We travelled to Greece in July 2022. It was our main destination for our (much delayed due to COVID) month-long honeymoon. First up in Greece: a 7-day road trip around the Peloponnese! We didn’t want to only see islands during our time in Greece, and we had read that the Peloponnese was very underrated. Boy, was it ever! We saw some beautiful scenery, quaint towns, and had some spectacular food. We have included a map at the end to help visualize your itinerary. If you want to see where we ate during our road trip, check out our Gluten Free Guide.
There were many places along our journey that we wished we had stayed longer. We realize some of our destinations along this road trip aren’t technically the Peloponnese, and that there are many other places we could have added on. Our non-negotiables when planning our 7-days were Olympia, Delphi, and Nafplio (sometimes spelled with an ‘n’ at the end). This was our first time in Greece, so we used Matt Barrett’s guide extensively. We also had family friends who had been a few years prior who told us about some must-sees. At each museum and archaeological site, you can buy tickets there and we found no need for advance tickets of any kind.
Here’s what we did during our 7 nights in the Peloponnese:
Day 1: Arrival and drive to Delphi (overnight in Delphi)
Day 2: Explore Delphi and drive to Nafpaktos (overnight in Nafpaktos)
Day 3: Drive to Olympia and explore Olympia (overnight in Olympia)
Day 4: Drive to Mystras (overnight in Mystras)
Day 5: Explore Mystras and drive to Nafplio (overnight in Nafplio)
Day 6: Explore Mycenae and visit Nemea (overnight in Nafplio)
Day 7: Explore Epidaurus (overnight in Nafplio)
Day 8: Drive back to Athens International Airport, pass by Corinth Canal
*If you have extra days, places to think about adding onto your itinerary are: Karamyli, Kalamata, Gytheio, and Monemvasia. We didn’t visit here, but these were all contenders!
DETAILS
Day 1 – Arrival & Drive to Delphi:
Arrival day! Upon your arrival at Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), pick up your rental car. We rented from Swift Car Rentals, who were easy to communicate with through their contact form and email. The fellow who brought our car to the airport was friendly and the pick-up was smooth. We had no issues with the car throughout our 7 days in the Peloponnese.
Take the main ring road out of the city and follow Google Maps to get to Delphi. This will be about a 2.5-hour drive. The roads are easy to navigate and in very good condition. We stopped at a charming little village called Arachova about 15 minutes before Delphi, which looked like it was out of a storybook. This is a ski village in the winter, so there are hotels if you prefer to stay here over Delphi. We wished we had more time to explore and would love to go back! If you fancy a break from driving and wish to catch some picturesque views, plan to stop here on your way to Delphi.
Check into your hotel in Delphi and find somewhere to eat dinner. We stayed at Nidimos Hotel, which was able to accommodate a (small) gluten free breakfast with advance notice. Nidimos had been updated and was clean, and we were pleasantly surprised given how inexpensive the stay was (especially during peak season!). If you like, after dinner explore the two main streets of Delphi lit up in the evening. Get some sleep so you can get up bright and early tomorrow morning!
DAY 2 – Visit Delphi & Drive to Nafpaktos:
Get up early and get a good breakfast, you’ll be walking a lot today. Make your way to the Delphi Archaeological Site, which is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site you’ll see on this Peloponnese road trip. It opens at 8:00am in the summer for tourist season, and going early will help you avoid the crowds, tour busses, and heat. You can buy tickets on-site. There is so much to see here, and the views are incredible! Make sure you hike all the way to the stadium at the top (it’s a steep hike, so if you have mobility issues, look into seeing if they have any way to accommodate). Bring water, sunglasses, and a hat – there is not much shade (pro-tip: cooling towels will be welcome here!). This hike will take about 2 hours with stopping to see the different ruins and take some photos.
Once you’ve made your way back down the hill, head over to the Delphi Archaeological Museum. This is a smaller museum that will take you about an hour and is a welcome break from the heat (yes, it’s air conditioned).
Head back to your hotel and check out. Pack up your car and hit the road towards the next stop on your Peloponnese road trip: Nafpaktos. This will be about an hour and a half drive with no stops, but there are many places to stop and see along the way. We stopped in Itea to get a look at the beach, waterfront, and grab a coffee. We then moved on to the fishing village Galaxidi and stopped at Agios Vasileios beach (down a long hill and fairly secluded). There are many places you can stop and explore; this is just where we ended up.
Once you arrive in Nafpaktos, check into your hotel. We stayed at the Apollon Library Suites, which was clean, and we really enjoyed our stay there. It had themed rooms, a very cool lobby, and the staff was very pleasant. The walls were a little thin, but the buildings are all old and so thin walls seem to be the norm here. Spend any remaining time in your day exploring this cute port town before finding dinner for yourself. Make sure you check out the Venetian Port at night! This was one town we wished we had a second night in to explore the area further.
DAY 3 – Drive to Olympia & Visit:
After you’re done breakfast, begin your drive towards Olympia. You can either cross the Rio-Antirrio Bridge towards Patras or take a small ferry. We opted for the bridge, as it is the world’s longest cable suspension bridge. You can stop in Patras if you like or extend your road trip and add in a stay here, but we only stopped for gas and snacks.
As with many drives along our Peloponnese road trip, you can easily take side roads and explore small villages as you make your way to Olympia. If you want a secluded beach, head towards Gianiskari (off the beaten path, down a big hill!). We stumbled upon this beach, and it only had 3 cars and was very beautiful! If we had more time or were staying in Patras, we could have spent an entire afternoon at this beach.
