The Peloponnese is the southernmost part of Mainland Greece. However, technically the Peloponnese can be considered an island because of the construction of the Corinth Canal. It is currently connected by the bridge that passes over the Canal and by the Rio-Antirio Bridge. It is accessible by land, sea and air. The North East part can be reached by car in approximately 2 hours from Athens.

In total the Peloponnese is 21,550 squared km in size. It is an enormous area with a huge amount to offer its residents and its visitors. It is known for being one of the most traditionalist and conservative regions of Greece and boasts some of the best beaches in the country. It is riddled with history, myths and adventure. The landscape in some areas is beautifully serene and in others dramatic but still beautiful.

It is the birth place of the Olympic Games and home to many great civilizations.  It is so great in size so it has so many things to offer. Every type of accommodation is available, ranging from great resorts to simple rooms to rent. You can go on a vineyard tour, have a nice relaxing vacation on the beach, want to soak up as much culture as possible by visiting the vast number of historical sites, enjoy the snow and some winter sports, climb mountains, what ever you are looking for  it is available here in the Peloponnese.

There are 7 prefectures that make up the huge area that is the Peloponnese: Achaia, Corinthia, Argolis, Arcadia, Laconia, Messinia and Elis. We thought it would be easier if we broke all our information up into these 7 prefectures so you can get a better idea about the area.

So starting in the North East of the Peloponnese, the prefecture of:

1. Achaia

The capital of Achaia is Patras. Patras is a the third largest city in Greece and is located on the sea front and functions as a commercial port as well as a port that provides access to the Ionian Islands and Italy by Ferry. When looking out into the sea that lies in front of Patras on the right lies Gulf of Corinth and the Gulf of Patras lies to the left.

Achaea has a large coastline as well as a number of mountains that stand within its borders. It is split into a number of provinces which include Patras and Kalavrita. Kalavrita is located in a mountainous region and has a ski resort.

2. Corinthia

Heading to the East, we come to the prefecture of Corinthia. When coming from Athens to the Peloponnese this is the first prefecture that you come into. The capital of this prefecture is Corinth. It is located only 5km from the Corinth Canal. The Canal was originally constructed in 1822 to cut down the sailing time for ships when travelling from Athens to the West side of Greece or beyond. However it only accommodates small ships and yachts as the modern day ships are too large.

Ancient Corinth is an abundance of ancient city ruins. The city flourished from the 5^th Century BC to the 3^rd Century AD. The ancient city sits below the dramatic backdrop of the Acrocorinth rock (Corinth's Acropolis) which has a Byzantine fortress on top. Ancient Corinth is one of the most visited Ancient Sites in Greece.

3. Argolis

In the east of the Peloponnese is historically one of the most important areas of Greece. It was home to one of the most known civilisations of all time, The Mycenaeans. This part of Greece is scattered with evidence of its spectacular history. The Archaeological sites here are known worldwide and have been visited by millions of people. The prefecture's charm is expressed in its natural beauty, its quaint little villages and wonderful towns both seaside and up in the mountains. It is a prefecture with a lot to offer its visitors.

4. Arcadia

Located in the heart of the Peloponnese this area is known for being one of the most beautiful areas in Greece as well as being home to the oldest inhabitants of the Peloponnese. The region is full of great landscapes, flourishing nature, winding rivers, high mountains and wonderfully clean beaches along its coastline. Time has not caught up with this area leaving it pretty much unchanged. Its capital is Tripoli which is a commercial and agricultural centre with classical style houses.

5. Laconia

In the South East, Laconia is another stunning prefecture of the Peloponnese. Laconia reaches the furthest South out of all of the prefectures. It has a number of places that are of Historical significance but also areas that are visited by foreigners and Greeks because of their beauty. Laconia has a long history and therefore has a number of Byzantine Castles and Churches.

6. Messinia

The South west of the Peloponnese is where you will find Messinia. It is an absolutely stunning region and is only now becoming known because of the huge Costa Navarino Resort that opened in 2010. The area is full of small quaint villages, old fortresses, castles, incredible beaches and beautiful natural streams and waterfalls.

