Located in the south of the country, the Peloponnese peninsula is a treat for all your senses. Shaped like a tree leaf, the pristine Peloponnese beaches, charming villages, archaeological sites, mysterious ruins, medieval castles, olive groves, mountain peaks, and vineyards combine to make this region one of the most fascinating places to visit in Greece.

We explored the Peloponnese region on a road trip along with the rest of Greece’s mainland and many of the famous and obscure Greek Islands; it was a favorite of our many road trips across the planet.

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Peloponnese at a Glance

• Largest city: Patras
• Population: 577.903
• Area: 8,320 sq. mi.
• Currency: Euro

Here are some tips on what to pack for Greece.

Here are our favorite Peloponnese beaches and other things to do.

10 Olympia

Founded in the 8th century B.C., Olympia is the ancient site on Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula and the birthplace of the first original Olympic Games nearly three thousand years ago.

The site encompasses extensive ruins including temples and sacrificial alters dedicated to the gods Zeus and Hera, and where the flame for the Olympic Games is still lit before it travels around the world.

Much has changed since those ancient games, e.g. the clothing worn by the athletes and the fact that women are now allowed to compete, but the thrill of being recognized as the best of the best remains true.

There is an on-site Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity, which displays artifacts about the history of the ancient games.

9 Corinth

Ancient Corinth is a historic site on the Isthmus of Corinth roughly between Athens and Sparta in Greece. The city dates back to between 5000-3000 BC, the Neolithic period, and was once the wealthiest city-state in Greece.

Corinth was the greatest port of ancient Greek controlling the bays on both sides of the Isthmus. It was a meeting point for merchants and travelers of the East and West and a mandatory passage for all those who sought to travel between northern Greece and the Peloponnese peninsula.

Silhouetted against a periwinkle sky, one of the first sights we encountered in ancient Corinth was the ornate, albeit crumbling, stone columns of carved stone.

Greek Doric temple, the Temple of Apollo, as well as having the first example in the Greek world of terracotta roof tiles for its roof.

While I’m usually more of an outdoor adventure seeker, I will say that the museum on-site was amazing. Ancient artifacts abound, including sculptures mosaics, ancient tools, and even a sarcophagus.

Another nearby site is the Acrocorinth, a hilltop fortress standing sentry over the ancient city.

8 Mycenae

This fascinating Late Bronze Age settlement of Mycenae (1250 BC) depicts a flourishing civilization set on meticulously sculpted stone-block foundations which were constructed by Cyclops, according to the myth. Known as the City of Gold, the city once had a population of 30,000 residents and is the home of the legendary Trojan War hero, King Agamemnon and his wife Clytemnestra.

Visitors can enter the citadel through the famous Lion’s Gate, climb into the site’s secret cistern, and explore the royal tholos Tomb of Clytemnestra, the Treasury of Atreus, and the vaulted tomb of Agamemnon.

There is a sprawling overlook where visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city’s ancient layout, olive groves, fertile fields, and layers of high mountain peaks beyond.

7 Dimitrios Shipwreck Beach

User: Bgabel at wikivoyage shared, CC BY-SA 3.0 Wikimedia Commons

Dimitrios is a Greek shipwreck famous for its picturesque location between Valtaki and Selinitsa Beaches near Gythio, Greece. The imposing rusty hulk of the “ghost” cargo ship has been abandoned since 1981. It is believed that this ship was used for transporting illegal cigarettes between Turkey and Italy

The mysterious decaying wreck is a classic Instagram opportunity; there is even a small sand bar that connects it to the land allowing visitors to walk right up to it without getting their feet wet. It’s one of the best Peloponnese beaches!

6 Limeni

Oozing seaside charm, Limeni is a picturesque fishing village on the coast of the Mani Peninsula. Its historic old stone house towers seem to literally hang over the rocky cliffs and crystal turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

It is a charming place with narrow cobblestone alleys that you can easily explore in a day.

5 Monemvasia

Dramatic cliffs plunge straight down into the Aegean, highlighting the beauty of the preserved medieval village of Monemvasia at the tip of the Peloponnese. There are no roads in the village itself so visitors need to park their cars outside the ancient city gates.

The rocky outcrop protected the village during invasions and today offers spectacular photo opportunities. If you hike up to the top of the mountain to the Church of Agia Sofia you will find ruins of part of the ancient city that once served as a lookout.

4 Dimitsana

G Da, CC BY-SA 3.0 Wikimedia Commons

Nestled in the steep slopes of Mt. Mainalo at an altitude of 3,280 feet, the medieval village of Dimitsana is built like an amphitheater overlooking the Lousios River (where, according to mythology, Zeus used to bathe), Lousios Valley, and the plains of Megalopoli.

Dimitsana’s beautiful mountain scenery, stone houses, restored mansions with red-tiled roofs, and its history as the heart of the Greek independence movement in the early 1800s make it a fascinating place to explore. Visitors can see places where the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottoman occupation began. The village is synonymous with legendary heroes, fierce battles, and glorious achievements.

