Greece

Peloponnese

Region

The Peloponnese hangs off the southern end of the Greek mainland and, strictly speaking, is an island since the construction of the Corinth Canal.

by Felix Gillen

The Peloponnese hangs off the southern end of the Greek mainland and, strictly speaking, is an island since the construction of the Corinth Canal. Mycenaean castles, the Sanctuary of Olympia, Byzantine ruined cities, and Venetian sea fortresses lie close together here.Between them, mountain ranges rise to over 2,400 meters, with Taygetos reaching 2,407 meters. The coastal roads remain narrow and winding; those who travel the peninsula are better off planning with few base locations and day trips.

With approximately 21,500 square kilometers, the Peloponnese is about the size of Hesse. It is divided into seven regional units: Corinthia and Argolis in the northeast, Arcadia in the center, Achaea and Elis in the west, Messenia in the southwest, and Laconia in the southeast. Administratively, Achaea and Elis belong to Western Greece, while the other five belong to the Peloponnese Region. The toll motorway A7 runs from Corinth via Tripoli to Kalamata, making the north-south axis fast; everything off this route consists of country roads over passes. In the center lies the Arcadian highlands, and to the south, the mountain ranges of Taygetos and Parnon extend into the three southern peninsulas. The coasts differ significantly: in the east, rock and small coves; in the west, long sandy beaches between Kyllini and Pylos. In spring, the hillsides bloom and archaeological sites can be visited in pleasant temperatures; in July and August, it gets very hot inland. September and October are well-suited for a trip, after which many coastal towns close, and in the mountains around Kalavryta, snow falls in winter.

C messier / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Mani

The Mani is the middle of the three southern fingers of the Peloponnese, a barren limestone landscape between the Taygetos and the sea.

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Place 2 of 4

Nafplio

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Place 3 of 4

Corinth

Corinth is situated on the Isthmus, the narrowest point between the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland, and thus controlled traffic between two seas for centuries.

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C messier / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0

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Neapoli (Neapoli Voion)

Neapoli is the port town at the southern tip of the Malea Peninsula in southeastern Laconia. The town stands on the site of ancient Boiai; its current street grid dates from the 19th century, and life revolves around the waterfront promenade.

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More places in Peloponnese

Ancient Epidauros

Ancient Epidaurus refers to two sites, twelve kilometers apart: the coastal village of Palea Epidavros on the Saronic Gulf and the Asklepieion inland, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988. For centuries, this sanctuary was the most important healing center in the Greek world. Predominantly preserved is the theater from the 4th century BC, whose acoustics still work without technical amplification today.

Ancient Olympia

Ancient Olympia is located in the region of Elis in the west of the Peloponnese, where the Kladeos flows into the Alpheios. From 776 BC to 393 AD, the Olympic Games were held here every four years in honor of Zeus, for almost twelve centuries. Of the sanctuary, foundations, toppled column drums, and the stadium are preserved; the sculptures are in the museum opposite.

Monemvasia

Monemvasia is perched on a steep limestone rock off the Laconian east coast, linked to the mainland solely by a causeway. Its name, meaning 'single entrance', accurately describes this location, which made the settlement difficult to attack since its 6th-century founding.Behind the walls, Byzantine churches and stone houses stand closely together; above on the plateau lies the deserted Upper Town with the Church of Agia Sofia. The town is car-free and ideal for one or two peaceful days.

Mycenae

Mycenae is situated on a hill at the northern edge of the Argolic Plain, approximately 25 kilometers north of Nafplio. Between approximately 1350 and 1200 BC, the citadel was the center of a palace culture that gave its name to an entire era. Heinrich Schliemann excavated the shaft graves starting in 1876, and since 1999, the site, along with Tiryns, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Sights in Peloponnese

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The Kapsia Cave

The stalactite cave lies on the edge of the Mantineia plateau, roughly 15 kilometers north of Tripoli. Discovered in 1887 by French archaeologist Gustave Fougères, then excavating ancient Mantineia, further sections were explored in 1974 by Greek and French speleologists. The circular route, over 300 meters long, leads through halls of colorful stalactites; the guided tour lasts an hour. The cave has been open to visitors since 2010.

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Church of Agia Fotini in Mantineia

The church is located in the plain of Mantineia north of Tripoli, near the ruins of the ancient city. It was designed by architect, painter, and icon painter Kostas Papatheodorou; construction began around 1970 and lasted just under three years, consecrated in 1978. Papatheodorou combined forms of ancient temples with Byzantine church architecture, featuring curved surfaces and unusual angles. The interior mosaics blend Christian and mythological motifs, including Perseus, Ariadne, and Medusa.

