Rock Climbing in Greece

The most famous rock climbing area within Greece is found at Kalymnos. This small island near Kos is an excellent sport climbing destination with great weather throughout the year and many superb bolted limestone routes at every grade. The majority of the rock climbing is found within walking distance of Massouri, which offers mainly 1 and 2-pitch sport routes from fine 4+ slabs to overhanging and pumpy 9a routes. In total there are around 2,700 routes at all grades to climb. Find out more about climbing in Kalymnos…

There is a diverse range of rock climbing to be found in Crete, from single pitch sports routes to long traditional multi-pitch routes requiring natural protection such as nuts and friends. The sports climbing on Crete is concentrated around Kapetaniana to the south of the capital Iraklion. The guidebook for this area is available to buy from our shop. Find out more about climbing in Crete…

Athens may not be the obvious destination for a sport climbing holiday, but there is a surprising amount of crags within a short distance of this city. In fact there are 33 crags within an hour’s drive that are dotted around the hills surrounding Athens. Find out more about climbing around Athens…

The Peloponnese region of Greece is an up and coming rock climbing area that has been developed in recent years around the cities of Tripoli, Nafplio, and Kalamata. Leonidio is rapidly gaining a reputation as the best sport climbing area in mainland Greece. Find out more about climbing in Peloponnese…

In the popular holiday area of Argolis there is some excellent sport climbing to be found on solid limestone rock, with the majority of the routes being single pitch. However all of the climbing areas are only partially developed, which means there is a massive opportunity to establish new routes in this area. Find out more about climbing in Argolis…

Karpathos is an island to the east of Crete with soaring mountain ranges and charming quiet beaches, and a growing sport climbing destination. If you like the climate and climbing on Kalymnos but dislike the crowds, then Karpathos is an excellent choice. Find out more about climbing in Karpathos…

There are also many bouldering options in Greece with the most extensive areas being the granite bouldering fields on the islands of Tinos and Kos. Find out more about the best bouldering in Greece....

In central Greece is the beautiful area of the Pelion Mountains (or Pilio) in the Magnesia area, which is situated near the town of Volos. The rock climbing found here is on different types of limestone rock, which is located, either high in the mountains or directly from the beach. In total there are over 10 bolted climbing areas, with grades up to 8a. 

In the north west of Greece lies the rock climbing area at Meteora. Here there are many fantastic towers of rock up to 300m high. There are over 600 routes many of which are bolted. Find out more about climbing at Meteora…

Around Patras there are several bolted limestone rock climbing areas. The majority of the routes are single pitch, though the crag at Varasova has multi-pitch routes up to 800m long. Find out more about climbing around Patras…

Manikia is a small village in the central region of Greece, and is located around 2 hours driving time (130km) to the north west of Athens.  In the Manikia-Vrisi area there are over 600 sport routes on good quality limestone rock.  The majority of the routes are in the F6’s and F7’s, though there are routes from F4’s up to F9a epics.  The harder routes tend to be huge 30m tufa-strewn journeys through massive overhangs, plus there are lovely grey limestone walls and slabs full of easier routes. Not all the routes are single pitch either with 26 good quality multi-pitch routes also available.  Find out more about climbing in Manikia…