Personal Experience
04\11\2025
Finding Leonidio - As a Solo Traveller
I set out with the intention of finding a place that embraced adventure, culture, food and community. Greece was an obvious choice, it ticked all the boxes – I knew this was my first step. But as a solo traveller without a car, not knowing where to go felt overwhelming. I wanted to find somewhere that made me feel safe, while staying connected to explore the things I love to do. As an avid climber, I’m always drawn to places where nature and adventure go hand in hand. So, I typed in ‘Greece climbing nature retreat’, and at the top of the list was ‘Nomia Nomad’.
So, next step: how do I get there?
The Journey to Leonidio – Coach Life
I chose not to hire a car and took the coach from Athens. The early departure time of 08:30 meant that I fell asleep instantly but woke up later to find myself on the beautiful Greek coastline. On one side, the sea and the other, the mountains – colours captivated me as we made our way. We drove through Corinth into beautiful Greek towns such as Astros and then along the waterside past Tyros. I felt like my adventure had really begun. The journey only took around 3 hours, and by lunchtime, we were pulling up next to a bus stop / cafe in the heart of the Leonidio.
- Bus schedule online: here
- Cost: 22.10 EURO (Based on June 2025)
- Location of Leonidio bus station: here
- Leonidio Bus Station Phone: +302757022255
- Bus tickets can be bought in the coffee shop
Staying Beneath the Red Rock – Finding Home in Leonidio
I rented a beautiful little house for the whole month, tucked away off the main street set against striking red canyons that tower towards the sky. Narrow roads wind through the town with sand coloured cobbled stones, mirrored with traditionally designed houses with white windows, and brightly coloured flowers that climb the walls.
Below are some useful links of where to stay in Leonidio:
- Apartments in Leonidio: https://leonidio-apartments.com/
- Houses in Leonidio: https://homeinleonidio.com/home
- Camping in Leonidio: https://www.camping-semeli.gr/en/
As well as Leonidio, there are many more beautiful towns where you can stay. The Arcadia region of the Peleponsese has an array of traditional towns and villages which gives travellers an immersive true Greek experience.
My Leonidio Adventure – Saying “Yes” to Everything
At first glance, Leonidio is a traditional rural Greek town, home to family-run bakeries, cafes where people sit drinking coffee all day long and secluded beaches with crystal clear waters. The epic landscape of surrounding canyons also makes Leonidio a climber’s paradise.
One night, I was having dinner at a new friend’s house when someone asked the group what everyone was doing the next day. “Put your hand up if you’re climbing.” A sea of hands flew up. “Put your hands up if you’re working” – fewer hands were raised. “Well, if you’re not climbing, and you’re not working, what else is there to do?” he asked. I knew I wanted to find out.
Leonidio is known by many as a climbing destination (rightfully so) but by spending time with Nomia, they opened my world up to the true magic that lives here – beautiful hikes high up in the mountains, delicious food rich in history, the ancient language of Tsakonian and the culture that surrounds it in art and cooking as well as being connected with the community and so much more. In my next blog, I’ll go deeper into the heart of my journey — the moments that truly shaped my experience.