Epic 7 Day Peloponnese Road Trip Itinerary For 2023

When astir radical deliberation of Greece, they’re dreaming of sunsets successful Santorini, sailing adventures connected the cobalt waters of the Mediterranean, oregon dancing connected tabletops successful Ios. 

Been there, done that. (And I urge it!)

But for those looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, I highly urge a Peloponnese roadworthy trip.

Now I’m a much mature traveler (can I barf astatine that?) I’m looking for question adventures that spell beyond stunning beaches and views.

So, I was thrilled astatine the accidental to research the Peloponnese portion of Greece acknowledgment to TBEX. 

Briefly, TBX is 1 of the biggest question blogging conferences successful the satellite and they are usually held successful lesser-known destinations. I spoke astatine the event, and similar immoderate bully Aussie, I utilized that arsenic an accidental to research the portion much in-depth. There is nary mode I’m flying much than 8 hours and NOT staying longer! 

TBEX enactment – Kastraki Castle Bar

I’m truthful gladsome I did. I had a fantastic escapade that took maine to the past wonders of Corinth and Acrocorinth to the charming coastal municipality of Nafplio, the picturesque vineyards of Nemea, and the vibrant metropolis of Kalamata.

In this post, I’ll stock accusation connected the highlights of a roadworthy travel of the Peloponnese, things to do, applicable tips connected car rental, wherever to stay, and connection a 7-day itinerary outline based upon my ain idiosyncratic experiences (and lessons learned). If you find it helpful, delight stock it with a friend!

Why Visit the Peloponnese?

Nafplio – the archetypal superior of Greece

You whitethorn person heard of the Peloponnese: Think Sparta, St Paul, kalamata olives, Greek mythology, and truthful overmuch more. 

This portion of Greece lone 2 hours westbound of Athens offers a cleanable blend of history, earthy beauty, and authentic Greek culture. You’ll find past archaeological sites, breathtaking mountainous and coastal landscapes, delicious nutrient and grant winning wine.

I was amazed astatine the divers question offerings and however lush and scenically beauteous it was. 

It is imaginable to research the Peloponnese utilizing nationalist transport, oregon adjacent connected a guided tour, but I wanted the state to research astatine my ain pace, uncover hidden gems, and immerse myself successful the section mode of life.

Plus, a ma who’s traveled with her kids for 15 years, 7 of those afloat time, I wanted an casual question acquisition for this solo adventure.

So, let’s dive into the applicable details of readying your Peloponnese roadworthy trip!

Firstly, Travel Insurance

Travel Happy!

We ne'er permission location without question security (a $1,000 acquisition makes definite of it!) We adjacent person an annual question security argumentation with Allianz Travel – our semipermanent spouse and sponsor of this contented –  truthful we don’t person to interest astir purchasing a argumentation for each trip.

We anticipation you ne'er person to usage your question security policy, but you’ll decidedly privation 1 for information and bid of mind. Should thing unexpected hap that is covered by your policy, you tin prevention you hundreds if not thousands of dollars successful mislaid pre-paid expenses. 

One of the added benefits of having question security erstwhile renting a car for a roadworthy trip, is you whitethorn beryllium capable to skip the added other disbursal of purchasing a Collision Damage Waiver depending connected your policy, arsenic rental car loss/damage sum is included successful immoderate azygous travel and yearly question security policies. You may besides beryllium capable to adhd it to your policy if it’s not! 

Traveling successful Europe, particularly during highest season, tin beryllium a headache with delays and mislaid luggage. Your question security argumentation whitethorn besides assistance you successful those instances.

This contented is sponsored by Allianz Partners (AGA Service Co.) and I person received fiscal compensation but each opinions expressed are my own.

Hiring a Car successful Greece

To embark connected this unthinkable adventure, you’ll request a reliable conveyance to research the Peloponnese. Hiring a car is simply a fashionable prime arsenic it provides flexibility and convenience. 

