4 Reasons To Visit The Peloponnese In Greece

Greece has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to vacation destinations. Should you go to an iconic island like Mykonos or maybe see the world famous, cliff top monasteries at Meteora? Or should you spend all your time in Athens soaking up the history and museums?

What if you could go to a place that has a little bit of everything that Greece has to offer- beaches, ancient ruins, scenic coastal beauty, delicious food, and picturesque towns?

Sounds pretty perfect, right? Welcome to the stunning Peloponnese Peninsula.

A sailboat glides on calm blue waters, with a distant fortress on a small island under a sky filled with fluffy clouds. Mountainous terrain forms a scenic backdrop on the horizon. — *View of Bourtzi fortress (built by the Venetians) guarding the harbour of Nafplio, routinely voted one of the prettiest towns in Greece.*

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4 Reasons To Visit The Peloponnese Peninsula

1. Lots Of History

The Peloponnese has ruins and fortresses littered over its gorgeous countryside, memorials to the different civilizations found throughout Greece’s history and the many invaders that have passed through here. The Myceneans, the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottomans, the Venetians, the Franks; it’s the history of Western Civilization that you can see and touch.

Loved the tales of Hercules as a kid? Ancient Nemea is here (but without the lion). Wondered about the people the Apostle Paul was writing to in First and Second Corinthians? Walk around the Roman ruins at Ancient Corinth and get an idea.

Interested in medieval history? Tour the hilltop fortresses of Acrocorinth and Palamidi in Nafplio to follow the rise and fall of the various Mediterranean powers. Big fan of the Iliad and Greek myths in general? Visit Mycenae, the mythological home of Perseus and Agamemnon.

The Theatre of Epidaurus is in the Peloponnese with its amazing acoustics that will astound the kids. This was one of our favorite places to visit.

An ancient amphitheater with stone seating rests among trees and mountains under a bright sky, reminiscent of spring break adventures. A few people stand at the center as sunlight casts rays across this serene scene, inviting moments of reflection far from Amsterdam's bustling streets. — *The Theatre at Epidaurus has such perfect acoustics that quiet talking on the stage can heard clearly at the top row. The kids found this fascinating and tested it from all angles.*

2. Spectacular Coastal Beauty and Beaches

Greece is defined by its relationship to the sea. You’ll see it in its history, its stories, and its economy. The Peloponnese is comprised of 4 small peninsulas so there is no shortage of coastline and the sea is never far from you.

Driving just about anywhere leads to gorgeous views of cliffs and sea (and just a little bit of anxiety about the lack of guardrails in places.)

You’ll also find coastal walks that are some of my favorites I have ever done. This is probably my favorite way to take in the view.

Or take a sailing tour for the day and fill your Instagram with spectacular pictures. This is my second favorite way to spend the day.

A scenic pathway runs along a rocky coastline with a palm tree on the left and blooming pink flowers on the right, reminiscent of spring break adventures. The blue sea and a mountain range are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky. — *Coastal walk outside Nafplio in the Peloponnese. Not bad right?*

A sailboat glides on the vast, sparkling blue sea under a clear sky, reminiscent of a spring break adventure. Distant, shadowy hills line the horizon in the background, akin to exploring Amsterdam’s captivating vistas. — *Sailing off the coast of the Peloponnese.*

The beaches of the Peloponnese may not be as renowned as those on Mykonos or Crete, but there are lots of them and many are quite secluded and crowd-free. The water is clear and beautiful, so find an isolated swimming hole, bring a picnic, and spend the day. You’ll soon see why this is such a popular Greek pastime.

Just don’t forget your water shoes as some of the small beaches can be quite rocky and there can be sea urchins. But it is a small price to pay versus sharing your beach with a million other tourists.

A scenic view of a rocky coastline with turquoise waters, a small beach, and lush greenery evokes the perfect getaway. Hills cloaked in dense trees rise in the background, crowned by a house. Imagine this as your own serene escape during spring break instead of bustling Amsterdam streets. — *An idyllic, quiet beach in the village of Siderona. Has a fabulous fish taverna next to it as well. We rented a house here for a few days and it was one of my favorite vacations ever.*

3. The Islands Of The Peloponnese Are Everything You Imagine Greek Isles To Be

A vacation on a Greek island sounds amazing, right? What if you could visit several and still have a less expensive homebase on the mainland? Spetses, Poros, Hydra, Kythera, and many smaller spits of land surround the Peloponnese peninsula, and many are easily visited by ferry for a great day trip.

The larger islands are more touristy and have better beaches, but the smaller ones can give an “off-the-beaten track” feel for the “real” Greece. All are fun, it just depends what you are looking for.

Check out our blogs about Hydra which is my favorite of the islands:

A picturesque coastal town with houses lining the water's edge, nestled between a clear, calm sea and green hills under a bright blue sky feels worlds away from busy spring break in Amsterdam, offering a tranquil setting that effortlessly conveys a peaceful atmosphere. — *Looking at the island of Poros from the mainland. This is a very short ferry ride to the island and makes it a popular getaway in the Peloponnese and also an easy day trip.*

A scenic view of a coastal village with white and pastel-colored houses nestled on a hillside overlooking a bright blue sea. The sky is clear, and there's a distant boat on the water. A stone path runs along the shoreline. — *The village of Kamini as seen from the coastal path on Hydra.*

4. Charming Towns

Quaint Greek villages are something of a cliche, but cliches exist for a reason. The Peloponnese is full of picturesque tiny villages and small towns steeped in old world charisma.

Head to Nafplio, voted one of the prettiest towns in Greece, or try the gorgeous mountain village of Kosmas. Any drive through the Peloponnese will take you through a number of places that will make you want to get out of your car for a coffee break at the local taverna and soak up the ambience.

Good Towns To Stay In While You Explore The Peloponnese

Nafplio

Nafplio is an excellent place to make your home base while you explore the area. It is routinely voted one of the most beautiful in Greece.

You’ll find a decent number of hotels and pensions as well as restaurants in Naflpio. Stay as close to the cobblestoned historic district as you can.

There is a number of beaches and coastal walks around Nafplio as well as a super cool fortress on the hill above town to explore. The town is within easy driving distance to Mycenae, Corinth, and Epidaurus (less than an hour to each) and about 1.5 hours to the ferries for Poros, Hydra, and Spetses.

Check VRBO for Vacation Rentals In Nafplio

Check booking.com for Hotels In Nafplio

Check hotels.com for hotels in Nafplio

Argolid Peninsula

I like to stay in the Argolid Peninsula when I come to the Peloponnese because it is the easiest to reach from Athens and is convenient to all the historic places I want to see.

We have booked amazing villas around the peninsula with gorgeous views and good prices. You might end up in a small village but that is half the fun! Just read reviews well and go for places that have a decent number of 9+ reviews.

VRBO Rentals on the Argolid Peninsula

Final Thoughts

I hope you consider the Peloponnese on your next Greek vacation. Since you can reach most of the peninsula in 2-3 hours from Athens, it makes a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and a chance to explore the spectacular Greek countryside.

Happy trails and safe travels! – Amanda

Why You Should Go To The Peloponnese On Your Next Family Vacation