Some of its most famous sights are the six remaining legendary Gunpowder Mills that used to produce gunpowder for the Revolutionary War, the Philosophou and Timiou Prodromou Monasteries, the archaeological site of Gortyna, the open-air Water Power Museum and the houses of heroes of the Revolution.

The main road is lined with cafes and shops selling traditional products.

3 Mani Peninsula

Known by its medieval name Maina, the Mani Peninsula is home to the Maniots, who claim to be descended from the ancient Dorians and Spartans. Stunning landscapes, glorious towers, houses that look like real fortresses, and fascinating historical stories offer visitors a variety of attractions. Tower houses, castles, ancient sites, Byzantine chapels, beautiful beaches, and spectacular caves stand waiting to be explored.

A highlight of Mani, Kardamyli is an idyllic sea-side town featuring whitewashed houses, towering cypress trees, the historic church of Saint Spyridon, a view of  Mount Taygetus, and some beaches (however they are pebbly, not soft sand).

Homer wrote of Kardamyli in the Iliad, further supporting the village’s mesmerizing, millennia-old past. As you step through the main gate you’ll find the relief sculpture of the two-headed eagle of Byzantium, the empire’s emblem where the elders who created this stone village had a powerful influence on the modern history of Greece. You’ll also find the ruins of Mourtzinos Castle and frescoes in the Byzantine Church of Eisodia.

G Da, CC BY-SA 3.0 Wikimedia Commons

Another village, Vathia, is known for its tower houses built on a hill dominating the surrounding countryside. This settlement, built as a fortress to protect the people from pirate attacks, has been a ghost village for many years. Tall, imposing tower houses were built close to each other with small alleys in between, creating a mystical vibe.

Around the beginning of the 20th century, Vathia was abandoned, as the locals searched for jobs in the bigger cities.

Ghost town Vathiа is now one of the top attractions in Greece, especially for those looking for their Instagram moment. The position on a high hill overlooking the sea below with narrow roads winding around it is dramatic and mysterious, to say the least.

2 Mystras

Mystras is a well-preserved ancient monastery site framed by the tall peaks of Mount Taygetos. The vast hilltop remains served as the capital of the Peloponnesus under the Palaiologos dynasty in the 14th and 15th centuries and was one of the foremost seats of the Byzantine Empire outside Constantinople.

Mystras is magical, with its hilltop palace, Byzantine churches with orange tile roofs, and breathtaking views of mountain peaks and lush valleys. Some of the buildings, such as Agios Demitrios and the Pantanassa, still feature vibrant murals dating from several hundred years ago.

A full exploration of this site requires hiking up and down mountain paths. Visitors should plan to spend at least two hours exploring and bring plenty of water.

1 Nafplio

Nafplio, on the Peloponnese Peninsula, was our favorite and most beautiful city we visited on our road trip across mainland Greece. Once the capital of Greece, Nafplio is the playground of Athens’ rich and famous.

Poised on the coast and long famous as a port city, this historic town offers sweeping ocean views, charming town squares, sidewalk cafes, and stunning wrought-iron embellished homes.

The Ottomans, Byzantines, Venetians, and many more have all left their mark on this little seaside metropolis. Citadels and fortresses dot the hillsides giving Nafplio an enticing charm.

Nafplio is one of the most romantic towns in Europe. Our rental apartment overlooked the old town below and gave us a daily sunrise so exploding with a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors that we made it a point to wake up at the crack of dawn every morning to capture it. 137 steps located right outside our door took us directly into the heart of the old town. We loved this option as we headed out to dinner each night…not so much on the climb back with full bellies!

We loved exploring the pedestrian-only, narrow, winding streets of the old town filled with neo-classical mansions, and churches and overlooked by the 400-year-old Venetian Palamidi Fortress. The seaside esplanade is a great place to sample delicious seafood as the sun goes down over the harbor.

There’s also Avanitia Beach, accessed by climbing to the ruins of Akronafplia Castle and then down to the beach. You can also access the beach by car, but where’s the fun in that? The ruins overlooking the sea make it one of the best Peloponnese beaches!

Nafplio is an excellent base to explore other ancient sites in Peloponnese, such as Corinth, Mystra, and  Mycenae.

What to Eat in Peloponnese

Moussaka – layers of eggplant,  potato, ground beef or lamb, tomato sauce, and creamy béchamel sauce. It tastes like an exotic version of lasagna.

Souvlaki –  small pieces of spiced lamb grilled on a skewer. It is usually eaten straight off the skewer while still hot.

Mussels – Greece is one of the world’s main producers of the delicious Mediterranean mussel

Baklava – a delicious traditional dessert made of layers of crispy golden brown phyllo, filled with chopped walnuts and garnished with honey syrup.

Raki (also known as tsikoudia) – a strong, homemade spirit with high alcohol content sometimes made from plums. It’s traditionally consumed as a digestif, many times complimentary from the restaurant as an expression of hospitality.

Ouzo – a dry anise-flavored aperitif and Greece’s signature spirit.

Corinth

All photos ©Kary Kern unless otherwise indicated.

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About the Author

Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.

She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the new few months.

Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.