Peloponnese

Peloponnese is the largest peninsula of Greece, occupying the southern tip of the mainland. This charming corner of the Eastern Mediterranean is the cradle of Hellenic civilization. The endless variety of its coastline and landscapes, created by fertile valleys and rugged mountains, have been the backdrop for historical events for centuries. Their faded traces can be found everywhere in the Peloponnese, attracting tourists from all over the world. The beaches washed by the warm waves of the azure sea, the excellent cuisine and the hospitality of the Peloponnesians will make your trip unforgettable!

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Video: Peloponnese

Contents

Highlights

Among the historical regions of Greece, the Peloponnese Peninsula stands apart because of the outstanding importance of its archaeological wealth. Its chronicles reflect all epochal stages in the birth and formation of the state, from the Mycenaean period to modern times. Even Athens did not have to experience such vicissitudes of history.

The material evidence of successive civilizations, sometimes merging into one, make for delightful contrasts. In this land, ancient Greek sanctuaries are juxtaposed with Roman civic buildings, early Christian basilicas and Byzantine temples with Turkish mosques, and hilltop fortresses are the common heritage of different peoples.

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With the splendor of historical monuments of the Peloponnese rival the beauty of its nature – fertile valleys with plantations of citrus trees and olive groves, pine forests, pastures on the hills, majestic mountain peaks, cliffs plunging into the sea. There are hundreds of luxurious beaches, wide and miniature, nestled in cozy bays.

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The resorts of the peninsula are not as crowded as, for example, in Halkidiki, but the tourist infrastructure here is quite worthy. Guests are welcomed by hotels of all categories, beaches are well equipped, taverns and restaurants are found at every turn, and coastal bars work almost around the clock. There are not too many nightlife venues in the Peloponnese, but Kalamata is home to one of the best clubs in Greece, Please Don’t Tell – Banana, where you can party until morning.

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Myths and History of the Peloponnese

The ancient Greeks called the Peloponnese an island, although it was connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land. It did formally separate from the mainland, but only at the end of the century before last, when the isthmus was cut through by a canal. The name “Peloponnese” means “island of Pelops” and is derived from the name of the mythical hero and the word “nessos” (“island”).”

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The legend of Pelops says that he won the hand of the daughter of the local king Oenomaus by cunningly defeating him in a chariot race. In the course of the contest Oenomaus died. Since then a curse has been hanging over Pelopidas, the descendants of the trickster who ruled these lands in the Mycenaean era. It pushed the family to adultery and fratricide. This theme became a favorite of Greek tragedians.

One legend connects Pelops with the history of the Olympics: upon ascending to the throne, he ordered the erection of a sanctuary in Olympia and organized funeral games in honor of Oenomaus. Pelops is also credited with the custom of holding competitions once every 4 years with the obligatory announcement of a sacred truce. Heracles later restored the tradition of these games, called the Olympic Games.

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In 776 BC, the first documented Olympics took place in Olympia. This date is generally considered the beginning of the period of classical antiquity, when the Peloponnese came to the forefront of Greek history thanks to such legendary cities as Corinth, Sikyon, and Sparta. In that era, the Peloponnese reached not only political power, but also the heights of artistic excellence. Here blossomed the art of architecture, which gave the world architecture of the classical Corinthian order of colonnades. In the V century BC Sparta became the hegemon of the region. Having defeated the Persians and won the Peloponnesian War, for a brief period this polis became the center of all of Hellas.

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The freedom-loving temperament of the Peloponnesians more than once inflamed the peninsula with revolts against foreigners – the Thebans, Macedonians, and then the Romans. The Roman period was replaced by the era of barbarian invasions, and by the end of the first millennium, Byzantine rule was established in the Peloponnese. The island was then called Morea, from the word μορέα, meaning “mulberry tree”. These trees grew in abundance in the Peloponnese. Another version attributes the name “Morea” to the similarity of the outline of the Peloponnese to a mulberry leaf.

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Another perturbation was brought to the peninsula by the Crusaders and self-serving Italian cities, who divided the Peloponnese into feuds (XIII-XIV centuries). The Byzantines, however, succeeded in liberating it. Before the Ottoman invasion, the Peloponnese and its Byzantine capital Mistra shone with the brilliance of a brief period of prosperity known as the Paleologian Renaissance.

