Car & Van Hire - Afytos

Afytos is a fabulous destination in Greece if you want to mix culture with nature and traditional heritage with modern fun. The village of Afytos itself is a classic Greek village perched high on a hill overlooking the Toroneos Gulf. Start your trip by just wandering through the narrow streets, which seem to glow with thousands of years of history. Here, you'll find cobblestones, charming little squares and traditional Greek taverns serving ouzo and hearty lamb dishes. The folklore museum will help you learn more about Afytos and the surrounding area, which has been settled since 3000 BC.

Car hire in Afytos allows you to access the beach at the bottom of the hill. Afytos Beach is a long stretch of white sand with shallow, calm water that's ideal for kids. There's a beach bar, restaurant and a beach volleyball court where you can show off your skills. If you order a drink from the beach bar, you'll be able to use one of the sun loungers, which are ideal for relaxing. Prefer to stay active while on holiday? Put on your snorkel and explore the brilliant, clear waters.

One of the best things about car or van hire in Afytos is that you can alternate between the peace and charm of the village and the excitement of nearby cities. Thessaloniki is a short drive away. Greece's second-largest city is known for its nightlife and buzz, with a laid-back, student vibe during the academic year. Like all Greek cities, it also has a long and fascinating history. The White Tower, a fortification built by the Byzantines, is one of the main attractions here. When the Ottoman Empire held the city, it was known as the Blood Tower, as it was the site of so many executions. Take a look inside to visit a museum that will tell you more about Thessaloniki.

From the White Tower, you can continue to walk along the seafront promenade. This is one of the highlights of any trip to Thessaloniki, a true pedestrian's paradise. It's a particularly good place to visit if you're travelling with kids, as you can go for a nice, long walk here without worrying about cars or motorbikes - a rare luxury in Greece. As you stroll along the waterfront, stop to admire the large statue of Alexander the Great. Greece's most famous king was born about 90 minutes away, and locals are still proud of his legacy.

Afytos is largely a tourist destination, so you won't find much in the way of daily rush-hour traffic. It's a different story if you drive into Thessaloniki, which is a big city with plenty of industry. Rush hour here tends to be from 07:00 to 10:00 and again from 16:00 to 19:00. Keep this in mind if you want to avoid any traffic jams.

You can't drive in the historic centre of Afytos, but there is plenty of parking on the outskirts of town. You'll also find a large car park beside the beach, so there's no reason to trek up and down the hill to get there. Free parking is fairly common, but you may need to pay if you want the convenience of using a covered or underground car park. Paid on-street parking will need to be renewed every three hours.

Always carry cash while travelling in Greece. You'll often find that both parking meters and petrol stations don't accept cards. In a rural areas, the nearest cashpoint can be quite some distance away. Watch out for petrol station closing hours, too. Almost all of them close at night, with the latest staying open until 23:00. However, in rural areas, they often close as early as 20:00.

If you are visiting Afytos as part of a longer road trip, watch out for tolls. It's quite easy to avoid toll roads when travelling around the Greek countryside. However, if you plan to drive between Thessaloniki and Athens, the most direct route involves a toll road. There are 10-12 payment points on the road between the two large cities. Again, make sure you are carrying cash to make the payments, as the card readers often malfunction.

Driving in rural Greece can be quite an adventure. Afytos is in a mountainous region, so you'll find lots of narrow, winding roads. You might want to adopt the local custom of honking your horn when turning in a blind spot, to warn any oncoming drivers of your presence. Always keep an eye out for the ubiquitous motorbikes and mopeds, which are very popular with Greek youngsters. Watch out for animals, too. Flocks of sheep will usually scatter when they see your vehicle approaching, but goats are more stubborn, and you'll need to wait for them to move on. Stray dogs are also a common sight, so take things slowly when driving on country roads.