Things to do in Athens on weekends: join a hiking group

The Pezoparea team · Updated 4 November 2026 · 6 min read

If you've just moved to Athens or Thessaloniki, joining a hiking group is one of the easiest weekend activities for meeting people. Coaches leave the city most weekends, a day trip starts at around €15 including transport, you need very little gear to start, and you spend the whole day with the same people.

What are good things to do in Athens on weekends to meet people?

The best activities for making friends in a new city share three things: you see the same people regularly, there's time to talk, and you don't need to be good at it already. The reason is time. Research by Jeffrey Hall suggests it takes about 50 hours of leisure time together to turn an acquaintance into a casual friend, and about 90 to become friends (Hall, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2018).

These are typical figures rather than measurements, but they show why a day in the mountains (coach, trail and a long lunch at a village taverna) can equal several weeks of another hobby.

Why is hiking a good fit for expats and newcomers?

• No car needed: coaches leave from central points in Athens and Thessaloniki.
• No local knowledge needed: the leader knows the route.
• You see the real Greece: villages, gorges and mountains you'd never find on your own.
• It's cheap compared with a day out in the city, and decent trainers are enough to start.
• You meet Greeks and other newcomers outside your office and your neighbourhood.

The need is real. The WHO estimates that one in six people worldwide is affected by loneliness (WHO, 2025), and moving to a new country is one of the times you feel it most.

Do I need to speak Greek?

Most outings are run in Greek. Some companies run English-language trips, so ask the organizer before you book. It's also a relaxed way to practise your Greek. These are the terms you'll see in Greek club programmes:

Tap “I'm going” and set your home city in your profile. In Crew you'll see who you'll meet on the coach and the trail, and who keeps joining the same outings as you.

How do I join an expat-friendly hiking group in Athens or Thessaloniki?

1. Open this weekend's outings and filter for “Beginner friendly”.
2. Pick a day hike close to the city: Parnitha, Hymettus or Penteli around Athens; Chortiatis or Pieria near Thessaloniki.
3. Sign up with the organizer. A deposit is usually required.
4. Tap “I'm going” on Pezoparea to get a reminder with weather and gear and so your crew can find you.
5. If you enjoyed it, go back with the same organizer. That's where friendships form.

Club or company to start with?

Hiking companies are open to everyone and are the easiest way in. Mountaineering clubs are usually cheaper and have a large, steady crowd, but some of their outings are for members only. If you like it, join after two or three outings; membership also gets you into the club's talks and workshops.