Plunging into Greece’s Rivers at Summer’s End

Winding through Tzoumerka’s dramatic slopes, Acheloos is one of Greece’s greatest rivers, rolling across five regions. Along its course, natural swim spots invite long, lazy days. The Acheloos Valley is a classic stop, but locals swear by the suspension bridge at Glystra near Golfari, where you can pair a dip with fishing, mud baths, or a bracing hydro-massage from the rushing current.

How to Get There

By car: Around 4–4.5 hours (around 400 km) via the Athens–Lamia highway, then west toward Epirus and the Acheloos Valley.
By bus: KTEL coaches run from Athens to Arta or Ioannina; from there, a car rental is needed to reach the river.

Aoos

The Aoos is a river of contrasts: fast currents, green corridors, and quiet swimming flats. The Konitsa bridge is the star, opening onto a gorge that feels like a natural amphitheater. Vovousa’s bridge is another favorite, the river there winding gently beneath a canopy of plane trees. For quieter swims, head out to Bourazani, the collapsed Molivdoskepasti bridge, or the calm river flats below Vrysochori.

How to Get There

By car: Roughly 4.5 hours via the national highway toward Epirus, then regional roads to Konitsa, Vovousa, or Vrysochori.
By bus: Take a KTEL to Ioannina, then continue by rental car for access to river bridges and gorge areas.

Voidomatis

Voidomatis isn’t for the faint of heart—its glacier-fed waters will leave you tingling. At the bridge between Aristi and Papingo, swimmers sprawl under the shade of ancient trees. Another dreamy spot is the bridge of Kleidonia, a pocket of green tranquility. For the truly adventurous, a descent from the village of Vikos leads to the springs themselves, where the water gushes icy and pure straight from the mountain.

How to Get There

By car: About 4.5 hours to the Zagori villages; Aristi, Papingo, and Vikos are reached by local mountain roads from Ioannina.
By bus: Athens to Ioannina by KTEL, followed by car hire to reach the gorge and riverside spots.

Venetikos

In Grevena, Veneticos sets the stage for summer. The monumental Aziz Aga bridge is the most photographed, but the hidden gem is the Kangelia bridge near Trikomo, perfect for a dip after a short hike. At the entrance of the Portitsa Gorge, the river flows beneath the Portitsa Bridge in one of the most spectacular settings in Greece. For easy access, try the Spanós Bridge or the river crossing near Eleftherochori.

How to Get There

By car: Drive north via the A1 toward Grevena (around 4.5 hours), then follow local signs to the river and stone bridges.
By bus: Athens–Grevena by KTEL, then car rental or taxi for nearby gorges and bridges.

Acheron

Once feared as the river of the underworld, today Acheron is a place of renewal. Near the village of Glyki, springs bubble up beneath towering plane trees, creating natural pools that are always alive with swimmers. In peak summer it draws a crowd, but wander a little into the gorge and you’ll find your own shady corner, where the river feels both mystical and deeply refreshing.

How to Get There

By car: Just under 4 hours (around 400 kilometers) northwest to the village of Glyki, near the springs and gorge.
By bus: Athens to Paramythia or Kanalaki by KTEL (around 6.5 hours), then local taxi or transfer to Glyki.

Arachthos

Beloved in Epirus, the Arachthos combines raw scenery with centuries-old bridges. At the Politsas Bridge, built in the late 1800s, you can cool off with a view of jagged peaks and endless forest. The legendary Plaka Bridge—once the largest single-arch stone bridge in the Balkans—makes another spectacular swimming base, while the Tsaris Bridge area offers calmer stretches for those who like it quieter.

How to Get There

By car: Around 4–4.5 hours to the Tzoumerka region, with access to Politsas, Plaka, and Tsaris bridges.
By bus: Athens to Ioannina or Arta by KTEL, then car rental to reach riverside swimming points.

Neda

The Neda is the only river in Greece with a female name, and it hides waterfalls worthy of a myth. Rising from Mount Lykaion, it slips between Ilia and Messinia before spilling into the Gulf of Kyparissia. A hike brings you to cascades near Stomio, Figalia, and Platania. Stop at the first fall for a gentler swim, or push on to the larger one—where a plunge into its turquoise pool feels like baptism by summer.

How to Get There

By car: About 3.5–4 hours via Olympia Odos to the Peloponnese, then inland roads toward the waterfalls near Figalia and Stomio.
By bus: KTEL services run to Pyrgos or Kalamata; from there, local transport or a car rental is needed to reach the trailheads.

Lousios

In Arcadia, the Lousios is as storied as it is beautiful. Near Elliniko and Atsicholos, the stone bridge of Kokkori (also called Polygenis) crosses the river beside the ruins of ancient Gortyna. The banks are thick with greenery, the water clear and cold. Even if you don’t swim, dipping your feet here feels like touching a piece of history.

How to Get There

By car: Approximately 3 hours via Tripoli, then smaller roads toward Elliniko and Atsicholos.
By bus: Athens to Tripoli by KTEL, followed by a car or taxi to the river bridges near ancient Gortyna.

Despatis

In northern Greece, near the village of Potamoi, the Despatis River meets the Malousta stream beside the tiny chapel of Agios Raphael. The shallow waters aren’t made for diving, but this green sanctuary is ideal for wading, exploring, and cooling off. If a local shows you the path to the Malousta waterfall, the reward is a hidden cascade in a forested ravine—a secret only nature could design.

How to Get There

By car: About 5–5.5 hours north toward Thessaloniki, then east to Drama and the village of Potamoi.
By bus: KTEL Athens–Drama, then local taxi or car rental to reach the Despatis and Malousta waterfall area.