Bike and Barge
The Gulf of Corinth and the Ionian Islands

from Athens to Corfu

CODE GR037 / Greece
Activity Bike and Barge Bike and barge In the daytime by bike, in the evening on board a hotel-boat that follows the cyclists along the route. Your luggage stays in the cabin and you can stay on the boat if you don't feel like cycling. Details
Tour type Guided Guided Travel in a group with other participants and a tour leader who knows the route.
Theme By the sea By the sea Coastal itinerary or travel programme that leaves room for relaxation by the sea.
Comfort Bronze Silver Gold Platinum Bronze Silver Gold Platinum Comfort and accommodation Four levels of comfort to describe the different types of accommodation.
Find out more about comfort on this trip under comfort and departures.

Departures May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Duration 8 days
Level
Itinerary linear from Athens to Corfu
Some meals included
Discount for 3rd person in room

from 1999€

8 days / 1 person +

To know

Highlights

A bike and barge holiday in the incredible scenery of the Gulf of Corinth and the picturesque Ionian Islands. From the pistachios of the island of Aegina to the ruins of Delphi, from Odysseus' Ithaca to the waterfalls of Nydri: climb aboard and set off on a pedal-powered journey through a Greece rich in history, nature and dream beaches.

The archaeological site of Delphi
The island of Lefkada
Lovely harbors and many dives into the crystal clear sea

What awaits you

The route runs over hilly or mountainous terrain and involves reaching an altitude between 300/700 m above sea level: we recommend an electric bike so you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest. Roads are generally paved and low traffic, except during periods of high tourist movement. Each day you can decide whether to ride individually using the maps provided, follow one of the guides, or stay aboard the boat and relax in the sun.

Accommodation

There are 7 overnight stays aboard a two-masted wooden motor yacht. Time spent aboard this classic gulet is all about relaxation: you can choose to sunbathe on comfortable mats or enjoy some fresh air in the shaded areas behind the boat... And when the ship stops in one of Greece's beautiful bays, you can take advantage of the canoes on board and paddle in crystal-clear waters.

Itineraryview all

from Athens to Corfu

Read from Corfu to Athens

1. Arrival in Athens at the port of Piraeus and embarkation

Individual arrival at Marina Zeas, which in ancient Greece was one of the largest ports in Piraeus. Embarkation is scheduled from 2 PM. The captain and crew welcome you on the boat to begin your adventure. more

Accommodation barge / Meals dinner

2. A dip in history at Aegina and en route to Galaxidi

It’s time to sail for the island of Aegina, and after a short sail you begin cycling through a veritable concentration of Greek history. As if from the pages of a book, start with classical antiquity, with the splendid temple of Aphaia, white among the blue sea. Turning the page, encounter the Byzantine city of Paleochora, which is home to no fewer than 33 churches with beautiful 4th-century frescoes. The epilogue on the origins of Greece awaits you in Aegina city, scene of the revolution of the early 19th century. Here the barge will be waiting for you to leave for Galaxidi.

Accommodation barge / Meals half board / Bike 35 km

3. Cultural Day: it's time to discover Delphi

In the morning a transfer takes you to the archaeological site of Delphi at the foot of Mount Parnassus. Here is the temple dedicated to Apollo, where the legendary oracle, who turned out to be a woman: the priestess Pythia, was consulted. After spending the morning in this picturesque city shrouded in myth, the bus will be waiting to take you to Lepanto, where a visit to the castle, the only one with five defense zones, is recommended. The final destination for today is Missolungi, which you reach by a short transfer.

Accommodation barge / Meals half board / Transfer bus

4. Morning sailing and cycling in Ithaca

This morning the barge sails to the island of Ithaca. Once in Vathy, begin your pedal ride through the beautiful hilly landscape of Ithaca Island, where you are greeted by the two-faced statue of Odysseus, its mythological king. You start pedaling from Vathy, the island’s capital, into an atmosphere where time seems to have stood still: gnarled olive trees and crystal-clear waters appear before you. Tonight the barge is moored in the small harbor of Vathy.

