Top car rental destinations in Greece
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The European country of Greece is known for its delicious food, traditional hospitality, beautiful beaches and rich history. Some of the country's largest cities include its capital, Athens, which is also home to Athens International Airport. Islands such as Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes are popular tourist destinations and some boast national and international airports: Santorini (Thira) National Airport is one such example. Car rental companies operating in Greece include Avis, Europcar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Firefly Car Rental, and Goldcar Rental – among many more. As well as renting a car, travelers can also opt to travel by bus, train, boat or plane thanks to a well-connected public transport system. However, nothing beats the freedom of traveling by car – especially in a country such as Greece, which boasts so many beautiful places to visit.
When driving in Greece, the first thing to be aware of is that you'll need to drive on the right. You will also need to be over 21 years of age to rent a car, and will need to hold an international driver's license. You will need to wear a seatbelt, as will all passengers, while the blood alcohol limit is 0.5 (so stick to a maximum of one alcoholic unit before driving or, to be safe, none at all). Be sure not to use your cell phone while driving as this is illegal. It also pays to stick to the speed limit: while these vary, the speed limit on the highway is around 110-120 km/h (69-75 mph), while in urban areas it's 50 km/h (32 mph). Speed limits are signposted in kilometers per hour, which is something to bear in mind when renting a car in Greece.
Greece is a country steeped in history and filled with charming towns and villages, many of which are not easily accessible by public transport. In a car, on the other hand, the country is just waiting to be explored! Read on to discover some of the best road trips in Greece.
Greece's capital city, Athens boasts a long history – it was founded over 3,000 years ago and was a key city in Ancient Greece. Revisit that history by checking out sights and attractions such as the Acropolis of Athens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Parthenon. Located in the south of Greece, there are plenty of road trips to be taken by rental car from Athens. Drive north to Thessaloniki; visit the central Greek rock formation of Meteora; or drive along the Peloponnese peninsula for ocean views and a heritage filled with Greek legends.
Located in northern Greece, the city of Thessaloniki overlooks the Aegean Sea and is known for attractions including the White Tower of Thessaloniki; the Hagia Sophia; the Arch of Galerius and Rotunda; and Aristotelous Square. Once you've explored the city, rent a car in Thessaloniki and take a road trip to the seaside city of Alexandroupoli. A short, three hour drive from Thessaloniki, it's a great base from which to discover the Evros region, of which it is the capital city.
Found in the Mediterranean, Greece's largest island is known as the birthplace of Zeus – as well as for its beautiful beaches and delicious cuisine! Take a week or two and explore the whole island by rental car: starting in its capital city of Heraklion, drive around the island to check out everything is has to offer. This includes the charming coastal city of Chania; the beautiful beaches of the city of Rethymno; and the water front town of Agios Nikolaos.