Opt for a small, comfortable, and fuel-efficient car to navigate the winding roads and hilly terrain of the region.

Not lone that, but you whitethorn besides beryllium driving down highly constrictive streets, similar I did successful Nafplio and Athens. You volition request a tiny car. 

Be conscious of luggage. My car lone had country for 1 suitcase successful the boot/trunk. 

I picked up my rental astatine Athens airdrome arsenic I stayed successful Athens for 2 nights earlier my Peloponnese Road trip. 

This meant driving done Athens and parking astatine my edifice (for free). I did not request it portion successful Athens. But it worked retired much outgo effectual to prosecute the car for the full clip and driblet it backmost disconnected astatine the airdrome erstwhile it was clip to leave. 

I rented my car done DiscoverCars.com. I loved the easiness of their hunt filters to assistance maine rapidly find a reliable, businesslike conveyance with large rates. 

As it’s a hunt examination site, you tin easy find a car to suit your needs. i.e. 1 astatine the airport, oregon 1 astatine a rental supplier successful the metropolis of Athens.

Their booking connection was fantabulous with adjuvant tips and guides connected visiting Athens! They bash a fantastic occupation of being much than conscionable a car rental booking site. 

At A Glance: 7 Days successful the Peloponnese Road Trip Itinerary

View from the road

If you don’t person overmuch time, present is simply a little itinerary outline based upon my experiences. My proposal is to beryllium arsenic flexible arsenic you can.

I switched my days astir successful Nafplio arsenic I had a afloat time of rainfall and did not privation to research the beaches and stunning viewpoints connected that day! 

Check retired the representation with each the places mentioned successful this itinerary usher mapped retired for you!

• Day 1: Pick up your rental car, and thrust to Nafplio. Explore Ancient Corinth, Acrocorinth, and Epidaurus Theater on the way. Explore Old Town Nafplio.
• Day 2: Visit the past sites of Mycenae and Nemea and indulge successful vino tasting. Overnight Nafplio
• Day 3: Explore the Palamidi Fortress and the beaches of Nafplio. Overnight successful Nafplio. 
• Day 4: Drive to Kalamata, stopping astatine scenic spots on the way. Explore the metropolis halfway and bask the lively atmosphere. Overnight successful Kalamata.
• Day 5: Take a time travel to Kardamyli connected the Mani Peninsula. Spend the time relaxing connected the beauteous beaches of Kalamata oregon instrumentality a time travel to adjacent attractions specified arsenic the Mani Peninsula oregon the stunning Voidokilia Beach. Overnight successful Kalamata.
• Day 6: Hike the stunning Polylimnio Waterfalls and the Voidokilia Beach
• Day 7: Depart for Athens, returning to your rental car astatine the airdrome earlier your departure.

Map of this Peloponnese Itinerary

Below you volition find a representation of this itinerary, including each the cardinal attractions, places to eat, and places to stay.

Alternative Options

Kardamyli connected the Mani Peninsula

If you person much time, oregon privation to adhd successful a fewer different apical attractions successful the Peloponnese to your itinerary, present are immoderate suggestions (I’m coming backmost for them)

• The Site of Ancient Olympia (home to the archetypal Olympic Games)
• The past tract of Mystras
• Sparta
• Mani Peninsula 
• Costa Navarino (Navarino Bay)
• You’re besides not excessively acold from a ferry thrust implicit to the island of Zakynthos.
• Take a vessel travel implicit from Piraeus to Hydra
• Delphi Archeological Site

I highly urge you research Athens either earlier oregon aft your Peoloponnese roadworthy trip. I’ll person a station sharing my tips for Athens soon. If you articulation our email list, you won’t miss it!

The Best Peloponnese Road Trip Itinerary

Kondyli Beach, Nafplio

Below is however I urge you walk a 7 time itinerary. I’ve breached the pursuing attractions and things to bash successful the Peloponnese into the bid successful which I did them, but you tin power up this itinerary into immoderate bid that suits you.

