Historic Peloponnese

Greece is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, and justifiably so. Numerous islands invite you to dream, and many cities, foremost among them Athens, allow you to travel back in time. One of my highlights in Greece is the beautiful Peloponnese peninsula.

In the southwest, the dream island Peloponnese borders the Greek mainland and truly offers everything you could wish for. Here, you will encounter more ancient excavations and ruins than anywhere else, and yet it never gets boring. Every place has its own story to tell, which will impress you and bring you closer to its ancient past. You can find everything you need to know about the most beautiful cities, excavations, and beaches here.

Interesting facts about Peloponnese

Sights and popular places

Dream beaches

The beautiful Peloponnese peninsula is located in southern Greece and was named after the mythical figure Pelops, son of King Tantalus, which is why it is often referred to as 'the Island of Pelops.' In ancient times, significant centers of Mycenaean culture existed in the Peloponnese, many of which were destroyed around 1200 BC. However, there are still some remnants from that era to be found today. Especially the cities of Mycenae and Tiryns stand as important witnesses of that time and are certainly worth a visit. Over the years, the peninsula has been settled by many different cultures and peoples and will not disappoint any history enthusiasts among you. With an area of just over 20,000 km², Peloponnese is roughly the size of New Jersey, but with a population of about one million, it is significantly less densely populated.

If you are flying in from the United States, you can either fly directly to the island of Patras (GPA) or reach the island via Athens. However, the airport in Patras is rarely served by direct flights, so this could become problematic, especially outside of the peak season. From Athens, for example, you can reach Nafplio on Peloponnese within two hours.

By the way, your first highlight awaits you before you have even properly arrived on the peninsula: the Corinth Canal. This canal is located between the Greek mainland and the Peloponnese and was built in the 19th century to significantly shorten the sea route. At just 6.3 km long, the canal saved ships a 325 km long detour around Peloponnese and thus provided great assistance for navigation. However, only smaller ships can use this shortcut since the canal is only 24 meters wide and eight meters deep. Make sure to admire the unique canal yourself, either during a boat tour or from the bridge!

Greece, and especially Peloponnese, is worth a visit almost all year round. The Mediterranean climate promises mild winters and hot summers with little rainfall. If you want to do a lot of activities and sightseeing, perhaps hiking or biking, we recommend the months of April, May, September, and October, as the temperatures are pleasantly warm but not too hot at that time. In the summer months, it can occasionally reach 40 degrees Celsius - perfect if you are planning a beach vacation and enjoy the heat. However, you can still have a pleasant time here in November and December, especially since you will not encounter as many tourists and can explore the sights and cities with more tranquility. Only January and February are not ideal for a trip to Peloponnese, as the weather is usually very rainy and windy, and with maximum temperatures of 15 degrees, it remains rather chilly.

Depending on where exactly you are heading in Peloponnese, the various cities offer numerous cozy hotels with Greek flair or comfortable vacation apartments and houses for the perfect vacation. Check out our favorite tips and then find the right accommodation for you. You have the choice between different hotels as well as offers for vacation rentals.

Corinth

Nafplion

Epidaurus

Nemea

Olympia

More Highlights

In addition to picturesque landscapes, dream sandy beaches, and historical excavation sites, Peloponnese also offers beautiful villages and towns that invite you to stroll through the streets and indulge in traditional tavernas. Learn more about the exciting past of the peninsula by visiting historical museums and ancient buildings and fortresses, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Greece.

Corinth is located directly at the isthmus connecting Peloponnese to the mainland, about 80 km from Athens. Once, it was among the largest cities in Greece alongside Sparta and the capital itself and was considered an important economic and trade metropolis.

Info: Excavations of Corinth

Opening Hours:

• May-Sep.: 8 AM - 8 PM

• Oct. 1-15: 8 AM - 7 PM

• Oct. 16-31: 8 AM - 6 PM

• Nov-Apr.: 8 AM - 3 PM

Admission:

• Adults: 8€

• Reduced: 4€

• Under 18 years, EU students (with ID): free

The remains of this ancient city can be found against the backdrop of the table mountain Acrocorinth, six kilometers from present-day Corinth, and are one of the most popular sights on the peninsula. The historical ruins provide a unique experience to relive the history of the past. Here, antiquity is conveyed in a special way, like nowhere else. As you stroll through the city, you can easily imagine how the houses and shops must have looked and how life unfolded here. By the way, most of the preserved structures date from Roman and not Greek times. If you want to explore the entire open-air museum, you should set aside at least half a day, as there is so much to discover. A hike up the 575-meter high table mountain to the fortress of Acrocorinth is particularly beautiful. You will be rewarded with a wonderful panoramic view and surprisingly well-preserved ruins of the castle.