Accommodation barge / Meals half board / Bike 35 km

5. The little villages in Meganisi and Lefkada island

In the morning you reach Meganisi and begin your cycle route following a scenic road that takes you to explore the three small villages on this peaceful island. After a stop at Spartochori beach, go back on board and sail to the island of Lefkada. Here you reach Nidri and if you wish, you can cycle 10 km on a circular route to explore the beautiful landscape of this island and the striking Nidri waterfalls in the heart of Dimossari Gorge. Stay overnight in the port of Nidri.

Accommodation barge / Meals half board / Bike 28 km

6. Sailing to Paxos Island

Get on your bike and accompanied by the olive trees, which color the landscape green, ride to Lefkas, the main city of the island. Once you reach Lefkas, go back on board: it’s time to sail to the wonderful island of Paxos. Tonight the barge is moored in the… more

Accommodation barge / Meals half board / Bike 30 km

7. Last stop among the olive trees on the island of Paxos and sail to Corfu

Your last day on the pedals is devoted to the island of Paxos: the smallest Ionian island in Greece. There is certainly no shortage of olive trees; as many as 250,000 are calculated here. Riding your bike, take a leisurely route to explore the island, not giving up a swim at one of the many dreamy beaches. The boat will be waiting in the afternoon to take you to Corfu, the final destination of the week.

Accommodation barge / Meals half board / Bike 23 km

8. Corfu, end of tour

After breakfast, say goodbye to Corfu, perhaps after popping into its picturesque Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. more

After breakfast, say goodbye to Corfu, perhaps after popping into its picturesque Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Read from Corfu to Athens

from Corfu to Athens

Read from Athens to Corfu

1. Arrival in the port of Corfu

Individual arrival at Marina Gouvia, an important port that connects the Mediterranean with the Adriatic. Embarkation is scheduled from 2 PM. more

Individual arrival at Marina Gouvia, an important port that connects the Mediterranean with the Adriatic. Embarkation is scheduled from 2 PM.

Accommodation barge / Meals dinner

2. On the pedals among the olive trees on the island of Paxos

Your first day on the bike is dedicated to Paxos Island-the smallest Ionian island in Greece. There is certainly no shortage of olive trees; as many as 250,000 are calculated here. Riding your bike, take a leisurely route to explore the island, not giving up a swim at one… more

Accommodation barge / Meals half board / Bike 23 km

3. Sailing to Lefkas and then on the pedals between mountain and sea

Start the day with a long cruise to Lefkas, during which you get to admire the swing bridge that connects the island with mainland Greece. Upon reaching the island, start pedaling through the fascinating mountain landscape to the bustling port of Nydri where you spend the night. more

Accommodation barge / Meals half board / Bike 30 km

4. Ithaca and sailing to Messolonghi

Reach Ithaca where you are greeted by the two-faced statue of Odysseus, its mythological king. Start cycling from Vathy, the capital of the Ionian island, and discover a landscape where time seems to have stood still: gnarled olive trees and crystal-clear waters appear before you. The boat is waiting… more

Accommodation barge / Meals half board / Bike 28 km

5. Discovering Delphi and we set sail for Galaxidi.

Today a transfer takes you to the village of Lepanto. Here you can stroll through the charming old town, with its Venetian-style harbor and ancient walls. Then reach the famous archaeological site of Delphi, at the foot of the Parnassus Mountains. Enjoy the view of the beautiful temples and treasure chambers, the well-preserved theater, and the ancient stadium. The transfer then takes you back to Galaxidi, where you stay overnight. If you wish, in the afternoon you can reach by bike one of the nearby beaches.

Accommodation barge / Meals half board / Transfer minibus 30 minutes

6. Through the Corinth Canal and arriving at the island of Aegina

The day begins with a stretch of navigation, through the Corinth Canal. This passage is impressive; it was built in 1893 but its design still dates back to Roman times, to Julius Caesar. The passage is 6.5 km long, 24 meters wide and 8 meters deep, and connects the Aegean Sea with the Gulf of Corinth. Landing on the island of Aegina, pedal along the coast to the pretty village of Perdika. Return to the historic town of Aegina, where you spend the night.