Day 1: Ancient Corinth & Acrocorinth

I skipped the municipality of Corinth owed to clip and debased expectations. Instead, I chose to sojourn the pursuing outstanding past sites. I was rather blown distant by them.

Stop 1: Corinth Canal

The Corinth Canal

Firstly, you whitethorn privation to halt disconnected astatine the Corinth Canal. I recovered it overrated but I cognize galore others who emotion it. 

The Corinth Canal is an engineering marvel that connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. It is incredibly constrictive and is meant to beryllium a show if a vessel is coming down it. 

This tin beryllium an casual five-minute halt connected your roadworthy trip, and you’ll person to walk done it anyhow truthful you mightiness arsenic well. There is simply a parking batch connected the close conscionable arsenic you transverse the span (you’ll spot loads of buses). Then locomotion connected the span and instrumentality a peek. 

Stop 2: Ancient Corinth

Have you heard of St Paul and his letters to the Corinthians? 

This is wherever past volition travel live for you arsenic it’s wherever St Paul lived for 18-months successful his attempts to person the gentiles. It’s a apical attraction successful the Peloponnese for Christians.

You’ll lone request astir an hr to research the archaeological tract of Ancient Corinth. 

Wander among the well-preserved ruins and temples, marvel astatine the iconic Temple of Apollo, and the Bema, a large, elevated rostrum lasting prominently successful the centre of the Roman Forum wherever St Paul was enactment connected proceedings for amerciable spiritual teachings but was recovered not blameworthy due to the fact that helium was conscionable having discussions. 

Berna of St Paul

There’s besides a tiny archaeological museum, which highlights artifacts from the area. 

Outside of the Ancient Corinth Gates are a enactment of restaurants to substance up with java and luncheon earlier driving up the mountain. 

I had nary thought you could get a self-guided audio circuit of Ancient Corinth. I privation I knew arsenic I truly enjoyed the 1 I had touring the archeological sites successful Athens.

Stop 3: Acrocorinth

Acrocorinth – worthy a climb!

All bully things travel to those who are prepared to climb. Acrocorinth is wherever you tin flight the crowds. Acrocorinth was a possibly for maine connected my roadworthy travel and rapidly became 1 of my favourite attractions successful the Peloponnese.

I saw it sitting precocious atop the upland from Ancient Corinth and was intrigued to travel that winding mountainous road. 

Acorointh is the past fortress perched truthful precocious successful bid to show the isthmus of Corinth and support Ancient Corinth below. 

The Views from Acrocorinth

There are aggregate trails moving done the crumbling ruins, each starring to the astir spectacular views. 

The affluent past and stunning vistas marque Acrocorinth a must-visit attraction successful the Peloponnese.

View from the road

Stop 4: Epidaurus

Views connected the drive

From Acrocorinth, thrust to Epidaurus and bask immoderate stunning coastal views on the way. 

Epidaurus was a tiny metropolis successful past Greece, connected the Argolid Peninsula astatine the Saronic Gulf.

Stop 5: Epidaurus Theater

Visiting the past Theater of Epidaurus is an implicit indispensable for immoderate past enthusiast oregon theatre lover.

This magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site, and location of past healing grounds, holds immense taste significance.

The Theater of Epidaurus, dates backmost to the 4th period BC, and was built to big spiritual ceremonial events successful grant of God Asclepius.

Walk to the apical for beauteous views of the lush vale surrounding it. It is renowned for its near-perfect acoustics, allowing the assemblage to perceive adjacent the softest of whispers. Stand successful the mediate of the signifier and susurration to a person up astatine the apical level and trial it out! 

It’s a unsocial accidental to witnesser the enduring bequest of Greek theatre and acquisition the magic of this historical venue. In summer, it hosts performances of past Greek drama.

Asklepios sanctuary

Just steps distant from the theatre is the past Asklepios sanctuary, dedicated to the God of Healing. It included a temple with the god’s cult statue; an altar; a ineffable spring; an offering pit; 2 stoas; and an diversion field.

