Peloponnese Travel Guide
Nafplio old town and Akronafplia from Palamidi. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
The Peloponnese is the great southern peninsula, and the densest concentration of classical Greece anywhere: Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Mystras and ancient Corinth within a few hours of each other.
Nafplio was the first capital of modern Greece (1828-1833), a Venetian town under the Palamidi fortress. Mycenae (UNESCO 1999) was the Bronze Age citadel of Agamemnon; the theatre of Epidaurus (UNESCO 1988) is famous for its acoustics. Mystras preserves a Byzantine ghost city; Monemvasia is a rock fortress-town in the sea; the Mani peninsula keeps its tower houses.
Destinations in Peloponnese
Theatre of EpidaurusThe 4th-century BC theatre with perfect acoustics; still used by the summer festival.
NafplioThe first capital of modern Greece: Palamidi fortress, Bourtzi and the old town.
MycenaeThe Lion Gate and the Treasury of Atreus: the Bronze Age citadel.
MystrasThe Byzantine ghost city on the Taygetus slope, a UNESCO site.
Palamidi fortressThe 1714 Venetian fortress above Nafplio; the climb is 999 steps.
MonemvasiaThe rock of Monemvasia: a walled medieval town in the sea.
Mani peninsulaTower houses, the Diros caves and Cape Matapan, the southern tip of mainland Greece.
Corinth CanalThe 1893 canal cut through the isthmus; bungee jumping from the bridge.
KalamataThe olive capital: the old town, the castle and the long beach.
Nemea wine regionThe Agiorgitiko reds of ancient Nemea.
SpartaThe ancient city and the museum; Mystras is the real draw nearby.
Hover a region to explore it. Click a city pin to open its guide.
Top Cities & towns in Peloponnese
Regional food
- Kalamata olives and olive oil
- Nemea's Agiorgitiko red wines
- Diples (honey pastries of the region)
Getting there
Kalamata International (KLX) has seasonal flights. The Moreas motorway links Athens with Tripoli and Kalamata. Nafplio is about 2 hours from Athens by KTEL bus.