Learn the ropes or blaze the trails with us and test your head for heights with an all-out rock climbing holiday to Europe. Climbing walls are a great way to get started or practice your skills, and you'll be doing just that at AlanaBeach Club in Croatia and Messini Beach Club in Greece. Rock climbing is a brilliant way to inject a little adrenaline into your travel, whether you're a beginner or seasoned climber ready to tackle the toughest walls.
Get in touch to speak with our team and book your rock climbing holiday with Neilson today.
The lowdown
Climbing wall at Alana Beach Club, Croatia
Climbing wall at Messini Beach Club, Greece
Guests staying at Buca Beach Club can use the climbing wall at Messini Beach Club
Inclusive climbing and instruction on climbing walls
Pre-bookable rock climbing in Paklenica National Park, Croatia
Pre-bookable rock climbing at Kardamili in Greece
What is a rock climbing holiday like?
Whether you’re a novice or an expert, our climbing holidays will ensure you get the most out of your experience. We have a climbing wall as an inclusive activity at some of our Beach Clubs, so you can get some practice in whenever you like.
Perfect for beginners or those looking to improve their skills, our climbing holidays offer a range of options for all abilities. You can hop from your morning yoga class to the climbing wall, before finishing with a trip to the swimming pool.
If you want to take it to new heights, we also offer guided rock climbing trips for an additional fee. These include all the essential equipment, transport to and from our climbing destinations, and an experienced instructor.
Why choose a rock climbing holiday?
Rock climbing is great fun, and there’s no better place to try it than on an inclusive fitness beach holiday with plenty of activities to try. It’s a sociable sport, making it suitable for solo travellers, couples and families alike.
There’s no need to worry if you've never tried climbing before. Our instructors are on hand to get you started, showing you the ropes and giving you pointers on safety and technique.
Find a climbing buddy to team up with or go with the family and enjoy a great bonding experience for both adults and kids.
Where to go on a rock climbing holiday?
We offer climbing walls as an inclusive activity with holidays at Alana Beach Club in Croatia and Messini Beach Club in Greece, so you can scale the walls alongside our other fitness and yoga activities.
You’ll get to experience some incredible climbing spots such as the Paklenica National Park in Croatia, just 2 kilometres from Alana Beach Club. Alternatively, you can climb in Kardamili, a pretty seaside fishing village with jaw-dropping routes, located around 35 kilometres from Messini and Buca Beach Clubs in Greece.
Inclusive
Climbing walls
The climbing walls are great for adults and children, with no experience necessary! We provide you with all the safety equipment you'll need (climbing harnesses and safety helmets), and our instructors will take you through your first steps to ensure you have a great time during your climbing trip. The variety of climbs means experienced climbers will enjoy the wall too.
Rock climbing holidays in Croatia
Rock climbing holidays at Alana Beach Club take place just 2 kilometres from one of the premier free-climbing sites in Europe: Paklenica National Park. Most of the routes are easy to access and, with a wide range of grades, pretty much anyone can give it a go. We've teamed up with a local climbing school to offer you a fantastic pre-bookable experience to make your rock climbing holiday one to remember. The climbing is on limestone rock, the majority of the routes are bolted and there are over 170 single-pitch sports routes close to the entrance to the park.
What to expect Rock climbing in Croatia
Our partners in Croatia, Paklenica Aventurist, offer our guests the 'Top rope climbing experience'. This is for all levels of climbers, whether you are a first-time or experienced climber.
The duration is 2 hours, and all kit, fees, and round-trip transfer from the Alana Beach Club are included. Beginners will be taught climbing techniques and can attempt as many routes as you like in the time permitted. Climbs are up to 25m with easy and more challenging options.
Already got some climbs under your belt, indoors or out? Then you’re in for a treat. With grades ranging from 5.8 to 5.10, you'll have plenty to sink your teeth into. Perfect for climbers keen to push their limits and take things to the next level.
This awesome activity is available to everyone aged 10 and above, and any children under the age of 18 will require a parent or guardian to sign a risk and liability statement for participation and good behaviour.
Rock climbing holidays in Greece
One of the main climbing sites you'll have access to during your rock climbing holiday is Kardamili (about an hour's drive from Messini Beach Club). First opened in 2013, the limestone crags, which rise above a beautiful bay, have more than 30 bolted climbing routes of beginner and intermediate levels. It's best to climb in the morning before the heat of the day, so you'll be leaving the Beach Club at around 7.30am for a 2-hour session.
You'll be learning the basics and climbing for the first time with the assistance and reassurance of highly qualified instructors. The Kardamili climbing experience can be pre-booked for £65 per person and will only run if a minimum of 3 people book. The minimum age is 8 years and children aged 8-15 years must be accompanied by an adult (either climbing or spectating).
