Greece: Greece Rowing Pass to Athens, Thessaloniki, Igoumenitsa

Q: Are there more places to enjoy Independent Rowing Experiences?

Have a look at our current destinations . We are working on expanding the fabulous locations where you can travel to row. It takes time because Ruth checks every location and researches accommodation options and restaurant recommendations, as well as suggestions to round out your stay when you are not rowing. Sign up for our newsletter to get announcements of new destinations and other updates. If you are a rowing club or rowing destination, find out how we might partner.

One to seven days rowing - 2026 prices and availability ready! Book now!

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Rowing Trip Overview

About This Trip

Why Row Here?

Why Travel Here?

About This Trip

Feel the warmth from the sun and the smiles of the people, then add in rowing. Greece is one of the world's favourite places to visit and now you can easily row here too! There are three locations to choose from. So much choice. Decide how many rows you would like to enjoy in total. Select from amongst three regions: Athens, Thessaloniki and the Aegean Sea plus Igoumenitsa and the Ionian Sea. Book and then finalize exact dates and locations with our organizers to create your own personalized Greece rowing vacation. It's easy and oh so wonderful.

Why Row Here?

Meet the Gkountoulas twins, Nikos and Apostolis. They are amongst the best coastal rowers in the world. And perhaps the nicest. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, they competed in the men's pair. They also won men's lightweight pairs at the 2008 World Championship and the open weight pair at the 2009 and 2011 European Championship. Training for flatwater rowing was at a remote location with not particularly good water quality, while the blue waters of the Aegean and Ionian Seas sparkled near by. They turned their consideration talents, experience and energy to coastal rowing. Nikos lives in Thessaloniki to the east while Apostolis lives in Igoumenista to the west. Thessaloniki hosted the 2014 World Rowing Coastal Championships, and both continue to generously share their love of coastal and all rowing as coaches at clubs where they live. Recently Nikos expanded to open the first coastal rowing club in Athens. Both NIkos and Apostolis have guided tours for Rowing The World. They will take amazing care of you.

Why Travel Here?

Greece needs little introduction. Our Greece Rowing Pass covers three beautiful locations of this country of history, culture, scenery and the best in tourism. The Greece Rowing Pass gives you full flexibility to design a trip that suits you. Travel to one, two or all three locations. Both Thessaloniki on the Aegean and Igoumenitsa on the Ionian Seas off the chance for longer experiences, even some point to point rowing. And when you are not rowing, there is so much to enjoy. Like the food! Sit outside to taste fish fresh from the sea. Savour the tang of tahini and yogurt, the sweetness of honey and sesame seeds, the crunch of cucumbers and peppers. You definitely also want to relax in a café along the water, drinking delicious coffee or an aperitif as the sun goes down.

I am interested!

Deatails and What is Included

Choose from one up to seven rows in any combination of the three locations we offer: Athens; Thessaloniki and the Aegean Sea; Igoumenitsa and the Ionian Sea.
Pay the Availability Checking and Administration Fee. Pay once for the whole group. This is non-refundable.
Once you pay the Availability Checking and Administration Fee, your guides, Nikos and Apostolis will be in touch to personalize your trip. Be ready to let them know when you want to row where and how many rowers!
Not all rows need to be consecutive. For example, you could buy 4 rows with your Greece Pass, then plan a row in Athens, three days later have 2 rows in Thessaloniki, and then a week later row on the Ionian Sea. It is very flexible!
Private rowing outings, tailored to you. Duration likely two or three hours, or shorter. Some rows can be longer if conditions and circumstances permit.
Use of coastal boats. The type of boat (solo, double or quad) will depend on the size and experience of your group.
Guide/coach on water with you in a support boat or rowing. An assistant guide may also be on the water with you or at the rowing club.
Detailed Information Package, with specifics on getting there, arrival details and contacts, recommendations for accommodation and restaurants. We provide suggestions on other activities to enjoy in the region when you are not rowing.
Transportation including trailering of boats may be provided for an extra cost - to be determined based on location and depending on group size. You will agree with the guides on this in advance and pay them directly in Greece.

Trip Details

Meet your local guides

Nikos and Apostolis Gkountoulas

Itinerary

Athens

Thessaloniki and the Aegean Sea

Thessaloniki, the second city after Athens, exudes flair, character and dynamism from the diversity of ethnic groups that have touched this region. It also reputed to be Greece’s culinary and cultural capital. Take a historical walking tour to explore the layers of civilization. Stroll the broad straight avenues of the centre and explore the winding narrow streets of the Ano Poli. Visit some of the best museums in the country - we especially like the Museum of Byzantine Culture. Drive yourself or book a private tour to some of the nearby historical or natural sites that can be reach in a day or half-day trip. You definitely also want to relax in a café along the water, drinking delicious coffee or an aperitif as the sun goes down.

