Horseback Riding Vacations in Greece

Greece: “The cradle of western civilization”

Greece is a country located in south-eastern Europe, in a region known as the Balkan Peninsula, and it’s part of the European Union.

The capital of Greece is the city of Athens. The Greek territory comprises 6,000 islands and islets scattered in the Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean Seas.

The most popular Greek islands are Crete, Rhodes and Santorini.

Greece is world famous for the beauty of its islands and beaches. Its blue-and-white flag reflects the colours of its crystal clear waters and typical Greek houses.

Despite having a long coastline, Greece is a mostly mountainous country, filled with mountain ranges such as the Pindus Mountains that form the boundary between Thessaly and Epirus; the Rhodope Mountains or the Dinaric Alps, in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula.

Although the climate in Greece is predominantly Mediterranean, given the country’s geographical position, we will find three different climates in Greece: alpine, temperate and Mediterranean.

Greece is an ideal place to recharge and discover why it is considered the cradle of Western civilization. Greek legacies include democracy, philosophy and the Olympic Games.

Ancient civilization flourished on both mainland Greece and its thousands of islands, where we can find great examples of Greek art, architecture, cuisine, literature and mythology.

For many historians, the year 776 B.C. marks the beginning of Ancient Greece, with the celebration of the first Olympic Games.

The fifth century B.C. is considered the Golden Age of Athens, which became the centre of ancient Greek literature, art, and philosophy. In this period, buildings such as the Parthenon were built, philosophers such as Socrates developed their methods of critical thought and playwrights such as Euripides wrote their works for posterity.

The history of Ancient Greece comes to an end with the Roman Conquest. The Romans were heavily influenced by Greek culture, religion and philosophy, which they assumed as their own and expanded throughout Europe.

This is how the foundations of contemporary Western culture were built.

Horseback riding on the Greek islands

There are different ways to discover the Greek islands. One of them is on horseback.

Far from the continent, its beautiful islands can be explored on horseback. Santorini, Crete and Mykonos, just to mention a few examples.

The Greek islands are divided into 6 archipelagos, each with its own history and different landscapes. Each island has its own peculiar charm, full of architecture, mythology and tradition.

Crete is the largest island in Greece, with an area of more than 8,000 km². Located to the south of mainland Greece, this island is a magical place with its secluded hidden beaches, traditional villages and extraordinary rocky landscapes.

Here you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, numerous archaeological sites and fantastic trails for horseback riding.

On the west coast of the island, you have many beach ride opportunities. This is the land of Zorba “the Greek”, in the very popular southern end.

Halfway between Athens and Crete is Santorini.

Its geological characteristics give the island that wild and unique beauty. Santorini is best known for the effects of a huge volcanic eruption that took place 10,000 years ago. Discovering its multi-coloured rock formations or watching the Santorini sunset on horseback is a unique experience.

The island of Mykonos is located in the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, in the Aegean Sea. Known to many as the nightlife capital of the Greek Islands, Mykonos offers the possibility to combine horseback riding with other fun activities.

However, if you are looking for a peaceful and quiet destination, the island of Kefalonia is right for you. With an area of 780 km² it is the largest island in the Ionian archipelago.

This island boasts a wide variety of natural landscapes, both on the coast and inland, which you can discover on horseback.

Horse riding holiday proposals in Greece

A horseback trip in Greece is travelling far back in time, and in a Mediterranean atmosphere.

Take a look at these 2 horse riding holiday options on the islands of Crete and Kefalonia.

Odysseia Stables

They are located in the inland area of the island of Crete, 40 km from the city of Heraklion, where we can find the nearest airport. They offer a wide range of options, including 2-hour rides and multi-day treks, and also complete horse riding holidays.

It is a rural area dotted with olive trees, small villages and Kermes oak forests with plenty of space for endless horse riding.

Odysseia Stables owners, Sabine Ruijters and Manolis Fragkaki, built their equestrian centre in 2004. Two years later, they built the Country Hotel Velani where riders get to stay.

