The Peloponnese

The Peloponnese is that part of the mainland of Greece which helps give the country its distinctive shape. Its three southern peninsulas stick out like three fingers, as if warming themselves in the Mediterranean Sea. The Peloponnese is strictly speaking not even part of the mainland at all. Today it is severed from the rest of Greece by the Corinth Canal, and the road bridge at the top of the canal is the only thing that keeps the two parts connected.

Bourtzi Castle in NafplionBourtzi Castle in Nafplion

Even before the Corinth Canal was built the very name of the place shows that it was regarded as almost an island, as the name means the island of Pelops, Pelops being the grandson of Zeus. It contains some of the most famous archaeological sites in the country, such as Mycenae, Tiryns, the theatre at Epidavros, and ancient Olympia, the magnificent location of the original Olympic Games.

There are many other attractions too, some of them well-known and some of them not so well-known. It has one of the loveliest towns in the whole country, Nafplion, the former Greek capital.

The Mani region of GreeceThe Mani

The Peloponnese also has the rugged Mani peninsula, home once to bandits but now of beach resorts, and old tower houses restored as traditional-style hotels. 

Here too is Greece's third city, Patras, and Kalamata, whose tasty olives are exported all over the world. Here's ancient Pylos, and Sparta, Tiryns and Argos, mountain villages like Andritsaina, and the unique and lovely little town of Monemvasia, hiding away on its offshore rock: the Gibraltar of Greece. 

MonemvasiaMonemvasia

The Peloponnese has dramatic mountains, good areas for walking, little-known archaeological sites for visitors to find for themselves, some fabulous beaches – and even the entrance to Hades. It's got everything, one of the very special parts of Greece.

You might like these

  • Monemvasia Book Review

    Greece Travel Secrets reviews the photography book Monemvasia with extracts from works by Yiannis Ritsos and Nikos Kazantzakis.

  • Monemvasia

    Monemvasia in the Peloponnese is the Greek Rock of Gibraltar and is a huge offshore rock which conceals a tiny town connected to the mainland by a single road.

  • Ancient Olympia

    Travel guide to Ancient Olympia in the Peloponnese of mainland Greece, home to the original Olympic Games.

  • Mycenae

    Mycenae in the Greek Peloponnese was a royal palace and is famous for the royal tombs, Lion Gate, and was excavated by archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann.

  • Nafplion

    Nafplion in the Peloponnese was the Greek capital before Athens and today is a charming waterfront town with good restaurants, museums, shopping, beaches, old fortresses and a delightful atmosphere.

  • Epidavros

    The ancient theatre at Epidavros is one of Greece's greatest attractions, ranking alongside the Acropolis and the Palace at Knossos in Crete, and it is easily the finest theatre in Greece.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Travel Restrictions Keep Celestyal from Cruising Until July 30

    Celestyal Cruises, which sails to the Greek islands and the Mediterranean, recently announced that it is further extending the suspension of its operations until July 30. The cruise line said it took…

    Read More

  2. AEGEAN Restarts Flights from Thessaloniki to 6 Int’l Destinations as of June 15

    AEGEAN Airlines on Wednesday announced that it will be restarting direct operations to/from Thessaloniki with six European destinations as of June 15. The Greek company’s announcement follows the grad…

    Read More

  3. Greece Still Attractive Tourist Destination Despite Covid-19

    Potential travelers appear to be eager to visit Greece in the next three months despite the Covid-19 crisis, according to a study on attitudes and intentions regarding international leisure trips join…

    Read More

  4. Greece in Discussions with Egypt to Resume Tourist Flows

    Greece and Egypt on Tuesday discussed laying the ground for gradual resumption of flights between the two countries in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis, d…

    Read More

  5. EASA Updates List of Airports in Covid-19 High Risk Areas

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Wednesday updated the list of airports located in affected areas with high risk of transmission of the Covid-19 infection. EASA determined that a li…

    Read More

  6. Study: Greeks Not Keen on Eating Out after Covid-19

    The coronavirus (Covid-19) scare is making Greeks reluctant to travel and to eat out, according to the latest study released this week by the Research Institute of Retail Consumer Goods (IELKA). More…

    Read More

  7. Covid-19: List of Nationalities Allowed Entry in Greece for Summer 2020 Coming Soon

    A list of countries from which visitors will be able to arrive and holiday in Greece as of June 15 is expected to be announced by the end of May, Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis recently said…

    Read More

  8. Ryanair: Athens is Open to Holidaymakers from June 15 – Video

    Irish low cost carrier Ryanair on Tuesday posted a video about Athens on Twitter, promoting the Greek capital as an ideal destination this summer. The carrier gives its followers “a glimpse of the anc…

    Read More

  9. Yachting in Greece Restarts post-Covid-19

    Private yachts and boats, catering up to 12 passengers, as of May 25 are allowed to set sail in Greece, according to a government decision announced as the coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions ease. Τh…

    Read More

  10. Thessaloniki Airport, Northern Greece Land Borders Open for Tourists from June 15

    International flights to Greece will be able to land at Thessaloniki Airport, in Northern Greece, as of June 15 instead if July 1 as originally planned, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said o…

    Read More