Accommodation barge / Meals half board / Bike 20 km

7. A dip into history in Aegina and en route to Piraeus

The island of Aegina is a veritable concentration of Greek history. As if from the pages of a book, start with classical antiquity, with the splendid temple of Aphaia, white among the blue sea. Turning the page, you encounter the Monastery of Saint Nektario. The barge awaits you in… more

The barge awaits you in Aegina city, where the boat is waiting to take you to Piraeus.

Accommodation barge / Meals half board / Bike 30 km

8. Piraeus (Marina Zeas)

Disembarkation is scheduled after breakfast; if you have some time before saying goodbye to Greece, take the opportunity to visit the capital Athens. more

Disembarkation is scheduled after breakfast; if you have some time before saying goodbye to Greece, take the opportunity to visit the capital Athens.

Meals breakfast

Read from Athens to Corfu

Comfort Silver

Barge Panagiota

comfort Silver
en-suite bathroom and shower
A/C in the whole barge
1 sundeck
20 guests, 10 cabins

Departures Silver

2025

Departures on Friday
go to online quote

spots available from May 2 to May 29, 2025

from 1999 €

8 days / 1 person

spots available from May 30 to Sep 19, 2025

from 2199 €

8 days / 1 person

What's includedview all

Accommodation

7 nights accommodation
Sheets and towels

Meals

7 breakfasts
2 days full board and 5 days half board

If you are vegetarian, gluten-intolerant or allergic to some specific ingredients/substances please indicate it at the moment of booking. A supplement applies for gluten-free, lactose-free or vegan diets.

Once on board, make sure that the kitchen staff is aware of your allergies, in order to avoid unpleasant situations.

Tour leader

English speaking tour leader within an international group

The tour leader leads the way along the route, coordinates the participants and knows how to intervene in case of unforeseen events.
Participants come from all over the world, and the common language is English.

Tour information

Before departure you will receive by email:

the link to download the tour information material in Pdf

Assistance

We plan your trip carefully, but if you need assistance you can count on the tour leader.

In the Final Tour Details you will find the contact phone numbers you can call during the tour in case of emergency.

Transfer

Transfer to Delphi on day 6

Cancellation policy

In the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring at the place of destination or in its immediate surrounding area and having a substantial impact on the execution of the package or on the transport of travellers towards the destination, the traveller has the right to withdraw from the agreement before using the package, without paying withdrawal costs.

In all the other cases of withdrawal from the travel agreement, the traveller is always required to pay a withdrawal penalty. Read more

Withdrawal penalties

20% up to 84 days prior to departure date
40% from 83 to 42 days prior to departure date
60% from 41 to 28 days prior to departure date
90% from 27 to 1 day prior to departure date
100% no-show

Round trip

Travel to and from start and finish points not included

To pay on the spot

Meals not mentioned in the section “price includes”
Drinks on board
Entrance tickets
Tips
The amount is up to your discretion, we suggest 5-7 % of the cost of the trip.

Rental bikes and accessories

You can rent bikes and accessories from our local partner.

The helmet is mandatory, we recommend wearing bringing your own.

Additional excluded services

Accommodation in single cabin
Special diet supplement €70 (to be paid on board)
Transfer
You can book a transfer from Athens (airport or hotel) to the embarkation point and vice versa (available on embarkation and disembarkation days only)
Bike insurance
It is possible to add an insurance against theft and damage of the rental bike (negligence damage excluded): € 10 touring bike, € 20 electric bike
Everything not mentioned in the section “included”

Bikes

The bike you rented will be waiting for you on board: serviced, adjusted to your height and ready for your tour.

