for driving — twisting forest roads, fresh air, silence.
Thessaloniki is also a solid base — a city with a young energy, excellent food, and quick access to Chalkidiki. This three-pronged peninsula is full of beach towns, pine forests, and summer vibes, especially on the second “finger,” Sithonia. With a car, you can hop from beach to beach without ever needing a plan.
Naxos, Paros, and the smaller Cyclades
The Cyclades aren’t all about Santorini and Mykonos. Naxos is larger, more down-to-earth, with endless beaches and mountain villages. Paros is relaxed but elegant. Both islands are best explored by car, especially if you want to escape the crowds. On Naxos, a drive inland gets you to places where time stands still — small cafés, old marble quarries, roadside chapels, fig trees hanging over stone walls.
Driving tips — the real kind
- Fuel stations are less frequent in the countryside — fill up when you can.
- Road signs aren’t always bilingual once you’re away from the tourist zones.
- Don’t rush. Greek roads aren’t always fast, but they’re scenic. Enjoy it.
- Locals will help. If you’re lost, just ask. You might get coffee too.