Today, Corinth is a modern port city with nearly 60,000 inhabitants. The Greek flair is particularly evident at the beautiful harbor. Numerous small cafés and restaurants invite you to take a break after a cultural excursion to the excavations. Alternatively, you can spend the afternoon on a little shopping tour through Corinth's shopping streets. Regardless of how you spend it, Corinth is definitely worth a visit.

The city was founded by the son of the sea god Poseidon and was considered for a time, specifically from 1828 to 1834, as the first capital of independent Greece before it handed over this title to Athens.

Many consider Nafplion to be the most beautiful city in Greece, which we can definitely understand. The picturesque townscape with its neoclassical houses and winding old alleys enhances the maritime charm of this coastal town. Cozy tavernas line up next to sweet shops and small cafés. Stroll along the promenade and enjoy the fresh sea air, or take the climb over 999 steps up to the Palamidi fortress, the largest in all of Greece. If that's not enough history for the day, a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Nafplion is worthwhile.

Another excursion you shouldn't miss takes you to Mycenae, located 20 km away. During the Bronze Age, it served as a royal palace, fortress, power center of the Mycenaean kings, and namesake of Mycenaean high culture.

Info: Mycenae

Opening Hours:

• March: 8 AM - 5 PM

• April & September: 8 AM - 7 PM

• May-August: 8 AM - 8 PM

• October: 8 AM - 6 PM

• November-February: 8 AM - 3 PM

Admission:

• Adults: 12€

• Reduced: 6€

• Children (up to 18 years): free

• Free admission: March 6, April 18, May 18, September 29 & 30, October 28

So embark on a journey into the past and visit the Cyclopean walls, the famous Lion Gate, and the unique dome tombs. Together, these excavations rank among the most famous sites of ancient Greece. And rightly so, Mycenae has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

For those of you who are captivated by Mycenae and its excavations and wish to delve deeper into history, we also recommend a visit to Tiryns. Tiryns is often referred to as the younger sibling of Mycenae and although the site historically has just as much significance as Mycenae, it is far less visited. So if you want to explore the excavations and ruins of the Mycenaean era in peace and do not want to share them with large crowds of tourists, Tiryns is the right place for you. From Nafplion, it takes less than 10 minutes by car, making it perfect for a short trip. Since it is much smaller than Mycenae, you won't need as much time here, but you definitely shouldn't miss the well-restored eight-meter-thick Cyclopean walls. The excavation site is open daily from 8 AM and closes between 6 PM and 8 PM. The admission price is 4€ for adults. As in most sites and museums in Greece, admission is free for children and EU students.

Wow, we believe no other country in the world has so many historical excavations in close proximity to offer as Greece. You might think that after the third excavation site, you have seen enough and the old stones look all the same somewhere - but not at all!

Opening Hours: Daily: 8 AM - 7 PM

Prices:

• Adults: 6€

• EU students, children, seniors from the EU over 65, and people with disabilities: free

• Free admission: March 6, April 18, May 18, June 5, October 28, last weekend in September, every first Sunday from November to March

Each site tells its own personal story and thus gives the ancient ruins a very special character, and the same goes for the theater of Epidaurus. Located 30 km from Nafplion, you will encounter the once luxurious spa with its unique theater. Built into the hillside 2300 years ago, it accommodated 14,000 spectators, impressive for that time, isn't it? However, what is truly astonishing is the acoustics in the theater. Because even from the last row, you can hear when a piece of paper is ripped or a coin falls to the ground. You must also check out the surrounding buildings and the temple on the grounds. Originally, pilgrims came here to pray. The sick hoped for a speedy recovery, as medical expertise and, of course, the help of the healing gods could be found here.

