11 Best Greece National Parks You Need To Visit

Greece is full of national parks across the country’s diverse natural environments.

From towering mountains to picture-perfect island coastlines, Greece's national parks each offer something special. Whether you want to hike a massive mountain summit or scuba dive with turtles, you’ll find it in these protected natural zones.

Planning a trip to Greece and want to experience the country’s best nature? Then here are our top picks for the best national parks in Greece.

When it comes to Greece National Parks, Mount Olympus National Park quite literally towers above them all.

Mount Olympus, the first of the national parks in Greece, was established back in 1938. This Greek national park is steeped in mythology and history and is known as the legendary home of the Greek gods.

Rising to a height of 2,918 meters, it's the tallest mountain in Greece, and it’s a magnet for hikers and history enthusiasts alike. The park is home to more than 1700 plant species, including rare and endemic varieties, and is a sanctuary for wildlife like wolves, jackals, and deer. Over 100 species of birds also inhabit the park.

The obvious drawcard of visiting Mount Olympus is to take the challenging hike up to the summit. When you get up there, you can stay in one of the 15 mountain refuges scattered along the forested trails. The views from the top are simply amazing.

Interested in climbing Mount Olympus? Then check out our fully guided Mount Olympus hike for the best way to reach the summit.

Northern Pindos National Park, covering the Vikos-Aoös region, is one of the largest and most diverse national parks in Greece.

Located north of Ioannina, this park features the dramatic Vikos Gorge, one of the deepest in the world, and the lush Valia Kalda forest. The park is massive, covering nearly 200,000 hectares. This includes beautiful rivers, dense forests, flowering meadows, and sparkling lakes. It’s an amazing place to explore.

About one-third of Greece’s flora can be found here, alongside native fish, foxes, chamois, rare hawks, otters, and bears. If you want to learn about local Greek nature and biodiversity, then this is the best place to do it.

The park also boasts Greece’s second-highest peak, Mt Smolikas (2637m), one of the best hikes in Greece. We also have to mention the awesome opportunities for rafting in Greece.

Our top recommendation for exploring this park is by rafting and hiking the Vikos-Aoös Circuit. This spectacular week-long journey takes you through the most impressive parts of Northern Pindos, including one of the world’s deepest gorges, offering the ultimate connection with Greek nature.

Check out our Vikos-Aoös Circuit trip if you’d like to experience this yourself.

Crete is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular destinations to visit in Greece. And if you want to fully absorb this island’s natural beauty, then you’ll want to visit Samaria National Park.

The park was established to protect the endangered kri-kri, a wild goat species unique to Crete. Although, the main reason to visit this national park is its unique landscape - making it the ultimate location for hiking the Greek islands.

Samaria National Park is home to the renowned Samaria Gorge, a 16-kilometer-long canyon - one of the longest and most impressive in Europe. This Greek national park is famous for its dramatic landscapes, featuring towering cliffs and narrow passageways.

The hike through the gorge is especially beautiful in spring when wildflowers cover the trails. Basic facilities, including rest stops and water springs, are available along the way, making the hike manageable for most visitors.

If you want to experience the best of Crete and Samaria, we’d highly recommend joining our four-day Crete hiking adventure, which takes you along the unspoiled seaside and through stunning mountain trails.

Just an hour's drive north of Athens lies Mt Parnitha National Park, a perfect escape from the busy city if you’re after a nature fix.

This national park in Greece is a lush, wooded area filled with a network of hiking trails and cave systems. It’s the ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts, with awesome trekking, climbing, biking, and canyoning opportunities.

The park is also home to a large population of rare red deer and other wildlife. And if you want to extend your stay, there are two hiking lodges where you can spend the night. There’s also a cable car that takes visitors to the Mont Parnes Regency Casino.

The interesting terrain and close proximity to Athens make Mt Parnitha one of the best national parks in Greece for a quick and convenient nature escape.

Located near the ancient site of Delphi, Parnassos National Park is another hotspot for outdoor sports enthusiasts.

This Greek national park features three towering peaks over 2300 meters: Parnassos (2457m), Tsarkos (2416m), and Gerondovrachos (2396m). Needless to say, it’s a hiking and rock-climbing paradise. Kouvelos, at 1882 meters, has a particularly challenging rock face that attracts climbers.

Hiking in this park is a uniquely Greek experience, as the mountain slopes are covered with Kefallonian fir, spruce, and juniper. In between the trees grow colourful shrubs and rare purple-flowered Daphne jasminea.

In winter, the park transforms into a bustling ski resort, drawing skiers and snowboarders to its snowy slopes. So, if you’re after year-round adventures in the mountains, then this is the place to visit.

