Top tips for exploring Greece by campervan

From ancient monuments to unspoilt beaches, there are many reasons why Greece has long been a favourite destination for British travellers. And with the Greek people being so welcoming and the weather so pleasant, there's really no better way to explore all this country has to offer than by campervan.

Whatever time of year you choose to visit, there’s plenty for you to enjoy on your travels, provided you’ve got the right campervan insurance in place. However, motoring around Greece in a campervan will throw up its own set of challenges. That’s why we’ve put together these top tips to make your Greek exploration as fun and safe as possible.

Driving tips for a Greek road trip

Driving laws in Greece are pretty similar to here in the UK but there are some important things to remember:

• Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
• Traffic already on a roundabout has to stop and give way to traffic entering the roundabout.
• Seatbelts are compulsory for drivers and passengers.
• Horns are not to be used in towns unless to avoid an accident.
• Changing lanes on junctions is forbidden.
• It’s illegal to have a level of alcohol in the bloodstream of more than 50mg per 100ml.
• The main Greek motorways have tolls – your sat nav may help you to avoid these.

Have the following documents to hand:

• Drivers licence
• Proof of vehicle insurance
• Proof of ownership (V5C certificate)
• Passport

You are also required to have the following in your campervan:

• Warning triangle in case of breakdown
• Reflective jacket
• First Aid Kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Headlamp beam deflectors

Speed limits for campervans are as follows unless otherwise signposted:

• 130km/h on motorways
• 90/110km/h on national roads
• 50km/h in urban areas

Greek police can impose fines for traffic violations. However, they aren’t collected on the spot, instead you must pay the fine within 10 days.

With the range of subtle differences in road rules and driving culture, it’s wise to expect the unexpected if you want to avoid any bumps and scrapes. Always check your campervan insurance before leaving on a foreign holiday to make sure you’re fully covered for all eventualities.

Where to stay

With its many picturesque beaches and historical wonders worth a detour, the ability to explore at your own pace and park up when you feel like it means a campervan is ideal for travel around the mainland of Greece.

Just as with many other places in Europe, wild camping is illegal across the whole of Greece. However, unlike many other places in Europe, the rules don’t seem to be strictly enforced. Many campervan owners report wild camping without any problems throughout the country.

That said, if you do decide on a spot of wild camping then try not to be too obvious about it. If you’ve set up tables and chairs and are hanging out your washing then it’ll be tricky to claim that you’re just enjoying the sunset!

But if you don’t fancy wild camping, then ACSI has some great campsites throughout Greece.

Top places to visit

To list all of the places worth visiting in Greece would be an impossible task. This is a truly wondrous land of beauty with a limitless variety of scenery to satisfy even the most discerning of wanderer’s needs. But some of our favourites include:

• Meteora – With towering pillars of rock rising out of the landscape, topped with impossibly placed monasteries perching on the summits, this stunning area feels really out of this world.
• Thermopylae – The Leonidas Monument here commemorates the famous battle in 480 BC when a mere 300 Spartans managed to hold off the entire Persian army for three days! Nearby you can take a dip in the hot springs which gave the area its name.
• Delphi – Considered by the ancient Greeks to be the centre of the world, here you can visit the Temple of Apollo along with many other archeological remains. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is best known as the home of the famous oracle who the Greeks consulted for many hundreds of years seeking advice.
• Peloponnese – The whole area of the sun-soaked Peloponnese in southern Greece is well worth exploring and seems to have the best of almost everything Greek. Here you can truly walk in the footsteps of mythological heroes like Heracles or Jason and his Argonauts! Or look out over the Homeric palace of Agamemnon at Mycenae, the Greek theatre at Epidaurus and the sanctuary of Olympia.
• Athens – There are few places on earth which boast a history comparable to Athens. Lauded as the birthplace of democracy and Western civilization, this is a throbbing and vibrant city which stretches across time.
• Greek islands – With more than 200 islands to choose from you really are spoilt for choice. From the beautiful gem of Santorini, the foodie heaven of Sifnos, the arty crowd on Hydra or the drama of Milos which one to visit first? The only drawback is many aren’t really set up for visiting with a campervan, so you probably have to park up somewhere safe before catching a ferry over.

Protect your home on wheels with campervan insurance

Greece really is the ideal place to explore and the perfect location to see a return on your campervan investment. However, taking your campervan abroad means you’ll find yourself in unfamiliar territory, whether in terms of roads, terrains or climate. This can make you vulnerable to both major and minor road traffic accidents and damage.

Working with our trusted panel of insurers, the dedicated team at Motorhome Protect will search out the best cover, tailored to your vehicle, needs and budget.

Cover arranged by our specialist team includes benefits such as:

• Cover for up to 365 days a year
• Cover for vehicles valued up to £150,000
• Up to £3,500 cover for camping personal effects
• Unlimited EU cover
• Quotes available for customers with claims and convictions

Call us for a campervan insurance quote today.

Policy benefits and features offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.