31 Overnight Parking Spots in Greece

A Nomad
December 2016

A Nomad has been motorhoming the roads of Europe since October 2013 on journeys fully detailed in her excellent website:

https://europenomad.wordpress.com/

Nomad's life as a traveller is well described in the following words quoted on her website:

“There are now far too many motorhomers on the road in Europe; few of them are travellers; few of the travellers are on their own; even fewer of the travellers on their own are women. That makes you outstanding and in more ways than one!” (from Barry and Margaret Williamson, February 2016)

The following 31 overnight parking places have been passed on to us by A Nomad with the following introduction:

"In Nov/Dec 2016 I visited Greece, primarily the Peloponnese but also some of NW Greece having landed at Igoumenitsa with the intention of visiting Meteora. One of the best things about travelling in Greece during the winter is that all the archaeological sites operate at reduced rates between 1 Nov and 1 March and nobody minds where you park up for the night.

These are my recommendations for overnight stays or lunch stops. Unfortunately, I do not use a sat nav and so cannot provide GPS coordinates for these places.

As I travel alone, I tend to stay in more populated places rather than isolated beauty spots as I find it safer. All places are free unless otherwise stated."

North West and Central Greece

1.      Ammoudhia (40 km south of Igoumenitsa) – Plenty of parking along the beach or at the small river port. Only one taverna open in winter but good food at reasonable prices. Water is available. Convenient for visiting the archaeological site of Ephyra and the Nekromanteion.

2.      Dodona – Archaeological site car park. Good level parking next to site close to taverna. Just off the new motorway and convenient if arriving or leaving from Igoumenitsa. Stray dogs can be noisy.

3.      Ioannina – Large car park next to lake and close to Kastro. Convenient for visiting the Archaeological Museum and town. I had lunch here but it would also be fine overnight.

4.      Metsovo – I do not recommend that you attempt to visit this town in a motorhome as the streets are too narrow and steep. There is some limited parking at the beginning of the access road. Better to walk from there. For overnight there is parking at the tavernas by the ski station a few kms above the town. Katara Pass is not recommended as no one seems to be maintaining the road since the motorway has been completed. In Nov 2016 it was compromised by landslides, rockfalls and snow.

5.      Meteora – Camping Vrachos in Kastraki. Really the only choice out of season. Very convenient for visiting the monasteries but facilities very limited. Only two outdoor toilets and showers with no hot water. I paid €10 per night which included electricity, wifi and services. Note – No bus service to the Monasteries from 1 Nov to 1 March but taxis not expensive.

6.      Itea – Large parking area at the port. Toilets and water available in season. Plenty of tavernas and shops nearby. Useful for visiting Delphi.

7.      Andirio – Parking area at port next to new suspension bridge. A bit noisy due to traffic on the bridge. Lots of fast food opportunities, including a great little kiosk at car park entrance. Alternative parking close to beside small park and road to access the port area.

The Peloponnese

8.      Diakofto – Limited parking at small port or car park next to railway station. Both with free wifi. Toilets and water at station. Rack and Pinion railway to Kalavryta €19 return trip.

9.      Akrocorinth – Parking at site with spectacular views. No services, but a taverna is open on site. Water is available at Ottoman fountain at the bottom of the access road.

10.  Loutraki – Two public car parks on the way into town. Well signed.

11.  Isthmia – Parking at west end of the Corinth Canal was taken over by “travellers”. Parking at east end of Canal large and safe. Next to Canal pilot boat station. Great place for watching the boats pass through the Canal.

12.  Archea Epidavros -  Large parking area at the port/beach with toilets and water in season. Lots of tavernas and shops close by.

13.  Epidavros archaeological site - Massive grass parking area with some trees for shade. Toilets available and tavernas in season. Likely to be very busy during music festivals.

14.  Drepano – Camping Triton II – Good spot next to the beach. Laundry facilities and lovely clean toilets and showers with hot water. I paid €15 for one night, including electricity and wifi.

15.  Nafplio – Plenty of parking in port area and also a small car park just behind Palamidi Castle.

16.  Mystras – Possible to park at upper site entrance but I preferred to stay in the small car park in the village, next to the Camera Museum. Well lit and security cameras.

17.  Monemvasia – Parking in large well-lit car park just before causeway entrance. Water available. Could also park at fishing port a little further away. Bus from mainland to the “Rock” every 30 mins even out of season.

18.  Gythio – Possible to park on the small island. Accessed by narrow harbour wall – not for the faint-hearted or very wide motorhomes! Museum of Mani no longer located here but moved to the old school house behind the town hall at other end of town.

19.  Kotronas – Limited parking available at the port.

20.  Cape Tenero – Parking area at the end of the road next to Roman site with mosaics and path leading to lighthouse.

21.  Gerolimenas – Small car park next to Akroyiali Hotel.

22.  Neo Itilo – Plenty of parking along seafront but also in Taverna car park in season.

23.  Kalamata – Marina offers parking with electric hook up, water, showers, toilets and laundry. I paid €10 for the night. It's a very long walk (2km) to the main town though.

24.  Agios Andreas – Small car park in small village, next to port and a few tavernas/cafes. Old campsite adjacent.

25.  Methoni – Several choices for parking out of season. Along beach close to closed campsite. In small car park at castle entrance. Beside the main town square and jetty with several tavernas but not noisy.

26.  Pylos – Large area for parking at docks. Very lively place with busy town square and interesting castle with underwater archaeological exhibitions.

27.  Kalo Nero – Parking at beachfront under tamarisk trees and close to tavernas. Water at cemetery. Stray dogs can be noisy.

28.  Killini Port – Large parking area at port close to ticket offices for ferries to Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Can be noisy with trucks arriving for ferries. Quieter beyond port, near to beach.

29.  Voidokilia Lagoon – Would not recommend parking overnight here, even out of season as lots of big, new “no motorhome” signs and locals keen to report any activity. Lovely for lunch though and a great view from castle (free) overlooking the lagoon.

30.  Alissio Beach – At beachfront close to Kyria Alission Campsite. Closed out of season. Water available. Very convenient for ferries to/from Patras.

31.  Patras – Note: Although there were illegals hanging around in the lorry parking area of the port, they showed no interest in the motorhomes, but it was entertaining watching them attempt to gain access to the trucks and the drivers' various methods of defence. There was no visible port police presence outside the secured embarkation area!