DO NOT buy a java from the cafe present – it was uber costly and not precise good! The freshly squeezed orangish juice, however, was the refreshing burst of hydration I needed.

Epidaurus is astir 30-minutes from Nafplio (your overnight destination).

Day 2: Day travel to Mycenae and Nemea for Wine Tasting

On my 1 afloat rainy time successful Nafplio, I decided to caput to the past tract of Mycenae and bash immoderate vino tasting successful Nemea. Both are an casual time travel from Nafplio (only forty’ minutes’ thrust successful total)

Stop 1: Ancient Mycenae

Mycenae

First halt lone 20 minutes’ thrust distant was Mycenae, an past archaeological tract that holds immense humanities and taste significance.

I knew astir this lone due to the fact that Savannah learned astir the almighty Mycenaean civilization successful school, which flourished during the Late Bronze Age. 

People sojourn to research the remnants of Mycenaean civilization but besides to delve into the affluent tapestry of Greek mythology.

This was the municipality of the legendary King Agamemnon, the person of the Greeks during the Trojan War. It’s besides founded by Perseus, lad of Zeus and Danae, and heroes immortalized by the Homer’s Epics.

Surrounding the ruins are the remains of immense Cyclopean walls said to beryllium constructed by the mythical cyclops. 

See the headless lions?

Begin by walking done the celebrated spot successful Mycenae, the Lions Gate into the aged civilization to rotation amongst the ruins of palaces, tombs, and fortifications that erstwhile symbolized the mightiness and opulence of Mycenae.

There are antithetic burial chambers called tholos, oregon beehive tombs, which are a circular vaulted enclosure with an entranceway way.

A item of Mycenae for visitors is the Treasury of Atreus, the vaulted tomb of King Agamemnon.

King Agamemnon’s tomb

There were excessively galore schoolhouse circuit groups for maine to truly bask the tomb. But I did bask the ruins of Mycenae and the awesome views of the surrounding countryside. 

The Lion’s Gate is different notable landmark successful the site.

Mycenae is simply a pilgrimage for past enthusiasts, offering a fascinating glimpse into Greece’s past satellite and leaving visitors successful awe of the unthinkable achievements of the Mycenaean civilization.

Stop 2: Wine Tasting successful Nemea

Wine Time

Nemea is known for its vineyards and the legendary Ancient Nemean Games held each different twelvemonth successful grant of Zeus.

I did not get clip to sojourn Ancient Nemea (and I was a spot past Greek tired!), but you tin sojourn to spot the Temple of Zeus and the past stadium. 

Instead, my intent for Nemea was vino tasting! I truly wanted to articulation a circuit for this truthful I could bask the tasting without worrying astir humor intoxicant limits. But it didn’t happen, truthful I chose to sojourn 2 vineyards, spacing them retired with tasting to adjacent 1 solid astatine each implicit a prolonged period. 

Nemea is 1 of the champion vino regions successful Greece, known for the acclaimed Agiorgitiko grape variety.

Ktimi Bairaktaris Winery

Pretty vino tasting plot astatine Ktimi Bairaktaris Winery

Perfect for vino tasting

I arrived astatine Ktimi Bairaktaris Winery. astatine the close time. A tasting circuit had conscionable started truthful I joined for conscionable 15 Euro. 

We went down the scenes to larn astir the process of making vino earlier sitting down successful the tasting room. They bought retired a tiny charcuterie committee of cheese, bread, and olive lipid and 3 samples of wine: white, rose, and red. All were delicious! 

I rapidly became a instrumentality of Greek vino connected this Peloponnese trip. 

Papantonis Winery

My adjacent winery was Papantonis Winery southbound of Argos, lone 20 minutes from Nafplio. I don’t cognize however I recovered this place, but I’m truthful gladsome I did. 

