Tour of Peloponnese
From 10 Days to 3 Weeks
Peloponnese, the southest part of mainland Greece, enjoys summer and invites you to enjoy it too, with all your senses. The blue sea, the exotic beaches, the bright Aegean light, the hospitable locals, the unique architecture and the culture make Peloponnese an ideal holiday location. Let yourself be captivated by its historical wealth and singular modern reality.
View from Cape Tainaron, in Mani peninsula, Southern Peloponnese.
The length of the tour or the places that are visited may vary according to the age and the interests of each traveller.
DAY 1. Ancient Corinth
Arrival at Eleftherios Venizelos airport in Athens or our base in Pallini. (103 km) Visit Ancient Corinth and the archeological museum. Ancient Corinth was one of the largest and most important cities of Greece, with a population of 90,000 in 400 BC. Acrocorinth, the acropolis of ancient Corinth, is a monolithic rock that was continuously occupied from archaic times to the early TIP 19th century. If you love natural Overnight at camping Kastraki in Tolo. Camping Kastraki, will be used as a basis for daily excursions around the area. TIP: If you love natural landscapes you can spend one more day for a visit at Lake Doxa near Corinth.
DAY 2. Epidaurus ( 30 km driving)
Visit the Ancient theater of Epidaurus one of the most important monuments of ancient Greece. Epidaurus is famous for its huge theatre that delighted Pausanias for its symmetry and beauty, used again today for dramatic performances, the ceremonial hestiatoreion (banqueting hall), and a palaestra. The theater was designed in the 4th century BC. Overnight stay at camping Kastraki.
DAY 3. Mycynae – Nafplio (33 km driving)
Visit the archeological site of Mycynae and the famous city of Nafplio, that used to be the capital of Greece. Mycenae was a fortified late Bronze Age city located between two hills on the Argolid plain of the Peloponnese, Greece. The acropolis today dates from between the 14th and 13th century BCE when the Mycenaean civilization was at its peak of power, influence and artistic expression. Nafplio is one of the first cities in Greece that won independence. November 29th, 1822 a group of Greek rebels overpowered the Turks in Palamidi, and the next day the city could celebrate its freedom. Overnight stay at camping Kastraki.
DAY 4. Monemvasia-Kosmas-Elafonissos (200 km)
The next morning head up to Monemvasia through the picturesque village of Kosmas, avoiding the highways. From there, take the boat and hop to the island with the best beach in Greece, Elafonissos. Overnight stay at Simos camping in Elafonissos. TIP: You can make a stop in Leonidio that is surrounded with fabulous beaches and beautiful mountainous villages.
DAY 5. Elafonissos
Relax and enjoy one of the best beaches in Mediterranean, protected by Natura 2000. The previous day was quite tiring so Elafonissos is the best place to relax and enjoy a hot summer day. The beach right in front of the camp site is truly a small paradise. Take advantage of the opportuntity to take a break from sightseeings and exploring monuments. Οne of the best beaches in Greece awaits you to indulge in unforgettable moments, while its blue-green waters will magnetize and enchant you. It is certain that 2 days are not enough to fill this paradise, but don’t forget you are on a roadtrip! In the evening a walk in the town of Elafonissos gives you a small taste of the greek islands, while you can try the local kitchen which includes fresh fish, tsaitia and ydromelo.
Elafonissos, famous for it’s magnificent beaches with turquoise water and tropical white sand.
DAY 6. Pavlopetri
The next morning you can rent a boat and make the tour of the island along with snorkelling at Pavlopetri, the oldest submerged town in the world. Overnight stay at Simos camping. TIP: Υou can explore some hidden treasures near Monemvasia, like the watermills of Talanda, the petrified palm forest and Kastania Cave.
DAY 7. Gythion (112 km)
Departure towards Gythio town. Enjoy the rest of the day lounging on the beach or next to the swimming pool. If you are a windsurfer here you can practice your windsurfing skills or if you like mountain biking you can make a small tour in the province around the camp site. Otherwise take this chance to relax .Overnight stay at camping Gythion Bay. TIP: Gythio town is a perfect place for an evening walk and a visit to the Kranae island, the ancient theater and the wrecked ship.
DAY 8. Mystras -Knokiona Springs
Visit the byzantine city of Mystras. (54 km oneway) Mystras is situated on the slopes of Taygetos Mountain. The archaeological site stands above the modern village of Mystras and the city of Sparta. The greenery surrounding the area is composed mainly by pine trees and cypresses. If you like hiking you can leave the camper at the free parking of the archeological site, hike until the village Trypi and visit the springs of Knokiona. It is a hidden small paradise with running water and a small waterfall. Return at camping Gythion Bay and stay overnight.
DAY 9. Mani -Diros Caves -Tainaron (127 km roundtrip)
Diros Caves have been described as the most impressive limnetic caves of the whole world. If you choose to visit only the caves you can use the local bus to access the caves. Nevertheless, we suggest you make the whole tour of the Mani Peninsula, wonder around the picturesque villages and meet the local people. In Tainaron you will be surprised by the beauty of the place and the vastness of the deep blue sea. The best way to see everything is to go through Areopolis and return from Kotronas. Return at camping Gythion Bay and stay overnight.