Upon arriving in Olympia, check in to your hotel. We stayed at Hotel Europa Olympia, which had a great breakfast and a pool. However, the true draw to this hotel is the magnificent view over the valley – breathtaking! If you have enough time before it closes, head to the Archaeological Site and Museum of Olympia, which will take you about 1.5 hours each to see. This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site on our Peloponnese road trip. It doesn’t matter if you do the archaeological site or museum first; you can buy tickets onsite that cover both. We tried to do the archaeological site first but got rained out and ended up doing the museum first.
If you somehow still have time in your day, you can explore the village of Olympia. Otherwise, arrange for dinner and enjoy your evening.
DAY 4 – Drive to Mystras:
After breakfast but before hitting the road, we visited the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. This was a small museum, but as ex-athletes and lovers of the Olympics, we thought it was worth it. The museum took about an hour and you can buy tickets onsite. If this doesn’t interest you, then you can skip this and start your day by exploring the town or just hitting the road.
Time to drive to Mystras! You’ll see some beautiful scenery along the way as you drive south through the Peloponnese. This can be either a 2-hour drive along the coast before heading inland, or a 3-hour drive through the mountains. Check into your hotel, which may either be in Mystras or nearby Sparta. We stayed in the Mystras Grand Palace Resort and Spa, our honeymoon splurge hotel, which is likely the nicest hotel we’ve ever stayed at. We would have stayed longer in Mystras just to stay longer at this hotel – it was that spectacular. Rooms are in small villas/bungalows scattered amongst olive trees. There are two pools, a tennis court, and multiple food options.
Enjoy your afternoon and evening exploring Mystras and/or Sparta. Mystras is quite small, so we took this opportunity to wander around downtown Sparta.
DAY 5 – Visit Mystras & Drive to Nafplio:
After breakfast, you will visit the Archaeological Site of Mystras, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is split into two sections – upper and lower. There are parking options at both, and tickets can be bought at both. We had read to either park at the bottom, take a taxi to the top, and walk down or to park at the top, walk down, and take a taxi back up. We didn’t want to have to wait for a taxi, so we parked at the top and explored the top area, then got back into our car and drove to the bottom. Then we parked at the bottom and explored the bottom area. There is very little shade and the whole area can take 3-5 hours, so wear sunscreen and bring lots of water! There is a small museum near the bottom area, Despots palace in the middle (which was closed for renovations when we were there), and the ruins of a castle at the upper section. The whole area is a giant hill; be prepared to climb!
Once you’re done at the archaeological site, hit the road for Nafplio – your final stop in the Peloponnese. This is about an hour and 45-minute drive, with many switchbacks and sea views. Nafplio is modern Greece’s first capital city and is a hub for tourists. It has a very different feel to every other destination on our road trip. Additionally, it is a central location you can use as a hub to visit other sites (which was our main reason for staying here multiple nights).
Check into your hotel. We stayed at the Anthemion Suites and Villas, which provided us a room with a kitchenette, a pool, and a beautiful, secluded environment. We stayed here for 3 nights, and would gladly return.
Find some dinner, and if you have the energy, explore the old town and waterfront. It is fairly touristy, but very cute to walk through the little streets and alleyways at night.
DAY 6 – Visit Mycenae & Nemea
Head out for the day towards Mycenae, which is about a 25-minute drive, and is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will find an archaeological site and a museum, which will take you 2-3 hours to see altogether. The archaeological site is quite extensive and showcases an ancient city that, according to legend, was the capital of the kingdom of the legendary Agamemnon. More climbing awaits you here to get to the top of the ruins, and again has little shade. Bring water!
Once you’re done with Mycenae, head towards Nemea – the local wine region. This is like going to the Okanagan if you’re in British Columbia, or Napa Valley in California. The drive is beautiful, with rolling hills and plentiful foliage. We had read that Nemea is vastly underrated, so thought we’d give it a shot. However, many wineries seemed to be shutdown post-COVID or required reservations, which we did not have. Moral of the story: it’s worth a visit but make a reservation/booking in advance to visit the wineries in this region. There is also another archaeological site and associated museum you can visit here – Archaea Nemea.
Make your way back to Nafplio to finish your day/evening.
DAY 7 – Visit Epidaurus
After breakfast, drive to Epidaurus, our last UNESCO World Heritage Site on our road trip. Here, you will see the largest and best-preserved theatre in Greece. There is a tiny museum here as well, and a whole area of other ruins, but you’re really going here to experience the impressive theatre. You can sit in the stands or position yourself in the centre of the theatre and see how your voice can reach any seat! This theatre is famous for its acoustic properties. You’ll need about 2 hours for the ruins and the museum.
Once you’re finished with Epidaurus, head back to Nafplio. You’ll have the afternoon to spend as you wish – explore the town, enjoy your hotel pool, or visit somewhere we didn’t include on our list (such as the Fortress of Palamidi). Enjoy your last evening in Nafplio!
DAY 8 – Return to airport & Corinth Canal
This morning, you’ll check out of your hotel and start driving back to the Athens airport. This is about a 2-hour drive with no stops or if there is no crazy traffic. However, traffic can be very busy along this route with locals returning to the city after a weekend or holiday. We were advised to allow ourselves 3 hours.
On our way, we made a stop at the Corinth Canal. There are tours or bungee jumping you can do here, but we just wanted to see it. It was worth the stop – the water was so turquoise, and you could see boats making their way through the narrow passageway. Our stop took about 30 minutes.
Once you reach the airport, return your rental car, and head off to your next destination (or home). We hope you enjoyed your road trip around the Peloponnese!
HOW TO USE THE MAP: Click on the Wanderlog logo in the bottom right corner to open the full-size map up in a new tab. There, you can choose to just look at one day at a time or see all of the days on the map at once (click the 3 squares in the top right to choose). You can also export the map to Google Maps, share the map with others, or save the map.
A little helpful tip: Matt Barrett’s page is an excellent resource to help you plan your trip to Greece!