The Ultimate Road Trip Through Southern Peloponnese Greece
- by XpatAthens
- Friday, 02 November 2018
Road trips are all about long stretches of highway, constantly changing scenery and warm, delicious small-town meals! If you're in need of positively distrupting your routine and escaping the buzzing city of Athens, we highly recommend taking a road trip through the fascinating region of the Southern Peloponnese. This incredibly beautiful region of Greece is perfect all year round and offers locales with breathtaking landscapes, countless picturesque towns, and some of Greece’s most important ancient sites along the way!
Keep in mind, to fully discover the splendid diversity of natural and historical wonders, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this road trip is best experienced over 2-3 days or ideally 4 days.
Need a car to make this road trip possible?
Keep in mind, to fully discover the splendid diversity of natural and historical wonders, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this road trip is best experienced over 2-3 days or ideally 4 days.
Need a car to make this road trip possible?
Get in touch with Athens Car Rental.
Let them know that the recommendation came from XpatAthens!
From Athens to Ancient Olympia Via Mani!
Just after setting out from Athens on this inspiring road trip, grab a quick coffee at the Corinith Canal. This man-made miracle completed in the late 1800s, offers breathtaking views and connects the mainland with the Peloponnese. Before it was built, ships wanting to cross the Adriatic, or go to Corinth, had to circle the Peloponnese, which added approximately 300 kms to their journey.
Our first destination, the well preserved fortified Byzantine town of Mystras, is located just under 2 hours south from the Corinth Canal. Also known as the ‘wonder of the Morea’, Mystras winds up the hill like an open-air museum and is one of the most unique sites in the southern Peloponnese, not to mention is also being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mystras was built amphitheatrically in 1249 and is home to many Byzantine churches, and over its long history was conquered by Byzantines, Venetians, and Turks. The most important sites in Mystras are the hilltop fortress and the Byzantine monasteries.
Our next stop, 1 hour and 30 mins away from Mystras, is an ideal year round getaway destination. Monemvasia lies on a big rock in the sea connected to the mainland by a small causeway. To actually enter the town, you have to leave your car behind. This medieval castle town of unique architecture on the south-eastern coast of the Peloponnese, is one of the most romantic destinations in Greece due to its fairy-tale atmosphere and unique history. You're up for a lovely surprise as you enter the fortress’ gates, as the whole town of castles, mansions, cobbled streets, squares and churches unfolds before your eyes.
Heading West and around 2 hours from Monemvasia, the next destination will most certainly impress you! The Cave of Diros is one of the most impressive cave complexes in the world as it’s full of lakes and extraordinary stalagmite and stalactite formations. Part of the cave tour is by boat while the rest can be done on foot, making it a truly remarkable experience for visitors of all ages!
From here, drive 20 minutes north to Limeni, a picturesque fishing village ideal for a delicious seaside lunch in one of the excellent traditional fish tavernas. The area is also home to the beautiful tower house of the Mavromichalis family, a family who played a significant role in the Greek War for Independence. While in the region, don't forget to pay a visit to Gerolimenas, a port of historical significance during ancient times. Today Gerolimenas is a traditional fishing village with lovely tavernas and a small pebbled beach.
Further along the central southern prong of the Peloponnese, about a one hour drive from Limeni, you will be met by the pretty coastal villages of Stoupa and Kardamyli. Mani is a popular destination among visitors seeking an authentic Greek holiday experience. The beautiful seaside town of Kardamyli is nestled between turquoise waters and lush green mountains and is ideal for a relaxing getaway away from the crowds all year round.
Next, just under 2 hours from Kardamyli, Pylos is an amphitheatrically built town, reminiscent of an island hamlet. The tranquillity that the town enjoys today contrasts its turbulent past as it is the location where the Battle of Navarino took place in 1827. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Pylos, take a stroll along the town’s seaside promenade and enjoy a coffee at one of the traditional ‘kafenio’ or sit down for a bite at one of the many restaurants in the area.
Need a car to make this road trip possible?
Just after setting out from Athens on this inspiring road trip, grab a quick coffee at the Corinith Canal. This man-made miracle completed in the late 1800s, offers breathtaking views and connects the mainland with the Peloponnese. Before it was built, ships wanting to cross the Adriatic, or go to Corinth, had to circle the Peloponnese, which added approximately 300 kms to their journey.
Our first destination, the well preserved fortified Byzantine town of Mystras, is located just under 2 hours south from the Corinth Canal. Also known as the ‘wonder of the Morea’, Mystras winds up the hill like an open-air museum and is one of the most unique sites in the southern Peloponnese, not to mention is also being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mystras was built amphitheatrically in 1249 and is home to many Byzantine churches, and over its long history was conquered by Byzantines, Venetians, and Turks. The most important sites in Mystras are the hilltop fortress and the Byzantine monasteries.
Our next stop, 1 hour and 30 mins away from Mystras, is an ideal year round getaway destination. Monemvasia lies on a big rock in the sea connected to the mainland by a small causeway. To actually enter the town, you have to leave your car behind. This medieval castle town of unique architecture on the south-eastern coast of the Peloponnese, is one of the most romantic destinations in Greece due to its fairy-tale atmosphere and unique history. You're up for a lovely surprise as you enter the fortress’ gates, as the whole town of castles, mansions, cobbled streets, squares and churches unfolds before your eyes.
Heading West and around 2 hours from Monemvasia, the next destination will most certainly impress you! The Cave of Diros is one of the most impressive cave complexes in the world as it’s full of lakes and extraordinary stalagmite and stalactite formations. Part of the cave tour is by boat while the rest can be done on foot, making it a truly remarkable experience for visitors of all ages!
From here, drive 20 minutes north to Limeni, a picturesque fishing village ideal for a delicious seaside lunch in one of the excellent traditional fish tavernas. The area is also home to the beautiful tower house of the Mavromichalis family, a family who played a significant role in the Greek War for Independence. While in the region, don't forget to pay a visit to Gerolimenas, a port of historical significance during ancient times. Today Gerolimenas is a traditional fishing village with lovely tavernas and a small pebbled beach.
Further along the central southern prong of the Peloponnese, about a one hour drive from Limeni, you will be met by the pretty coastal villages of Stoupa and Kardamyli. Mani is a popular destination among visitors seeking an authentic Greek holiday experience. The beautiful seaside town of Kardamyli is nestled between turquoise waters and lush green mountains and is ideal for a relaxing getaway away from the crowds all year round.
Next, just under 2 hours from Kardamyli, Pylos is an amphitheatrically built town, reminiscent of an island hamlet. The tranquillity that the town enjoys today contrasts its turbulent past as it is the location where the Battle of Navarino took place in 1827. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Pylos, take a stroll along the town’s seaside promenade and enjoy a coffee at one of the traditional ‘kafenio’ or sit down for a bite at one of the many restaurants in the area.
Need a car to make this road trip possible?
Get in touch with Athens Car Rental.
Let them know that the recommendation came from XpatAthens!
This ultimate road trip through southern Peloponnese ends in Ancient Olympia, just over 2 hours away from Pylos. Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the site where the Olympic flame is lit before it embarks on its journey around the world. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989, Ancient Olympia will certainly take you back in time to when the Ancient Olympic Games were in full swing! Be sure to visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia – one of the best in Greece – which is home to findings from the archaeological site and from other excavations in the area. Don’t miss admiring the museum’s most famous exhibit, the statue of Hermes of Praxiteles that dates back to the 4th century BC.
LIVING LOCAL