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From the 15th century, the peninsula was a battleground between the Greeks in alliance with the Venetians and the Turks. The Ottoman Empire took final control of the Peloponnese in 1715. The local population repeatedly rebelled against the oppressors. The liberation struggle was supported by the Russian Empire, which pursued its geopolitical goals. The Greek Revolution of 1821 also began in the Peloponnese, when the rebels took control of Kalamata. Nafplion was then liberated from the Turks and became the first capital of an independent Greek state.

At the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the economic situation of the Peloponnese was dire. A huge flow of emigrants rushed from here to the major cities of the country, to the United States, Australia. The Second World War inflicted heavy wounds on the peninsula. Today, the Peloponnese is known as one of the most conservative and traditional regions of Greece, which, however, brings a special charm to traveling in this legendary land.

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Geography

The Peloponnese covers an area of 21,549 km². It is surrounded by seas and numerous bays belonging to the Mediterranean basin. The Ionian Sea washes the western shores of the Peloponnese, the Aegean Sea the eastern coast. The southern tip is cut into the open waters of the Mediterranean Sea by sub-peninsulas: Mani (Maina), Messinia (Messinia), Elos. The total length of the coastline of the peninsula, picturesquely cut by bays, reaches 1100 km.

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In the north, the Peloponnese is connected to the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth, cut in its narrowest part by the channel of the same name. The sight of the long Corinth Canal (6,343 m), cut among the steep cliffs, invariably shocks the imagination of travelers entering the peninsula by rail or highway.

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The idea to dig a canal connecting the Corinthian Gulf of the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf of the Aegean Sea dates back a long time: the first attempts were made in the 7th century B.C. However, the labor-intensive work was not feasible at that time. The construction of the canal was considered by Caesar, Caligula, but the only ruler who took up the cause literally with a shovel in his hands, was Nero. With his death, the project, which was realized by 6000 Jewish prisoners, was abandoned. The plan was not realized until 1883-1893.

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The peninsula is divided into three administrative regions: western Greece, Attica (in the northeast) and the Peloponnese proper, which occupies the bulk of the territory – 15,498 km². From antiquity to the present day, this land has been divided into 7 regions: Arcadia, Achaea, Elida, Messinia (Messinia), Laconia, Argolida, Corinthia. Predominantly historical locations are part of the Peloponnese region. Only Achaea and Elida are part of Western Greece. Attica owns a small part of the Argolid.

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Climate

Climatic conditions in the Peloponnese are milder than in the rest of Greece. Sunny weather reigns here from mid-April to mid-October. The western regions receive most of the rainfall, while the east has a drier climate. At the same time, the west has the highest temperatures on the island.

Summer in the Peloponnese, on average, +28…+30 ° C, but it happens that the thermometer columns reach +35…+37 ° C. The peculiarity of the local climate is a noticeable decrease in temperature after sunset. In summer by midnight thermometer columns fall to +20 ° C, and in May – to +13 … +18 ° C.

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In July, the sea off the coast of the peninsula warms up to +25 ° C, and in August, the water temperature is usually +27 ° C.

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In November, the sky frowns more often, the rains begin. In winter, there are thunderstorms in the Peloponnese, and snow often falls in the mountainous central regions. Usually in winter day temperature on the peninsula is +9 … +14 °С. At night it gets colder to +4…+6 °С, in some places there are light frosts.

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Arcadia

The most mountainous central part of Peloponnese is occupied by Arcadia. The locals are surprisingly hospitable. If you want to get a closer look at Greek traditions, there is no better place on the peninsula!

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The main city of Arcadia is Tripolis. During the reign of the Ottoman Turks, it was the capital of Morea. The city still retains the rough features of a center of commerce. There are few hotels, as Tripolis is not often visited by tourists. Photographers may be inspired by the streets with old houses, traditional style stores, and lively squares.

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To the northwest of the city you can see valleys divided by mountain ranges. They stretch for 25 km from the ruins of ancient Tegea and Mantinea to the town of Orchomenos, standing on the site of ancient Orchomenos. In Tegea, once the main city of Arcadia, the ruins of the temple of Athena Alea, one of the most important sanctuaries of ancient Greece, have been preserved.

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Much of the northwest is occupied by the Menalon Highlands, overgrown with Greek fir and pine trees. The ridge’s peak, Mainalo, soars 1981 meters into the sky. It is the highest point of Arcadia. At an altitude of 1600 meters there is a ski resort with 8 slopes and 4 elevators. Scattered a little lower are picturesque high-mountain villages.

