Peloponnese travel Information

From Pyrgos head east through Ancient Olympia and over the mountains towards Navplio. This is a fantastic drive and takes much longer than you think it will from the map as the road is very bendy.

Navplio is a lovely town - lots to see and do.

If you like ancient sites then you can visit Mycenae, Nemea, Epidavros and Corinth. Definitely go to Acrocorinthos and you will be able to see both the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf at the same time from up there.

If you go to Corinth, cross the canal by the 'special bridge' rather than the old bridge or the new one. This involves taking the road to Epidavros and taking the turnoff for Paleo Kalamaki. You might have to wait about 15 minutes to get across but everyone I've taken there has loved it. Have a coffee on the other side and then drive back over the bridge. On occasion I've arrived there and driven straight across and tried to get my companions to guess why you can't always drive across. After 15 minutes or so, all is revealed!

I would head down to Sparti and visit Mystras - a most amazing place to spend a day. Sparti reeks of orange blossom so you get quite spaced out - in a very nice way - and there's an orange dump there where you can just go and help yourself to as many oranges as you like thanks to EU subsidies. Gythio is a pretty place to stay. The drive from Sparti to Kalamata over the mountain is fantastic and you can imagine all those weakling babies left out on the hillsides by the Spartans - they certainly wouldn't last long. The signs telling you to put on your snowchains can be a bit scary - I drove over the mountains once in winter and it was cold and lonely up there!

On the 'third finger' of the Peloponnese is Monemvasia reached by a bridge and looking a bit like the rock of Gibraltar. There were lots of old places being restored last time I was there so I hope it has kept its character and not turned into a tourist trap.

If you head down into the Mani the landscape eventually (beyond Areopoli) becomes very bleak but breathtaking with towers that were built by the locals to outdo each other in the family feuds that lasted for centuries. Stoupa and Kardamyli are also on this road but on the 'gentler' bit closer to Kalamata.

In the other direction from Kalamata are Methoni and Pylos - both pleasant towns - and Nestor's palace (in case you know your Odyssey). If you drive up the west coast road, between Filiatra and Kyparissia you will suddenly notice something up ahead that will make you think you've taken a few too many mind-altering drugs. . .

The Diakofto-Kalvryta rack and pinion railway is worth a visit. I'll be visiting there again in May - haven't been for years so I am really looking forward to that.

I've heard that the Lemonodassos near Galatas no longer exists as they've turned it into a housing estate . . . but if you fancy a trip to a small island from Galatas you can hop*** across to Poros, or Hydra (never been) or Spetses. Porto Heli is overrun with Athenians at weekends so if you head there, be there weekdays.
*** A friend of mine used to be a rep in Poros and the gerbils came from Athens on a coach to Galatas, then went across on the boat. And of course on one occasion the boat sank! Luggage and all! Honest.

Parts of the Peloponnese I haven't visited:
the coastal area between Kilini and Araxos. There are wetlands here which I would love to see. I always drive past on the way to Athens . . . one day I'll stop.

Also haven't been to the Lousios gorge which is supposed to be beautiful along with the village of Dimitsana.

And one day I'll get to Methana.

Driving is pleasant anywhere. Lots of mountains so breathtaking scenery and no need to hurry. Even along the north coast there is an old road you can use instead of the new national road with its disconcerting signs about the frequency of fatal accidents. In fact . . . do you need a driver?