DAY 10. Ridomo Gorge (80 km)
Early departure towards Messinian Mani through the coastal road and visiting many small villages. Arrival to Gaitsies and hike through the magnificent Ridomo gorge. Along the whole Gorge we can meet a big ammout of Geological phenomena that formed the place, like the abrupt and almost vertical slopes, the sharp corrugations of the rocks and the breaches. After the exploration of the gorge, you can enjoy a greek coffee at the traditional coffee shop at the central square of the village. Upon request you may buy fresh eggs and traditional home made goat cheese.
DAY 11. Ancient Messini (61 km)
Messini is a significant ancient city in terms of its size, form, and state of preservation, and still has much to offer. It possesses not only sanctuaries and public buildings, but also imposing fortifications, and houses and tombs. Its natural setting combines the grandeur of the mountains of Delphi with the low-lying, riverine tranquillity of Olympia, the site of the ancient acropolis, with the low fertile valley around the ancient city.
DAY 12. Kalamata -Polylimnio Waterfalls (Totally 113 km)
The history of Kalamata begins with Homer, who mentions Farai, an ancient city built more or less where the Kalamata Castle stands today. There are numerous historical and cultural sights in Kalamata, such as the Villehardouin castle, the Ypapanti Byzantine church, the Kalograion monastery with its silk-weaving workshop where the Kalamata scarves are made, and the municipal railway park. Visit a Greek paradise, Polylimnio Waterfalls. Immerse in a scene of lush greenery, gushing cascades, and green lakes filled with fresh-water crabs perfect for a relaxing dip. Overnight stay in Finikounda at camping Finikes.
DAY 13. Methoni -Koroni (Totally 63 km)
Koroni and Methoni were called “The eyes of Venice”. The architecture of Koroni invokes a Greek island feeling and the view of the Messinian Bay and the Taigetos mountains is quite impressive. Koroni is crowned by its castle, which you can enter at any time of the day as there is no entrance that closes. The main attraction of Methoni is its castle, which, due to the fact that it has been neglected during the past years, has a particular charm to it. Don’t forget to cross over the causeway to the “Bourtzi”, and get an impression of this sea tower which at one time was used as a prison. Overnight in Finikounda at camping Finikes.
DAY 14. Pylos -Voidokoilia (20 km one way only)
Pylos has a long history, having been inhabited since Neolithic times. It was a significant kingdom in Mycenaean Greece, with remains of the so-called “Palace of Nestor” excavated nearby, named after Nestor, king of Pylos in Homer’s Iliad. Shaped like the Greek letter omega, Voidokilia Beach is characterized by a unique natural beauty. The beach has been named “A Place of Particular Natural Beauty” and protected by the Νatura 2000 network. Overnight stay in Finikounda at camping Finikes.
DAY 15. Ancient Olympia (135 km)
Olympia was the site of the ancient Olympic Games, which were celebrated every four years by the Greeks. Olympia was situated in a valley in Elis, in western Peloponnese (Peloponnesus), through which runs the Alpheus River. It was not a town, but only a sanctuary with buildings associated with games and the worship of the gods. Olympia was a national shrine of the Greeks and contained many treasures of Greek art, such as temples, monuments, altars, theaters, statues, and votive offerings of brass and marble. Overnight stay at camping Ionion Beach. TIP: Make a stop to freshen up at Neda waterfalls, a beautiful natural landscape.
In the western Peloponnese, lies the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece, Ancient Olympia.
DAY 16. Forest of Foloi (80 km)
Visit the Forest of Foloi, one of the most beautiful forests of Peloponnese. Foloi is considered the oldest European self-planted beech and oak forest and the biggest of the Balkans. It spreads for almost 33.000 sq.m., on Mt Foloi, at 688m altiitude, while the rivers Ladon and Erymanthos create a unique and enchanting environment. Overnight stay at camping Ionion Beach.
DAY 17.Kyllini Thermal Baths (5 km)
After a long and exciting trip you deserve a little bit of relaxation before the long trip from the port of Patras to Italy. Kyllini thermal baths is definetely the best choice. The lush pine forest and the beach are very impressive and attracts many visitors every year, who exploit the sandy beach and Kyllini baths hot springs and spas for their health in a unique environment. The baths of Loutra Kyllini come from Roman times, and today operate as a spa well known in the whole world for its health enhancement. Μineral baths and mud baths will make every traveller relax and rest from his long journey! Overnight stay at camping Ionion Beach.
DAY 18. Arrival at Eleftherios Venizelos airport or our base in Pallini. (310 km)
A very interesting roadtrip reaches its end, but all travellers are full of new experiences and beautiful images. Greece is a country with many variations of landscape depending on the place that you visit and it combines the calmness of the sea and the majesty of the mountains. With this road trip, travellers can see the most exciting places of mainland Greece starting from the north and heading up to the south. We hope that you enjoy our small tour in the Peloponnese and to have the pleasure of welcoming you in our country so you can enjoy our greek hospitality and we can make you feel like home.
BEST PERIOD FOR TRAVELLING: APRIL, MAY, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER
The camp sites are selected according to their quality of services and to their distance from the archeological sites and monuments, so that the travellers drive is as short as possible. In some cases such as the visit in Monemvasia or the tour of Laconian Mani a private bus can be arranged upon demand.