5 days in the cities of Peloponnese

Do you know whyPeloponnese is connected in our minds with the outskirts, the mountains, the forests, the villages and their beaches?

Because in Greece the culture of “the city break” hasn’t arrived yet, which is of travelling not so much as to see a city, but to live and experience another city: Its vibe, the stories, the cuisine, its night life and of course its sights.

Give them a chance, and  five days of your time, and we promise you that the cities in Peloponnese are going to surprise you.

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Starting point: Corinth

A city filled with (ancient and new) History that has nice places to stroll at its pedestrianized center, as well as by the sea, and two of the greatest sights of the Peloponnesian north: The ancient city with the magnificent temples and the well-preserved buildings, and the biggest castle in Peloponnese, the famous Akrocorinthos that you will need at least two hours to see it, through an amazing ride with a breathtaking view.

So, to lazily stroll around and appreciate the night life, as it deserves to be done, you will have to spend the night in  Corinth. 

7+1 wonderful shops to do your shopping in Ancient Corinth 

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 67 kilometers

 1 hour of driving

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1^st stop: Egira

There are not many ancient theaters that overlook the sea in Greece. So this is a reason by itself to visit this amazing ancient theater that looks like hanging above the Corinthian Gulf.

Its construction is estimated around 280 B.C., when the cities of Achaia joined together and established the Achaic Confederacy. Right in front of the new village with the tiled roofs, Egira beach is also incredible and perfect for a refreshing dip at the crystal   clear waters, if you’re doing this trip in the summer.

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 67 kilometers

 53 minutes of driving

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2^nd stop: Patra

Just a night stay is too little for the biggest city of the Peloponnese.

This joyful and vivid student-city that apart from its sights, has also a vibrant night life.

Not that it misses out on the sights too: One of the best and most pioneer archaeological museums of Greece is here, as well as the byzantine castle that was built during the Justinian reign in the 6^th century, the ancient Roman Odeon and the oldest enclosed theatre in Greece, which was designed by Ernst Ziller in 1872.

And these are just the beginning. We haven’t mentioned yet the endless walks you’ll take at the picturesque alleys of the Ano Poli (Upper town) and at Dasyllio, which hangs as a green balcony above the city and overlooks an amazing sunset.

More about Patra here Patra.

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 75 kilometers

 1 hour and 7 minutes of walking

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3^rd stop: Chlemoutsi Castle

Clermont was the name that the Franks gave it when it was built, in 1223, and we must admit that the original name suits better to its grandeur than its rather grievous Greek corruption. 

However, what’s in a name, as Shakespeare would say, before all this beauty? Chlemoutsi is one of the nicest and most well-preserved castles in Peloponnese, and the most representative sample of Frankish architecture that we have in Greece.

The castle that looks like it is taken from the pictures of a children’s book, has changed many hands in its long History: It turned Catalan, Byzantine, Ottoman, Venetian and back to Ottoman, and all this History is marked on the walls and its towers, the battlements and the big flowery plateaus that especially in spring they are marvelous.

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 161 kilometers

 2 hours and 9 minutes of driving

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(*) If you’re doing this trip in summer, the endless sandy beach of Kaiafas worths a stop to dive, 72 kilometers after Chlemoutsi, approximately in the middle of the route. No detours are necessary, since it is right on your way.

4^th stop: Kalamata

The most coastal of all the cities in Peloponnese,Kalamata is also one of the prettiest.

This is a city that you have to live- and walk, its historical castle filled with colorful neoclassical buildings and walkways, the fairytale castle rising above it as an unguarded guard, and the coastal walkway that has a fragrant sea breeze throughout every season.

In its sights are included the very interesting Archaeological Museum and the Railway Park, which you shouldn’t miss if you travel with children.

Its vibrant night life and unique cuisine definitely require one (at least) overnight stay.

More about Kalamata here Kalamata.

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 57.5 kilometers 

 1 hour and 20 minutes of driving

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(*) Through the passage of Lagada: Of course there is a shorter, and much easier, way to go from Kalamata to Sparta, through the new Highway. But there isn’t prettier route than that.

To be more specific, the Passage of Lagada is one of the most impressive routes that you will ever drive- and we say that without any exaggeration. The road climbs the stiff sides of the northwest part of Mt. Taygetos, turn by turn, passing by otherworldly rocks, through green gorges, next to flowery valleys and above the magnificent Kaiadas chasm, which is, indeed, as imposing as you have imagined it.

The route is not suitable for beginner drivers or for those who get car sick.

5^th stop: Sparta

In comparison to other Peloponnesian cities, Sparta might lack picturesqueness and “vivid” night life, it is a symbol- city though, baptized with History and with sights that include the few but very interesting remnants of its legendary ancient version, an exemplary Archaeological Museum, the very amusing Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil, and of course the many-times-sang Mystras that lays at its doorstep.

Just five kilometers outside Sparta, the magnificent byzantine castle-city is an actual time machine and definitely worths a stop, even if you don’t really love the Byzantines or their History.

Whether you will choose to spend the night at the “feet” of the castle-city, at the village also called Mystras, or at the center of Sparta to live it by night, we leave it up to you. More about Sparta here Sparta  and about Mystras here Mystras.

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 39 kilometers

 35 minutes of driving

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 6^th stop: Loganikos

Since the new and fast Highway passes by the villages of north Taygetos before it ends up at Gefyra and from there to Tripoli, which is our final destination, we will make a detour to explore this beautiful, quiet mountainous village that nestles at the 750 meters, where Taygetos meets Parnonas.

Loganikos village sleeps under the shade of its byzantine castle, from which are only saved some remnants (but the route up here is amazing, even though it is difficult) and has as sights seven byzantine churches.

If you are to visit but one, the stone-built Agios Georgios church dates back to the 1374 and is considered as one of the oldest saved churches in Taygetos Mt. More about Loganikos and the other wonderful villages around it here North Taygetos.

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 53 kilometers

 45 minutes of driving

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7^th stop: Tripoli

The capital of Arcadia is famous for its long History and its notorious weather.

This is your chance to get to know it for the vibrant, open squares too, the green groves that other Greek cities lack, and the neoclassical buildings, which here and there add interesting architectural touches in the chaos of the modern blocks of flats.

Among the city sights stand out the designed by Ernst Ziller Archaeological Museum that hosts mythical treasures from all the Arcadia, and the “Agios Georgios” grove, inside of which the kids will be thrilled to discover a mini zoo.

 It has excellent choices in food and drinks (especially around the walkway of Deligianni Str.) that can guarantee the last overnight stay of our small trip to be a great night. More about Tripoli here Tripoli.

All the route along with the stops on the map here :  https://tinyurl.com/y2awrcl9

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Activities

In the summer their crystal clear waters will refresh you from the heat, in the autumn the golden tree leaves create the perfect conditions for relaxation, in winter  the mountainous landscape is dressed in white and in spring the colors of nature reflect upon their tranquil waters. We travel to the most beautiful lakes of Peloponnese where blue meets green and they are in perfect harmony.

We travel to the most beautiful lakes of Peloponnese