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Motorcycling Around Greece: 4 Islands that are a Must See

Travel Motorcycle Vehicle Motorbike Bike Road G Reece

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Greece is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and is a fantastic place for a holiday any time of the year. The thriving capital city of Athens is home to some of the most important archaeological attractions in the world and ancient monuments such as the Parthenon and Acropolis of Athens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Ancient Agora are all fascinating places to visit.

As well as the mainland, Greece has hundreds of beautiful islands that are perfect destinations for holidays, especially during the summer months. Greece is also a great destination for motorcycle tours and there are lots of amazing places that you can visit with your motorcycle.

In this article we will take a look at some of the most famous islands that you can enjoy when you take your tour around Greece. There are frequent ferry connections to all the main islands in Greece and the port of Piraeus, which services the city of Athens.

Crete

Crete is the largest of all Greek islands and is located in the south east of the Aegean. It is an island that is ideal for visiting any time of the year, and has lots of wonderful places to visit and experience. What makes Crete an ideal place for a motorcycle holiday is the fact that the whole island is connected by one main highway that runs across the northern part of the island.

Crete consists of four main municipalities – Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lassithi – each of which is home to a range of beautiful villages, coastal resorts and lots of places of natural beauty from dominating mountain ranges and valleys, to forests and isolated plains.

The ferries from Athens will usually arrive in Heraklion, which is the capital of the island, or in Chania. Wherever you arrive, you can head off along the main highway and make as many stops as you want to take in the gorgeous regions. While in Crete, don’t forget to sample some of the delicious local cuisine.

Rhodes

The island of Rhodes is the largest in the group known as the Dodecanese, and is an island filled with history, sights and an impressive coastline. There are frequent ferries to Rhodes from Athens, as well as from other ports in Greece.

You can enjoy some great motorcycle tours of the island, as you travel around the visit the beautiful beach resorts, mountain villages and everything in between. For those who enjoy a flutter, Rhodes is also home to the famous Rodos Kaszino, which is located in the northern part of the island.

Rhodes has a very interesting history and there are lots of great sites and places to stop and visit, such as the famous medieval town, which is a World Heritage Site. The landscape and scenery here make it an ideal destination for a motorcycle holiday, and it’s also a very safe island for travelers, and one that attracts all types of visitors from around the world.

Santorini

Santorini has to be mentioned on this list, simply because it is easily one of the most famous and beautiful islands in all of Greece. The island has frequent connections by ferry to Athens, and though not as large as Rhodes of Crete, has lots of wonderful places to visit and experience.

The town of Oia in the north of the island is home to some of the most amazing sunsets in the world. It is here that you will find the whitewashed houses, blue domed churches and narrow paths and streets to explore. There are lots of other interesting towns and villages in Santorini such as the capital of Fira, which is a great place to visit, as well as some lovely coastal towns such as Perissa, Emborio and Kamari.

Santorini is famous for many things such as the local cuisine, its wine and of course the famous volcano, which created the truly unique landscape of the island, which is unlike anything else you would have ever experienced.

Evia

The island of Evia is not one of the most famous for visitors from abroad, but it is actually an amazing travel location and its size makes it perfect for motorcycle tours. It is actually the second largest island in Greece after Crete, but what makes it that much more special is that you can actually reach it by land. There is a bridge connecting the mainland with the capital town of Chalkida, which is just over an hours drive from Athens.

Evia has lots of stunning places to visit all over the island. The northern part is the most beautiful with dense forests, impressive mountains and gorgeous beaches. The center and southern parts are also full of interesting places to explore and visit. There is a great road infrastructure around the island, making it an ideal place to head to and then start exploring.

Greece is a great destination for travel throughout the year, and for those who are looking for something different for a motorcycle holiday, then Greece has so many wonderful islands and destinations that are perfect for exploring on two wheels. There is good internet access in most locations around the island, so if you need to keep in contact with family or friends at home, check emails, or even jump onto your favorite casino online for a few rounds of poker, you can do so with ease.

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  1. I’ve done it, twice.

    I have a few recommendations:

    1) Use your own bike – don’t hire a bike.
    The Greek islands depend very heavily on tourism, and you can’t necessarily trust the maintenance and condition of the shiny bikes they have there. Plus, their roads are like an ice-skating rink, because of the olives that fall on them, the constant use and the very hot, dry climate. These roads don’t get washed clean by the rain, so you will be better off with a machine with which you are very familiar. It’s not necessary, but preferable.
    2) Have VERY good insurance, before you set out.
    The only hospitals that are any good are private ones. They are well used to receiving injured holidaymakers and tourers. Look closely at the terms of your medical insurance and make sure you are covered for an extended hospital stay, in the unfortunate event you need one.
    3) Have Euros in cash ready for filling stations.
    Someone comes out of the filling station and fills up your tank. Usually they don’t charge you for a few centimes over a round number in Euros. Some filling stations are much, much cheaper than others – ask local people and they’ll know. Generally, the closer you are to the coast and to resort cities, the cheaper the fuel. Leave a tip because there’s no use for too many loose coins in your pocket.
    4) If you’re hiring a bike, choose a lower cc, maybe a 250.
    Even the main roads aren’t really conducive to higher speeds. Locals sometimes go pretty fast, but, like anywhere else, their ability to do so depends on their local knowledge. And accident rates are high.
    5) Bring your gloves, boots, and any other gear before you arrive.
    6) The off-roading opportunities are very good (even on some of the “roads”), but make sure you can do it, before you arrive.
    7) If you drink the night before, don’t bother riding until late the next day. In any case, load up on caffeine before a ride – there are no negatives and these are demanding roads.

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