This was nary fancy winery with a tiny tasting barroom amongst the barrels and bureau space. Owner Antonis joined maine with a solid of vino and brought retired a sheet of the astir delicious feta food and olives (grown connected his farm) and poured maine a solid of vino mode beyond mean sampling size.

Such large wine

Delicious feta

 This was the 1 clip I was rueful I was traveling connected my ain and driving! I had to politely diminution the immense servings, taking tiny sips of delicious chardonnay and perchance 1 of the champion reddish wines I’ve ever tasted – Meden Agan made from the Agiorgitiko grapes. 

Award winning superb wine

Antonis told maine of his beingness moving arsenic an accountant successful Libya, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia, redeeming up capable wealth to discontinue and commencement this award-winning winery and farm. The vino was truthful delicious and the speech truthful fun, I knew I had to chopped the sojourn short! 

But, not without taking a vessel of that reddish vino location with maine to savor decently successful the US.

Day 3: Nafplio / Nafplion

Now it’s clip to research 1 of my favourite places successful the Peloponnese, Nafplio, the archetypal superior of Greece.

It’s known for its romanticist ambiance and Venetian charm, which you’ll autumn successful emotion with connected your archetypal steps done the meandering cobblestone constrictive streets of Old Town. 

Wander and wonderment astatine the colorful buildings and shops, linger successful inviting cafes, and bask sunsets connected the water’s edge. 

Here are a fewer different apical things to bash successful Nafplio.

Stop 1: Hike the 999 steps to the Palamidi Fortress 

Hiking to Palamidi Fortress, a citadel perched connected apical of the elevation down Old Town, is not arsenic exhausting arsenic it sounds. The reward volition beryllium breathtaking views implicit the municipality and the Argolic Gulf. 

Built by the Venetians successful the 18th century, this fortress served arsenic a stronghold to support against force invasions and played a important relation during the Greek War of Independence. 

You tin rotation done the fortress and bask the views. Be definite to crawl your mode into the damp, acheronian situation compartment arsenic a reminder to travel the law!

Go aboriginal for the champion airy conditions and to debar crowds.

Stop 2: Kayak to Bourtzi Castle

Bourtzi Castle

This castle, on with Palamadi, is considered 1 of the landmarks of Nafplio. You volition spot it astir each country and connected apical of each vantage point. Its archetypal intent was to support the metropolis from pirates and invaders from the sea. Through the years,it’s besides been a prison, residence, tourism offices and a luxury edifice and restaurant. 

You tin sojourn by boat, oregon connected a kayaking trip. Apparently, you tin rent kayaks, but I could not find immoderate information. It whitethorn person been to aboriginal successful the season. Here is a sea kayak tour, though it’s a small pricey.

Sadly, I did not get clip to kayak implicit to the iconic Bourtzi, a small, fortified land located conscionable disconnected the coast. It was precocious connected my database of things to bash successful Nafplio.

Stop 3: Explore the Nafplio Beaches

Kondyli Beach

One of my favourite days connected my Peloponnese abrogation was driving to the adjacent beaches of Nafplio. My windows were rolled down, Pearl Jam was blasting, and upwind conditions were adjacent perfect.

Choose however acold you privation to go. I drove each the mode to Kondyli Beach (Paralia Kondyli). This is simply a much distant formation situated connected Vivari Lagoon with nary facilities and small people. You tin adjacent campy connected a portion of formation here. 

Karathoas Beach

Karathoas Beach

Tolo Beach

Along the mode I stopped astatine Karathoas Beach (Paralia Karathonas) – it was truly windy here, truthful I didn’t enactment agelong – and Tolo Beach (Paralia Tolo), wherever you’ll find a tiny municipality with tons of restaurants and amenities.

Stop 4: Walk from Old Town Nafplio to Arvanitias Beach

Arvanitia Promenade

No request to miss retired connected Nafplio Beaches if you don’t person a car – bash this arsenic good adjacent if you do! 

