Discover the archaeological treasure trove of UNESCO World Heritage sites and a stunning coastline fringed by spectacular beaches, colorful cities, and not-to-miss landmarks in this complete Peloponnese Travel Guide.
Where is the Peloponnese?
The Peloponnese peninsula is the most popular part of the Greek mainland for tourists and locals alike and a place authentically Greek, featuring quaint mountainous villages, exciting shores, and variety of beaches, lovely towns, and above all – some of the most significant ancient ruins in the world.
Situated in the southwest corner of Greece, the Peloponnese is close to Athens (1.5 hours drive), the islands of Argosaronic Gulf, and some of the Ionian islands.
Its shores stretch out to the Gulf of Cornith, the Ionian, Mediterranean, and the Aegean Seas.
The Peloponnese used to be a large peninsula connected to the Greek mainland before the Corinth Canal was created in 1893, effectively making it a separate landmass from the rest of mainland Greece.
Nowadays, it is linked to the mainland via two bridges – one in Patras city and one at Corinth spanning the Corinth Canal.
The Peloponnese is shaped like a palm, making it easy to understand and navigate. The main areas are Nafplio and the Argolis peninsula, Laconia, Mani, Messinia, and the landlocked mainland area known as Arcadia.
Peloponnese Map
What Makes the Peloponnese Unique?
The Peloponnese is Greece in a nutshell, and not only because of its diverse landscapes that range from high mountains with ski resorts in the winter to the beaches easily putting behind any of the island ones.
It’s because of the rich past of the Ancient, Venetian, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Modern Greece that played out in and around the Peloponnese until well after World War II.
This large landmass was once filled with independent city-states like Ancient Corinth and Ancient Sparta.
Each of the city-states was staggeringly wealthy, and each protected its assets and its trade routes through citadels, Cyclopean walls, forts, and, during the Medieval period, castles and monastery communities.
The Peloponnese is the home of one of the world’s most significant civilizations – the Myceneans.
The ancient city of Mycenae and the Cyclopean Walls of Tiryns are highlights of any visit to the Peloponnese and lie on the route from Athens, through the Corinth Canal, south to Nafplio.
The Venetian port of Nafplio is a well-preserved defense, as is Palmidi Castle high above it, that sought to keep marauders from the Aegean Sea at bay.
But before these defensive structures, there were religious sanctuaries dedicated to the ancient Greek gods and even to earlier deities.
Some of these religious sanctuaries became famous throughout the world – the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ancient Olympia, for example, because it was the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Best Time to Visit the Peloponnese?
The beautiful thing about the Peloponnese is that it is a year-round destination perfectly suited to summer holidaymakers, short weekend breaks, day trips from Athens, winter sun-seeking escapes, as well as the long stays by many expats who spend months enjoying its sunny weather.
| Month | Min Temp (°C) | Max Temp (°C) | Avg Temp (°C) | Min Temp (°F) | Max Temp (°F) | Avg Temp (°F) | Avg Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | 13 | 10.5 | 46 | 55 | 50.9 | 11 |
| February | 8 | 14 | 11 | 46 | 57 | 51.8 | 9 |
| March | 9 | 16 | 12.5 | 48 | 61 | 54.5 | 8 |
| April | 11 | 19 | 15 | 52 | 66 | 59 | 7 |
| May | 15 | 24 | 19.5 | 59 | 75 | 67.1 | 5 |
| June | 19 | 29 | 24 | 66 | 84 | 75.2 | 3 |
| July | 22 | 31 | 26.5 | 72 | 88 | 79.7 | 1 |
| August | 23 | 32 | 27.5 | 73 | 89 | 81.5 | 1 |
| September | 20 | 28 | 24 | 68 | 82 | 75.2 | 3 |
| October | 17 | 24 | 20.5 | 63 | 75 | 68.9 | 6 |
| November | 13 | 19 | 16 | 55 | 66 | 60.8 | 8 |
| December | 10 | 15 | 12.5 | 50 | 59 | 54.5 | 11 |
🚶♀️ Shoulder season (April-June and September-November) is the best for exploration, hikes, gastronomy, and sightseeing.
⛷️ Ski season is December to February.
How to get to and around the Peloponnese?
The Peloponnese region of mainland Greece is easy to access from Athens but also from the Ionian Islands such as Corfu and by ferries from Italy.
Suburban trains from Athens (called proastiakos) go as far as Kiato (past Corinthos) in the Peloponnese and from there you can take a regular train as far as Patras.
Driving from Athens is easy and straightforward, due to new well-maintained highway. It is perfect for visits to Nafplio, Mycenae, and the Argolis region more broadly.
