Greece Archives | Sports Tourism News

Inaugural Greek Odyssey Running Festival to be held in Costa Navarino

20Aug

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Inaugural Greek Odyssey Running Festival to be held in Costa Navarino

Marathon Tours & Travel has announced the launch of a brand-new event, the Greek Odyssey Running Festival, taking place in Costa Navarino, Greece on Saturday 14 November 2026, which includes a half-marathon and 10K distance. Hosted the weekend after the Athens Marathon, the Greek Odyssey offers runners the chance to extend their time in Greece, combining two race distances with the country's rich mythology, dramatic coastline and warm late-autumn climate. Costa Navarino, on the south-west coast of the Peloponnese, sits amid landscapes steeped in ancient legend – the same rugged coastline and storied ruins, including nearby Methoni Castle and Voidokilia Beach, that have captured global imaginations again this year following the release of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, filmed ex...

Santorini Experience 2026

Few sporting events in the world begin quite literally from a volcano. Santorini Experience does exactly that for the 12th year. From 16-18 October 2026, athletes from around the globe will swim through the deep waters of the Caldera and run across Santorini’s volcanic slopes, in one of the world's most iconic travel destinations. Set against a landscape where volcanic terrain meets history and the island’s singular natural identity, the Caldera, the Volcano, Ancient Thera, and the island’s coastal settlements create an extraordinary backdrop that blends sport, culture, and authentic local experiences. Santorini’s past remains ever-present, coexisting with the physical challenges of the routes and races, transforming the island once again into a vibrant meeting point of people, stories,...

Sports travel bucket list: the new Porto Carras Athlos event in Halkidiki

3May

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Bucket List, Events, Hotels & Resorts, Trips & Experiences

Sports travel bucket list: the new Porto Carras Athlos event in Halkidiki

The Porto Carras Athlos is a new three-day international sports tourism and wellness event that will be held for the first time in northern Greece, at the highly acclaimed Porto Carras Grand Resort in Halkidiki. Located alongside a nine-kilometre sandy coastline, the resort is surrounded by a verdant area of 18,000 acres, with gardens under the shade of pine trees dressing the slopes of Mount Meliton. Its facilities include an 18-hole golf course, the biggest organic vineyard in Greece, a spa and wellness centre, restaurants with high-level gastronomy, a casino and a marina that provides integrated services. In addition, a wide range of sports and cultural activities on land and sea are available to visitors of all ages. About the Porto Carras Athlos The event...

Messinia Challenge 2026

Set against the scenic backdrop of Costa Navarino and the wider Messinia region in Greece, the Messinia Challenge returns from 8-10 May 2026 with a refreshed programme built around wellness, inclusion and lifestyle. Featuring more than 70 activities, the three-day multisport event invites participants of all ages and abilities to take part in a non-competitive celebration that blends sport, culture and gastronomy under its core message: “Sports Unites People”. The 2026 edition expands its endurance and outdoor offering with a series of trail races, including a half marathon, a 10km route and a 5km run through Messinia’s olive groves. These are complemented by a variety of inclusive events such as a 1km “Run For All” and family-friendly children’s races, reinforcing the event’s focus on a...

Sports travel bucket list: Porto Elounda x United Fitness luxury wellness retreat

22Jun

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Bucket List, Trips & Experiences

Sports travel bucket list: Porto Elounda x United Fitness luxury wellness retreat

If your post-summer fitness regime needs a kick-start then check out this exclusive luxury wellness retreat at Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort in Crete, Greece. Taking place from 14-21 September 2025, the seven-night retreat will be held in partnership with United Fitness at the Elounda Collection property. Available for just 30 people and offering an all-inclusive experience, the retreat will be led by United Fitness’s team of expert trainers across Reformcore, Barrecore, KOBOX and Triyoga, providing a holistic approach to wellness bringing together both restorative and invigorating sessions. With tailored activities designed to cater to all fitness levels, the comprehensive programme will give guests the opportunity to enjoy a range of wellness activities, including: Sun...

Sports travel bucket list: play tennis at Kalimera Kriti resort in Greece

2Mar

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Bucket List, Editor's Pick, Hotels & Resorts

Sports travel bucket list: play tennis at Kalimera Kriti resort in Greece

The Kalimera Kriti Hotel & Village Resort, a five-star property on the island of Crete, is a world-class sports resort that’s home to the largest tennis and padel centre in Greece. Located on the island’s northeastern coast and offering breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, Kalimera Kriti boasts a selection of rooms and bungalows, sandy beaches, swimming pools, health and wellbeing facilities, plus restaurants and bars. For sports travellers, the main highlight is the tennis and padel centre, which was upgraded in 2023. Together with Patricio Travel – a specialised tour operator for tennis, padel and fitness travel – and other partners such as Wilson, the Patricio World-Class Tennis Center Crete has 20 real clay courts, six artificial grass courts, five padel courts, and a Wils...

Navarino Challenge 2024

The Navarino Challenge sports tourism and wellness event returns for its 12th edition from 18-20 October 2024 in Costa Navarino and Pylos, Greece. Held under a theme of “sports unites people”, the event will once again bring together participants of all ages and abilities, amateurs and professionals, with Olympians and world champions. The three-day schedule will include more than 55 activities held at two of the destination’s four hotels, W Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino. This year’s activities include running (21.1km, 10km, 5km, and 1km races), gymnastics, football lessons, watersports, tennis (tournament and lessons), padel tournament, cooking masterclass, pickleball, spinning, group cycling, sunset party, basketball lessons and 4on4 tournaments, beach volleyball...