Does Neilson offer rock climbing trips for beginners?
Never climbed before? Don’t worry - we offer rock climbing trips for beginners and experienced climbers alike! Our climbing walls are suitable for people of all levels, and our friendly, experienced instructors are there to give you a helping hand and show you how to get started.
You don’t even need to be an experienced climber to join in; we offer try-out experiences in Greece so you can test your head for heights and see how you enjoy climbing outdoors, all while being guided by a local instructor. Maybe you'll join us for an intermediate rock climbing holiday experience on your next Neilson holiday!
How can I get the most out of a rock climbing holiday?
Our rock climbing holidays for beginners are designed to build your confidence and skills. But if you give it a go and you're not keen, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy at our Beach Clubs. If you're an avid climber with experience, we recommend letting us know this beforehand so we can suggest an appropriate activity level for you.
Whatever level you climb at, we recommend checking out the following guides:
You should pack appropriate clothing that allows you to move freely. Be sure to steer clear from baggy clothing, however.
Breathable fabrics will help stop you from getting too hot and layers will help prevent you from getting too cold. The weather can be temperamental in the mountains, so it's best to be prepared for all conditions.
We recommend wearing trainers if you're a beginner, but we can provide proper climbing shoes if you want to take it one step further and climb on the rock faces rather than climbing walls. These shoes are designed to help you grip surfaces more easily. You'll likely be exposed to the sun for long periods, so we highly recommend bringing SPF, sunglasses and a water bottle.
Why choose Neilson for your rock climbing holiday to Europe?
If you prefer conquering rocky heights over splashing through the waves, a rock climbing holiday abroad is ideal – and our destinations in Europe are perfect for it. Our flight-inclusive trips are ATOL-protected, giving you financial protection and added peace of mind. Plus, we've won numerous British Travel Awards across a range of travel categories.
You can find out what past customers have said about our holidays by checking out our Feefo page. In the meantime, you can brush up on your knowledge on the Neilson Hub. Check out our latest rock climbing holiday package deals today and get in touch to start your booking.
As always another wonderful Neilson holiday. This time in Croatia which was a great resort. This resort is very close to lots of restaurants and shops.
Food was good and varied in the restaurant and...
As always another wonderful Neilson holiday. This time in Croatia which was a great resort. This resort is very close to lots of restaurants and shops.
Food was good and varied in the restaurant and always plentiful. Options for gluten free were provided. Staff a the bar and restaurant were very friendly and the Skybar has fantastic views.
Our son throughly enjoyed hot shots and the amazing team (Tom, Oscar, Tommy, Ollie and Jade) as well as his new favourite sport wakeboarding (Dominique and Rory).
I spent most of my time in the fitness classes with the ever energetic Rory and Agnella.
If you get a chance I would recommend the rock climbing in the national Park. I am scared of heights but loved it.
Hats off to the General Manager (Sally) who was onsite and managing a local incident. Always calm and collected and even helped us find a local vet to help a stray kitten.
It was great to find so many of the team who had all been children growing up on Neilson holidays. Their formula works.
Can’t wait for next year.
The Neilson team are awesome. They make your holiday a real delight. They can fix any issues really quickly so it’s really worth raising them whilst you are there not in the bus in the way back to the...
The Neilson team are awesome. They make your holiday a real delight. They can fix any issues really quickly so it’s really worth raising them whilst you are there not in the bus in the way back to the airport. The redesigned interconnecting family rooms in the hotel are great for families with young kids and I would definitely recommend. Kids clubs are so great for the kids, the ability to drop in and out if you want a bit more family time works really well.
Take a bike ride to the climbing place, it’s awesome just to see so many people clinging on the cliffs whilst you get a coffee from the little cafe.
Sailing area is big enough, quite light winds (unless the bora blows) but great for all. Complimentary waterskiing is great for those of us that just want to give it a go get out early for the glassy flat water.
Bike rides are good, although a bit road based but that’s geography driven rather than by design given the steep mountains about a mile back from the coast.
Food can be a bit samey, but we did go late in the season. New pool is great but was freezing in October, wetsuits were available but not really what Inwas hoping for from a heated pool (the indoor pool in the spa is great for little ones though). They could maybe do with a few higher performance dinghies but getting out in the Vega is fine for teaching the kids. Beach is a bit limited as it’s rocky, so would advise taking beach shoes to get on and off boats, sups, windsurf etc.
I know the last few points seem a bit negative but I’m really picking out small issues at what other wise was an awesome visit. Have been to many Neilson resorts in the past and this one really works for young kids.
