Vacation Packages to Peloponnese

General Information About the Peloponnese

The Peloponnese is a peninsula in southern Greece, which is connected to the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth, which, in turn, is crossed by the Corinth Canal.

The geography of this peninsula is characterized by having a very mountainous relief, as it is an extension of the Pindo mountain range, which is why it has several massifs with very high peaks. In fact, the highest is Taygetus, which is over two thousand four hundred meters high.

The Peloponnese is made up of five peripheral units: Corinthia, Laconia, Messenia, Arcadia and Argolis. In turn, administratively they also belong to the Peloponnese Achaia and Elis, although territorially they are part of the periphery of Western Greece.

One of the most prominent sites in the Peloponnese is the religious center of ancient Olympia, where the Olympic games were held for the first time. Today it is a fascinating archaeological site to learn about the culture of the ancient Greeks.

Also, within this region is the mythical city of Sparta, one of the most important polis of ancient Greece.

The History of the Peloponnese

The current territory of the Peloponnese was populated for the first time in the year two thousand six hundred BC by the Aegeans. Later, it was occupied by Anatolians in 2400 BC, Ionians in 2000 and Achaeans in 1600 BC.

In the year 610 BC, Sparta conquered a third of the peninsula and became its main polis. In turn, he formed the Peloponnesian League, which was an alliance between states, which faced Athens.

Time later the region was dominated by Macedonians and Romans and enjoyed a period of peace, although their power declined.

In the year three hundred and ninety-six the territory was occupied by Slavic tribes, which chose to become Hellenized, and in the year one thousand two hundred and four, after the defeat of the Byzantine Empire, Venice and the Crusaders conquered the region.

In 1430 the area was dominated by the Eastern Romans, who reigned for only thirty years when the area was occupied by the Ottomans, to whom the land belonged until the independence of Greece.

Peloponnese Highlights

What to Eat If You Travel to the Peloponnese

The Peloponnese is a great destination if you love to discover places based on their flavors, as it has a great gastronomic offer that will allow you to discover the best of typical Greek cuisine.

A dish that we recommend you try if you visit this peninsula is Gyros, a recipe in which lamb or pork is marinated for 12 hours with lemon juice, spices and vegetables and then roasted over low heat to later place it in an omelette of pita bread along with a salad.

Likewise, we invite you to try Fasolada, a soup made from beans and vegetables with olive oil and sea salt.

As for the typical drinks, the Peloponnese is characterized by having several vineyard areas where exquisite wines are produced, so we suggest you bet on the local, you will not regret it.

And if you have doubts about the existence of Mount Olympus, home of the Gods, you will know that it exists when you take a bite of the delicious Greek yogurt, even better if it comes accompanied with honey and fruits, a masterpiece that cannot be anything other than a gift of the gods.

Cultural Events in the Peloponnese

The cultural calendar in the Peloponnese is full of festivities in which the joyous Greek spirit is shown in its entire splendor. Here are some of these events:

1. Celebration of “Giala-giala”: it is celebrated in Ermioni, in January, during the day of the epiphany and is dedicated to the fishing customs of the area and the arts in general.
2. Patrás Carnival is one of the oldest festivals in the region and takes place in January and February. During this event, dances, treasure hunts and even a fictitious wedding are commemorated. It is a party in which humor and the congregation of the locals prevail.
3. Celebration of the good year in Nedousa, a party dedicated to honoring nature to obtain good harvests.
4. Anthestiria, a festival to honor Dionysus, God of ancient Greek mythology, whose privileged field of action was wine and fertility. Celebrate the arrival of spring with various festivals, the most famous of which is Kalamata.
5. Kalamata International Dance Festival, a celebration of pure color, dances and fun that takes place in July.
6. The Nemea vintage, which is celebrated in September, during the autumn, and in which you can not only taste exquisite wines but also see great shows.
7. Spartathlon, a marathon that takes place in September on the Sparta-Athens route.
8. Winter welcome party, held at the end of November.

