Sparta
The King Leonidas statue stands belligerently in front of a football stadium. When the Persians attacked at Thermopylae and told the Spartans and their…
Must-see attractions in Peloponnese
Messinia
The ruins of this ancient castle, which the Franks built in the 13th century on the site of the acropolis of Ancient Pylos, lie 5km west of Gialova on…
Argolis
The unfairly underrated Mycenaean acropolis, 4km north of Nafplio, is the apogee of Mycenaean architectural achievement. Legend has it that its massive…
Peloponnese
Ten kilometres north of Kalavryta, this is believed to be one of the oldest monasteries in Greece (though the current building dates from the 20th century…
Kardamyli
Larger-than-life Patrick Leigh Fermor (1915–2011), a Hellenophile and marvellously engaging writer, lived just outside Kardamyli for much of his later…
Argolis
Atmospheric Franchthi Cave is one of Greece’s oldest and most significant Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic sites, with occupation dating back over…
The Mani
This spectacular peninsula juts out of the Mani coast like an upside-down saucepan and, indeed, its Greek name means 'frying pan'. The high point of…
Argolis
Looming over Argos, Larissa Castle is a crumbling conglomeration of purple-flower-studded towers, bastions and wall sections – contributed by Roman,…
Argolis
A complex of impressive Greek and Roman ruins straddles both sides of the Tripoli road. The star attraction is the impressively large theatre, which…
Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Antiquity
Peloponnese
Beautifully presented displays depict the history of the world's most prestigious sporting competition. Learn about its core original events (foot racing,…
Argolis
This small site is worth a stop for its intriguing House of the Tiles, one of the most important Greek remains from the 3rd millennium BC. It's very well…
Sparta
In a park, this likeable old-style archaeological museum hosts artefacts from Sparta’s illustrious past. Look for the votive sickles of the kind that…
Kalamata
Looming over the town is the 13th-century kastro (fort). Remarkably, it survived the powerful 1986 earthquake that levelled the city. The entry gate is…
Monemvasia Archaeological Collection
Monemvasia
This small museum housed in a former temple, Agios Andreas (596 AD), displays finds unearthed in the course of old town excavations, such as pottery from…
Messinia
It’s well worth heading 800m along the road from Mavromati village, past the museum to the celebrated Arcadian Gate. This unusual stone portal with a…
Messinia
The compact museum, by the turn-off for Ancient Messini, houses some wonderful statuary from the site – including a copy of one of the best-known statues…
Patra
Patra's castle stands on the site of the acropolis of ancient Patrai. The Romans were the first to build a fort here around AD 550, but the present…
Lakonia
It may be compact, but this museum does a wonderful job of bringing to life the past residents of Gythio and the surrounding Mani. Themed rooms exhibit…
Messinia
This old-style museum houses finds from the palace site and other Mycenaean weaponry, jewellery and pottery from tombs around Messinia. The prize pieces…
Nafplio
Whether or not you wish to buy Greece's most popular souvenir item – komboloï (worry beads) – at the gift shop, it's worth popping into the incense…
Lakonia
This beautiful little studio-museum-shop is run by personable local artist Giorgos Hassanakos. The small upstairs gallery pays homage to traditional…
Nafplio
Odyssey Cruises runs boat excursions to this island fortress. Built in 1473, it lies about 600m west of the town's port and has served variously as a…
National Gallery – Nafplio Annex
Nafplio
This arm of the Athens National Gallery is housed in a stunningly restored neoclassical building (don't be deterred; the front door looks to be closed)…
Nafplio
A gorgeous pine-tree-lined 3km path runs from the car park next to Arvanitia Beach to the long, sandy Karathona Beach. It's a flat, easy walk, though the…
The Mani
Housed in a restored tower, this museum displays exquisite Byzantine pieces from Mani churches. These include a 12th-century marble templon (chancel…
Peloponnese
This handsome estate, bristling with peacocks, produces a range of wines, including its delicious flagship red Domaine Mercouri. Unless you book a visit…
Messinia
The castle complex crowns a bluff overlooking the town. Much of it is occupied by the Timios Prodromos Convent, where a dress code applies. You can enter…
Archaeological Museum of Neapolis Voion
Lakonia
This impressive collection of artefacts encompasses finds from the Malea Peninsula on which Neapoli sits. It masterfully takes the visitor on an ancient…
Argolis
George Skouras has been making wine since the 1980s and this impressive spot, ten kilometres from Argos, is well worth dropping by for a taste…
Lakonia
Amateur geologists will appreciated the petrified forest, an expanse of trees fossilised several million years ago. It's located on the coast around 16km…
Kardamyli
Old Town Kardamyli consists of a fortified settlement with a handsome 18th-century church, plus restored tower, oil press and three-storey building. There…
Messinia
Housed in a red mansion on the seafront, this collection of pictures depicts the War of Independence with a focus on the Battle of Navarino. It was…
Peloponnese
A huge white cross on a cypress-covered hillside just east of town marks the site where the German army machine-gunned nearly 500 men and boys from…
Patra
Seating 5500 people, this church is one of the largest in the Balkans. Tradition holds that the Romans crucified St Andrew here in Patra (on the diagonal…
The Mani
On the southern side of Plateia 17 Martiou is this 18th-century church. Its picturesque five-storey bell tower marks it as the most important of Areopoli…
Nafplio
This small pebble beach is just five minutes’ walk south of town, tucked beside the Akronafplia fortress, past the Land Gate. It's a nice place for a…
Peloponnese
Third-generation winemaker George Palivos runs this boutique winery, which has a pretty vineyard running uphill, a cute barrel room and a range of…
Museum of Traditional Greek Costumes
Kalamata
Opened in 2017, this stunning museum features a remarkable collection of Greek costumes that was donated by Victoria Karelia. Far from moth-eaten old hand…
Messinia
Koroni’s main attraction is Zaga Beach, a 2km sweep of golden sand just south of town. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to here; you can cut through the…
Peloponnese
The Lafkiotis family has been specialising in wines made from local grape varieties since 1963. Besides the agiorgitiko, agionymo, Nemea and rodamos reds,…
