Peloponnese

Peloponnese is a region in Greece.

Regions

Cities

• Kyparissia - A nice town in the centre of Kyparissian Gulf.
• Sparta - This historic city has a population of 10,000. It has two main arteries which make navigation really easy. To the west of the City is the beautiful, rugged Mt. Taygetos. The Byzantine city of Mystras is a short 15 minute ride away. This has relics worthy of a visit. There is a museum in Sparta housing some artifacts.
• Gytheion - A small fishing village. Nice seafood restaurants with plenty of beaches in the area mostly frequented by locals. Nearby Caves of Dyros is a large limestone cave system which is toured on a boat. Here you will find the point where Helen of Troy is said to have started the Trojan War. "The woman who launched a thousand ships."
• Monemvassia - The Rock of Gibraltar of Greece. Really pretty with an ancient walled city.
• Ancient Olympia - Birthplace of the Olympics.
• Patra - Pretty nondescript city. Main point of arrival for ferries from Italy and Ionian islands.
• Nafplion - A good base to explore surrounding area which includes Epidaurus the largest outdoor amphitheatre with perfect acoustics. If you sit at the top, you can hear a pin drop on the stage, literally. Catch an ancient play in the summertime. Also a good base for exploring Mycenae.
• Corinth - base for Mycenae - The ruins of one of the first civilizations of Greece.
• Pylos - Very picturesque city in the southwest. Many French-style buildings, as well as a marina and a gloriously shady square.
• Kalamata - Main city of Messinia Province. Famous for its olives but also a pleasant city with an attractive seafront and stylish new marina.
• Loutraki
• Amaliada

Other destinations

• Kalo Nero Kyparissia - Today, the village has developed into a well-organised tourist resort with all the necessary comforts, as taverns, apartments, cafe-bars and nice beaches. Family hotel Irida Resort in Paralia, is a cultural oasis in kalo Nero's most successful tourism resort.

• Gialova - An exceptionally pretty fishing village near Pylos in the Southwest. There are a couple of nice hotels to stay in, as well as an excellent campsite. The village also boasts several fine eateries, none of which are too expensive.

• Methoni - A seaside town south of Pylos. Its main feature is a spectacularly positioned and well preserved castle, which contains both Venetian and Ottoman elements. The town itself is also pleasingly old, and there is a small but delightful beach near the castle.

• Finikounda - A smaller town about 10 minutes drive from Methoni. It is a little more touristy, but does offer wonderful beaches and some nice tavernas.

• Cremidhi

Culture and History

You will get along with English pretty well, in the more touristy places you won't have too much problems with German or Italian either. Pick up some Greek, it will be appreciated!

Talk

Travel to Peloponnese - Visa Requirements

From Athens, by car or bus; having a car allows occasional stops that are worth along the way to most parts of Peloponnese. To get to Sparta takes around 3 hours. Patras is around 5. Kalamata is around 4.5 hours.

You can also take a ferry from Piraeus to the Saronic island of Poros. Then it's just a 5 minute boat ride from Poros Town to Galatas on the mainland of the Peloponnese. There is a car rental agency there.

Tours and Getting around Peloponnese

Car or KTEL bus. If you have no hurry, a lot of patience and a train timetable you can take the train.

Peloponnese tourist attractions and sightseeing

• Corinth Canal.

• Ancient Olympia, Epidarus, Nemea, Mykene, Corinth, Mystra, Sparta,Epicurious Apollo Temple, Mt Lykaion-Lykosoura, Peristeria,

• Rack-and-pinion railway, Diakofta-Calavrita.

Departure from Diakofta: 6.58; 9.22; 11.48; 14.38

Departure from Kalavrita: 8.09; 10.34; 13.18; 15.51

• Porto Kagio, southern point of Europe

Peloponnese city tours

• Bungy jumping into Corinth Channel:

• Zulu Bungy, ☎ +30(210)514-7051, +30(6932)702-535, [1]. Apr: Sun 12am-6pm; May, Oct: Sat, Sun 12am-6pm; Jun-Sep: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm. Closed Dec-Mar.  

• Windsurfing

• White-water activities.

Providers:

• Alpin Club, [2].
• Eco Action, [3].
• Trekking Hellas, [4].

• Yachting

Peloponnese souvenirs and shopping

Ceramics and sculptures from Atelier Sud art gallery near Finikounda. Inventive and evocative work by two very talented artists.

Peloponnese Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Horiatiki, Saganaki, Tyropitakia, Souvlaki, Moussaka, Pastisio, Gemista etc.

Peloponnese nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Stay safe

In general Greece is quite a safe place to visit, although the notorious dangers can be found here as well: Pickpockets in the cities and larger towns and drunk fellow-tourists at nighttime.

Get out

• Stay in Nafplion and drive in radial directions to ancient sightseeing (Ancient Olympia, Epidaurus, Mykene, Corinth, Mystra, Sparta), one destination a day.