Included: An experienced, English-speaking local bike guide with knowledge of the Ionian Islands and Gulf of Corinth region 8-day Ionian Islands & Gulf of Corinth bike and boat tour (7 days of cycling and excursions) Accommodation for 7 nights aboard the M/S Panagiota in a twin cabin below deck with private shower and toilet 2 full-board and 5 half-board days on board Guided cycling tours and sightseeing as described in the itinerary Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites (group visits) The transfer to Delphi The passage through the Corinth Canal Bed linen and towels SGR insolvency protection Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout): Cabin above deck upgrade Single occupancy in a double cabin below deck Rental hybrid bike or e-bike with an Ortlieb pannier Liability protection for your rental bike Airport and hotel transfers — leave a note at checkout if interested Extensions or additional nights in Athens, Corfu, or Santorini — leave a note at checkout if interested Special dietary requests (lactose-free, gluten-free, vegan) — 70 EUR, paid in person Not included: Travel to Athens or Corfu Meals and beverages ashore & not mentioned above Beverages on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain) Tourist taxes & a basic drink package (water, tea, filter coffee) — 80 EUR per person, 40 EUR for children up to 16, to be paid on board in cash Entrance fee for sights not included in the tour price Accommodation before or after the tour Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout Guide and crew gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

Great fitness is required for this trip , with cycling days of up to 35 km (22 mi) and up to 500 m (1,640 ft) of elevation gain . The terrain is hilly to occasionally mountainous , with some winding descents and stretches of uneven or gravel road, so it suits cyclists who ride regularly and are comfortable with longer daily stages. Renting an e-bike takes the edge off the climbs, but you should already be confident handling one, since they’re heavier and faster than a standard bike. The riding pace is determined by riders on a hybrid bike. We ask guides who hired e-bikes to be patient and mindful of this, and to acknowledge that those riders need time to rest and that they take a longer time climbing the hills.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: A helmet (mandatory on every ride; bring your own if you can, since rental helmets are limited) Swimwear and a quick-dry towel Sturdy shoes for shore excursions and cobbled old towns Comfortable cycling clothes and spare layers A light day pack for the Ortlieb pannier provided with your rental bike Sunhat and sunglasses Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, tissues, etc.) Camera — optional (but recommended)

Yes. Your guides offer two rental options for the week, and both come with a free Ortlieb pannier so you’ve got a dry, secure place for your camera, swim gear, and anything else you’re carrying on the ride. You can select a bike rental at checkout. Hybrid bike — a reliable, low-maintenance bike with an aluminum frame, available in various sizes. It’s a straightforward, comfortable choice for the daily distances on this trip. E-bike — a high-quality pedelec, mostly fitted with Bosch motors with extra battery range. It’s lighter than you’d expect and makes the hillier stretches, like the climbs on Lefkas, feel a lot more manageable. Liability protection against theft or damage can be added for either option, and both need to be reserved in advance, since availability is limited. You can select it at checkout. Note that private bikes and e-bikes aren’t allowed on board for safety reasons , so renting is the way to go. A helmet is mandatory on every ride, and while rentals are available, they’re limited, so bring your own if you can.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing The M/S Panagiota carries a maximum of 22 guests. Solo travelers are welcome to join, but securing a single occupancy cabin for themselves is mandatory —you’ll be able to add it to your booking at checkout. It’s not possible to join as a solo traveller and share a cabin with another guest. If sharing a triple occupancy cabin, you’re eligible for a discount—leave a note at checkout if there’s 3 of you planning to share a cabin. Bike and boat tours in Greece can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the bike and boat tour in Greece on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. Children up to the age of 16 are eligible for a 200-euro discount (double occupancy), let us know at checkout if you’re booking for a child. If your group has participants under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Is a single occupancy cabin available?

The price for this bike and boat tour in Greece is based on twin-share rooms , but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee . You can add it to your booking at checkout. Solo travelers are welcome to join, but securing a single occupancy room for themselves is mandatory —you’ll be able to add it to your booking at checkout. It’s not possible to join as a solo traveller and share a cabin with another guest.

Getting there and meeting location

The Athens-to-Corfu departure meets at Marina Zeas in Piraeus, about 25 km (15 mi) from Athens International Airport (ATH) . The Corfu-to-Athens departure meets on Corfu, about 5 km (3 mi) from Corfu International Airport (CFU) ; the exact mooring point is confirmed the evening before boarding. Check-in on board opens at 2 pm on embarkation day for both directions.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered. The price of the tour includes the 5 euro SGR Insolvency Protection. This is mandatory consumer contribution called the SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme.

