For many, Greece is synonymous with sun-soaked beaches and island-hopping holidays. Yet come autumn, a different landscape unfolds – one of fiery foliage, misty mountain paths, and tranquil lakeshores where time seems to stand still. It’s a season made for cozy guesthouses with crackling fireplaces, long walks under chestnut and oak trees, and leisurely meals of hearty local fare. Fewer crowds mean easier access to some of the country’s most enchanting places, from stone-built villages in Epirus to the soaring monasteries of Meteora.

Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, cultural discovery, or simply a peaceful retreat, Greece’s mountains and lakes offer an autumn escape that rivals any summer getaway – and perhaps surpasses it. It is Greece as few imagine it – mountain-bound, storied, and quietly spectacular.

Zagorohoria

High in the Pindus Mountains of Epirus in northwest Greece lies a constellation of 46 stone-built villages, collectively known as the Zagorohoria. Once isolated communities connected by arched bridges and mule paths, today they form one of Greece’s most enchanting regions – so much so that UNESCO added the Zagori Cultural Landscape to its World Heritage List in 2023. Their grey-slate houses and stepped, cobbled lanes (“skales” – literally, “ladders”) seem to grow out of the landscape itself, framed in autumn by dense forests that flare into shades of copper and gold.

The Zagori region is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. The Vikos Gorge, often called the “Grand Canyon of Greece” (the deepest gorge relative to its width on Earth), offers trails through dramatic cliffs, while gentler walks follow the majestic Voidomatis River – great for rafting – with its monasteries, stone bridges, and sparkling rock pools. Adventurers may climb to the alpine Drakolimni lakes, perched high on Mount Tymfis.

After a day outdoors, there are few pleasures greater than returning to a traditional guesthouse, where the scent of woodsmoke lingers and dinner might include mushroom pies, slow-cooked meats, and a cheeky glass of local tsipouro. One such place is the Rokka Guesthouse in the village of Elafotopos, where you can also try weaving, foraging, or helping with the farm animals.

Autumn is, perhaps, the perfect season to explore this enchanting region: the summer crowds have gone, the air is crisp but not cold, and the pace of life slows to a rhythm that feels timeless. Don’t miss Monodendri’s 15th-century Aghia Paraskevi monastery, perched on the edge of Vikos Gorge, or Dilofo’s historic schoolhouse, now a cultural center.

Pilio

If ever a place embodied the marriage of mountain and sea, it’s Pilio, in southeastern Thessaly. Here, oak, chestnut, and apple trees tumble down to turquoise bays, and in autumn those slopes ignite in shades of russet, amber, and gold. The orchards groan with produce, especially the tiny, PDO-protected “Firiki” apples, whose sweet crunch is a taste of the season itself.

Wandering through Pilio in autumn is like stepping into a storybook. Ancient “kalderimi” (stone-paved mule trails) thread the mountainside, carrying you from one village to the next. In Tsagarada, pause beneath a thousand-year-old plane tree that has shaded generations; in Makrinitsa, the so-called “Balcony of Pelion,” lean over the railings and take in a view that sweeps across the Pagasetic Gulf. Don’t skip the Museum of Folk Art and History, housed in the stately Topali Mansion, where 19th-century Pelion comes vividly to life.

And then there are the myths. This was the land of the Centaurs, where wise Chiron trained Achilles, hero of the Trojan War. Follow the Centaurs’ Path, or hike from the village of Milies to Tsagarada, and you’ll see why such tales were born here – waterfalls, forests, and a certain otherworldly hush.

Whether you find yourself in northern, central, or southern Pilio, you’ll come across traditional kafeneia that have preserved the soul of the old Greek coffeehouse. Step into places like Kafeneio Forlidas in Lavkos, Polydroso in Pouri, or the warmly named Irthame kai Desame in Aghios Lavrentios, and you’ll discover not just coffee and meze, but a timeless rhythm of conversation, laughter, and local life.

Even the beaches beckon: Fakistra, Chorefto, and Mylopotamos are blissfully quiet in autumn, their sands almost entirely your own. Pelion in this season is a feast for all the senses – rich, golden, and utterly unforgettable.

Prespes Lakes

Hidden in Greece’s far northwest corner, the Prespes Lakes – Mikri and Megali – are a tranquil retreat where mountains meet glassy water and migratory birds sweep across autumn skies. The region is quietly extraordinary, with wooden footbridges linking tiny islands, fishing villages tucked into the shoreline, and meadows that seem almost suspended in time.