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At an altitude of 1033 m is the traditional village of Vitina, which has become a base for skiing enthusiasts. In winter tourists and residents of the Peloponnese come to Vithina to ride on the snowy slopes, in summer – for rafting on the mountain river, hiking in the picturesque area.

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Almost under the clouds is the authentic village of Dimitsana, where on the mountain slopes are nestled houses with carved balconies and tiled roofs. Stemnitsa, nestled on the edge of the gorge, is lovely. Several ancient churches have been preserved here, the oldest of them is more than 10 centuries old. The masters of Stemnitsa are famous for jewelry art, here you should buy jewelry made of gold and silver.

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To the east stretches the Parnon mountain range, reaching the bays of the Aegean Sea. 3 km from the Argolid Gulf, surrounded by sheer cliffs, is the original city of Leonidion. The plain around it is a huge, well-organized garden where peasants grow orange and lemon trees and olives. To the east of the town, the valley ends in a seashore with beautiful beaches and resorts.

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Laconia

Laconia, separated from Arcadia by the Gulf of Argolikos (Gulf of Argolis) and the hilly uplands, is striking with fabulous landscapes. Their wild beauty has been preserved from the times when the mighty Sparta flourished here. The ancient state passed its name to the modern city, the administrative capital of Laconia.

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Travelers heading to Sparta by road from Tripolis will see magnificent panoramas from the top of the gorge compressed by the Parnon range. Then the landscape changes abruptly to reveal the valley of the river Evrotas (Evrotus). Along the edge of the lowland stretches the beautiful Taiget ridge, then growing in bright light, then melting in the haze. This mountain range is the highest on the Peloponnese peninsula. Its peak rises to 2407 meters

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There is little left of ancient Sparta. The foundations of the archaic temple of Athena and the outlines of the Roman theater have been preserved. The most important monument is the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia on the right bank of the Evrotas. The great Spartan king Leonidas, who fell in the Thermopylae Gorge, is commemorated by two objects: a miniature Hellenistic temple outside the acropolis, where his remains may have rested, and a marble bust (490 BC) in the local archaeological museum. A pectoral sculpture of a Laconian warrior is identified with Leonidas, although there is no evidence for this.

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5 km from Sparta towards the sea are the majestic ruins of Mystra, a major center that flourished during the Late Byzantine era. Its monuments include a fortress, founded in the 13th century and later expanded by the Turks, churches of the 14th and 15th centuries, the palace of the Morean despots, and the active monastery of Pantanassa.

At 40 km from Sparta is the seaside town of Gifio (Giteio), which formerly served as its port. From here, according to legend, Helen and Paris went to Troy. The opposite islet of Marathonisi is where the lovers spent their first night. This corner of the Peloponnese is still very romantic today.

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Gifio is located in the northeast of the peninsula of Mani (Maina), famous for its beaches and excellent surfing conditions. In the interior of the peninsula it is interesting to see the town of Areopolis, named after the god of war – maybe that’s why its main church, built in the 17th century, has a distinctly warlike appearance. And it was in this temple that Petros Mavromichalis received his blessing for the war for Greek independence in 1821, after which he called the Peloponnesians to arms. It is also worth a trip to the Pyrgos Dirou Caves, where you can take a boat trip on a fabulous underground lake.

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The tip of the peninsula is Cape Tenaron (Matapan), the southernmost point of mainland Greece. In the age of antiquity, it was considered the edge of the world. It is said that in the rocks of the cape can be heard sounds reminiscent of barking. The ancient Greeks believed that here is the gate of Hades, which is guarded by the dog Cerberus.

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At the southeastern tip of Laconia, a giant rock with the Byzantine citadel of Monemvasia grows out of the waters of the Aegean Sea. The cliff is connected to the land by a causeway. Hence the name of the fortress – “Moni Embasia” (“one entrance”). At the time of the Crusaders, Monemvasia served as a staging post on the way to the West and was known as “Napoli di Malvasia”. From here, dark flavored wines from Laconia, called “Malvasian” wines, were shipped to the European continent.”

The lower town, located on the south side of the cliff, is accessed by a heavy vaulted gate. In the labyrinth of narrow streets, lined with hewn slabs, are located ancient stone houses, Byzantine churches. In the ruins of the upper city survived only the church of St. Sophia at the end of the XIV century.

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Mesinia

The road leading from Laconia to the west stretches across the Taygetus range. After passing the huge Lagada Gorge, a paradise for climbing enthusiasts, you will find yourself in Mesinia. Overhanging over the sea, imposing fortresses protect this historic area, surrounding the pretty harbor towns.

