A large peninsula graced with spectacular scenery and a rich history that spans centuries, the Peloponnese is one of the most fascinating regions to explore in Greece and this Peloponnese travel guide answers all the questions you may have about this lesser-known destination in the south of Greece.
The Ultimate Peloponnese Travel Guide
Where Is The Peloponnese
But let’s start this Peloponnese travel guide the right way. Where is the Peloponnese? The Peloponnese Peninsula occupies the southernmost part of the Greek mainland.
The artificial Corinth Canal separates the Peloponnese from the rest of mainland Greece, but a couple of bridges make it possible to drive to the Peloponnese from Attica in Central Greece or several beautiful towns and little villages in Western Greece.
Best Time To Visit The Peloponnese
The Peloponnese is an excellent year-round destination. However, it’s a good idea to avoid the peak season – July and August. The best times to visit the region are late spring and early autumn when temperatures are mild but you can still enjoy the outdoors.
How To Get To The Peloponnese
Direct flights to the Peloponnese are scarce and only available in the summer months, reaching the sunny city of Kalamata in the peninsula’s south. Therefore, the best way to get to the Peloponnese any time of the year is to fly to Athens and then travel to the Peloponnese by land.
If you feel like driving, you can rent a car to get from Athens to your destination in the Peloponnese. This option allows you to also see the Peloponnese on a road trip, exploring its natural landscapes and historic wonders at your own pace.
Alternatively, you can travel from Athens to the Peloponnese by bus. However, this option isn’t always the best as not all destinations in the Peloponnese can be reached by a direct bus from Athens. Moreover, you can get to some cities in northern Peloponnese, such as Corinth or Patras, with a combination of trains and buses from the airport of Athens. That said, these trains and buses aren’t very frequent – or reliable.
Probably the most hassle-free way to get to the Peloponnese from Athens is by private transfer. Here at JayWay Travel, we can arrange for you the best transfers with professional private drivers and modern vehicles.
How To Get Around The Peloponnese
As mentioned earlier in this Peloponnese travel guide, driving around this beautiful region in your rental car is one of the best ways to explore the Peloponnese. With a wide road network that comprises highways and rural roads alike, driving can get you everywhere in the Peloponnese, from the most popular cities to the least-known small villages, regardless of whether they’re nestled in the high mountains of the Peloponnese or built on the edge of the glistening sea.
Yet, if driving isn’t an option, you should opt for private transfers to get from one destination to the next as public buses within the Peloponnese are infrequent, while their running times and routes are not always easy to figure out. Also, with the exception of the Athens airport train lines mentioned in the previous section and the scenic rack railway that connects the village of Diakopto to the small town of Kalavrita, the railway network in the Peloponnese is almost non-existent.
Where To Stay in The Peloponnese
The Peloponnese has no shortage of fantastic places to use as a base during your trip. Below, you’ll find a small selection of the best places to stay in the region, depending on what you expect of your Peloponnese vacation.
Nafplio
If you’re into Greek history and architecture, but also if you want a prime central location, ideal for exploring nearby destinations on easy day trips, Nafplio might just be the perfect place to stay in the Peloponnese.
The first capital of Greece, Nafplio has it all. A lovely promenade for superb Aegean Sea views and people-watching, medieval castles with many tales to tell, a unique dining scene, and the quaintest Old Town to wander around, past scenic narrow streets and neoclassical mansions. Moreover, Nafplio is within easy driving distance of some of the most important ancient sites in Greece, like Mycenae and Ancient Epidaurus.
Kalamata
For a glimpse into the authentic Greek lifestyle, sunny Kalamata awaits to seduce you with its authentic vibes. The second-largest city in the Peloponnese, Kalamata combines its rich historical past as a place that played a major part in the 1821 Greek War of Independence against the Ottomans with all the comforts and perks of a modern city that likes to have a good time.
From walking along its spectacular promenade to relaxing on the beach to catching beautiful views from its uphill castle to sampling the world-renowned Kalamata Olives to your heart’s content, Kalamata invites you on a journey into the way of life in modern Greece.
Monemvasia
Contrary to the vibrant ambiance of Kalamata, Monemvasia awaits to take you on a journey through time. A silent castle town that never stopped being inhabited throughout the centuries, Monemvasia offers you the unique opportunity to sleep within the walls of a once mighty medieval castle, hearing nothing but the sound of the waves crashing on the black rocks that surround this photogenic promontory in the heart of the glistening Mediterranean Sea.
Costa Navarino
If a luxury stay is what you’re expecting from your Peloponnese trip, the ideal place to stay is Costa Navarino. Situated in a location of unparalleled natural beauty, near some of the best Greek beaches, Costa Navarino is a haven of peace, elegance, and style, where you can relax, be pampered, and spend the most stress-free vacation you could ever wish for.