7. Elis

This region is located in the East and is known as the region that is the birthplace of the Olympic Games. It is also a very fertile region with wonderful olive groves, rows and rows of fields, vines and lush fruit. It is a beautiful area of the world and has great beaches.

The Peloponnese has been inhabited since prehistoric times. However it's most notable and best documented history begins with the incredible civilization of Mycenae. The Mycenaean Civilization had a very strong hold over the Peloponnese from the Bronze Age. The civilization
however suddenly lost its hold over the area in the 2^nd Century BC an era. The following era has been called the Greek Dark Ages due to the lack of available documentation of what happened.
The first Olympic Games, which were held in 776 BC, mark the begging of the Classical Era in Greece. The Peloponnese was the centre of a lot of things for Greece, the beginning of the Classical Era, where many a battle took place including the Peloponnesian War, where some great cities where located such as Corinth and Sparta, unfortunately however, it lost its strong and influential position when the Roman Empire took over in 146 BC.
During the Middle Ages the Byzantine Empire took over. To be more precise they took over in 395 AD.  The Peloponnese continued to grow under the various invaders' rule however things slowed down significantly after the devastation caused by the Slavic incursions. The Slavs took over most of the Peninsula leaving out only the Eastern coast, which remained under the control of the Byzantine Empire.
It wasn't until the 9^th Century that the Peloponnese returned to Greek rule which was achieved only after a number of struggles and battles. The area again faced with troubles in the 820s when the Arabs began raids after capturing the Island of Crete. By 961 the peninsula ended up under Byzantine rule again. However, this time the region flourished commercially, agriculturally and the urban industry picked up again.

The Byzantine Empire dissolved and in 1205 the Franks (forces of the 4^th Crusade) founded the area of Achaea. However, the Venetians took over a number of ports that had strategic advantages, Monemvasia, Koroni and Pylos. The Franks were eventually run out of the area in 1430. The Venetians remained until mid 15^th Century.

Once the Franks left the Ottoman Empire took advantage of the situation and remained in the Peloponnese until 1699 at the end Morean War, when the Venetians took over. The Venetians only maintained their rule of the whole area until 1715 when the Ottoman Empire took over again.

The Peloponnesians played a major role in the Greek War of Independence. The war began down in Kalamata in March of 1821. The Greeks finally had control of the whole peninsula by September 1821. Nafplion was made the capital of the finally independent Greek State.

THINGS TO DO

1. Achaia:
After visiting the Port of Patras there are a number of other places that are worth visiting within this prefecture.
The picturesque village of Kalavrita is a great place to visit all year round. It sits on the mountains and has a ski resort. It has significant historical value for the Greeks because it played an important role in the revolution that took place in 1821. Whilst you are there you need to go to the famous narrow gauge railway that runs to Diakofto which is on the Gulf of Corinth. It travels through mountain gauges and passes beautiful landscapes.
As you travel along the shoreline you will come across a number of quaint seaside town/villages which are great for a Holiday. The village of Akrata is one of these many seaside towns that are located in Achaia, but was also the Ancient Site of Aigai.

2. Corinithia

You should definitely take the time to visit Ancient Corinth. As previously explained this area is one of the most visited Ancient Sites in Greece.This site was a major city of Antiquity with a very busy trading city. It became wealthy as it dominated the trade in the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf.

It was comprised of three parts, the port, the city and the acropolis that had and still has a fortress on the top of it. The agora (marketplace) is still pretty much intact and gives visitors a proper idea of what the "agora" looked like. You will also see the Temple of Apollo, which is perceived to be one of the best examples of early Doric buildings. Take your time to look around the site and absorb the history.
You can also visit Nemea which has a number of small monuments but also a number of Vineyards. There are a number of wine tours available in the area; that are both interesting and fun.

