Western Greece

Home to Olympia, birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games, plus the port city of Patras and the Rio–Antirrio Bridge, a gateway to the west.

Western Greece lies in the west of the country, covering the northwestern Peloponnese and parts of the mainland on the north shore of the Gulf of Corinth. The ancient site of Olympia in Elis is the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games and where the Olympic flame is lit; the capital, Patras, is an important port known for its carnival, with ferries to Italy and the Ionian Islands; the Rio–Antirrio Bridge spans the Gulf of Corinth, and on the north shore are the old town of Nafpaktos and the Messolonghi lagoon; in the mountains, Kalavryta can be reached by rack railway. Spring and autumn are best for visiting. It can be reached from Athens by motorway, and the port of Katakolo is a cruise-ship stop.

Destinations

• Olympia
• Patras
• Kalavryta
• Lefkada

Itineraries

• Classical Greece Mainland Loop – A classic heritage route from Athens looping through Argolis, Olympia, Delphi, and Meteora.
• Southern Peloponnese Road Trip – A self-drive loop from Athens covering Argolis, Monemvasia, the Mani Peninsula, and Olympia.
• Ionian Islands Road Trip: Lefkada, Kefalonia & Zakynthos – Fly into Preveza and drive south, taking your car on ferries to hop through Lefkada, Kefalonia, and Zakynthos.