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Areos Square in Tripoli

Areos Square is the central square of Tripoli, the capital of Arcadia, and one of the largest squares in Greece. It features the equestrian statue of Theodoros Kolokotronis, the leader of the War of Independence, created by sculptor Fanis Sakellariou. Additionally, there are statues of other fighters from the 1821 Revolution. On the north side of the courthouse, monuments commemorate judges Anastasios Polyzoidis and Georgios Tertsetis, who in 1834 refused to sentence Kolokotronis to death.

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Mystras

On the northern slope of Taygetos above Sparta lies the ruined city of Mystras, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1989. It was founded in 1249 as a Frankish castle, became Byzantine from 1262, and in the 14th and 15th centuries became the capital of the Despotate of Morea, the last center of power for Byzantium before the Fall of Constantinople. Preserved are the Palace of the Palaiologos, several monastery churches with frescoes from the late Byzantine period, and the defensive walls of the upper city. The site is steep and has two entrances: at the castle (top) and at the village (bottom); if you want to walk downhill, start at the top. For the complete tour, you'll need three to four hours, and there is little shade.

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Ancient Messene

The city of Messene at the foot of Mount Ithomi was founded in 369 BC after the Theban general Epaminondas defeated Sparta and liberated the Messenians from their subjugation. Because the site was subsequently hardly built over, the ancient city plan is unusually well preserved: a stadium with a surrounding colonnade, a theater, an Asklepieion, an Agora, and a nine-kilometer city wall with the double-fortified Arcadian Gate. Excavations have been ongoing since the 1980s and continue to uncover new areas to this day. The modern village of Mavrommati lies directly above and offers views over the entire site. It's approximately 30 kilometers from Kalamata, and a visit takes about two hours.

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Voidokilia and the Bay of Navarino

The beach of Voidokilia in Messenia forms an almost closed circle because a sandbank separates the bay from the open Ionian Sea. Behind it lies the Gialova Lagoon, a Natura-2000 site and one of the most important resting places for migratory birds in Southern Greece. Above the beach stands the Paliokastro Castle from Frankish times; a steep path leads up in about 30 minutes, past Nestor's Cave. To the south adjoins the wide Bay of Navarino, where in 1827 the allied fleet annihilated the Ottoman-Egyptian navy, thus securing Greek independence. There is no infrastructure at the beach; you must bring your own water and shade.

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Dining & Drinks

Ερατεινή

The Erateini is a traditional tavern on the road from Tripoli to Artemisio in the municipality of Nestani, near the Agia Fotini church in Mantineia. Arcadian country cuisine is served.

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Ο μπακαλόγατος της Ελένης

Ο μπακαλόγατος της Ελένης is a taverna at the Nestani junction in the Mantineia Plain, north of Tripoli. The cuisine is Greek, with emphasis on grilled meats. Its location at the highway exit makes it a convenient stop on the way through Arcadia.

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Food and Drink on the Peloponnese

The peninsula's cuisine features olive oil, mountain herbs, and garden vegetables. Fish is a coastal staple; inland, lamb, goat, and legumes dominate. Also, two wine regions with unique profiles.

Kalamata olives and olive oil

The almond-shaped, dark purple Kalamata olive originates from Messenia and carries a Protected Designation of Origin. It is cured in brine and vinegar, which gives it its robust, fruity flavour. A large part of Greek olive oil comes from the same region, often from the Koroneiki variety. In the villages around Kalamata, cooperatives sell directly from the mill.

Sfela

Sfela is a semi-hard brine cheese made from sheep's and goat's milk, produced exclusively in Messenia and Laconia and protected since 1996. It ripens in large strips, hence the name, which derives from the Greek word for ribbon. The taste is salty and piquant, distinctly sharper than Feta. Fried as Saganaki or plain with bread and olives.

Diples

Dünn ausgerollter Teig wird in heißem Öl zu Rollen oder Schleifen gedreht, danach mit Honig und Walnüssen überzogen. Diples gehören auf der Peloponnes zu Hochzeiten und Weihnachten, sind aber in Konditoreien das ganze Jahr zu bekommen. In Messenien sind sie eher fest gerollt, in Lakonien flacher. Frisch gemacht schmecken sie deutlich besser als abgepackt.

