Peloponnese

The peninsula south of the Isthmus of Corinth, densely packed with sites such as Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia and Mystras, and ideal for a road trip.

This region includes the Peloponnese region (Corinthia, Argolis, Arcadia, Laconia and Messenia) and the Western Greece region (Patras in Achaea, Olympia in Elis, and Aetolia-Acarnania on the mainland north shore of the Gulf of Corinth). It borders Attica to the east and mainland Central Greece to the north, with the Ionian Islands across the sea to the west.

It is one of the regions with the greatest concentration of ancient Greek sites: Ancient Corinth and the Corinth Canal, the Mycenae citadel and Lion Gate, the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, the ancient stadium and the ruins of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Apollo at Bassae, and the World Heritage Byzantine city of Mystras. Nafplio, the first capital of independent Greece, is overlooked by the Palamidi fortress and makes a good base for the east. In the south, the rock town of Monemvasia, the stone-tower villages of the Mani peninsula, and Pylos and Methoni Castle in Messenia each have their own character.

The classic road-trip loop is Athens – Corinth – Nafplio (Mycenae, Epidaurus) – Mystras – Monemvasia – Mani – Kalamata – Olympia – Patras, best done in 6–8 days. Public transport is mainly long-distance buses with limited services, so renting a car is most convenient; the Rio–Antirrio Bridge links Patras with the north shore. Sites are hot at midday in summer, so arrive early.

Destinations

• Nafplio
• Olympia
• Patras
• Kalavryta
• Mani Peninsula
• Monemvasia

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.
• Athens City Plus Three Day Trips – Base in Athens, with day trips to the Argolid archaeological sites, Hydra Island and Cape Sounion.
• Athens & Argolis Short Break – A short getaway combining one day in Athens with two nights in Nafplio, covering Mycenae and Epidaurus.