Mountain refuges in Greece: how they work and how to book
The Pezoparea team · Updated · 5 min read
Mountain refuges are buildings in the mountains where you can eat, rest or sleep. In Greece they usually belong to mountaineering clubs and come in three kinds: staffed, locked with a key from the club, and emergency shelters. To stay overnight, book ahead by calling the refuge or the club.
A coffee at the refuge after the climb is, for many, the best part of a hike. But refuges are more than that: the base for long routes, the place you sleep before the summit, and sometimes the only shelter when the weather turns. On Pezoparea we've listed more than 100 refuges across Greece.
What kinds of refuges are there?
| Kind | How it works | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Staffed | Open on certain days or seasons, with a warden who cooks and looks after the beds | Food, hot drinks, a bed in a shared dorm |
| Locked, key from the club | You collect the key from the club that runs it, by arrangement | Beds, often a fireplace or stove, you cook for yourself |
| Emergency shelter | Small, usually always open, for protection from the weather | Few places, very basic, for emergencies only |
Each refuge's page on Pezoparea shows its kind, altitude, beds where known, the club, phone numbers and whether it has water, a fireplace or electricity.
All mountain refugesMap, filters and a page for each refuge.How do I book?
To stay overnight, call ahead: the warden for staffed refuges, the club for those opened with a key. Weekends and holidays fill up fast, especially on popular mountains. Overnight stays are paid, and members of mountaineering clubs usually get a discount. If you're only going for coffee or food, check the refuge is open that day.
Many staffed refuges open all week only in the good season and only at weekends in winter. Opening times change every year, so ask before you set off.
What should I bring for a night?
- A sleeping bag or at least a sleeping-bag liner (ask whether the refuge provides blankets)
- A head torch, because electricity may go off at night
- Slippers or light shoes for indoors
- Earplugs: dorms are shared
- Cash, since most refuges have no card machine
- Food and a gas stove if the refuge isn't staffed
What are the rules?
- Quiet during sleeping hours: others get up before dawn for the summit
- Carry your rubbish back down
- In unstaffed refuges leave the place clean, firewood for the next people, and lock up when you leave
- No smoking indoors, and be careful with the fire
- Stay in an emergency shelter only as long as you need to
How do I go to a refuge without experience?
The easiest way is an organized outing: the club books the beds, knows the route and arranges transport. Many two-day outings include a night in a refuge, and each refuge's page lists the outings that pass by. To start, choose a refuge with road access or an easy trail, such as Bafi on Parnitha.
Bafi refuge on ParnithaIf the weather turns or someone gets hurt, call 112. Phones often get signal at refuges even where the trail has none.
FAQ
Do I need to be a club member to stay in a refuge?
No. Most refuges welcome everyone, but members of mountaineering clubs usually pay less.
Can I go to a refuge without booking?
For coffee or food usually yes, if it's open. For a night, always book ahead, especially at weekends.
Are refuges open in winter?
Some are, usually at weekends; others close. Many have a winter room that stays open. The refuge's page and the club know what applies.
What's different about an emergency shelter?
It's a small shelter for protection from the weather, unstaffed and with few or no facilities. It isn't for planned overnight stays.