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The coastal topography of this region is gentler than in Laconia, the soil is more fertile and the villages are richer. The locals are known for their passion for haggling; they are constantly trying to sell something, even some small things, by laying them out by the roadside. This nuance is a constant subject of jokes in the Peloponnese. However, the artisans make very beautiful products, and Mesinia is a great place to buy souvenirs.

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The main city of the region is Kalamata. It is a major port located on the shores of the bay of Mesiniakos. Its history dates back to the time of Homer, and since then it has established itself as an important trading center. In 1986, Kalamata was badly damaged by two earthquakes. Fortunately, the city was rebuilt.

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History buffs can linger here to see the Byzantine churches, the fortress founded in the 13th century, the monastery of Constantine and Helen, where the servants still preserve the traditions of Byzantine silk weaving. In the city it is interesting to visit the Archaeological Museum, the Municipal Gallery, the Museum of Folk Art.

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Fifty kilometers from Kalamata, is the pretty port town of Koroni, whose architectural image is drawn by colorful buildings of old yellow stone and modern white-washed semi-detached houses. Staircases with worn but still sturdy stone steps lead up to the Venetian fortress that rings the town.

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Its impregnable citadel was famous in the medieval era and the town of Methoni, waiting for tourists on the southwestern tip of the coast of the Ionian Sea. The powerful walls of the fortress, fortified with mighty towers, huge lion statues decorating the monumental entrance have been preserved. From the top of the fort there are spectacular views of the neighborhood of Methoni, its magnificent beach, hotels resembling Swiss lodges.

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On the coast of Mesiniakos is another notable town – Pylos. It is perched on a gentle mountainside, near the southern shore of Navarina Bay, opposite the uninhabited rocky island of Sfaktiria. In this water area in 1827 took place the famous Battle of Navarino, when the combined forces of Russia, England and France defeated the Turkish-Egyptian fleet, paving the way for the independence of Greece.

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The modern city lies between two fortresses – Paleokastro, built in the 13th century, and Neokastro, erected by the Turks three centuries later. There is almost nothing left of Paleokastro, but the Ottoman fortifications are in excellent condition.

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13 km away is “Pylos sandy”, mentioned in the Homeric epic and gained fame thanks to its wise ruler Nestor, the hero of the Trojan War. In 1939, during excavations, a palace was discovered that surpassed all Mycenaean analogs in the Peloponnese in terms of preservation. The structure, which included a throne room, male and female halls, and storerooms, was named the Palace of Nestorius. The finds discovered in the palace and nearby necropolises are displayed in the Chora Museum, 3 km away from the palace. Here one can see antique amphorae, vases, pithos, funerary objects, and jewelry.

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Elida

The coasts of mountainous Elida are washed by the Ionian Sea. The coastline is fairly gentle, with only the capes of Killini and Katakolon protruding sharply into the sea. One of the longest beaches in Greece runs south from Katakolon. A 70-kilometer long sandy strip stretches along the Gulf of Kyparissia.

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Elida is home to the most important location of archaeological research, Olympia. Even before becoming famous for the Olympic Games, the ancient city was widely known for its sanctuary, where Gaea, the goddess of the earth, and Kronos, the father of Zeus, were worshipped.

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The first monument in the excavation area is the Gymnasium (2nd century BC), to the south is the Palaestra with a restored colonnade. Then you will see the ruins of the famous Doric temple of Zeus, a little to the north – the temple of Hera. On the slope are 12 treasuries, where gifts to the sanctuary from the Greek polis were kept. Vaulted corridors lead to the stadium, which was designed for 45,000 spectators. The start and finish lines can still be distinguished on the stadium site today.

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There is a museum near the archaeological location, where objects found in the land of Olympia are displayed. Unique examples of Greek weaponry are on display here. Be sure to check out the hall where the life-size restored pediments of the temple of Zeus made of Paros marble are located. The halls dedicated to the gods feature magnificent sculptures.

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To the south of Olympia lie the little-visited mountainous regions of the Peloponnese. A road through the mountains connects colorful villages sheltered in pine groves. At altitude, the vegetation becomes more sparse. From the village of Andriceni, the road leads to the famous temple of Apollo Epicurus in Bassas. The building was built in a hard-to-reach desert and rocky area, at an altitude of 1300 meters. The sanctuary was already here in the Archaic era, but we have reached a construction dating from 420-417 BC

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Achaea

Flowery and fertile Achaea is located in the northern part of the Peloponnese. Its capital is Patras, the third largest Greek city after Athens and Thessaloniki, and perhaps the most bustling in the country. For many tourists, Patras is an intermediate point during tours of Greece. Ferries from Italy dock in its port, and ships depart from here for the Ionian Islands – Zakynthos, Kefalonia, and Ithaca.

