Peloponnese - Morea
The Peloponnese is a peninsula of natural beauty, ancient greek
sites, Byzantine cities, Venetian and French fortresses, mountains, deep
valleys, hidden monasteries and rugged landscapes like the Mani. There is so
much to see that only some highlights will be described here.
It is good to have
your own transport. Roads improved a lot the last years. The motorway crossing
the Corinth Canal leads as far as Tripoli. It ist now difficult to see the Canal
.To see the Korinthian Canal take the exit to Epidaurus on the motorway.
However it is better to visit the Peloponnese in the off seasons. It's not
too hot, people are more friendlyand sightseeing spots are not overcrowded .
Korinth and he ruins of Ancient Corinth are worth to explore. Also visit the fortress of
Akrocorinth with fine views across the Gulf.
Entering the Argolis there are lots of sights to see. The town of Argos ist the
centre of the region and like Nafplio a good base to eplore the region.
Argos
has a beautiful central square - Platia Agio Petrou. There you also find the
archaeological museum with many objects from the Mycenaean tombs. After visiting
ancient Mykene, better early in the morning before the tour coaches arrive,
taste some fresh orange juice sold there. For independent travellers it is
sometimes not easy to find accommodation during the main season ans holidays.
On the road to Nafplio see the less visited but also impressive Tiryns close to
the road.
Nafplio ist one of Greece's prettiest towns. Dominated by the Palmidi
Fortress, town and port are beautiful. About 1000 steps lead up to Palmidi but it ist
better to drive to the fortress and go down the stairs. So you will enjoy the
fanastic views more. There is no beach in the town but you can make walks along
the base of the headland an down to Karatona beach. On weekends and holidays
Napfplio is very crowded and it is hard to find accomodation.
Lakonia: The region of Lakonia includes Sparti, Monemvassia and the Mani.
Sparta, a busy town, is the capital of Lakonia. Most tourists head for Mystras,
built on the steep hills of Mt. Tygetos. Visiting the site it is better to start
at the upper entrance and move downhill because the area is quite large. Monemvassia
is a massive rock off the coast and is reached by a causeway from the village of
Jefira. In summer you'll have the usual mass tourism but the extra-ordinary view
of the huge rock, with a fortress on top, is outstanding. Try to climb to the
top of the rock and enjoy the great view. There are hotels in Monemvassia, but
they are very exepensive. It is better to stay in some domatia in Jefera.
Gythio
was once the port of ancient Sparti. Today it is a fishing town and ferry port (to
Crete/Kythira) and has a nice waterfront. Try the restaurant on the quay,
watch life in the habour and streets or stroll along the waterfront. Gythio ist
also the gate to the Mani.
Close to Gythio is Mavrouni , the main beach to Gythio. New hotels and
apartments were built the last years. There are also two good camping places.
Mani:
The Mani covers the peninsula in the south of the Peloponnese. It is
parted into the inner-Mani and the outer-Mani (from Kalamata to Areopolis). It
is possible to make a loop on a costal road round the inner-Mani.
First you see
are the tower settelments, many of them today converted into weekend houses or
hotels. It is easier to find retired Germans, Albanian farmhands or tourist than
to find real Maniots. To the south the landscape becomes even wilder an more
barren. South of Vathia the road offers dramatic views and goes down on the left
to the coast to Porto Kagio, a fishing village. Her you'll find two fish
tavernas one of them also having rooms to let. Back up the hill the righthand
way leads to Sternes.
The way to Cape Tenaron, the most southerly point of
european mainland, starts there. A taverna, some houses and some holiday homes
are found. The owners of the taverna also rent rooms but they are not heated.
The path to the lighttower on Cape Tenaro starts next to the taverna (45 minutes
walk - there is no water at the lighthouse). You can find the path on the right
side of the bay.
Neapoli and the eastern tip of the peninsula don't see so many
foreign tourists. Visit the small costal villages south of Neapoli like Profitis
Ilias or have a walk to Ajia Irini on Cape Maléas.
The centre and the east of
the peninsula offer some more highlights. Near the villages of Dimitsana and
Stemnitsa you find monasteries hidden in deep canyons. High up in the
mountains, near Andritsena, is the now well covered temple of Vasses
. It is
the best preserved ancient temple in Greece. In the east you find the
impressive venetian fortresses Methoni and Koroni. From there long stretches
of sandy beaches lead up to Pirgos. Some miles away is the well known ancient
town of Olympia.