You tin either locomotion to Arvanitias Beach from Palamidi Fortress oregon locomotion on the coastline from Old Town. 

The 1km Arvanitia Promenade is 1 of the astir fashionable walks successful Nafplion. You’ll person spectacular views the full mode and get to decorativeness astatine the stunning Arvanitias Beach for a swim. 

Arvanitia Beach

It’s a pebble formation truthful deterioration shoes down to the borderline and the formation is tiny truthful travel aboriginal to debar crowds. My icy aquatics present successful the May waters was precise refreshing aft a adjacent cleanable time hiking and formation roadworthy tripping.

Where to Eat successful Nafplio

Syntagma Square Restaurants

You person endless choices of tavernas, restaurants and cafes successful caller and Old Town. I preferred those tucked distant connected the streets of Old Town, alternatively than the overpriced ones connected the waterfront. I was amazed that a mates of them (in the sunset viewing area) had a ascendant American menu. 

Oh no. I came to Greece to devour delicious Greek food. Especially fixed Nafplio is connected the oversea and you person endless options for delicious seafood caller from the Mediterranean. 

My implicit favourite restaurants successful Nafplio were:

• Alaloum: Many of you saw my delicious tuna souvlaki (fresh from the adjacent Nafplio waters) and 5 Euro fractional liter of vino connected my reels. I loved the prices, delicious food, and affable work of this Nafplio Greek restaurant. 
• Again, offering large work and a delicious crockery of octopus was ΣΟΥΡΕΑ, which means Surreal in English. Yep. That’s Nafplio. 
• A vino astatine Mentor Bar on Syntagma Square was fantastic for radical watching, particularly aft my bonzer time astatine Palamidi Fortress and the beaches of Nafplio. 
• I didn’t find a java to rave about, but my Greek java paired with Greek yogurt for meal astatine Kalimera was good. 

Locations of the supra are successful the representation of this itinerary.

Where to enactment successful Nafplio

Room with a view

I loved my small pension astatine the Kapodistrias Hotel in the Old Town. I stayed successful the Nafplios room, which was tiny, but capable since I was seldom there.

Thanks to the gorgeous views from my tiny balcony, casual entree to locomotion to Nafplio attractions, and the terms of sixty-five euro a night, I was precise happy.

Day 4: Kalamata, Home of the Olives

Give yourself clip connected your thrust to Kalamata from Nafplio to bask the views arsenic you upwind up and down the mountainous pass. Watch for motorcycles – it’s my favourite scenic thrust of theirs. 

It’s lone an hr and a fractional to the vibrant metropolis of Kalamata, celebrated for its olives and picturesque beaches. Before this trip, I ne'er knew kalamata olives were named aft a region! 

Hello Kalamata

I stopped astatine Kalamata’s Castle connected the mode in. There is not overmuch to spot here, but beauteous panoramic views retired implicit the city. 

Along Kalamata Beach is simply a palm-fringed waterfront promenade large for stretching your legs oregon to locomotion 20 minutes into town. I did not get to research overmuch of Kalamata City arsenic I was engaged with the league oregon exploring attractions nearby.

You person the car truthful instrumentality vantage of enjoying past humanities sites, stunning beaches, and adventurous hikes of the Kalamata region. 

Enjoy a portion with a presumption astatine Kastraki – Meteoro Bar

One of the champion things to bash successful Kalamata is to person a portion – java oregon alcoholic – oregon a repast astatine the Kastraki Meteoro barroom connected the hillside supra Kalamata.

Built to replicate a castle with towers, turrets, chromatic walls and Ampitheater seating each pointing to the astir exquisite, expansive presumption of the Kalamata coastline. it’s dissimilar thing I’ve seen before. It was rather a magical closing enactment venue for TBEX.

We had a large evening drinking trade cocktails and dancing up a storm!

Where to Eat successful Kalamata

Loved Blossom Owl

There are a plethora of restaurants and formation bars on the way. We ate a batch of delicious nutrient served astatine the league and enactment venues truthful we did not devour retired a lot. 

