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
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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.
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Included:
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- 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):
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- 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:
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- 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
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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.
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
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- 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.
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- 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.
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Group sizes and pricing
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- 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
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- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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