Sites of Interest of the Peloponnese

The Peloponnese is a region that stands out for its impressive archaeological sites, which, located in the most beautiful landscapes, create the perfect environment to transport you to the past and the life of ancient civilizations.

Here are some of the most prominent:

1. Ancient Olympia. In ancient times, this site functioned as a religious and sports center, since the Olympic games began to take place there, which paid tribute to Zeus and Apollo. Today it is a huge, spectacular archaeological site that cannot be missed on your visit to this area.
2. Ancient Epidaurus, it is one of the most outstanding sites of ancient Greece, in which a truly amazing ancient theater is preserved.
3. The fortress of Mystra, one of the legacies of Byzantine culture, is located on top of a hill and was one of the main headquarters of the Byzantine empire. There you will find palaces, churches (with frescoes) and other buildings distributed in three interconnected sections.
4. Temple of Apollo Epicurus, the first ancient Greek temple to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in 1986, which is impressive not only for its architecture but for its wonderful views.
5. Mycenae, this legendary city, which was the home of the mythical Agamemnon, will surprise you from the moment you enter through the Lions Gate. There you will be surprised by the size of the walls and the monuments, such as the monument to Clytemnestra, one of the protagonists of the most interesting Greek tragedies.
6. Ancient Messene, one of the most complete archaeological sites in Greece, which was found in 1980, since previously this city, was only mentioned in some ancient historical writings.

What to Give If You Travel to the Peloponnese

If you are planning a trip to the Peloponnese and you are a lover of bringing gifts and souvenirs from your trip, you should know that this fragrant peninsula, full of archaeological sites and places steeped in history, has many specialized shops so you don't get home with your hands empty.

Some great options are wine and olive oil, since these products are produced locally and have excellent quality. This is a great way to bring Greek cuisine to the table in any home.

And if what you are looking for is something less perishable then does not hesitate to take your handmade ceramic objects inspired by ancient Greece, a way to support local artisans and carry a little piece of Greece in your suitcase.

Another great idea is handmade leather sandals, which are in the most common popular imagination when we think of the ancient Greeks. A great way to treat a loved one and make him or her feels like Apollo or Aphrodite themselves.

How to Get Around the Peloponnese

To move around the Peloponnese you will find different options. Undoubtedly, the most comfortable will be by car, so renting a car or booking private transfers from Greca are the best alternatives.

If this does not convince you, you can also move around the peninsula by bus, which leaves every day to different destinations in the Peloponnese.

If you are thinking of using the trains, you should know that these are not one of the most recommended options, as they are not in the best conditions.

The options to organize your itinerary are multiple, so you will be able to access all the outstanding sites of the Peloponnese without much difficulty.

The Idiosyncrasy of the Peloponnese

The Peloponnese is a fascinating place not only because of its busy history and its wonderful archaeological sites, with temples, theaters and ruins of all kinds, but also because of its privileged place within mythology, as this region is the protagonist of the most curious stories.

In fact, the very name of this area means "Island of Pelops" and owes this label to the curious story according to which this Greek mythological hero would have conquered the entire region.

Likewise, there are magical places in the Peloponnese such as the Ménalo path, where it is said that Zeus was washed at birth, or Akrocorinto, a rock formation where Aphrodite was worshiped.

And it is that in the entire region you can breathe an air full of mysticism that infects even the most skeptical.

What to See and Do in the Peloponnese

The Peloponnese is an extraordinary region full of fascinating archeological sites and natural paradises full of mountains and trails.

One of its most interesting sites is Olympia and very close to the Peloponnese is the mythical Delphi, which is why you will find these destinations in several of our packages to the Peloponnese.

Do you want to know the most outstanding archaeological sites? Would you like to ride the most fascinating mountain trails? Do you want to enjoy excellent gastronomy in the most mythical places?

In that case, book your trip to the Peloponnese right now. You can build your trip through the Peloponnese with Greca according to your preferences and needs. Make your dreams come true today and travel to this wonderful peninsula!