Greece's national parks have plenty of amazing mountainous areas. However, the major drawcard to Greek nature is the country’s magnificent coastline and islands.

The National Marine Park of Alonnisos, established in 1992, is the largest marine protected area in Europe. This national park in Greece covers the coastal waters around Alonnisos Island and the Northern Sporades archipelago.

The main reason the park exists is to protect the endangered Mediterranean monk seal, as well as a few other rare seabird species. During summer, boat tours from Alonnisos and Skopelos offer full-day trips through the park's crystal-clear waters.

While the elusive monk seal is rarely seen, visitors often spot dolphins, sea turtles, and even migrating whales.

The sea floor here is covered in oxygen-producing Posidonia, which supports a rich marine ecosystem. So, if you love marine life and beautiful clear waters, then this park is a must-visit.

Located in northern Greece, Prespa National Park is a wildlife paradise centred around the ancient Prespa Lakes.

Megali Prespa and Mikri Prespa are some of Europe’s oldest lakes. They offer serene beauty and rich biodiversity.

This northern Greece national park is a crucial habitat for many species, including brown bears, wolves, and wild pigs. The lakes are also a haven for bird watchers, home to over 260 bird species, including the world’s largest colony of Dalmatian pelicans and great white pelicans.

The area is dotted with charming highland villages, offering a peaceful base for exploring this beautiful park. With a combination of stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife, Prespa is absolutely one of the top national parks of Greece.

Cape Sounion National Park may be one of Greece’s smallest national parks, but it’s home to the iconic Temple of Poseidon - which makes it well worth the visit.

This ancient temple, built in 444 BC, stands on a dramatic cliff 65 meters above the Aegean Sea. The Temple of Poseidon, with its gleaming white marble columns, was a landmark for ancient sailors and remains a popular attraction today.

The park also features some amazing sandy beaches, short hiking trails, and quaint villages. It’s a fantastic destination for history and nature fans alike.

If you visit this park, we recommend taking in the breathtaking views from the temple at sunset.

Also known as Mount Oeta National Park, Iti National Park is one of Greece’s hidden gems. This park offers a peaceful retreat in a less developed setting that most tourists don't visit.

Located 25 kilometres southwest of Lamia, this national park in Greece spans the higher slopes of Mount Iti, reaching up to 2151 meters. It’s a great place for hiking, or simply just relaxing in nature.

The park’s landscape is a mix of dense forests of fir and black pine, upland meadows, and snow-melt pools surrounded by marsh orchids. Ipati village is a good starting point for exploring the park, with loads of trails leading to various scenic spots.

One of the best day hikes is the 8-kilometre trek to the Pyrgos summit, offering breathtaking views from the top.

The National Marine Park of Zakynthos, located in the Bay of Laganas, is an epic location for anyone wanting to explore life under the water. The park was created to protect the endangered loggerhead turtle, one of Europe’s most at-risk marine species.

This national park in Greece is a crucial nesting site for loggerheads, with up to 1300 nests recorded in some years. During the breeding season from May to October, nesting beaches are closed to visitors at night to protect the turtles.

Daytime snorkelling trips around the island offer a chance to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. You could also venture deeper down by scuba diving at some of the awesome dive spots in this reserve.

The Mediterranean Marine Life Centre on Zakynthos provides educational programs on turtle conservation. So, if you want to learn more about these rare turtles and experience them up close, then this is the best park to do it.

Ainos National Park, located on the island of Kefalonia, is dominated by the impressive Mt Ainos. This mountain rises to 1628 meters and is a prominent feature on any keen hikers' Greek bucket list.

Ancient Greek fir and black pine forests cover the park, creating a uniquely Greek atmosphere. Despite the park’s relatively undeveloped facilities, the park offers five established walking trails. These trails are amazing for anyone wanting to escape the tourist crowds and achieve a real sense of solitude in Kefalonia.

The most popular trails lead to the summit from different starting points, offering panoramic views of the island. If you’d prefer a less strenuous visit, there is a road that allows access close to the summit. The park is also home to small wild horses that roam freely, adding to its unique charm.

Ainos National Park is one of the best national parks in Greece for a great mountain adventure.

The national parks of Greece offer a diverse range of natural landscapes and historical sites. From the mythological peaks of Mt Olympus to the serene waters of the Prespa Lakes, these parks provide unique opportunities for outdoor activities, seeing wildlife, and experiencing the unique Greek culture.

Whether you’re a hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or a history buff, the best national parks in Greece have something to offer for everyone.

Interested in exploring the best of these national parks with an expert guide? Then check out our group adventure tours in Greece for an unforgettable experience.