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The city flourished in the II century BC, but there are almost no ancient monuments. The exception is the Roman Odeon, which is used as an open-air theater in the summer. Repeated capture of Patras by the Venetians gave its appearance some elegance, from the Italians borrowed and the tradition of the Patra February Carnival. The Byzantine fortress of the VI century, built on top of the mountain, was also completed by the Venetians.

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An important landmark in the capital of Achaia is the Church of St. Andrew, built in 1908. The Apostle Andrew, who preached and was crucified in Patras, is the patron saint of the city, and many locals give his name to their children.

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Located 77 km from Patras, in a mountainous area is the historic town of Kalavrita. In its vicinity one can see many architectural, religious, and natural sights. Not far from the town, at the foot of the steep slope of Mount Helmos, the grand and gloomy monastery of Mega-Spileo looms over the gorge. It was founded in 362, making it one of the oldest monasteries in Greece. In the monastery’s 17th century church, you can view marvelous frescoes. The treasures of the monastery are displayed in the local museum.

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Another famous monastery is Agia Lavra, founded in the 10th century and is the symbolic birthplace of modern Greece. On March 25, 1821, the motto “Eleftheria et thanatos” (“Freedom or Death”) was first heard here, marking the beginning of the Greek Revolution. At the same time, a white flag with a blue St. George’s Cross was raised outside the gates of the monastery.

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A popular tourist attraction is a train ride on the cog railroad, laid in 1896 in the inaccessible mountainous terrain. The 22-kilometer narrow gauge railway connects Kalavrita with the town of Diakopton. The route winds through scenic mountain gorges, offering passengers breathtaking panoramas.

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On the northwestern slope of Mount Helmos, at an altitude of 2340 meters, is the second largest ski resort in Greece – Kalavrita Ski Resort. There are 12 pistes with a total length of up to 20 km. Vacationers at the all-season resort are offered excursions to the cellars of the oldest winery in Greece, Achaia Clauss, caves with underground lakes, as well as hiking in the surrounding pine forests.

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Corinthia

Corinthia, the northeastern region of the Peloponnese, attracts marvelous beaches, mountainous landscapes and ancient monuments. The main archaeological location is in the vicinity of Corinth, the main city of the region. The ruins of the luxurious ancient polis described by Homer reflect a sad reality. Corinth has been repeatedly hit by earthquakes, and what can still be seen here is mostly from the Roman era. Only the ruins of the great temple of Apollo, or rather its seven lonely columns, are reminders of the Hellenes.

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Conquerors from the Apennine Peninsula razed the Greek city to the ground in 146 AD, but centuries later it was “re-founded” on the orders of Julius Caesar. The excavation site is located at the foot of Mount Akrokorinth. Here it is curious to see the ruins of a Roman agora with the foundations of colonnades and cellar benches.

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Akrokorinth is worth climbing. Greek, Byzantine, Venetian fortifications are preserved here. In addition, from this place there are impressive panoramas of the Saronic Gulf and the Corinthian (Isthmian) isthmus, where every second spring the second most important games in the ancient Greek world were held.

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The isthmus is cut by the Corinth Canal, a narrow strip of sky-blue water surrounded by rocky walls that turned the Peloponnese into an island. On land it is connected to the mainland by road and railroad bridges. Two twin submerged bridges have also been built. To one of them, near the settlement of Ismia, adjoins the Isthmia Bridge Cafe, from where you can watch the ships passing through the canal.

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The town of Loutraki is located 6 km from Corinth. Before becoming a trendy spa resort, Loutraki was a place where people came for its miraculous mineral water. The healing water is sold here in all stores, restaurants, cafes, and in some houses it flows directly from the tap.

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The town is also famous for its luxurious beach club-hotel Casino Loutraki. Within its walls are housed the largest casino in Greece, restaurants, stages where shows are held in the best traditions of Las Vegas.

