Are you ready to go on an epic Peloponnese road trip around one of the most underrated parts of Europe? The Peloponnese Peninsula is often an afterthought for most people when planning a vacation to Greece. But here we will see why that’s the wrong mindset.
If you’ve never been to a Greek island, you absolutely should plan a trip to one, even if it’s not Santorini or Mykonos. But Greece offers so much more than just the islands. Close enough to Athens for an easy road trip, and full of ancient history and stunning coastlines, the Peloponnese Peninsula is waiting for you to discover!
Peloponnese Peninsula – What You Need to Know
Where is the Peloponnese Peninsula?
The Peloponnese Peninsula is southwest of Athens at the southern tip of mainland Greece. It’s large and consists of many smaller peninsulas. While mountainous and rugged, there is an extensive road system throughout the peninsula.
How to get to the Peloponnese Peninsula
You will most likely be flying into Athens, though if you are located in Europe already, many cities offer seasonal flights to Kalamata. From Athens you will you need to rent a car. It is possible to take a bus to Kalamata and other cities, but you will miss out on nearly everything the peninsula has to offer by not having your own wheels.
The other option is to take an organized tour. I’m not a huge fan of organized tours in Europe. The main reason for that is actually thanks to an organized 7-day bus trip I did around the Peloponnese in 2008. While I saw great things, I absolutely hated the tour and vowed never to do a multi-day organized tour again if I didn’t have to.
I returned to the Peloponnese in 2020 and rented a car. Car rentals are dirt cheap in Greece and it is so worth it to have your own vehicle. From Athens it’s about a 1-hour drive to Corinth, the start of the peninsula.
The other option is to take an organized tour. There are a ton of organized tour options around the Peloponnese. Most of these are multi day tours from Athens. Some options on GetYourGuide are:
- 4-Day Tour of Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora4-Day Tour of Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi & MeteoraEnjoy a 4 day classical tour to Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora. Visit some of the finest Greek archaeological sites. Discover the UNESCO-listed classical monuments located in the Greek countryside.
- 4-Days Classical Tour with MeteoraFrom Athens: 4-Days Classical Tour with MeteoraPrehistory, the classical period, the Roman domination, the Byzantine Empire, the Crusades and modern times – Greece through the centuries will unfold before you on this 4-day tour.
- 6-Day Peloponnese, Cog Railway & Zakynthos TourFrom Athens: 6-Day Peloponnese, Cog Railway & Zakynthos TourLeave Athens on a private 6-day Peloponnese, Cog Railway, and Zakynthos tour. Visit UNESCO sites in the Peloponnese, cruise to the Blue Caves and shipwrecks in Zakynthos, and ride on the Cog Railway.
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If you’re on a Peloponnese road trip driving yourself around you won’t really have any use for these tours. Sometimes it’s nice to take a break and have someone else to drive you around though!
Weather and when to visit
Wonderful weather blesses this part of the world. Even in January it can be warm enough to swim in the sea. Summers are hot and dry. It’s a semi-arid climate so even in winter it’s likely to be sunny, with mild temperatures. It doesn’t really get cold unless you’re high in the mountains.
Any time of year is ideal for a Peloponnese road trip. My road trip around the Peloponnese was in the middle of winter, and I’d totally do it again. The archaeological sites throughout the country are half price in the winter. But it did mean that a lot of restaurants were not open.
In Greece, many restaurants and shops are seasonal, meaning they only operate from about April to October. There will still be some restaurants open everywhere though.
Summers get busy with all the organized bus tours and European tourists flocking to the warm sunny beaches. The best time to go would probably be in early October or early May, before the crowds start to come and while the weather is very pleasant and the restaurants are just opening for the season.
How long to road trip
One week is a solid amount of time to explore the peninsula. You won’t get to see everything, but you will be able to hit some archaeological highlights, chill on a beach or two, and devour enough delicious food and wine to keep you satisfied.
You’ll probably combine the trip with some time in Athens and a few days on the islands. With the Peloponnese being so close to Athens, you can easily accommodate all of this in a two-week vacation.
Language
Greek is the official language. If you can’t read the Greek alphabet though, don’t worry. Road signs are also spelled out in the Latin alphabet so you will know where you are going. On top of that, many signs are in English and every restaurant you go to will have an English menu. Anyone working in hospitality will speak at least some English.
Food
Greek food is hands down one of the best cuisines in the world. There are not really any dishes local to the Peloponnese but you will find all the Greek specialties in the restaurants.
Do note, however, that in the off-season (Nov-April) most restaurants outside of populated cities will not have their usual menu available. Choices are limited to seafood, vegetables and whatever they have that day.
Money
Euros is the currency and you will want to carry some cash. Restaurants in small villages may not accept cards. Prices in this part of Greece are very cheap, especially when compared to the more popular islands and Athens. Expect to pay about 6-10 EUR for a liter of locally made wine and less than 10 EUR for a good meal.
If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck in western Europe, the Peloponnese Peninsula makes a convincing argument, especially if you’re traveling with kids and looking to cut costs.
History
You’re walking through history nearly everywhere in Greece and there is no shortage of ancient historical sites in the Peloponnese, including some of the most famous places in the ancient world. We won’t go into the history of this region in this post, but I encourage you to read about it before your trip.
Source : https://aroundtheworldwithme.com/peloponnese-peninsula/