Moschofilero from Mantineia

Auf dem arkadischen Hochplateau um Mantineia auf rund 650 Metern wächst die rosaschalige Traube Moschofilero. Sie ergibt einen hellen, säurebetonten Weißwein mit Rosen- und Zitrusnoten, der kühl serviert gut zu Fisch und Mezedes passt. Mantineia ist eine eigene geschützte Herkunftsbezeichnung. Mehrere Weingüter an der Straße zwischen Tripoli und Vytina nehmen Besucher an.

Agiorgitiko from Nemea

Nemea ist die größte Rotweinregion Griechenlands und liegt zwischen Korinth und Argos. Die Rebsorte Agiorgitiko liefert je nach Höhenlage weiche, fruchtige Weine bis zu tanninbetonten Gewächsen aus den höheren Lagen um Koutsi und Asprokambos. Der Anbau reicht nachweislich bis in die Antike zurück. Viele Betriebe im Tal bieten Verkostungen ohne Voranmeldung an.

Culture and History of the Peloponnese

Mycenaeans and Classical AntiquityThe fortresses of Mycenae and Tiryns date from the late Bronze Age and are a joint UNESCO World Heritage site. From classical antiquity, the Sanctuary of Olympia, the theatre in the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus, and the city of Messene remain, but little can be seen of ancient Sparta.Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, OttomansAfter the Roman era, rulers changed many times. The ruined city of Mystras near Sparta, 14th and 15th century capital of the Byzantine Despotate of Morea, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with its frescoed churches. Venetians and Ottomans left the fortresses of Nafplio, Methoni, Koroni, and Monemvasia.Independence and PresentIn 1821, the Greek War of Independence began on the Peloponnese, and 1827 saw the decisive battle in Navarino Bay. Nafplio was the first capital of modern Greece from 1829 to 1834. Religious life is defined by the Greek Orthodox Church, with many monasteries, chapels, and celebrations at Easter and on August 15.

Traveling on the Peloponnese

Car Rental: The StandardExploring the Peloponnese without your own car is challenging. The A7 (Moreas) toll motorway connects Corinth, Tripoli, and Kalamata, while the A8 (Olympia Odos) runs from Athens to Patras, from where the Rio bridge leads to Central Greece. For routes such as Nafplio to Monemvasia or drives into the Mani, allow significantly more time than the mileage suggests, as country roads are winding and pass through every village. In mountainous areas, petrol stations are few and far between; fill up before long journeys.Bus and TrainFrom Athens, regional KTEL buses serve all major towns. However, inter-town routes are usually oriented towards the respective district capital: for example, from Nafplio to Kalamata, you'll generally travel via Tripoli. The suburban train Proastiakos runs from Athens via Corinth to Kiato. From the former narrow-gauge network, the rack railway from Diakofto to Kalavryta and the suburban service around Patras are still in operation.FerriesFrom Kyllini, ferries sail to Zakynthos and Kefalonia; from Patras to Kefalonia, Ithaka, and Italy; and from Neapoli to Kythira. During high season, rental cars are scarce and expensive; book early.

Round trips through this region

Peloponnese Tour

From Athens, you drive across the Corinth Canal to Nafplion, from where Mycenae and Epidaurus are a short drive away. To conclude, head southeast to Monemvasia; the drive from Nafplion takes around two and a half hours.

9 Days

4 stops

Nearby

Nafplio

Nafplio lies on Argolis' east coast, on the Argolian Gulf, some 140 kilometers southwest of Athens. From 1823 to 1834, it served as the first capital of independent Greece, having previously seen Venetians and Ottomans alternately rule its port. The city retains three fortresses, a compact old town of Venetian and neoclassical houses, and a scenic rock path encircling the peninsula.

Mycenae

Ancient Epidauros

Corinth

Corinth is situated on the Isthmus, the narrowest point between the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland, and thus controlled traffic between two seas for centuries. The ancient city was destroyed by Rome in 146 BC and re-established as a colony a century later; it was here that the Apostle Paul preached. The Temple of Apollo, the Acrocorinth fortress, and the canal opened in 1893 represent three very different eras in one place.

Ancient Olympia

Food and Drink on the Peloponnese

The peninsula's cuisine features olive oil, mountain herbs, and garden vegetables. Fish is a coastal staple; inland, lamb, goat, and legumes dominate. Also, two wine regions with unique profiles.

Kalamata olives and olive oil

Sfela

Diples

Moschofilero from Mantineia

Agiorgitiko from Nemea

Culture and History of the Peloponnese

Traveling on the Peloponnese