Their horse riding holidays include a full board stay at Country Hotel Velani, with swimming pool and many relaxing facilities. And the horse riding with a professional guide and beautiful well-schooled horses.

The Odysseia stables and the equestrian hotel are located together on a unique hillside location overviewing the Aposelemis Lake, near the village of Avdou on Crete Island.

His horses

They ride on Arabics, Thoroughbreds and warmblood horses.

These breeds have a long breath and a never tiring will for the long distance riding. They are beautiful and wel trained holiday horses. Always eager to go and very relaxed in the mind. Sure footed in the mountains and human orientated.

For the kids they have a Welsh B pony, Daisy. A real childrens pony, very safe and with speed.

Their riding programs

They have several proposals for equestrian holidays, suitable for riders of different levels of experience:

• Lassithi Trek: For experienced and well trained riders, it's a week-long adventure trip. You will ride a total of 200 km, about 6 hours a day, through the Dikti Mountains to the Libyan Sea. It can be guided or free.
• Panorama Rides: For experienced to medium experienced riders. For a week you will make daily departures from the Country Hotel Velani touring the Langada Valley. You will ride an average of 4 hours a day.
• Sun and Riding program: For novice to experienced riders, they are also daily departures from the Country Hotel Velani. Horseback riding lasts 2 hours.
• Learn to ride: For riders who have never riden before or have ridden horse occacionally before. For a week you will receive riding lessons with English riding style. On the sixth day, you will start to practice in the countryside. You will stay at the Country Hotel Velani.
• Horse Riding only: Guests not staying in your hotel are welcome to join the horse riding. Horse riding through beautiful Cretan nature and olive groves. They organize 2 and 4-hour rides and riders are grouped based on their level of riding skill.

Learn more about them, the beautiful island of Crete and their treks on their web: www.horseriding.

Bavarian Horse Riding Stables

On the island of Kefalonia, this riding holiday operator offers a wide variety of equestrian programs, ranging from multi-hour rides to week trips.

this riding holiday operator offers a wide variety of equestrian programs, ranging from multi-hour rides to week trips, Cornelia Schimpfky, was born and raised in Germany, where she began her career as a professional rider and breeder of competition horses.

Almost three decades ago, she moved to Kefalonia where she opened her own stables where she breeds and raises her horses and organizes her horse riding holidays.

Their horses

They have a total of 13 horses for riders who join their equestrian programs.

They are horses Haflingers that originate from Bavaria and north italy and their breed are very well known to be kind, calm, good weight carriers and sure footed in the mountains.

He also has a few with Hanorvarian and Arab breeding.

Cornelia is responsible for training all her horses, and she also trains horses from other stables.

The horses all live in big open paddocks with sheltered barns and trees to keep cool in the summer.

Their riding programs

They have 5 short programs, ranging from half-hour rides to full day tours.

For equestrian tourism lovers, they offer 2 – 8 day trips:

• Short 2-day program: This program starts with a ride down to the beach where we go swimming with the horses. We will visit two old villages that were destroyed by the 1953 earthquake, and ride through a cork oak forest to discover the island’s mills. We will spend the night in a cosy Greek house.
• Stationary riding week: The program starts on an old donkey trail, climbing up to 1000 meters where you have a breathtaking view over the islands of Ithaky and Lefkada, and the valley. You will visit 4 villages that were destroyed by the earthquake and the Fanentes monastery. In all, it comprises 20 hours in the saddle.
• Stationary riding week with 2-day trip: This program is a combination of the previous two, including an overnight stay in a Greek house where there will be a campfire (or fireplace inside, depending on the weather) and a delicious barbecue waiting for you. In all, it comprises 25 hours in the saddle.

They also offer dressage and jumping lessons and you will discover the most popular places on the island.

If you want to know more about them, visit their website: www.kephalonia.com.

Greece, with its rugged mountain trails and coast cliffs, offers the opportunity to enjoy horseback riding in complete harmony with nature.

Thinking about a horse riding holiday but don’t know how to book it?

Download our free eBook "How to plan your next horseback trip" and learn all you need to know when choosing the right holiday and outfitter for your next equestrian adventure.