Top 7 Places To Visit in The Peloponnese
The Peloponnese is abundant in fascinating places to visit, either of natural or historical significance. In this Peloponnese travel guide, we’re introducing you to some of the most striking among them as it would take a lifetime to discover all of the Peloponnese’s treasures anyway.
1. Ancient Olympia
The birthplace of the Olympic Games, Ancient Olympia is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Amidst spectacular scenery, the sun-drenched ruins of Olympia date back to ancient times and whisper stories of peace and friendship, standing as a constant reminder that this was the land where Ancient Greeks conceived the notion of the Olympic Spirit.
2. Mycenae
Speaking of fascinating archaeological sites, Mycenae used to be one of the most powerful cities in Ancient Greece. Entering the century-old citadel through the famous Lion Gate and enjoying tales of kings and queens as you wander around the ancient ruins of palaces and final resting places of impressive dimensions is an experience not to be missed.
3. Ancient Epidaurus
A quest to explore the Peloponnese’s old treasures could never be complete without a visit to Ancient Epidaurus. Home to one of the best-preserved ancient theaters – and one with extraordinary acoustics that never fail to impress even now – Ancient Epidaurus is a spectacular historic site, better navigated on a guided tour that will reveal all of this ancient site’s secrets.
4. Mystras
Similar to Monemvasia but no longer inhabited, Mystras is yet another castle town whose medieval remains stand as a testament to the importance of the Peloponnese in the Middle Ages. The size and splendor of this now ruined city will amaze you – as will the gorgeous countryside that surrounds it.
5. Methoni & Koroni
In the Middle Ages, the Peloponnese was thriving. As a result, several castles were built during that period. Two of the most beautiful among them adorn the bijou seaside towns of Methoni and Koroni. Completely untouched by mass tourism, Methoni and Koroni are two of the most picturesque small towns in the Peloponnese and a stroll through their castles is one of the best things to do in the entire region.
6. Mani
Once cut off from the rest of mainland Greece and accessible only by sea, the subregion of the Mani Peninsula represents the wild side of Greece.
Lush vegetation and olive groves alternate with barren mountain tops, inviting sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters come into contrast with the wild waves that crash on Cape Matapan, the second-southernmost point in continental Europe, and traditional villages with tower houses that seem as unreal as any movie set, all these comprise the magic land of Mani, welcoming you to a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience you’ll never forget.
7. Voidokilia Beach
Greece boasts countless beautiful beaches. Yet, some are more jaw-dropping than others. One of them is Voidokilia, a beach so exotic that you would hardly ever believe it was in Greece rather than the Caribbean. Its shallow waters make it ideal for a lazy day under the Greek sun, taking in the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
What To Eat & Drink in The Peloponnese
Blessed with fertile land and graced with the brightest Mediterranean sun, the Peloponnese abounds in top-quality products that grow locally and transform into masterpiece dishes, based on century-old recipes. Among the local products that you have to try in the Peloponnese, the delicious Kalamata Olives stand out and so does the region’s extra virgin olive oil, an ingredient always present in the most mouthwatering dishes.
From scrumptious meat dishes to recipes based on the fresh catch of the day – be it fish or seafood – to locally sourced vegetables full of color and aromas to handmade pasta whose recipes have been passed on from generation to generation throughout the centuries, the local cuisine of the Peloponnese is a journey in its own right, a culinary adventure to appreciate with all your senses.
The Peloponnese’s delicious food pairs wonderfully with the area’s exquisite wine. Nemea, one of the finest Greek wine regions, is within easy driving distance of Nafplio and it’s an essential stop on every wine enthusiast’s itinerary through the Peloponnese.
Explore The Peloponnese With JayWay
If you made it this far on this Peloponnese travel guide, we’re sure you’re already checking your calendars to see where you can fit a trip to the Peloponnese soon. We can’t blame you. The Peloponnese is one of Greece’s best-kept secrets, a region that combines ancient history, medieval grandeur, natural beauty, and gastronomy, a miniature of Greece of sorts, but without the negative impact of mass tourism.
Yet, exactly because this is one of the most unspoiled and least-advertised regions in Greece, you might need our help planning your trip rather than trying to figure out all the details of your Peloponnese vacation on your own.
From the author of this Peloponnese travel guide to our expert trip advisors to the people who will actually craft your Peloponnese itinerary to our excellent staff that will welcome you with a smile once you land in Athens, all of us at JayWay have firsthand experience with accommodations and other services in the Peloponnese and are perfectly placed to assist you in making the right travel choices, ensuring you enjoy nothing but a delightful trip to cherish for life.
So, why wait? Get in touch with JayWay today and let us plan your dream Peloponnese vacation.
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s passionate about travel and storytelling, a combination that makes her ideal for her role as our content manager.