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On the territory of Corinthia stretches the legendary valley of Nemea. According to legend, it was here that a bloodthirsty lion roamed, terrifying people, until it was strangled by Heracles. Near the village of Archea-Nemea, located on the site of an ancient city, there is an archaeological zone. Here are excavated ruins of a temple of Zeus and a stadium where the Nemean Games, which rivaled the Olympic and Isthmian Games, were held.

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The Nemean Valley, where grapes have long been grown, is called the Greek Tuscany. Interspersed with olive and cypress groves, vineyards cover the hillsides, painting marvelous landscapes. Tours are organized to the picturesque valley to visit wineries that produce excellent wines, including the purple-red Agiorgitiko, which has won the international market.

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Argolida

Most of the territory of Argolida stretches on the peninsula of the same name, washed by the bays of the Aegean Sea. Its precipitous shores hide quiet coves and attract rock climbing enthusiasts. This corner of the Peloponnese is a paradise for tourists interested in Mycenaean mythology and history.

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The ruins of the legendary Nafplion, Tirynthos, Mycenae lie in the fertile Argive Valley. The lowlands are visible as the palm of your hand from the medieval fortress crowning the top of Larissa Hill on the outskirts of Argos. This city, repeatedly mentioned in Greek myths, reached the peak of power in the VII century. At the foot of Larissa excavated agora with a majestic ancient theater for 20,000 seats. Nearby are the ruins of the Odeon, the sanctuary of Aphrodite and Roman thermae.

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A plain with gardens of olive, orange and lemon trees separates Argos from Nafplion, nestled deep in the Gulf of Argolikos. The main city of Argolida was founded, according to legend, by Nafplion, son of Poseidon and Amymone. Nafplion is called the soul of the Peloponnese. Today it is a pretty, elegant resort, the most popular on the coast of Argolikos.

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In Nafplion it is pleasant to wander along the sun-drenched streets lined with 2-3-storey houses with elegant wrought iron lattice balconies covered with flowers. It is interesting to look at the Cathedral of St. George (XVI century), the snow-white church of St. Nicholas, visit the Archaeological Museum. Its rich collection is housed in the most luxurious building in the city, built by the Venetians in the XVIII century.

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Above Nafplion is a hill, on top of which in the XVII century the Venetians built one of the most grandiose fortresses in the Peloponnese – Palamidi. There are almost 1000 steps leading up to it.

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5 km from Nafplion, above groves of citrus trees rise the ruins of the majestic fortress walls of ancient Tirynthos. Legends attribute the erection of the fortification of 14-ton stone blocks to the Cyclopes. Another ancient heritage is the ruins of the acropolis and palace.

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In the northwest of the valley, in the shelter of the mountains hide the ruins of the Mycenaeans sung by Homer. They rise above the modern village of the same name, where only a pretty yellow-orange-pink church can attract attention. The local handicrafts sold here are not of high quality, but the homemade honey and freshly squeezed olive oil are very good!

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Among the ruins of ancient Mycenae stand out the Lion Gate with a 3-meter span – one of the earliest examples of monumental art in Europe. From the gate, a magnificent flight of stairs “royal way” leads to the palace, the oldest fragments of which date back to the XIV century B.C. At the foot of the fortress walls lies the necropolis. Here amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann dug up exquisite gold jewelry and a famous funerary mask, named after the legendary king Agamemnon.

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On the east coast of the Argolid is Epidaurus, famous for its theater. Today there are three towns hiding under this name. Old Epidaurus, built on the site of an ancient city, is a lovely resort with yachts docked in its harbor. New Epidaurus is perched higher up on a hillside crowned by a medieval castle. The village of Ligourio welcomes visitors to this corner of the Peloponnese. On festival days, it can barely accommodate the crowds wanting to enter the legendary theater.

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The well-preserved theater is located 2 km from Ligurio, next to an ancient sanctuary surrounded by pine trees. Its construction and acoustics are unique. Theater festivals have been held here since the 50s of the last century, and almost all modern celebrities have participated in them.

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Beaches of the Peloponnese

The Peloponnese offers beaches for all tastes: covered with soft fine sand, pebbly, rocky, mixed, equipped and wild. On the “civilized” beaches tourists can find taverns, cafes, restaurants near the water, stores selling resort accessories and souvenirs. Water amusement centers work. The cost of services is about the same on the whole coast: parachute flight – 60 €, water skiing – 25-30 €, jet ski – for 30-35 €. Renting an umbrella and two sun loungers will cost 10-15 €.

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The most popular region for beach vacations is traditionally considered Messinia. Its beaches regularly occupy top positions in ratings of the best l