IONIAN ISLANDS | GREECE

Bike & Boat Tour in Greece: Ionian Islands & Gulf of Corinth

8 days | Moderate | 5.00

From $2,656 ()

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Greece’s west coast is where mainland history and island quiet meet, and this trip is built to show you both. We spend a week working our way between the Ionian Sea and the Gulf of Corinth aboard a traditional two-masted motor sailer, hopping off each morning to ride through olive groves, along quiet coastal roads, and into villages that still run on their own time. One day we’re pedaling around tiny Paxos or the hills of Ithaca, said to be Odysseus’s legendary home, the next we’re standing in the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi or watching the ship thread the narrow Corinth Canal. Few trips let you swap islands and mainland so easily, all without unpacking once.

Adventure Highlights

Riding Odysseus's island: We spend an afternoon cycling round Ithaca, the mountainous, myth-soaked island said to be the legendary home of Homer’s wandering king, still as quiet as the stories suggest
Sailing through the Corinth Canal: The ship squeezes through this narrow, sheer-walled passage first dreamed up by Julius Caesar, one of the most dramatic short sails in the Mediterranean
Cycling islands most travelers skip: We ride quiet roads on Paxos, Ithaca, Meganisi, and Lefkas, islands with barely any tourist traffic outside their small harbor towns

Duration

8 days

Season

May through October

Group size

Up to 22 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

This westbound crossing starts in Piraeus and finishes on Corfu, tracing the Gulf of Corinth and the Ionian Sea over 8 days and 7 nights aboard the M/S Panagiota. Expect roughly 150 km (94 mi) of cycling at a level 4 out of 5, mixed with a full day ashore at Delphi and the passage through the Corinth Canal. Along the way we ride Aegina, Ithaca, Meganisi, Lefkas, and Paxos, each island only a short sail from the last. Seven nights on board come with 2 full-board and 5 half-board days, an English-speaking guide, and all the bike-tour logistics handled for you.

Day 1: Arrival in Piraeus and embarkation

Arrive at Marina Zeas in Piraeus at your own pace; check-in on board is possible from 2 pm onward. We settle into our cabins, share a welcome dinner, and stay moored in the harbor for the night.

Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, moored in Piraeus

Day 2: Cycling Aegina and the Corinth Canal passage

In the morning we sail to Aegina, an island known well beyond Greece for its pistachios, and ride to the Temple of Aphaia, one of the country’s best-preserved temples, set high above the sea. In the afternoon we sail through the Corinth Canal, a narrow 1893 passage between the Aegean and the Gulf of Corinth first proposed by Julius Caesar. Weather permitting, we continue to Galaxidi for the night; otherwise we anchor near Corinth.

Cycling: 35 km (22 mi)
Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, Galaxidi (or near Corinth, weather-dependent)

Day 3: Delphi and the harbor of Nafpaktos

A transfer bus takes us to Delphi, at the foot of Mount Parnassus, where the ancient Greeks came to consult the oracle of Apollo. Between the temples, treasuries, and the well-preserved theater, it’s an easy place to spend a few hours. From there we head to Nafpaktos for lunch and a stroll through its Venetian harbor, before a short final drive to Mesolongi, where the boat is waiting for the night.

Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, Mesolongi

Day 4: Riding the island of Ithaca

A longer morning crossing brings us to Ithaca, said to be the mythical home of Odysseus. We spend the afternoon riding its hilly interior past gnarled olive trees and quiet villages, well off the usual tourist track, before returning to the boat in Vathy for the night.

Cycling: 35 km (21 mi)
Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, Vathy, Ithaca

Day 5: Meganisi's villages and the ride to Nidri

We cross to tiny Meganisi during breakfast and ride a panoramic route through its three villages, with a coffee and swimming break at the beach in Spartochori. In the afternoon we continue to Nidri on Lefkas, where anyone who wants to can add an extra ride through olive groves to the hidden waterfall nearby.

Cycling: 18 km (11 mi), plus an optional 10 km (6 mi) extension to the waterfall
Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, Nidri, Lefkas

Day 6: Lefkas's mountains to the harbor of Gaios

Today’s ride climbs through Lefkas’s mountain landscape to the island’s capital, with a coffee stop in the village of Karia along the way. In Lefkas town the Panagiota picks us up for a longer sail to Paxos, where we spend the evening in one of the tavernas around the natural harbor of Gaios.

Cycling: 30 km (19 mi)
Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, Gaios, Paxos

Day 7: A full loop of Paxos

Paxos is so thick with olive trees the whole island seems to glow silver-green. We ride a full loop of it in the morning, with plenty of time to swim at one of its beaches, before sailing to Corfu in the afternoon. It’s our last evening on board, so we close it out with a communal dinner together.

