Peloponnese

The Peloponnese (Πελοπόννησος) is the large peninsula of southern Greece. It is joined to the mainland at the Isthmus of Corinth, which the Corinth Canal cuts through. Mountains fill its interior, and three long prongs reach south into the sea. Motorways link it to Athens, and ferries from Italy dock at Patras.

Few regions hold as many sites of ancient Greece. Olympia, Mycenae and Tiryns, the Sanctuary of Epidaurus, the Temple of Apollo at Bassae and Byzantine Mystras are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ancient Corinth, Messene, Nemea and the Palace of Nestor add to the list. Venetian Nafplio with the Palamidi fortress and the rock town of Monemvasia are among the country's best-known towns. Castles guard the coasts at Methoni, Pylos and Chlemoutsi. Show more

Landscapes range from the tower villages and caves of the Mani to the white sands of Elafonisos. Voidokilia Beach curves along Navarino Bay. In the north, the Vouraikos Gorge runs below Kalavryta and the Mega Spilaio Monastery. In Arcadia, the Lousios Gorge hides cliff monasteries along the Menalon Trail. Kalamata olives, Nemea wine and fresh fish shape the table. Patras holds a large carnival, and the Epidaurus theatre hosts drama in summer. The region is best explored on a road trip.