Region guide · Corinth, Mycenae, Olympia & Sparta

The Peloponnese: Our Favourites

The great peninsula south of Athens: the Corinth Canal, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Olympia, Sparta, Mystras, Monemvasia and the Mani, with tours from Athens, tickets, travel information and the full story of the region.

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The Peloponnese: Sparta, Olympia and the land of heroes

By the ULTIMATE Athens Editorial Team

Cross the Corinth Canal and you enter a land of legends: the golden kingdom of Agamemnon, the theatre of Epidaurus, the city of Leonidas and the valley where the Olympic Games began.

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The Peloponnese is a large peninsula in southern Greece, joined to the mainland only by the narrow Isthmus of Corinth. In ancient times it was home to Sparta, the great military power that fought Athens in the Peloponnesian War, and to Olympia, Mycenae, Corinth and Epidaurus.

Today it is one of the most rewarding journeys from Athens, with beautiful towns such as Nafplio and Monemvasia, mountains, olive groves and quiet beaches. Read the full back story below, then plan your trip with our favourite places, tours and tourist information.

The back story

The back story

The Peloponnese: the back story

The Peloponnese·In depth: history

The land of Mycenae, Sparta and Olympia: how a great peninsula joined to the rest of Greece by a narrow isthmus shaped the ancient world, and why it is one of the most rewarding journeys you can make from Athens.

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Where to go

Ancient sites, castles and historic towns, from the isthmus to the far south.

About 1 hour from Athens

Corinth Canal

Corinthia·Landmark

The canal across the Isthmus of Corinth, cut between 1881 and 1893, about 6.4 kilometres long between sheer walls of rock. Look down from the bridges, watch the submersible bridges at either end sink to let ships pass, or sail through on a canal cruise.

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The Temple of Apollo

Ancient Corinth & Acrocorinth

Corinthia·Archaeological site

The ruins of one of the richest cities of the ancient world, with the 6th-century BC Temple of Apollo and a museum, below the great rock of Acrocorinth and its fortress walls.

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The Lion Gate

Mycenae

Argolida·Archaeological site

The citadel of Agamemnon, the heart of the Mycenaean civilisation, with its massive walls, the Lion Gate, the royal grave circle, the beehive Treasury of Atreus and a museum. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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The perfect theatre

Epidaurus

Argolida·Archaeological site

The Sanctuary of Asklepios and its 4th-century BC theatre, famous for its acoustics, where ancient dramas are performed on summer evenings during the Athens & Epidaurus Festival. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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The first capital

Nafplio

Argolida·Historic town

The first capital of modern Greece, a lovely town of marble streets, Venetian and Ottoman houses and waterfront cafés, with the Bourtzi castle in the harbour and the Palamidi fortress above. The best base for exploring the Argolid.

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Birthplace of the Olympics

Ancient Olympia

Ilia·Archaeological site

The sanctuary of Zeus where the ancient Olympic Games were held, with the Temple of Hera, where the Olympic flame is lit, the stadium, the workshop of Phidias and an outstanding archaeological museum. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Home of Leonidas

Sparta

Laconia·Town

The modern town in the Evrotas valley, on the site of ancient Sparta, with the statue of Leonidas, the remains of the ancient acropolis and theatre, an archaeological museum and the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil.

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A Byzantine city

Mystras

Laconia·Archaeological site

A ruined Byzantine city on a hillside near Sparta, with churches full of frescoes, monasteries, a palace and a castle at the top. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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The rock town

Monemvasia

Laconia·Historic town

A medieval town on a great rock in the sea, joined to the mainland by a causeway, with stone lanes, churches and boutique hotels in the lower town and ruins on the plateau above.

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Nature

Tower houses and sea caves

The Mani & the Diros Caves

Laconia·Region

The wild middle finger of the Peloponnese, with stone tower houses, villages such as Areopoli, quiet coves and the Diros Caves, where you explore an underground lake by boat.

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Tours from Athens

Day tours, overnight trips and canal cruises.

A long day

Day tours from Athens: Corinth Canal, Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio

Argolida·Day tour

The classic full-day tour from Athens: a stop at the Corinth Canal, guided visits to Mycenae and Epidaurus, and time in Nafplio, usually with hotel pick-up. Compare tours and read reviews before you book.

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Olympia from Athens

Tours to Ancient Olympia

Ilia·Day or overnight tour

Olympia is a long way for a single day, so many tours from Athens stay overnight or combine it with Delphi or Nafplio as part of a classical Greece tour of two to four days.

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Through the canal

Corinth Canal cruises

Corinthia·Boat trip

Boat trips sail through the canal between its towering walls of rock, an unforgettable way to see it from below. Departures are seasonal; check before you go.

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Tourist information

Getting there, tickets and the best time to go.

By car, bus or train

Getting to the Peloponnese

The Peloponnese·Travel options

The motorway from Athens crosses the Corinth Canal in about an hour, and continues to Nafplio, Tripoli, Sparta and Kalamata. Intercity KTEL buses run from Athens to the main towns, and the suburban railway runs from Athens airport and the city to Corinth. A car gives you the most freedom to explore.

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Book online

Tickets & opening times

The Peloponnese·Tourist information

Tickets for the main archaeological sites, including Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, Mystras and Ancient Corinth, can be bought online from the official e-ticket service of the Greek Ministry of Culture. Opening hours are longer in summer and shorter in winter, and sites close on some public holidays, so check before you travel.

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Spring and autumn

When to go

The Peloponnese·Tourist information

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, with wild flowers in April and May and warm seas in September and October. Summer is hot, especially at the open sites inland, but it is the season for the Epidaurus Festival and the beaches. Visit Greece, the official tourism site, has more ideas for the region.

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Share your Peloponnese experience

Been to the Peloponnese? Share your favourite sites, towns, tours and travel tips with other visitors.

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