Driving Times between Athens and the Major Centers of the Peloponnese
Athens to: | Distance (miles/km) | Average Driving Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Corinth | 50 miles/80 km | 1 hour |
| Mycenae | 78 miles/126 km | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Tiryns | 83 miles/134 km | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Nafplio | 86 miles/138 km | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Epidaurus | 80 miles/129 km | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Patras | 126 miles/202 km | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Messina | 142 miles/229 km | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Ancient Olympia | 196 miles/316 km | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Monemvasia | 227 miles/365 km | 4 hours 30 minutes |
| Kalamata | 149 miles/239 km | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Sparta | 132 miles/213 km | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Visit to the Peloponnese
There are two important things to know about traveling in the Peloponnese. The first is that within a very small area are some of the most significant historical sites in the world.
The Peloponnese is home to 5 of Greece’s 19 World Heritage sites. It takes time to take in the civilizations you’ll encounter in Mycenae, Corinth, and Olympia.
So my number one tip is: take it slow. Don’t shuttle between ancient wonders in a hurry. You’ll get tired, hot and sweaty, and they’ll all blur together.
The second thing you need to know is that a conga line of buses snakes between Athens and the major sites and towns of the Peloponnese every day.
They arrive at their first stop, the Corinth Canal, about 8 am and then convoy onwards in a well-worn route through the major attractions.
So my second tip is this: beat the buses. See the Corinth Canal on the return journey.
Get to the major sites just before they open and afterwards spend a leisurely day by the beach and in the towns and tavernas of the region.
The Top Attractions in the Peloponnese
There are two important things to know about traveling in the Peloponnese. The first is that within a very small area are some of the most significant historical sites in the world.
The Peloponnese is home to 5 of Greece’s 19 World Heritage sites. It takes time to take in the civilizations you’ll encounter in Mycenae, Corinth, and Olympia.
So my number one tip is: take it slow. Don’t shuttle between ancient wonders in a hurry. You’ll get tired, hot and sweaty, and they’ll all blur together.
The second thing you need to know is that a conga line of buses snake between Athens and the major sites and towns of the Peloponnese, arriving at their first stop, the Corinth Canal, about 8 am and then onwards in a well-worn route through the major attractions.
So my second tip is this: beat the buses. See the Corinth Canal on the return journey. Get to the major sites just before they open and afterwards spend a leisurely day by the beach and in the towns and tavernas of the region.
The Top Attractions in the Peloponnese
1. Your journey to the magnificent Peloponnese region of Greece begins at the breathtaking Corinth Canal.
This man-made marvel, connecting the Aegean and Ionian seas, boasts a significant historical lineage stretching back to Roman times. You can take a boat ride and spend several hours, or just wander across it.
Tip: If you’re headed for Ancient Corinth, see the canal on the return journey and get to the archaeological site ahead of the convoys of tour buses.
2. Next, delve into the ruins of the once-unrivaled city-state of Ancient Corinth. Here, you will walk in the footsteps of the famed Apostle Paul.
Being a large archaeological site with an excellent museum, plan to spend up to half a day exploring if, like me, you love historical sites. Some people spend about 90 minutes. The site opens at 8:30 AM.
3. The bronze age of the mighty citadel of Mycenae heralds a significant epoch in Greek history. Come face to face with remnants from the time of Homer.
I spend a half-day here, but some people spend an hour and a half. I don’t understand why, as this is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.
Don’t forget to see the Treasury of Atreus, just before the archaeological site. The site opens from 8:00 AM.
4. Tiryns, another significant Mycenaean site, takes about 30 – 45 minutes to explore. The Cyclopean walls are well worth the short side trip between Mycenae and Nafplio.
These ruins are typically open from 8:00 AM till sunset all through the week and I am sometimes the only person there!
5. The charming coastal town of Nafplio, with its sizzling Venetian architecture and vibrant cafes, provides a serene spot to unwind.
A couple of days here is perfect. Nafplio is my preferred base for exploring the Peloponnese.
Rising above the town is Palamidi Fortress which is definitely worth exploring. There are lovely beaches below it.
6. The acoustic masterpiece that is Epidaurus. Home to one of the best-preserved ancient Greek theaters, plan for a 2-3 hour tour of Epidaurus if you explore the Sanctuary of Asclepius or 30 minutes if you only visit the theater.
It’s accessible from 8.00 AM.
7. The Byzantine fortress town of Monemvasia presents unique medieval vibes. There’s not much left of the Kastro’s once-magnificent Upper Town but it’s worth a climb up the large stone steps.
It’s an excellent day trip – back into the Greek Middle Ages – from Nafplio. You can visit at any time.
8. Sparta, synonymous with ancient warriors, carries an illustrious historical presence. A stroll through its archaeological museum takes about 1-2 hours and starts from 8:00 AM.
9. At Mystras, get engrossed in a beautifully preserved Byzantine city. Allocate a half day to explore this wonder that opens from 8:30 AM.
10. Finally, head over to the western Peloponnese to the stadium of Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. There is a whole UNESCO World Heritage archaeological zone to explore, so factor in around 3 hours.
Opening hours are from 8:00 AM.
The Beaches of the Peloponnese
This is Greece and there is a long coastline here full of wonderful beaches. See this detailed guide to the best Peloponnese beaches.