Cycling: 23 km (14 mi)
Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, en route to Corfu

Day 8: Disembarkation on Corfu

After breakfast, we say our goodbyes and check out. From here it’s an easy return home, or the start of an extended stay on Corfu.

Running the same route in reverse, this eastbound version starts on Corfu and ends in Piraeus, covering roughly 128 km (80 mi) of cycling over the same 8 days and 7 nights aboard the M/S Panagiota. We open with island time on Paxos, Lefkas, Meganisi, and Ithaca before crossing into the Gulf of Corinth for a full day at Delphi and the passage through the Corinth Canal, finishing with a coastal ride on Aegina. It's level 4 out of 5, with 2 full-board and 5 half-board days on board, an English-speaking guide, and the same small-ship comfort throughout.

Day 1: Arrival on Corfu and embarkation

Arrive on Corfu and transfer to the ship; check-in on board is possible from 2 pm onward. We share a welcome dinner and spend the first night moored in the harbor.

Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, moored on Corfu

Day 2: A full loop of Paxos

We cast off in the morning and sail to Paxos, the smallest of the seven Ionian Islands and so thick with olive trees it seems to glow silver-green. A morning loop of the island leaves plenty of time to swim at one of its beaches, and we spend the evening in a taverna around the natural harbor of Gaios.

Cycling: 23 km (15 mi)
Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, Gaios, Paxos

Day 3: Lefkas's mountains to the harbor of Nidri

A longer sail brings us to Lefkas town, passing the swing bridge that connects the island to the mainland. From there we ride across Lefkas’s mountain landscape to the harbor of Nidri, with the island of Skorpios, once Aristotle Onassis’s private retreat, visible from our mooring.

Cycling: 30 km (19 mi)
Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, Nidri, Lefkas

Day 4: Riding the island of Ithaca

An early crossing takes us to Ithaca, said to be the mythical home of Odysseus, for an afternoon ride through its hilly, scenic interior. We then sail on to Mesolongi in the Gulf of Corinth for the night.

Cycling: 20 km (12 mi)
Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, Mesolongi

Day 5: Delphi and the harbor of Nafpaktos

A transfer bus takes us to the medieval town of Nafpaktos for a short stroll through its Venetian harbor, then on to Delphi, at the foot of Mount Parnassus, where the ancient Greeks once consulted the oracle of Apollo. From there we continue to Galaxidi for the night, with time for those who want it to bike to a nearby beach for a swim.

Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, Galaxidi

Day 6: The Corinth Canal and Aegina's coast

We lift anchor early for the Corinth Canal, a narrow 1893 passage between the Aegean and the Gulf of Corinth first proposed by Julius Caesar, and one of the trip’s genuine highlights. From the Saronic Gulf we sail on to Aegina for an afternoon coastal ride to the fishing village of Perdika, then spend the evening exploring Aegina’s old town.

Cycling: 20 km (12 mi)
Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, Aegina

Day 7: Aegina's temple and the sail to Piraeus

Aegina is known well beyond Greece for its pistachios. Our last ride takes us from the island’s capital past the Monastery of Saint Nektarios to the well-preserved Temple of Aphaia, set high above the sea. The ship meets us for the final crossing to Piraeus, where we close out the trip with dinner on board.

Cycling: 35 km (22 mi)
Accommodation: M/S Panagiota, moored in Piraeus

Day 8: Disembarkation in Athens

After breakfast, we say our goodbyes and check out. From here it’s an easy return home, or the start of an extended stay in Athens.

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Life on board

M/S Panagiota

We spend all seven nights aboard the M/S Panagiota, a traditional Greek caique at 23 x 6 m (75 x 20 ft), fully renovated to keep its character while adding modern comfort. A cosy saloon with stained-glass windows anchors the ship, and comfortable seating areas plus sunning mats on both sun decks mean there’s always a spot to relax between islands.

The 10 cabins, each named after a Greek island, are air-conditioned and come with a private shower and toilet—six sit below deck, and four above, for anyone who wants a bit more natural light and a surcharge to match.

Food

Our on-board chef handles breakfast every day, plus one or two warm meals depending on the day’s plans—expect 2 full-board days (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and 5 half-board days (breakfast and dinner) over the week, with a packed lunch available on request for days we’re out cycling longer. Catering starts with a welcome dinner on arrival and wraps up with breakfast on the morning we disembark. Ashore, feel free to explore on your own—think a proper spread of Greek appetizers over a long dinner in a taverna in Gaios or Galaxidi, or trying Aegina’s famous pistachios where they’re actually grown.

