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!
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