Accessibility
Greece is unfortunately one of the more challenging travel countries in Europe for people with mobility impairments. The combination of ancient structures, narrow alleys, cobblestones, and hilly terrain makes many things complicated — but there are also bright spots.
Where It Works Well
- Athens Metro — all stations on lines 2 and 3 have elevators and tactile guidance systems. The metro is the most accessible means of transport in Greece
- New Acropolis Museum — fully accessible, elevators to all floors, wheelchair-accessible toilets
- Modern Hotels (from 4 stars) — generally have accessible rooms with walk-in showers and wider doors
- Thessaloniki — the waterfront promenade (Nea Paralia) is 5 km long, flat, and fully wheelchair-accessible
- Organized Beaches — some larger beaches on Crete (Elafonisi parking lot, Rethymno city beach), Rhodes, and Corfu have wheelchair-accessible ramps and Seastrac systems
Where It Gets Difficult
- Cyclades Islands (Santorini, Mykonos) — narrow, steep alleys, cobblestones, stairs everywhere. In Oia on Santorini, there is practically no flat meter
- Archaeological Sites — the Acropolis itself has a provisional elevator (north side), but the path there is steep and uneven. Delphi, Olympia, and Epidaurus are largely not accessible
- Ferries — larger ferries (Blue Star, Minoan Lines) have elevators and accessible cabins. Small speedboats and local Kaikis: forget it
- Public Buses (KTEL) — intercity buses rarely have ramps or low-floor entry
- Sidewalks — even in Athens often parked on, uneven, or non-existent. Curb cuts are hit or miss
Tips for Planning
- Choose islands with flat topography: Paros, Naxos, and Kos are much easier to navigate than Santorini or Hydra
- Rent a car instead of using public transport — gives the greatest independence, especially with automatic (reserve in advance!)
- Sailing4Handicap and Accessible Greece offer specialized travel advice