3. Argolis

On your way around this prefecture we suggest you stay a night or two in the wonderful town of Nafplio. It is situated on the sea and has maintained its period character, with traditional style buildings, lovely quaint streets, incredible views of the sea and a gorgeous Castle to walk around. Nafplio is a great place to visit all year round.
Ancient Epidavros is another must see in this area. The ancient theatre is still used for summer festivals. This town was one of the mostinfluential towns in Ancient Greece. The theatre was built back in the 3^rd Century BC and many had the honour to experience the tragedies of Euripides, Sophocles and Aesyphlus.
Mycenae is one of the most spectacular Archaeological Sites in the whole for Greece. As you are most probably aware this was the centre of the Mycenaean World. The site is huge and has maintained a lot of its original structure. You will be able to enter the Tomb of Atreus, the Atreus Treasury, see the magnificent Lion's Gate and the Palace of Agamemnon. The best time to visit this site is in the winter/spring so that it is surrounded by greenery and not too hot. However, if you are visiting in the summer it is equally as nice, but you should keep hydrated and wear a hat.
Another lovely seaside town is Porto Heli. Used by a number of Athenians as a weekend getaway this lovely place is situated in a beautiful, natural harbour. This little harbour has a number of things to keep its visitors entertained. It is a great place to relax, swim and soak up the sun. You can also jump on a little boat and go across to Spetses a little Island. It also offers great range of water sports.

4. Arcadia

This area of the Peloponnese is known as the heart of the Peloponnese. It is a wonderful place to explore. People return numerous times to try and explore the whole area. There is so much to see and discover and the natural beauty of the area is astounding.

There are villages surrounding Tripoli that are wonderful and worth going to see. However, whilst in the area of Tripoli you should visit the two archaeological sites of Tegea and Mantineia.In Tegea you will see what remains of the beautiful Hellenistic Theatre, the old Market (Agora), the ancient Sanctuary Alea Athena, you can also visit the Museum which exhibits various artifacts found in the area. You will also come across two Christian Basillicas which are in amazing condition. In Mantinea the relics that remain are form the Hellenistic and Roman Period, bath complexes and the Parliaments still stand.

Another place you should try and visit is the hilltop village of Karitenea. It is a medieval village and has a wonderful Byzantine bridge which you can stop from the top of the village.As you can imagine there are numerous Traditional Villages in the region that seem almost untouched by time. Another two that may be worth visiting are Dhimitsana and Stemnitsa. Both villages are inland and overlook a wonderful gorge of Loussios.

5. Laconia

Laconia is full of things to do and places to visit. Sparta its capital town and was Athens' rival enemy. It is located on the shores of the river Evrotas and is now agricultural town, surrounded by a number of traditional villages located near by which are worth going to see. The Spartans believed in simplicity and so there are no extravagant sites. However you can still visit the Ancient Acropolis, the Tomb of Leonidas and the Sanctuary of Thermopaleae.  There are a number of other places to visit within this great town. It is a place of great historical importance and worth visiting.

Mystras, was a central town of the Peloponnese until the Turks took over in the 15^th Century and is now a wonderful archaeological site. Within the remaining surrounding walls stand; the Palace and a number of Byzantine Churches. The site sits at the bottom of Mount Tagetos. The Church of Agios Demetrios is one of great importance and should be visited, as it has incredible frescoes and was where the last Byzantine Emperor was crowned.

Another place to visit within this region is Monemvasia. It is a medieval citadel with a town next to it that sits on a large rock on a small peninsula. The area has ruins scattered all over it and a collection of churches. This is a picturesque town, which is situated on the shoreline of the prefecture. There is the New town as well that provides visitors with all the necessary facilities making it a very popular destination.

Mani is a unique area for many reasons; one major one being that it has not been occupied by foreigners, a rare phenomenon in Greece. The people of Mani stood their ground against many an intruder but they are known for their incredibly warm hospitality. Their houses are like small fortresses that make up a beautiful landscape and wonderful place to visit.
When you are travelling around also keep your eyes open for signs to the Diros Caves. They stretch a huge distance across the Peloponnese. They showcase an underground lake and incredible stalagmites and stalactites.

6. Messinia

Messinia is an area that is being rediscovered. It has many sites to visit that are scattered all over the place. You can enjoy a number of sports in the region including golf (at the Costa Navarino Resort), climbing, hiking, cycling, diving and of course swimming.

