Peloponnese Greece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in the Peloponnese reveals the most extraordinary concentration of ancient, Byzantine and medieval heritage in Greece outside Athens, from the magnificent Lion Gate at Mycenae to the perfect acoustics of the Epidaurus theatre, the beautiful Venetian town of Nafplio, the haunting Byzantine ghost city of Mystras and the remarkable medieval rock fortress of Monemvasia. This route covers the essential Peloponnese experience: the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, the most beautiful town in Greece at Nafplio, the UNESCO Byzantine city of Mystras near Sparta, and the extraordinary medieval fortress town of Monemvasia rising from the Laconian Sea.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to November
Getting There
Drive or bus from Athens (2 hours to Nafplio)
Getting Around
Car essential. Distances between sites are significant.
Budget Per Day
Approx 70 to 120 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, mostly driving with site walking
DAY 1
MYCENAE AND NAFPLIO
MORNING
THE CITADEL OF MYCENAE
The Citadel of Mycenae is the most extraordinary Bronze Age site in Greece, containing the Lion Gate, oldest monumental sculpture in Europe, the Treasury of Atreus beehive tomb, the finest Bronze Age tomb in the world, and the grave circles where Schliemann discovered the gold Mask of Agamemnon. Views over the Argolid plain are extraordinary. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: 45 min drive to Nafplio
MIDDAY
NAFPLIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The finest regional museum in the Peloponnese, housing the extraordinary Dendra Panoply, the finest surviving Bronze Age armour in the world, plus remarkable Mycenaean pottery and Bronze Age collections from the Argolid. Housed in a remarkable 18th-century Venetian warehouse on Syntagma Square. Entry approx 6 euros. Drive: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
NAFPLIO OLD TOWN AND PALAMIDI FORTRESS
Nafplio is the most beautiful town in Greece, its Venetian old town of neoclassical mansions and cobbled lanes giving the finest historic streetscape in the Peloponnese. The Palamidi Fortress above the town, reached by 999 steps, gives the finest view over the Argolic Gulf. The Bourtzi castle in the harbour at sunset is unmissable. Entry approx 8 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Treasury of Atreus, finest Bronze Age tholos tomb in the world, is almost always deserted despite being 200 metres from the Mycenae entrance. The 13.5-metre beehive chamber built without mortar around 1250 BC creates one of the most extraordinary acoustic spaces in Greece. Free with Mycenae ticket.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Hellas, Nafplio Greek coffee and fresh pastries on the most beautiful square in the Peloponnese. | Lunch: Taverna near Mycenae Grilled lamb and local Argolid wine overlooking the extraordinary Mycenaean plain. | Dinner: Aiolos Restaurant, Nafplio Modern Greek cuisine with extraordinary fresh seafood from the Argolic Gulf.
DAY 2
EPIDAURUS AND MYSTRAS
MORNING
THE ANCIENT THEATRE OF EPIDAURUS
The Theatre of Epidaurus is the most extraordinary ancient theatre in the world, its 4th-century BC cavea of 14,000 seats giving the finest acoustics of any open-air theatre in existence. The Sanctuary of Asclepius contains the mysterious circular Tholos and the Enkoimeterion where patients slept awaiting healing dreams. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: 1.5 hr drive to Mystras
MIDDAY
THE BYZANTINE CITY OF MYSTRAS
Mystras is the most extraordinary Byzantine site in Greece, its UNESCO-listed walled city containing the finest Byzantine frescoes outside Constantinople, the Pantanassa Monastery with nuns still in residence, the Peribleptos Church and the Palace of the Despots, last imperial palace of Byzantium. Entry approx 12 euros.
AFTERNOON
SPARTA AND THE TAYGETOS VALLEY
Sparta left almost no monuments above ground yet its Archaeological Museum contains the finest collection of Spartan votive offerings and carved reliefs. The extraordinary Taygetos mountains above Mystras and the olive groves of the Eurotas Valley give the finest natural landscape in the Peloponnese. Museum entry approx 6 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The village below the Mystras UNESCO site contains remarkable Byzantine fountains, stone houses and the finest hidden tavernas in the Peloponnese, almost entirely unknown to tourists who visit only the walled city above. The village bakery produces the finest Lakonian olive bread in the region. Free to explore.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast, Nafplio Early start required. The theatre is extraordinary in the morning before tour groups arrive. | Lunch: Taverna near Mystras Local lamb, Lakonian olive oil and house wine near the Byzantine city. | Dinner: Restaurant in Sparta Lakonian specialities including cured meats and extraordinary local honey.
DAY 3
MONEMVASIA AND THE MANI
MORNING
MONEMVASIA LOWER AND UPPER TOWN
Monemvasia is the most extraordinary medieval fortified town in Greece, its castle rock rising 300 metres from the Laconian Sea connected to the mainland by a single causeway. The car-free lower town holds the finest Byzantine and Venetian architecture in the Peloponnese. The upper castle gives the finest view over the Myrtoan Sea. Entry approx 4 euros. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
THE DIROS CAVES
The Diros Caves near Areopoli are the most extraordinary stalactite caves in Greece, accessible by rowing boat through underground lakes where the formations create a remarkable subterranean world. Neolithic remains give evidence of habitation 70,000 years ago. The colours of the limestone are unlike anything above ground in Greece. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE MANI PENINSULA
The Mani is the most dramatic region of the Peloponnese, its landscape of tower villages, Byzantine churches and wild coastline giving the most atmospheric scenery on the Greek mainland. The tower houses of Vathia give the finest medieval village silhouette in Greece. Cape Tenaro, southernmost point of mainland Greece, is unmissable. Free to explore.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Kelefa Castle above the Mani coast between Areopoli and Diros is the finest hidden Ottoman fortress in the Peloponnese, its 17th-century walls giving extraordinary views over the Gulf of Limeni. Almost entirely unknown to tourists. Free entry. The 15-minute walk from the road passes through remarkable ancient olive groves.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Breakfast inside Monemvasia The most extraordinary breakfast setting in the Peloponnese, inside the medieval castle walls. | Lunch: Fish taverna on the Mani coast The finest grilled fish and Mani olive oil on the extraordinary Laconian Sea. | Dinner: Taverna in Areopoli, the Mani Traditional Maniot dinner: extraordinary local lamb and wild herbs in the deep Mani.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Nafplio Old Town, Nights 1 to 2 Byron Hotel or Aetoma in the old town. The finest location in Greece. Approx 80 to 180 euros per night. Monemvasia, Night 3 Sleep inside the castle rock. Kellia or Lazaretto. Medieval atmosphere. Approx 120 to 250 euros. Budget option Pension Marianna, Nafplio. Outstanding views, warm hosts. Approx 50 to 80 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. The Lion Gate at Mycenae was built around 1250 BC and is the oldest monumental sculpture in Europe. Arrive at opening to have it to yourself.
2. Epidaurus theatre has perfect acoustics. Stand at the centre of the orchestra and drop a coin. The sound carries to the very back row.
3. Nafplio Palamidi Fortress has 999 steps to the top and the finest view in the Peloponnese. Go at sunset for extraordinary golden light.
4. Mystras was the last capital of the Byzantine Empire. The entire walled city is UNESCO listed and almost entirely unvisited by international tourists.
5. Monemvasia lower town: the medieval streets inside the castle rock are entirely car-free. Arrive after 5pm when the day-trippers leave.
6. The Diros Caves near Areopoli are the finest stalactite caves in Greece, accessible by boat through underground lakes. Approx 12 euros.
Total Budget
70 to 120 euros/day