Best Places to Visit in the Peloponnese

The Peloponnese is a peninsula and geographic region located at the southern tip of the Greek mainland covering over 8,320 square miles in area. It connects the country’s central area by the Isthmus of Corinth, a land bridge separating the Saronic Gulf and the Gulf of Corinth. There are two groups of islands lying off its coast as well, including the Ionian to the west and the Argo-Saronic Islands with its major islands of Poros, Agistri, Aegina, and Salamis. The easiest way to reach the Peloponnese on your Greece vacation is by flying into Athens, renting a car, and driving to your destination. While there are some cities in the Peloponnese with airports, they serve only a handful of destinations.

You don’t need to be a dedicated history buff to admire the significance of Ancient Olympia. This is where the Olympic Games began nearly 3,000 years ago, and standing inside the original stadium still feels significant. You can walk through the ancient stone entrance used by athletes centuries ago before stepping onto the same track where competitions once took place.

The museum is equally worthwhile, particularly the sculptures from the Temple of Zeus, which remain remarkably expressive thousands of years later. But part of Olympia’s charm comes from the atmosphere itself — cicadas humming, olive trees rustling, and the earth warm beneath your feet.

Located on the northeastern side of the Peloponnese in the Argolis region, the ancient town of Epidaurus is one of the peninsula’s most important. It’s best known for its ancient theater, the most well-preserved in Greece when it comes to structure while offering perfect acoustics. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus boasts both unique architecture and harmonious proportions, once holding up to 14,000 spectators. Built in the late 4th century BC, it originally included 34 rows of seats divided into over 30 blocks by stairs and walkways. Everything from music, singing, and games took place here, and it also served as a venue for healing patients with the dramatic shows believed to bring positive benefits for mental and physical health.

There’s a reason so many Greeks admit Nafplio is their favorite town in the country. The old town is full of neoclassical mansions, marble alleyways, and waterfront cafés where dinner easily stretches late into the evening. You’ll spot locals gathering in Syntagma Square while fishing boats bob gently in the harbor below the hilltop Palamidi Fortress. Dreamy, right?

The climb to the fortress is steep (over 800 stone steps) but the view across the Argolic Gulf is worth every one. Beyond the postcard beauty, Nafplio feels easy to settle into. Mornings start slowly with Greek coffee and pastries, afternoons are spent wandering tiny backstreets, and evenings revolve around seafood tavernas serving grilled octopus, shrimp saganaki, and chilled local wine.

Symi may be lesser-known but it has that wow factor as one of the best islands for a honeymoon in Greece. Your first glimpse when cruising into the harbor is the steep hillsides strewn with colorful neoclassical mansions, an image perfect for postcards. Along the waterfront, are a variety of shops selling the island’s famous sponges and handmade leather items. In between, traditional tavernas often feature Symi shrimps. There are many beautiful beaches, both pebbly and sandy, edged by water in shades from deep emerald to electric blue. Visit them by taking a boat tour that brings to some that can only be reached by water for romantic seclusion. Nanou Beach is ideal for relaxing and boasts a taverna serving fresh seafood.

A magnificent archaeological site and UNESCO-listed monument, Ancient Messene was built on the mountain slopes of Ithome and in the Messenian valley. Founded in the 4th century B.C., it’s home to remarkably preserved ruins that include a marketplace, theater, fountain, stadium, temples, and fortifications with a grid plan layout characteristic of ancient cities in Greece. The well-preserved stadium is one of the most impressive of its kind that’s ever been discovered. It once hosted a variety of sporting events that included running races to highlight the importance of athleticism in ancient Greek society. There’s an archaeological museum on-site as well, showcasing a wide range of items related to art, religious practices, and daily life in Ancient Messene.