Renting a Car
What You Need to Know
Car hire is available at all major airports and in most towns and resorts across Greece. International operators including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and Sixt operate alongside strong local companies such as Kosmos and Reliable. Booking in advance — particularly for the summer season — is strongly recommended, as availability can be limited and prices rise significantly closer to the date.
A standard EU driving licence is accepted throughout Greece. Visitors from outside the EU should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence. The minimum age for car hire is typically 21, with a young driver surcharge applying to those under 25.
Greek roads vary considerably in quality. Major national highways are well-maintained; mountain roads and island tracks can be narrow, steep, and unpaved. A small SUV or crossover is often a better choice than a standard saloon for exploring beyond the main routes.
The Best Drives
Roads Worth Taking
Crete offers some of the finest driving in Greece — the road through the Samaria Gorge region, the coastal route from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos along Mirabello Bay, and the mountain road through the White Mountains to Sfakia are among the most dramatic drives in the Mediterranean.
The Peloponnese rewards the self-drive traveller with extraordinary variety: the Byzantine city of Mystras, the Mani tower houses, the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, and the citrus groves of Nafplio, all within a day's drive of each other. The coastal road from Nafplio to Monemvasia is one of the great scenic routes in Greece.
On the islands, a hire car or scooter is often the only practical way to reach the best beaches and villages. Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades, is particularly rewarding to explore by car — its interior villages, marble quarries, and Byzantine churches are largely inaccessible by public transport.