One of the highlights is Aghios Achillios Island, reachable via a 650‑m pontoon footbridge. The island shelters the ruins of a 10th-century basilica and a small settlement; a circular two-hour hike passes monuments and quiet corners perfect for reflection. On the mainland, Aghios Germanos charms with old stone houses and its namesake church, home to frescoes from 1743, while Mt Varnoudas’ alpine meadows reward hikers with sweeping lake views.

Other villages, like Mikrolimni and Psarades, offer tavernas serving freshwater fish, beans, and fiery red peppers. From Psarades, tours in flat-bottomed boats – “plaves” – explore the tripoint where three countries meet (Greece, Albania, and North Macedonia) or take you to cliffside monasteries adorned with rare 15th-century frescoes.

For active visitors, biking, kayaking, hiking, and paragliding are on offer. Autumn, with mild weather and fewer crowds, is ideal for exploring this serene corner of Greece – nature, culture, and quiet reflection in equal measure.

Lake Plastira 

Tucked amid the dense forests and rugged peaks of the Agrafa region, near the picturesque city of Karditsa, Lake Plastira is a marvel of man and nature combined. Though artificial – created in the last 1950s following the vision of General Nikolaos Plastiras to tame the Tavropos (Megdovas) River – it looks utterly natural, its glassy waters reflecting autumnal shades of chestnut, oak, and fir.

The lake is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts: cycle along its 70km lakeside road, canoe across its quiet inlets, or take a hike from villages like Kalyvia and Kerasia to waterfalls, stone bridges, and panoramic vistas stretching to Mount Olympus. A short detour brings you to Panagia Pelekiti monastery perched 1,400m above the lake, its murals and secret crypts telling tales of Ottoman-era resistance.

For a gentler pace, explore Neochori’s botanical garden, sip coffee on Pezoula’s serene lakeshore, or enjoy a hearty meal at Tsardaki taverna, serving local pies, lamb, and stuffed cabbage rolls. The tiny Niagka islet rewards those who climb for the view, and the Koroni Monastery impresses with frescoes of the Cretan school.

Autumn is ideal here, though winter, with snow dusting the mountains, is equally magical.

Arcadia

Heading south to the central Peloponnese, Arcadia has long held a place in the imagination as a vision of pastoral perfection, and autumn is the season when this vision comes alive. Nestled among the mountains of Mainalo, Parnon, Skiathio, and Saita, its villages – Dimitsana, Stemnitsa, Vytina – seem to cling to time itself, their stone houses and cobbled streets whispering tales from Byzantine times, Frankish rule, and the heroic struggles of the Greek War of Independence.

Nature lovers will find themselves spoiled for choice. The Lousios Gorge is a highlight: rafts drift past sheer cliffs and ancient monasteries perched precariously on rock faces, while hikers can explore trails that weave through pine, chestnut, and cherry forests. For history and culture, visit Philosophos or Timios Prodromos Monasteries, or stroll through Kosmas with its folklore museum and the soothing sound of running streams.

Villagers continue to live simply and warmly, and local tavernas serve up hearty Arcadian fare – slow-cooked meats, pies, and chestnut sweets – that perfectly complement the crisp autumn air. Whether you’re hiking, sightseeing, or simply absorbing the tranquility, Arcadia offers a timeless, soul-soothing retreat where mythology, history, and natural beauty meet.

Meteora

Few landscapes in Greece – or indeed the world – are as instantly recognizable as Meteora. Towering rock pillars rise like sentinels from the Thessalian plain, crowned by centuries-old monasteries that cling to their summits as if defying gravity itself. Autumn softens the light, thins the crowds, and transforms every hiking trail into a stage for breathtaking views, from Kalambaka to Kastraki. It’s also a magnet for climbers from around the globe, who test their skills on the sandstone towers and add a spirit of adventure to this already otherworldly setting.

The monasteries here, six of which welcome visitors, are steeped in history and devotion. The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, founded by St. Athanasios in the 14th century, is the largest, while St. Stephen, Varlaam, Rousanou, Holy Trinity, and St. Nicholas Anapausas each tell their own stories through frescoes, manuscripts, and cliff-edge architecture. Once, monks relied on rope ladders and hoists; today, stone steps guide you safely up to their doors, but the sense of awe remains unchanged.

For walkers, trails to Fylakes Kalogeron (the Monks’ Jail) or past the St. Gregory Cloister reveal hidden caves and dramatic vistas. Kalambaka itself offers museums celebrating Meteora’s natural history and monastic heritage. Film buffs may recognize the cliffs from the James Bond adventure For Your Eyes Only (1981), though in truth, no cinema can rival the reality.

Autumn, with crisp air and soft light, is simply the perfect time to experience this remarkable intersection of nature, history, devotion – and now, adventure.