Unisex touring bike

28” wheel
21/24 speed
anti-puncture tires
comfort gel saddle
the only one compatible with child accessories (where available)

Unisex E-bike

28” wheel
9 speed
anti-puncture tires
comfort gel saddle

Side bag

waterproof
to be attached to the roof rack
Ideal for carrying useful items for the daily stage

Practical information

Route profile

Level: medium
Total length: 150 km
Indicative daily altitude: 300-700 m
Terrain: paved and low-traffic roads

Embarkation

Embarkation is scheduled from 2 PM at Marina Zeas (Athens)/Marina Gouvia (Corfu). Here you will meet the tour leader and other participants.

How to get there

A) Direction Athens - Corfu

The port of Zea Marina in Piraeus in Athens is the starting point of the tour to be reached independently.

Before departure we will send you the exact boarding point.

By plane

The closest airport is Athens International Airport (ATH):

From Athens airport (ATH):

train Trainose until Piraeus and then walk to Zea Marina port

By train

For information on timetables and prices you can consult Hellenic Trains official website.

B) Direction Corfu - Athens

Corfu is the starting point of the tour to be reached independently.

By plane

The closest airport is Corfu International Airport (CFU):

From Corfu International Airport (CFU):

bus line 15 until the port and then walk to the point of embarkation

For an overview of prices, airlines and flight schedules we suggest rome2rio.com or Google Maps, which also show options via train or bus, even for the last mile. For reliability and security, we recommend purchasing your flight on the official website of your chosen airline.

Transfer

You can book a transfer from the airport in Athens/Corfu to the embarkation point (available on embarkation and disembarkation days only).

Documents

If you are a citizen of the EU or of a Schengen country – i.e. most EU countries and four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – you are free to travel to other Schengen countries without having to go through border controls.

Even if you don’t need a passport for border checks within the Schengen area, it is still always highly recommended to take a passport or ID card with you.

If you are a non-EU national wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a passport:

valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting,
which was issued within the previous 10 years
and possibly a visa

You should apply for a visa from the consulate or embassy of the country you are visiting. If your visa is from a Schengen area country, it automatically allows you to travel to the other Schengen countries as well.

Do not forget your travel, health and/or car insurance documents.

For further information visit Your Europe official website.

Do not forget your travel, health and/or car insurance documents.
Always thoroughly check the document you travel with: expiration date and integrity.
Registration of documents is compulsory at check-in in hotels.

Language and time zone

The official language is Greek. English is not spoken in all businesses and public offices.

Internet, telephone, electricity

Internet and telephone

With a European SIM card, roaming services are free throughout Europe. Please check your rates with your mobile/internet provider before departure.

The international phone prefix for Greece is +30.

Emergency numbers

112 – Common Emergency Number. This is the European emergency number which can be called in any emergency from any telephone (landline and mobile phone). Calls are free.

100 – Police Help Number

199 – Fire Department

166 – Medical Emergencies

1434 – Hospitals and duty pharmacies

Electricity

The Greek electrical net is 220 volts – 50 Hz. F-type power sockets.

Type C, D, E, and H sockets are found in older installations.

We recommend to always carry a universal adapter for electronic devices.

Currency

The currency in Greece is the euro (€).

Equipment and clothing

Luggage

Bags instead of suitcases (space on board is limited)

Personal equipment

a reusable water bottle
a holder to fix for your mobile phone on the handlebar
a power bank
basic first aid kit which includes sticky bandages, gauze and low grade disinfectant
sun glasses for eye protection
protective sun lotion
insect repellent

Clothes

padded cycling shorts
comfortable shoes with stiff soles
light weight waterproof/windproof tops
leggings and long sleeved tops for cooler mornings or evenings
small close-fitting rucksack to carry small items during the day while cycling
swimsuit
clothes to cover your shoulders when you visit churches

Read carefully

Tour programme variations

Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday.
Issues with high and low water, as well as logistic obstacles such as officially ordered – previously not announced – repair work on locks or bridges can modify some of the daily stretches or overnight stays and may even request a transfer by bus. These decisions are only taken by the boat’s captain.

Travel insurance

It is advisable to take out an insurance policy against expenses arising from cancellation of the tour package, accidents, luggage (loss and damage), as well as a contract covering expenses in case of repatriation. Insurance policies are not included in the tour package offered by the operator.

1 review