Greece's derelict landscape is one of the most underexplored in Europe — a country where the 2008 financial crisis compounded a century of rural exodus to produce abandoned hotels on every coastline, the former Athens international airport with Olympic Airways 747s decomposing on the tarmac, thousands of train wagons rusting in Europe's largest rail graveyard and ghost villages perched on Aegean island hillsides. The EOT Xenia hotel programme alone left 50+ modernist hotels abandoned across the country. Discover where to do urbex in Greece with our Greece Urbex Map — 60+ verified GPS locations.
Why Greece Is One of Europe's Most Underrated Urbex Destinations
Greece's abandonment reflects two distinct mechanisms: the post-war rural exodus that emptied mountain villages and Aegean island settlements across the 1950s–80s, and the 2008 financial crisis that shuttered businesses, factories and hotels with particular abruptness. The extraordinary Mediterranean light and the ancient stone landscape make Greek dereliction visually distinctive from any other European country.
1. Ellinikon Airport – Athens, Attica — Athens International Airport 1938–2001, Olympic Airways 747 on Tarmac, Eero Saarinen Terminal, Redevelopment Underway (Known Location)
Ellinikon International Airport served Athens for 60 years before closing on 28 March 2001 when it was replaced by Eleftherios Venizelos airport. The site was partially used for the 2004 Athens Olympics, then left abandoned amid Greece's 2008 financial crisis and development disputes. The airport still contains abandoned Olympic Airways aircraft including a Boeing 747 registered SX-OAB which first flew in 1973. The original terminal was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen. Redevelopment began in 2020; the window to visit is closing.
🔗 Sources: CNN – The Greek Airport Left to Fall Apart | Wikipedia – Ellinikon Airport
2. Thessaloniki Train Cemetery – Nea Ionia, Thessaloniki — 1,000+ Abandoned Wagons, OSE Hellenic Railways, Rusting Since 1980s, Greece's Largest Rail Graveyard (Known Location)
On the outskirts of Thessaloniki, hundreds of railroad cars have been standing abandoned on their railway sidings, rusting away for decades. The Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE) leaves their decommissioned trains in the ever-growing graveyard, which now has thousands of disused cars. Since they were left there to rot in the 1980s, they are still standing on ten tracks in the suburb of Nea Ionia. Bus 51, 54 or 54A from Thessaloniki train station; alight after the E90 highway.
🔗 Also read: Top 5 Abandoned Places in Greece →
3. Hotel Xenia Nafplio – Nafplio, Peloponnese — 1961 Modernist Hotel on Venetian Castle, 100 Beds, Abandoned Since 2000, Views over Palamidi and Arvanitia Beach
The Xenia Hotel in Nafplio was built in 1961 on the Akronaflia peninsula on top of the Venetian castle — one of the most shocking plots in Greece, where political prisons had stood since 1937. It was a luxury hotel of its own time with 100 beds, still operating in 2000, sold to new owners who planned renovation but instead left it to collapse. Today it stands completely abandoned, with stunning views of Palamidi fortress, Arvanitia beach and the sea on both sides. All GPS coordinates in our Greece Urbex Map.
4. Mikro Chorio – Tilos Island, Dodecanese — Former Island Capital, Completely Deserted Since 1950s, Stone Houses Intact, Aegean Hillside Setting (Find it on our Greece Urbex Map.)
Mikro Chorio was the original capital of Tilos island until its population moved entirely to Livadia in the 1950s. Today it stands as one of the most completely preserved ghost villages in the Greek islands — stone houses with roofs partially collapsed, the church still standing, the village kafeneion identifiable among the ruins. The hillside Aegean setting and the extraordinary completeness of the village architecture make Mikro Chorio one of the finest island ghost villages in Greece. Find it on our Greece Urbex Map.
5. Aradena – Western Crete — Stone Village Above Aradena Gorge, Abandoned Mid-20th Century, Cliff-Edge Setting, Ionian Sea Views (Mapped exclusively in our Greece Urbex Map.)
Aradena clings to rocky heights above the Aradena Gorge in western Crete — a village that declined through the mid-20th century as residents moved to urban centres, leaving scattered stone houses and a lone church suspended between sky and gorge. The surrounding landscape of jagged cliffs and sea vistas makes Aradena one of Greece's most visually striking abandoned villages. A footbridge above the gorge doubles as a bungee jumping site — the contrast between derelict stone village and extreme sport creates an experience unique in Greek urbex. Mapped exclusively in our Greece Urbex Map.
Safety Tips
- Ellinikon security: active patrols on the redevelopment site — always assess current perimeter access before approaching
- Train cemetery: thorny bushes, broken glass, and nails on the ground — wear sturdy footwear and long trousers
- Aradena gorge: never approach the gorge edge — sheer drops of 100m+ with no barriers in the village ruins
- Never explore alone — always bring at least one other person and share your location
❓ FAQ
What is the best place to do urbex in Greece?
Ellinikon Airport in Athens — a 60-year aviation hub abandoned since 2001 with an Olympic Airways Boeing 747 still on the tarmac, the Eero Saarinen terminal, and 2004 Olympic venues in various states of ruin. Redevelopment is underway — visit before access is completely restricted.
Are there ghost villages in Greece?
Yes — Greece has extraordinary ghost villages from the mid-20th century rural exodus: Mikro Chorio on Tilos island, Aradena in Crete, Vathia in the Mani, and dozens more across the Peloponnese, Epirus, and the Aegean islands. Our Greece Urbex Map marks all accessible sites.
When is the best time to do urbex in Greece?
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) — the light is extraordinary, temperatures are manageable, and tourist crowds are minimal. Summer heat in the Peloponnese and island interiors can exceed 40°C, making extended outdoor exploration dangerous.
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