The Peloponnese peninsula is located in the south of Greece, separated from the mainland only by the artificial canal. This region is one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in Greece.
The Peloponnese is one of the most fascinating and diverse regions in Greece and offers a perfect blend of history, culture and natural beauty. Ideal for a varied vacation. Here you can get to know the real Greece – in the small villages with their hospitable inhabitants and traditional tavernas, where life has a more relaxed rhythm.
The Peloponnese is a true open-air museum. From the ancient city of Olympia, where the first Olympic Games were held, to the impressive Epidaurus with its well-preserved theater, to Mycenae, the city of the legendary King Agamemnon, the peninsula is a history lover’s dream. Mycenaeans, ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Franks, Ottomans, French and English have all left their mark on the region. It is therefore not surprising that holidaymakers will find numerous archaeological sites that reveal much about the history of the region.
In addition to its rich history, the Peloponnese impresses with its breathtaking nature. The region offers an impressive variety of landscapes, from the rugged mountains and deep gorges of the Taygetos Mountains to the idyllic beaches and hidden bays that invite you to relax and sunbathe. There are mountains up to 2,400 m high and you can even ski there in winter. Travelers will find numerous beaches along the coast and the sea attracts water sports enthusiasts. Whether diving, fishing or boating along the coast, there is something for everyone here.
Greek cuisine is world-famous and the Peloponnese offers some of the best culinary experiences. Local specialties such as Kalamata olives, spicy feta and fresh fish are a must-try.
Which regions of the Peloponnese are best for vacation?
The south is the real tourist magnet of the peninsula. The region of Messinia is home to Kalamata, the largest city in the region. The region of Laconia is known for its beaches, which invite you to a relaxing vacation.
Somewhat quieter are the small towns in the mountain ranges, but they offer excellent starting points for hikes.
Discover our tips for a vacation in the Peloponnese
The Peloponnese is not exactly known for its beer. A mistake, in my opinion, because the beer from the Peloponnese has nothing to hide. It tastes good!
Sun, beach and sea - Kalamata on the Peloponnese peninsula is not only the largest port city in Messinia, but also a popular vacation destination and cultural center of the region.
There's a saying "You are what you eat" - does it also apply to countries and regions? I think you learn so much about a country when you look at what is eaten and drunk. Looking for good and cheap food in Kalamata, we definitely found what we were looking for.
Andrea Bocelli's "Ave Maria" resounds loudly across the plain as I get off the bus at the Kalgori winery in the middle of the Peleponnes. Was an opera fan expecting me here, listening to some loud music at work?
Let's just go for a quick walk… that's how many somewhat unorganised excursions start for us, which end up showing us something of the area that we would never have seen otherwise. And that's how our hike from Loutraki to the Corinth Canal began.
I step up to an inconspicuous steel door in the middle of a mountain wall. The door is opened and now we enter a short brightly lit corridor, which is closed again with a steel door at the end. Only when the entrance door is closed, we are allowed to enter the underground world of…
The sun has already risen, but it did not really want to warm when we arrived at the port of Kalamata. The wind was blowing moderately and so we hoped that the sea would remain calm. It went out by boat to learn about traditional fishing in Kalamata.
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Travel information Peloponnese
Arrival
By plane
There are inexpensive charter flights from German-speaking countries to Kalamata Airport. Another option is Athens-Eleftherios Venizelos airport, which has daily scheduled flights.
To reach the Peloponnese comfortably, one can take the suburban train Proastiakos from Athens-Eleftherios Venizelos airport to Corinth. This connection allows a comfortable journey.
By car
The A8 highway, connects the Peloponnese at Isthmia with the Greek mainland. It stretches along the coast of the Gulf of Corinth from Athens to Patras. Since 2017, the highway has been fully upgraded and offers good road conditions. Most towns are bypassed extensively, ensuring efficient travel.
Off the highway, rural roads are generally single lane, but overtaking is possible in some places.
To get from the west coast of Greece to the Peloponnese, travelers use the Rio Andirrio Bridge near Patras. This bridge allows convenient crossing of the strait.
By ship
From Venice or even shorter and cheaper from Ancona, Brindisi, Trieste or Otranto, you can take the ferry. Your journey will end in the port of Patras.
On the west coast is Katakolo, a port mainly visited by cruise ships and often used as a starting point for excursions to Olympia.
On the way in...
By bus
The larger towns are connected by regularly scheduled buses. Smaller places can hardly be reached by bus.
By car
The car is the ideal means of transportation for a round trip.
Best time to visit
The Peloponnese Peninsula offers hot, dry summers and cool, mild winters. The difference in temperature and rainfall between the coast and the mountains is naturally high. The season extends from late April to mid-November.
The summer months are the best time to visit the Peloponnese Peninsula. The visit is worth the trip all year round.
From May to September temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius. This is the ideal time for a beach vacation, to explore the countless bays and enjoy balmy summer evenings. However, this is also the season that attracts the most visitors to the region. A vacation on the Peloponnese peninsula in autumn and spring is still an insider tip. In September, October and from March to May the temperatures are between 12 and 20 degrees Celsius – perfect for extended hiking tours and to experience the original Greece away from the tourist crowds. Rainy days are rare on the Peloponnese peninsula. Only in the winter months you can expect up to six rainy days per month. In spring, nature awakens and your vacation on the Peloponnese Peninsula becomes a breathtaking spectacle of colorful flowers and plants.
Peloponnese in winter shows its coolest side, and there can be snowfall in the mountains. The sun shines for about four to five hours a day. The daily highs are around 15 degrees Celsius in the coastal areas, while it is much cooler in the mountains.
In spring, precipitation decreases, temperatures slowly rise and the region begins to blossom. In April, the average temperature is already around 20 degrees Celsius. For swimming it is still a bit too cold with about 17 degrees water temperature. In May, the average daily highs already reach about 25 degrees Celsius. In favorable weather, temperatures can be even higher. At the same time, the rain showers decrease, so that from mid-May a beach vacation in the Peloponnese is possible. However, rainy and cooler phases can still occur.
In summer, excellent conditions for a bathing vacation prevail from June. Temperatures now reach the 30-degree mark and the water temperature rises continuously. Rain showers can be almost excluded from mid-June. During the high summer months of July and August, temperatures reach their peak and range between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius. The water temperature now reaches 24 degrees Celsius.
In the fall, temperatures drop somewhat in September and isolated rain showers may occur. Nevertheless, the temperatures are still pleasant both in the water and on land. The sun shines up to nine hours a day. In October, temperatures continue to drop and the intensity of precipitation increases. Nevertheless, nothing stands in the way of swimming in the sea on warm days, as the water temperatures remain pleasantly warm. The autumn months are also suitable for sightseeing and activities.
From November on, the weather becomes more and more unstable, the sun appears less often and more rain is to be expected. In December, precipitation levels reach their peak. The Peloponnese Peninsula shows its quiet and mysterious side during this period, and visitors can experience the landscape in a completely different atmosphere.
Language
Because of the large number of tourists, you can get by with English everywhere.