🚗 Driving on the Greek islands, curves, dirt roads and darkness
Maps, lights, fuel and where you can actually park, a practical guide for safe driving on the Greek islands.
If it is your first time driving on the islands, prepare yourself for a very different experience compared to the city. Roads are narrower, darkness is real darkness, and one wrong turn on the map can send you to a dirt road with goats as your audience and the sea as a backdrop.
🌀 Curves, altitude changes and island driving
Many island roads have sharp curves, steep inclines and descents, often without clear markings and with no street lights, especially outside the main villages. If you feel like you are suddenly in a small mountain rally, you are not imagining it.
If your GPS suggests a “shorter route” and you see it cutting through a grey or very thin line on the map, that usually means a dirt road, not a romantic coastal drive.
⛽ Fuel on the islands, especially in Koufonisia
On many islands, the petrol station is not a given, it is a mission you need to catch at the right time. In Koufonisia there is one single petrol station, which usually operates roughly from 10,00 to 14,00 and again from 17,00 to 20,00, something that can change depending on the season.
If you miss that window, you may simply end up with the fuel gauge on red and waiting for the next day, especially if you were planning to drive to a faraway beach.
🌫️ Amorgos, fog and limited visibility
Amorgos is magical, but it can also be a challenge, especially when fog appears, something that happens quite often in September. One moment you are driving and the next you only see white in front of you, the road disappears and driving on the islands takes on a whole new meaning.
In that situation, slow down, keep a big distance from other cars, switch on your lights without blinding oncoming traffic and keep your attention on the road, not on the view.
💡 Night driving, headlights and deep darkness
After sunset, many stretches of island roads are completely dark, with no street lights, with curves, drops and animals that decide to stroll right in the middle.
Before you set off, make sure all your car lights are working properly and try to schedule your longer drives while there is still some daylight left.
🗺️ Offline maps and signal that comes and goes
Mobile signal on the islands is not always your friend, especially near remote coves and dirt roads. If you rely only on mobile data, you may suddenly find yourself without a map, without signal and with a car full of people looking at you with questions.
Download offline maps before you arrive on the island, save petrol station, port, accommodation and main beaches, and keep the main route back to your base roughly in mind.
💧 Breakdowns, water and waiting under the sun
If your car breaks down on an island, especially on a dirt road or far from a village, it might take a while until help arrives.
Always keep some water with you,
a small snack,
a charged phone and a
power bank for your road trips
because driving on the islands often means
you might have to wait in the car
with heat and strong sun.
🅿️ Where to park safely and legally
On the islands, “I park right by the sea” often means “I park so close that the first wave can wet the car”. Also, many narrow streets are practically one way, even if there is no sign saying so.
Avoid blocking house entrances, hotel access without permission, tight lanes that close off the whole road and respect signs saying “residents only”. Fines are real, and you do not want them to be part of your holiday memories.
🧭 Final tips for driving on the Greek islands
- Check lights, oil, fuel and tyre pressure before you start exploring.
- Fill up the tank early, especially on small islands like Koufonisia.
- On islands like Amorgos, be prepared for fog, especially towards the end of the season.
- Keep water, snacks and a charged phone with you at all times.
- Download offline maps and save the key spots before you leave your accommodation.
- Drive slowly and calmly, you are on holiday, not in a race.
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