There are many options for rowing and Nikos will work with you to find what will suit you best. Possibilities are:

1. Thessaloniki city center.

2. Thessaloniki to closest beach. From the club to the beach or we can start rowing from Peraia's beach until the Aggelohori the end of Thermaikos Golf . It may be possible to make this into a two or three day trip out of the city.

3. Fresh and salt water! The nice rowing trip in the Delta of Loudias River very close to Thessaloniki. Rowing with flamingos!

Igoumenitsa and the Ionian Sea

The Ionian Sea is a spectacular region of northern Greece and there are many rowing opportunities. You can enjoy a lovely day row from either Igoumenitsa or Sivota - of course there are beautiful beaches to row to and islands to row along. You will be looking at Corfu for much of the rowing, or looking to the mainland and its beautiful hills. There are wonderful options to relax and rewind after a wonderful day on the water. Multi-day (up to five), point-to point rows down the coast can also be organized. There will be extra fees for transportation and other logistics.

HOW TO BOOK: Decide how many rows you want in Greece and where. Decide on the date of your first row. Choose that date on the calendar and click BOOK NOW. Once you register and pay the Availability Checking and Administration Fee, Nikos and/or Apostolis will be in touch with you directly to work out all the specifics of where you will row and when and the final cost. Once that is agreed, you will receive a link to pay the rowing fee. Note that you do not need to row on consecutive days. The rows, even in one location, can be spaced apart. The options are outlined in the Information Package after you register, with final decisions made directly with Nikos and Apostolis.

Price per person


Availability Checking and Administration Fee - one per group - non-refundable and in addition to rowing fees	€125
In a group of four rowers, each person pays per row	€125
For a group of three rowers, each person pays per row	€145
For a group of two rowers, each person pays per row	€180
Transportation/trailering fee if part of your program - per group, paid directly to guides	€1 per km

If you are more than four rowers, we are happy to calculate the per person, per row fee. The more people, the cheaper each row is! We can also provide a price for a solo rower, but unfortunately it will be expensive without anyone to share the set costs with.

To get started, pay the Availability Checking and Admin Fee. Nikos or Apostolis will be in touch to plan your personalized program. Once you have agreed on a plan, you will be sent a link to make the payment for your Greece Rowing Pass. All group members must sign the Release & Indemnity. After payment is received you will receive your Detailed Information Package. Enjoy spectacular rowing in Greece!

Ideas, information and inspiration

Love Greece and want other rowing options? Have a look at the posts on our Rowing Travel Blog and The Thoughtful Rower. Check out our travel tips for spectacular Thessaloniki. This travel writer had a rowing lesson with Nikos – and loved it!

FAQs

Our full list of Frequently Asked Questions answers all your questions. Or Contact Us – we are happy to help.

What is a Travel2Row Experience?

T2R Experiences are short or long getaways tailored to the guest. Together with our partners, we provide a private rowing package for small groups (typically two, three or four rowers) with flexible date options based on the availability of boats and guide or coach. Each trip is different. For some, accommodation and some meals are included. For others, guests find their own accommodation, transportation, meals and other activities - we provide lots of recommendations.

What is the rowing like?

The rowing is typically a half day, although longer or shorter outings are possible. The exact details vary with each location. Typically the rows are more an exploratory or touring excursion. A stop on land and perhaps a meal could be built into one or many day’s program and pricing. Training or coaching sessions could also be possible. Often guests row smaller boats like singles or doubles, but coxed quads may be available. Boats could be coastal, recreational or Olympic class/fine boats.

I am travelling alone. Can I join a group?

Yes! There are several ways that this might happen. One is to join the T2R Community and post your interest, maybe in a destination and/or when you want to travel. We can also get the word out on social media and in newsletters. You can also ask us - we may know of a booking where the guests are willing to have others join them. Finally, we are exploring setting a few dates in the year when a group trip could run. Be sure to join the newsletter to get updates.

Are these self-guided trips?

We are not calling them self-guided because when you are on the water you will definitely have a local guide with you in the rowing shell or on a support boat. Self-guided trips usually include accommodation and meals and perhaps other services. We offer amazing rowing and leave the rest to you to create your own perfect trip. With lots of suggestions from our own experience in a location, plus the local wisdom of our rowing partners.

Are there more places to enjoy Independent Rowing Experiences?

Have a look at our current destinations. We are working on expanding the fabulous locations where you can travel to row. It takes time because Ruth checks every location and researches accommodation options and restaurant recommendations, as well as suggestions to round out your stay when you are not rowing. Sign up for our newsletter to get announcements of new destinations and other updates. If you are a rowing club or rowing destination, find out how we might partner.

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