Santorini Experience 2024: Greek island’s popular sports event returns in October

2May

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Events

Santorini Experience 2024: Greek island’s popular sports event returns in October

The Greek island of Santorini, one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations, will host the ‘Santorini Experience’ sports event for the seventh year from 3-6 October 2024. Santorini, with its breathtaking views, dominating volcano and captivating beaches, once again welcomes professional and amateur runners and open-water swimmers for its sports tourism showcase. Running enthusiasts will have the opportunity to enjoy three stunning trail running routes, overlooking the Caldera and the magnificent views of the volcano, having as background the settlements of Imerovigli, Firostefani, and Oia. The 5km route is designed for both running and dynamic walking, while the 10km route caters to those with more experience in longer distances. The 15km distance is tailored for...

Tennis holidays in Greece and Turkey with Mark Warner in 2023

7Jun

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Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Tennis holidays in Greece and Turkey with Mark Warner in 2023

From intensive tennis weeks to private one-on-one coaching, independent activity holiday company Mark Warner has been serving up tennis holidays for nearly 50 years. Each of its five properties in Greece and Turkey have a choice of courts, and with a team of expert coaching staff on hand, there are options for all ages and levels. Guests all enjoy complimentary access to the courts and equipment, with social tennis sessions included in their stay and drills sessions also available. Additional activities which can be booked and paid for either in advance or locally range from serve clinics and group tennis coaching sessions, to one-on-one tuition and private tennis lessons as well as LTA courses and mini and junior LTA courses for children. Padel and pickleball Alongsi...

Video: Rafa Nadal visits his tennis centre at Sani Resort in Greece

5Jun

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Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business & Industry, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Video: Rafa Nadal visits his tennis centre at Sani Resort in Greece

Spanish tennis icon Rafa Nadal, who holds the joint-record of 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, has been in Greece to visit the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center at Sani Resort in Halkidiki. A collaboration between the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Mallorca and the Sani/Ikos Group, the tennis centre features eight clay courts and since 2018 has held tennis training programs for players of all ages and all levels. During his visit to the five-star Sani Resort, Nadal revealed that he has been impressed by the “spectacular” facilities. “The truth is that I was really looking forward to finally come to Greece, but my schedule and Covid had had made it impossible,” he said. “Toni [Nadal], Carlos Moya, Carlos Costa and the whole team had told me wonderful things about the c...

2024 Uefa Europa Conference League final, Athens

The 2024 Uefa Europa Conference League final between Olympiacos and Fiorentina will be held at the Agia Sophia Stadium, home of AEK Athens, in Athens, Greece, on Wednesday 29 May 2024. Located in Nea Filadelfeia near Athens, the stadium was opened in September 2022 and has a capacity of 32,500. For event information and hotels see: Event: uefa.com Hotels in Athens: Expedia | Hotels.com | LastMinute.com Holidays in Athens: LastMinute.com Image: Uefa Editor’s note: Sports Tourism News works with a number of affiliate partners. Products are sold directly by agents and operators. We may earn a commission should you choose to book any tickets or packages.

ZenBoat: Greece wellness sailing holidays on a vintage gulet yacht

11May

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Trips & Experiences

ZenBoat: Greece wellness sailing holidays on a vintage gulet yacht

Launching in September 2023, ZenBoat will offer wellness sailing holidays aboard a vintage Greek gulet yacht. Featuring activities, tours and healthy meals, itineraries will take in spectacular Greek islands, from the mystical Ionian islands to the magical Peloponnese coastline, and the delightful and little-known Saronic Islands en route to Athens. Founded by Swiss chef Louis Papadopoulos and his wife Lisa, who together run The Maya Boutique Hotel in Nax, Switzerland, the idea of ZenBoat was born during the pandemic. While they were holidaying in Greece, they realised they could transfer their experience and skill set from the hotel and create a similar holistic concept, but on a vintage gulet. “Life isn't about the destination – it’s about the journey; ZenBoat is about both,” they ...

Greek Running Tours by Dean Karnazes: the ‘ultimate runcation’ in Greece

18Feb

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Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Greek Running Tours by Dean Karnazes: the ‘ultimate runcation’ in Greece

Greek-American ultramarathoner Constantine “Dean” Karnazes has partnered with sports tourism and wellness agency ActiveMedia Group to launch Greek Running Tours. Greece, the birthplace of the marathon, is a land where history has been created, legends made and where magic and mythology come together. As tribute to his Greek heritage and his desire to promote Greek tourism to a global audience, Karnazes gives runners the opportunity to explore Greece on foot, immersing in the history and beauty, eating the food and experiencing this legendary land in a way that few tourists ever will. Dean Karnazes (Image: Angelos Zymaras) Along with the running (and a walking option for non-runners) each day will include cultural experiences – from bread making in the mountains of Crete, to olive...

Mouratoglou Tennis Center Costa Navarino: tennis holidays in Greece

30Jul

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Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Mouratoglou Tennis Center Costa Navarino: tennis holidays in Greece

Improve your serve and hone your on-court skills with a tennis-themed holiday in Costa Navarino. Located in the Greek region of Messinia, southwest Peloponnese, Costa Navarino is home to world-class sports facilities and luxury hotels. Where to play tennis in Costa Navarino The region is the first European location for a Mouratoglou Tennis Center. Here you can play on state-of-the-art clay, hard and grass courts – offering the equivalent of grand slam court conditions. The centre has 16 brand new tennis courts and benefits from year-round sunshine. Guests can enjoy a tennis-inspired holiday full of breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea, while receiving personalised coaching from the best in the world - with lessons and packages for children and adults. Prices for tennis coac...