Adventure, packed to go

Bike & Boat Tour in Greece: Ionian Islands & Gulf of Corinth

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What others say about this adventure

5.00 (1 review)

Susan Marr

The itinerary, the guides, the crew were all outstanding, thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

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Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, English-speaking local bike guide with knowledge of the Ionian Islands and Gulf of Corinth region
  - 8-day Ionian Islands & Gulf of Corinth bike and boat tour (7 days of cycling and excursions)
  - Accommodation for 7 nights aboard the M/S Panagiota in a twin cabin below deck with private shower and toilet
  - 2 full-board and 5 half-board days on board
  - Guided cycling tours and sightseeing as described in the itinerary
  - Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites (group visits)
  - The transfer to Delphi
  - The passage through the Corinth Canal
  - Bed linen and towels
  - SGR insolvency protection
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
- - Cabin above deck upgrade
  - Single occupancy in a double cabin below deck
  - Rental hybrid bike or e-bike with an Ortlieb pannier
  - Liability protection for your rental bike
  - Airport and hotel transfers — leave a note at checkout if interested
  - Extensions or additional nights in Athens, Corfu, or Santorini — leave a note at checkout if interested
  - Special dietary requests (lactose-free, gluten-free, vegan) — 70 EUR, paid in person
Not included:
- - Travel to Athens or Corfu
  - Meals and beverages ashore & not mentioned above
  - Beverages on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain)
  - Tourist taxes & a basic drink package (water, tea, filter coffee) — 80 EUR per person, 40 EUR for children up to 16, to be paid on board in cash
  - Entrance fee for sights not included in the tour price
  - Accommodation before or after the tour
  - Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  - Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  - Guide and crew gratuities — optional
Great fitness is required for this trip, with cycling days of up to 35 km (22 mi) and up to 500 m (1,640 ft) of elevation gain.

The terrain is hilly to occasionally mountainous, with some winding descents and stretches of uneven or gravel road, so it suits cyclists who ride regularly and are comfortable with longer daily stages. Renting an e-bike takes the edge off the climbs, but you should already be confident handling one, since they’re heavier and faster than a standard bike.

The riding pace is determined by riders on a hybrid bike. We ask guides who hired e-bikes to be patient and mindful of this, and to acknowledge that those riders need time to rest and that they take a longer time climbing the hills.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - A helmet (mandatory on every ride; bring your own if you can, since rental helmets are limited)
  - Swimwear and a quick-dry towel
  - Sturdy shoes for shore excursions and cobbled old towns
  - Comfortable cycling clothes and spare layers
  - A light day pack for the Ortlieb pannier provided with your rental bike
  - Sunhat and sunglasses
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, tissues, etc.)
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
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Yes. Your guides offer two rental options for the week, and both come with a free Ortlieb pannier so you’ve got a dry, secure place for your camera, swim gear, and anything else you’re carrying on the ride. You can select a bike rental at checkout.
- - Hybrid bike — a reliable, low-maintenance bike with an aluminum frame, available in various sizes. It’s a straightforward, comfortable choice for the daily distances on this trip.
  - E-bike — a high-quality pedelec, mostly fitted with Bosch motors with extra battery range. It’s lighter than you’d expect and makes the hillier stretches, like the climbs on Lefkas, feel a lot more manageable.
Liability protection against theft or damage can be added for either option, and both need to be reserved in advance, since availability is limited. You can select it at checkout.

Note that private bikes and e-bikes aren’t allowed on board for safety reasons, so renting is the way to go. A helmet is mandatory on every ride, and while rentals are available, they’re limited, so bring your own if you can.
Group sizes and pricing
- - The M/S Panagiota carries a maximum of 22 guests.
  - Solo travelers are welcome to join, but securing a single occupancy cabin for themselves is mandatory—you’ll be able to add it to your booking at checkout. It’s not possible to join as a solo traveller and share a cabin with another guest.
  - If sharing a triple occupancy cabin, you’re eligible for a discount—leave a note at checkout if there’s 3 of you planning to share a cabin.
Bike and boat tours in Greece can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the bike and boat tour in Greece on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
  - Children up to the age of 16 are eligible for a 200-euro discount (double occupancy), let us know at checkout if you’re booking for a child.
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this bike and boat tour in Greece is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

Solo travelers are welcome to join, but securing a single occupancy room for themselves is mandatory—you’ll be able to add it to your booking at checkout. It’s not possible to join as a solo traveller and share a cabin with another guest.
The Athens-to-Corfu departure meets at Marina Zeas in Piraeus, about 25 km (15 mi) from Athens International Airport (ATH).

The Corfu-to-Athens departure meets on Corfu, about 5 km (3 mi) from Corfu International Airport (CFU); the exact mooring point is confirmed the evening before boarding.

Check-in on board opens at 2 pm on embarkation day for both directions.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

The price of the tour includes the 5 euro SGR Insolvency Protection. This is mandatory consumer contribution called the SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme.
Deposits

Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

Basic
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Super Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.

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