A Norwegian Who Explores Greece on Two Wheels

Some of his favorite cycling routes

Thessaloniki-Kozani-Ioannina-Patra-Aigio-Megara-Salamina-Piraeus-Volos-Skiathos-Volos-Larissa-Katerini-Thessaloniki

Duration: two weeks

This was my first trip of 2023, in March. The old road from Kozani to Ioannina through the mountains has amazing scenery, and Ioannina is very beautiful. The first section of the ride after Ioannina was very steep. I took the ferry from Antirrio to Rio, rode to Patra, then returned along the south coast of the Gulf of Corinth, stopping in beautiful Aigio. After crossing over the Corinth Canal to the Saronic Gulf, I passed through Megara and took a ferry to Salamina Island. I loved Salamina; it’s a very overlooked destination. From the east side of the island, I took the ferry to Perama and went to Piraeus. From there, I went up the coast to Volos, then took a ferry to Skiathos. After exploring the island, I returned to Volos and rode up to Thessaloniki via Larissa and the old road from Katerini.

Lake Kerkini-Serres-Drama-Kavala-Thassos-Thessaloniki

Duration: four to five days

Usually I travel alone, but I planned this trip with a friend from Austria. We had met at a traffic light in Zagreb, both riding to Split, and we stayed in touch.

Lake Kerkini is fantastic. Starting at Herakleia, we rode around the lake some, then continued to Serres and Drama: very green, almost no cars. Then from Kavala, we took the ferry to Thassos, which we loved. The island’s a little over 100 km around, and it’s green and mountainous. There were some challenging rides. From Kavala, we rode back to Thessaloniki via Asprovalta and the Volvi and Koroneia lakes.

Florina-Lake Vegoritida-Arnissa-Edessa-Thessaloniki

Duration: three to four days

The countryside is fantastic in late spring. I rode from Florina via Lake Petron to Lake Vegoritida, then continued along the shore of the lake to Arnissa. The cherry trees in bloom were an amazing sight. Then it was off to Edessa, with its fantastic waterfall. The road from Edessa to Veroia was beautiful and easy. Veroia’s on a cliff; after a downhill ride, I saw more flowering trees – peach trees this time – on a beautiful start to a flat ride back to Thessaloniki.

Peraia and Angelochori

A day trip from the city

The beach town of Peraia is about an hour’s ride (20k) from Thessaloniki. From here, I ride along the shore to Angelochori, less than 10k. It’s a nice beach, popular with windsurfers. Sometimes I continue south to Nea Michaniona. In the summer months, a boat goes between the White Tower and Peraia and nearby Neoi Epivates; it’s fun to take it one-way for the views it offers.

Katerini

A day trip or overnighter from the city

After you pass the Axios Delta National Park, the old road down to Katerini along the sea is fantastic. Sometimes I ride on a beach path, getting off to walk the bike through soft sand when necessary. It’s totally silent except for the many birds. It’s 75-80 km one way – you can leave very early, take the KTEL (bus) one way, or make it an easy overnight trip.