Discover Greece’s Bike‑Friendly Routes: A Guide to Cycling Through Mountains, Islands, and Coasts

Greece, a colorful place, full of nature, culture and beauty, boasts a vast network of cycling routes in the mountains, islands, plains and coastlines, making cycling an exciting experience. However, it also has certified destinations, certified hotels, travel agencies, and cycling companies to serve cyclists.

The “Bike Friendly” label, which is under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, offers a unique service experience to cycling friends. A network of certified destinations and businesses marked as “Bike Friendly” is available to visitors to discover the nature, culture, and architecture of Greece on the wheels of a bicycle!

NatTour and the Bike Friendly network

The “Bike Friendly” label is an initiative of the non-profit company NatTour, which aims to protect the environment, develop thematic forms of tourism, and suggest environmentally friendly means of transport such as bicycles. The development of the “Bike Friendly” label is in collaboration with the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN).

The members of the network bear the mark “Bike Friendly Hotel” (hotels), “Bike Friendly Destination” (municipality-destination), “Bike Friendly Partner” (cycling companies), and “Greek Bike Specialist” (tourist offices).

Bike Friendly Hotels in Greece

The network of “Bike Friendly Hotels” in Greece consists of a series of selected hotels, which stand out for their commitment to environmental protection, the high quality of their services, and their dedication to properly serve of the tourist-cyclist. All the hotels of the network meet a minimum number of criteria and make every effort to make the stay of the cyclist-tourist as comfortable as possible.

Mandatory Criteria:

Informing guests about the cycling opportunities in the hotel and the area (website, hard copy material, special stands etc.).
Maps depicting cycling routes, online or hard copy.
A safe parking lot and storage place for bicycles.
Bicycle tools kit.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning services for same-day delivery.
Providing – renting – repairing bicycles customer services.



Optional:
Collaboration with a company that organizes cycling tours.
Bicycle park place with bicycle parking rack.

Electric bicycle charging station.
Minivan rental services for bicycle transport.
Ability to provide lunch box with fruit, toast, energy drinks, etc.
Ability to provide healthy breakfast with organic-bio products.
Gym facilities.
Providing at least one wellness service from: Sauna, Hamam, Jacuzzi, Massage, Thalassotherapy pool.
Green Key Label.
ISO14000 certification.


Bike Friendly destinations in Greece

The network of “Bike Friendly Destinations” in Greece consists of a series of selected Municipalities, which stand out for their commitment to environmental protection, their efforts for sustainable tourism development, and their commitment to serve the tourist-cyclist. The member municipalities of the network meet a minimum number of criteria and make every effort to make the cyclist-tourist’s stay as comfortable as possible. At the same time, they create a “cycling identity” at the destination, and make it easier for both the tourist and the citizens to use the bicycle either during their holidays or in their everyday life.