You should visit the area around Pylos and the village of Pylos itself. There are a number of sites such as Tombs which you can go visit. You should also go to Gialova Lagoon. This is an absolutely stunning lagoon where over 271 species of bird live. The lagoon is surrounded by the beautiful bay of Voidokilia, a great place to swim. When in Pylos you can walk up to the old fortress and admire the views of the surrounding area from a height. The views are breathtaking.You should visit the Methoni Castle. It is a vast complex that spreads across a large area and is one of the area's most important historical sites. Within the ruins you will be able to see evidence of aristocratic residences, as well as Venetian and Ottoman architecture.
There are also 7 EU Natura sites in the area, including the Polyliminio Lakes and Waterfalls. These lakes sit in a rugged canyon. The pools of water are serene and an incredible turquoise colour. You can even jump in after trekking down to see them.
Another must visit in whilst in the area of Messinia is Ancient Messene. The old town is surrounded by massive limestone blocks, which date back to 369 BC. The town has wonderful views of the valleys of Stenyklaros and Makaria. You will be able to wander around the excavations of the stadium, gymnasium, agora, temples, and amphitheatre.The area is full of traditional villages, with stone houses that have not been altered in centuries. So if you have time it is worth going for a little drive though a few of the little villages.

7. Elis

As we have already said this area is known for being the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Ancient Olympia is where it all started. You can wander around the vast site and explore where the Olympic Games began in 776BC and have continued since then every 4 years. This UNESCO site includes the Old Stadium, the Temple of Zeus, Temple of Hera, the Philippaeum, the Phidias Workshop, the Palaestra, the Leonideum and the Archaeological Museum. The Museum, which is opposite the site includes findings, statues, artifacts from the Neothlic period. The site has existed since prehistoric times and became a place of worship for the God of Zeus in the 10^th Century BC.
The site is situated on a plain surrounded by lush green vegetation that is irrigated by two rivers. Excavations of the site began in the 19^th Century and are still ongoing. The area was a sanctuary of worship to the Olympian Gods and was never a town as some may think. The sanctuary was also used as a place for athletes' to train for the Games.In the modern town you can visit the Historical Museum of the Olympic Games and the Art Museum.

Beaches

The beaches in the Peloponnese are plenty. They range in size, type, colour and facilities on offer. There are ones that are isolated, crowded, pebbled, sandy, easily accessible, some that need require a bit of effort to get to, some with calm waters and others with slightly rougher waters. The coastline has numerous beaches that have won awards for their cleanliness and that you may have heard of. As the area is so huge we have listed below a few beaches we think are worth visiting per region:

ACHAIA:
Akrata, Platanos, Trapeza, Diakopto, Kalogria, Vracheika, Aegio

CORINTH:
Ancient Corinth, Agioi Theodori, Loutraki, Kalamia, Vrahati, Xylokastro, Derveni, Korfos, Lechaeo, Likoporia,

ARCADIA:
Plaka, Lakos, Atsigganos, Agios Andreas, Coves in Ksiropigado,

ARGOLIS:
Saladi, Karathona, Nea Kios, Kiveri, Myli, Nea Epidavros, Epidavros, Petrothalassa, Tolo, Vivari, Porto Heli

LACONIA:
Pera Kakavos, Pori, Nomia, Agios Stefanos, Xifias, Kalogeras, Vathi, Kalyvia, Paganea, Agia Paraskevi

MESSINIA:
Gialova, Hrysi Ammos, Mati, Vromoreri, Methoni, Peroulia, Kalamaki, Bouka

ELIS:
Glyfa, Pyrgi, Agios Nikolaos, Loutra Kyllimis, Neochron

Shopping
There are more shopping opportunities in larger towns and cities of the Peloponnese. However you will always be able to find a shop selling local products and souvenirs of the region or town you are visiting. Keep your eyes open for the local products to take home.

Each area has its own character and its own type of nightlife. In the bigger towns you will find more variety of places to dance, sing and stay out until the early hours of the morning. In the smaller villages you will find local bars and cafes that will have cocktails and other drinks for you to relax in the evenings. Ask the locals for the best places to go as they may change from year to year.

WHERE TO WINE AND DINE
Always consult your hotel and the locals for the specialities of the area, there may be a local pie, cheese, sweet or dish. The food in the mountains will be heavier and will remind you of winter food and the food served in the towns by the sea will be lighter and refreshing in comparison. We always suggest you try the local wine and local spirits if available.