But present are a fewer I enjoyed. 

• I had a delicious brunch and level achromatic at Blossom Owl Coffeeshop in Downtown Kalamata. They are astir known for their immense assortment of delicious pancakes (unfortunately, I’m gluten free!)
• I loved the vibe of Ego Bar, wherever we had luncheon each time during our conference. It’s really usually conscionable a bar. 
• Da Luz had a cozy ambiance, large nutrient and wine, and fantabulous service. Don’t miss the seafood saganaki. 
• The level achromatic astatine Aurora Cafe on the promenade person to Kalamata municipality was unbelievably bully – and lone 2.50 euros. (It’s really wrong a manner store, but has a broadside model and seating area.)

Where to Stay successful Kalamata: Grecotel Filoxenia

Then it was clip to cheque into my accommodation for the adjacent 5 nights for my conference. The Grecotel Filoxenia. I loved however spacious my suite was and its cleanable determination connected the beach. I made definite to acceptable successful in clip to unbend by the pool, and aquatics successful the (slightly chilly) Messinian Gulf.

Beach retired the beforehand of the resort

This is the cleanable spot to enactment successful Kalamata for those wanting a small restful oasis aft a time exploring. With each the amenities close there, it’s a cleanable accommodation prime for families.

Day 5: Day Trip from Kalamata to Kardamyli

Rugged Mani Peninsula coastline

Picturesque Kardamyli is simply a sleepy sportfishing colony connected the shores of the Messenian Gulf astir an hr from Kalamata.

This is simply a hidden gem successful the Peloponnese beckons travelers to unwind and reconnect with nature, research the constrictive cobblestone streets of the village, embark connected adventurous hikes done the surrounding mountains and olive groves, and paddle the crystal-clear waters and oversea caves.

To statesman our time successful Kardamyli our radical divided up with immoderate choosing to person java successful the colony with others taking a two-hour hike on the way of the past alleged ‘’royal street’’ connecting Kardamyli with Sparta during past years.

My tiny radical chose to bash the two-hour oversea kayaking adventure.

Stop 1: Sea Kayaking successful Kardamyli

Many volition accidental oversea kayaking successful Kardamyli was the champion of their Peloponnese holiday. It was surely 1 of my favourite things to do. 

Our guides from Explore Messini were passionate, affable and shared galore stories astir the past and civilization of the Mani Peninsula.

I regretted not adding much clip successful this portion to my Peloponnese roadworthy travel (it is the hidden gem of the Peloponnese).

The roadworthy into this peninsula was lone opened successful the 1970s and is utilized to beryllium the location of pirates and vendetta families! 

We did a shortened mentation of a four-hour kayaking travel which besides includes much caves and picnics connected the formation (and swimming).

Patrick Leigh Fermor House

Along the mode we stopped astatine Turtle Island, celebrated British question writer Patrick Leigh Fermor’s House (see adjacent section), to regard upon pyramid shaped Taygetos, the highest upland successful the Peloponnese, with a tallness of 2407 meters, and to paddle into a Seals’ Cave to spot the luminescent cobalt bluish water.

Stop 2: Visit the Patrick Leigh Fermor House

The Villa

Our radical reconnected astatine the stunning Patrick Leigh Fermor House, which we had seen from the kayaks. 

This historical location was erstwhile the beloved residence of Patrick Leigh Fermor, a renowned British question writer and warfare leader who recovered inspiration successful the tranquil quality of Kardamyli. He walked from England to Greece and fell successful emotion with this sleepy colony and decided to stay:

“We walked down into a mildly sloping satellite of the utmost magical beauty…thick with magnificent olive trees and tons of different trees… Behind, the peninsula melted into a large conch of grey and orangish rock. I knew I would ne'er leave.”

Happy here! I privation this successful my home!

Look astatine these gardens!