'Greek wine is like the blood of the earth, come pour yourself a glass...' This refrain from Udo Jürgens immediately comes to mind when we think of the stunning region of Nemea in the heart of Peloponnese. And for good reason: With 45 different wineries in its region, Nemea is the birthplace of the Agiorgitiko grape variety, a red grape that has been growing here for millennia and is mainly processed into wine, which is a true delight. The gentle hills and seemingly endless vineyards create the perfect atmosphere. Here you can escape daily stress with extensive walks and end the evening - of course - with a delicious glass of red wine. And of course, there's more to discover in Nemea. Here, you'll find another excavation site and one of the four venues of the ancient games. The 'Nemean Games' still take place here every four years, in which anyone can participate. So, you will become part of Greek history. Cool, right?

And since we're on the subject of ancient games, let's keep going with the birthplace of the games in Olympia!

Opening Hours:

• April-October: daily 8 AM - 8 PM

• November-March: daily 8 AM - 3 PM

Admission:

• 12€, reduced 6€ (high season)

• 6€ and reduced 3€ (low season)

• Free admission: March 6, April 18, May 18, October 28, last weekend in September, every first Sunday from November to March

The ancient city will surely amaze you, and especially the ancient stadium has something magical about it. Through the entrance gate, you enter the stands from where spectators cheered during the competitions. Additionally, you will find the hippodrome, where chariot races were held, public baths, and villas belonging to the Roman Emperor Nero, among others. If you want to learn more about the history of the ancient games and their tragic end, a visit to the archaeological museum is worthwhile. Another highlight in ancient Olympia is the ruins of the Temple of Zeus. It was once the largest in all of Peloponnese and is still considered a masterpiece of ancient architecture.

Did you know? The flame is still ignited at the Hera Altar near the Temple of Hera, and the torch relay begins.

Sparta: Particularly noteworthy are the ancient ruins and excavations that are freely accessible.

Argos: The oldest city in Greece with the steepest and largest amphitheater built into the Larissa Hill. It accommodates 20,000 spectators and is thus even larger than Epidaurus.

Stemnitsa: A small, cozy village famous for its blacksmithing. A path from the charming village square with cafés and traditional tavernas leads to a viewing terrace overlooking the Lousios Valley.

Dimitsana: An idyllic mountain village with countless alleys, steep stairs, churches, and beautiful views.

Prodromou Monastery: While hiking through the Lousios Gorge, you'll come across this hidden monastery. Impressively, it is built into the rock. You can also visit the interior until 1 PM.

Mystras: The Byzantine ruin city with its castle lies six kilometers southwest of Sparta and still reminds us of its glorious past.

Now, enough with the ancient excavations and historical ruins! So, off to the beach. But which one? Since we are on a peninsula, we are surrounded by the sea, and there are numerous beaches. Here are some of the favorites:

Elafonisos: In the southeastern Peloponnese lies the small offshore island of Elafonisos in the Ionian Sea. It is a true gem. Here you will find the stunning double beach 'Simos Beach.' The offshore sand dune is only connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand, creating a fascinating double bay. This is where you'll feel the Caribbean vibes!

Voidokilia Bay: Welcome to one of the most famous beaches in Greece! The white, fine sandy beach is almost circular and surrounded by green dunes on one side and crystal-clear water on the other, inviting you to snorkel and swim.

Golden Beach (Divari Beach): The long stretch of beach runs along the narrow peninsula between Navarino and the Divari Lagoon. The soft sand and calm, clear sea are especially suitable for children. Moreover, you have a great view of Pylos and the rocky island of Sphaktiria from here.

Petrochori & Romanos: A special natural spectacle occurs every year at these two beaches near Pylos in Messinia, as the loggerhead sea turtle lays its eggs here between June and September. The nesting sites are, of course, secured by conservationists, and you should not enter these areas. Since this species is endangered, conservationists seek volunteers every year to help save these impressive marine creatures. If you value these animals as much as I do, this could be an opportunity to combine your vacation with something helpful and assist in the rescue of the turtles.

As you can see, the Greek Peloponnese peninsula has a lot to offer. Countless historical and ancient excavations that tell history in their unique way, cozy towns with Greek flair, and dreamlike sandy beaches that let you truly relax. Want to see more of Greece? Check out our tips and current Greece offers to see if you might be heading to Peloponnese soon!