Important monuments and archaeological sites, unique settlements, picturesque towns and charming castles, as well as natural beauties such as mountains and forests, rivers and caves, beautiful beaches with rocky and lacy coast make the Peloponnese an ideal holiday destination.
Peloponnese is the largest peninsula in Greece. It is located south of the continental part of the country and is connected to Central Greece through a narrow strip of land, the Corinth Canal.
In addition, since 2004 the Rio-Antirrio Bridge connects the Peloponnese with Central Greece and the rest of the mainland. It is a historic cradle of Hellenism and has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It was the theater of most of the war conflicts that took place in the Greek world with top examples of the Peloponnesian War and the Greek Revolution, and experienced various conquerors such as Romans, Franks, Ottomans and others.
Monuments from every period of its rich history, great archaeological sites such as ancient Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Tiryns, Byzantine churches, unique settlements and charming castles, along with natural beauties, magnetize a number of tourists from all over the world by any means to make an excursion around the Peloponnese peninsula.
Let’s make a lightning trip to the most interesting parts of the magnificent coastline of the Peloponnese…
How to get to Peloponnese
Get in
- From Athens, by car or bus; having a car allows occasional stops that are worth along the way to most parts of Peloponnese. Nafplio is a 2hr ride, Sparta about 4hrs, Patras about 2,5, Kalamata about 3 hr 45 mins (3 hrs on the nonstop express bus).
- From Athens, by train, using a suburban train, running from Athens International Airport all along the north route to Kiato and even Patras through a local train correspondence.
- From Piraeus port, through a ferry, to the Saronic islands of Poros or Hydra or Spetses. For accesing the mainland using the same ferry one can get off at the port of Methana or Galatas(through Poros town) or Costa. There are car rental agencies also there.
- From Athens International Airport, by plane, to Kalamata. Aegean Airlines operate a daily service.
- From Western Greece / Ipeiros to Patras through the Trikoupis bridge (Rio – Antirio).
- From / To the port of Patras there many ferries daily from / to Italy.
Get around
Usually car or KTEL bus. If timetable is convenient, the train can sometimes offer a comfortable and cheaper alternative. Presently cancelled for all lines, except for the north line Athens to Kiato to Patras.
International Airport of Kalamata Information: www.hcaa.gr
National Airport of Araxos Information: www.hcaa.gr
Bus Information for Argolida: www.ktelargolida.gr
Bus Information for Arcadia: www.ktelarkadias.gr
Bus Information for Corinth:: www.ktelkorinthias.gr
Bus Information for Laconia: www.ktel-lakonias.gr
Bus Information for Messenia: www.ktelmessinias.gr
Port of Patras Information: www.patrasport.gr
Train Information: www.ose.gr