November arrives softly in Greece. The light turns lower, the air sharper, and the scent of woodsmoke returns to the hills. With the crowds long gone and the roads open again, the country feels lighter, more deliberate. This autumn, we head to the mainland to follow the change of the season, from the misty slopes to still lakes and the calm of the mountains.
This isn’t one of those neatly packaged “top 8 places to visit” features (though, yes, here are eight). These are places we’ve driven to, stayed in, and would happily return to — spots that mean something, especially when the year begins to slow down. So, here are our top destinations in Greece this autumn, not because they’re trendy, but because travelling there still feels like something real.
Pelion
Between mountain and sea, Pelion is where the season changes effortlessly. The air smells of apples, wood, and salt. Walk the old paths between villages like Milies and Tsagarada, where chestnut trees frame the Aegean. Have lunch in a stone square, drink local cider, and listen to rain on tiled roofs. Autumn suits Pelion, as it actually gives it time to breathe.
Notes for the road:
– Ride the narrow-gauge Pelion train from Ano Lechonia to Milies.
– Coffee and spoon sweets at Anna Na Ena Milo in Milies.
– Check Peliva Nature & Suites for mountain calm and sea views.
Zagorochoria
High in the Pindus mountains, Zagori feels like a world preserved. Its 46 stone villages are connected by arching bridges and forest trails that glow gold in November light. Hike the Vikos Gorge, stay in a traditional guesthouse, and warm up with mushroom soup and tsipouro by the fire. If you’re searching for Greece at its purest, this is it.
Notes for the road:
– Cross the Kokkorou ancient stone bridge near Kipi.
– Dinner at Lithos / Stou Taki in Dilofo for local dishes and atmosphere.
– Visit Oxya Viewpoint for a sweeping view of Vikos Gorge.
Meteora
Few places match Meteora for scale or silence. The rock pillars rise sharply from the plain, each crowned with a monastery. Visit at dusk when the stone turns copper and the valley dims to blue. Whether you come to photograph, to walk, or to simply stand still, Meteora has a way of quieting the mind.
Notes for the road:
– Visit the Monastery of Great Meteoron early to avoid crowds.
– Join a truffle hunt in the forests around Kalambaka and enjoy a meal cooked on the spot with your finds.
– Walk the old footpath between Kastraki and the monasteries.
Lake Plastiras
Set among forested hills in central Greece, Lake Plastiras holds a natural calm. Drive the road that circles the lake, stop for mountain tea and local sweets, and let the pace of the place slow you down. November brings mist, mirror water, and the sort of ease that stays with you long after you leave.
Notes for the road:
– Try a hydrobike ride on the lake, perfectly in tune with the setting.
– Walk or cycle the lakeside trail near Kalyvia Pezoulas.
– Check Montanema Handmade Village for forest serenity.
Arcadia
Arcadia is Greece’s pastoral heart, all fir-covered slopes, stone villages and woodsmoke. Visit Dimitsana for its narrow lanes and coffee houses, Stemnitsa for honey and handmade silver, and drive through Mainalo’s dense forest as the leaves turn bronze. Stay somewhere with a fireplace and a view; most things here are best enjoyed slowly.
Notes for the road:
– Enjoy a coffee in Dimitsana’s main square and watch the village unfold around you.
– Visit the Open-Air Water Power Museum for a glimpse of Arcadian craft and tradition.
– Stay at Manna in Mainalo Forest for contemporary comfort hidden in the pines.
Kastoria
Wrapped around a shimmering lake and framed by hills, Kastoria holds its own northern grace. Its neoclassical mansions reflect on the water and narrow streets wind between byzantine churches and restored homes. Walk the lakeside path at dawn, when the light is soft and the city feels half-asleep. Later, stop for a coffee, visit a fur workshop or one of the small museums that trace the city’s layered history.
Notes for the road:
– Cycle the route around the lake, best done in the morning light.
– Walk the Ntoltso neighbourhood for architecture and calm.
– Visit the Byzantine Museum of Kastoria for a glimpse of the city’s layered past.
Metsovo
Perched high in the Pindus range, Metsovo is both alpine and distinctly Greek. Smoke curls from chimneys, and the air smells faintly of pine and cheese — both made locally. Spend your morning wandering the stone alleys, visit the Averoff Gallery, and sample metsovone and red wine by a fire. It’s a place where tradition isn’t nostalgia but daily life.
Notes for the road:
– Stop in Anilio for lamb chops at Niao.
– Visit the Averoff Gallery and stroll through the Averoff Garden.
– Pack a picnic for Stoma tou Lykou at the Aoos Springs.
Nymfaio, Florina
Tucked into a forested slope, Nymfaio is one of Greece’s most polished mountain villages, all slate roofs, cobbled lanes and small guesthouses. The local bear sanctuary adds a note of purpose, while the surrounding woods invite long walks under silver beech trees. Stay a night or two, enjoy dinner by candlelight, and let the stillness of the place do its work.
Notes for the road:
– Visit Arcturos Bear Sanctuary just outside the village.
– Stop by the Museum of Silversmithing for a glimpse of the region’s craft and artistry.
– Admire the stone houses and restored mansions that give Nymfaio its timeless charm.
If Greece in summer is about energy, autumn is about depth. These are not just the best autumn destinations in Greece, but places where the country shows its gentler self. The air is cooler, the light kinder, and the welcome, as ever, warm.