The house, present a museum, offers a unsocial glimpse into Fermor’s bonzer beingness and his heavy transportation to Greece. You tin research the rooms filled with his idiosyncratic belongings, browse his extended library, and rotation done the lush gardens that place the azure waters of the Mediterranean.

The chromatic villa is perfectly stunning and is simply a spot wherever I could spot myself surviving and penning books. You tin astir consciousness the echoes of literate conversations and ideate the originative tone that thrived wrong its walls.

The Patrick Leigh Fermor House successful Kardamyli volition clasp a peculiar spot successful the hearts of lit enthusiasts and past buffs alike. 

Day 6: Day Trip to Polylimnio Waterfalls and Voidokilia Beach

Here’s different fantastic time travel from Kalamata with your car rental. 

Stop 1: Hike the Polylimnio Waterfall Trail

Hidden wrong the lush greenish scenery of Messenia astir 40 minutes from Kalamata are the Polylimnio Waterfalls. 

There is simply a 3km retired and backmost way leading you up to the main 25m Polyminio Waterfall, the stepped waterfall that creates the 15 hidden turquoise and aqua lakes and smaller waterfalls. 

It’s a beauteous casual trail, though it does impact immoderate stone scrambling truthful beryllium definite to deterioration due shoes. 

Don’t hide to bring your swimsuit. Although beryllium prepared for chilly water, which is cleanable connected a blistery Greek summertime day. I sadly near excavation successful the car! 

I loved this hike. It felt similar I had entered a magical fairy kingdom and the colour of the h2o was astounding – akin to the glacier fed waters you’d spot successful the Rockies. 

If you’re a tense hiker, oregon don’t privation to bash it connected your own, you tin articulation a guided hike. Otherwise, I deliberation it’s casual to bash connected your own.

Stop 2: Visit Voidokilia Beach

From here, proceed driving westbound until you scope Voidokilia Beach, tucked beyond soil dunes and celebrated for its unsocial horseshoe shape, pristine achromatic sands, and wide azure waters.

We visited connected a grey time truthful did not get the afloat interaction of its stunning colors and its unsocial signifier curved similar a elephantine Greek omega – champion viewed from the 2 rocky promontories that specify the entranceway of the beach. 

Or the curvature besides looks similar an ox’s belly, which has ties to the meaning of its name, which originates from Voufras, which translates arsenic “where oxen live.”

Because of the weather, we decided to forgo hiking up to the cliff apical for that Instagrammable view. 

But I enjoyed seeing its pristine quality from the shores of the bay. Its calmness makes it an fantabulous spot for swimming and snorkeling, 

This is simply a protected area, truthful you won’t find immoderate improvement oregon facilities. Also protected, adjacent to the formation is the Gialova Lagoon, a brackish assemblage of h2o that serves arsenic a wildlife habitat, peculiarly for migratory birds.

Day 7: Drive backmost to Athens

On the seventh and past day, it’s clip to thrust backmost to Athens oregon onto the adjacent destination of your trip.

FAQs About Visiting the Peloponnese

Here are immoderate commonly asked questions astir visiting the Peloponnese…

Where to Stay successful the Peloponnese

See a wide scope of disposable accommodation options for the Peloponnese successful the useful representation below. I person marked the accommodations I stayed successful (including Athens) with a teal castle symbol.

Top Selling Tours successful the Peloponnese

Final Thoughts connected a Peloponnese Road Trip

Embarking connected a Peloponnese Road travel is an unthinkable accidental to immerse yourself successful the captivating past and breathtaking landscapes of Greece.

From past ruins to picturesque towns, vineyards to beauteous beaches, this portion offers thing for everyone. So, battalion your bags, deed the road, and hole for an unforgettable travel done the wonders of the Peloponnese.

I americium truthful grateful for the accidental to research this portion and make galore blessed memories. Travel is each astir discovery, adventure, connection, and self-growth. The Peloponnese volition springiness you each of that!

Happy travels!