8 Days in The Peloponnese: Nafplio, Kardamili, Monemvasia

This post is about 8 days in the Peloponnese, one of my favorite road trips and itinerary. Of all places I love to visit in Greece, Peloponnese may be the most versatile land. Peloponnese is the southernmost part of Greece’s mainland, with places including Ancient Olympia, Nafplion, Monemvasia, and Epidavros.

Most people think that the best place to be in Greece is any of the Greek islands. Surprisingly, the endless coastline of Peloponnese, not only feels like an island but also offers authentic travel opportunities far from any tourist traps.

This itinerary, 8 days in the Peloponnese, is intended to be (primarily) an exploration along the coastlines of Messinia and Laconia. I mention most of the archaeological sites you find along your route (I am a hopeless history buff!) but other than that, my primary objective is to offer you a holistic presentation of various things to do. Or you can just get to the most beautiful beaches and eat delicious food as you make your way from one stop to the next.

Read on for a full travel guide and 8 days in the Peloponnese itinerary, covering what to see, how to prepare for your trip, how to drive in Greece, and recommendations on where to stay.

*Some of the links below are affiliate links. That means I may make a commission if you click and buy. The commission comes at no additional cost to you.

Before you Go to the Peloponnese

Here are some facts to help you start planning your trip, and also a google map of all locations and tips for each spot. Enjoy!

• Duration 8 days – 7 nights
• Weather in Peloponnese: Greece has 4 distinct seasons. The warmer season is between April to October with the hottest months being July and August – although in 2021 there was a heatwave for a few days (34-39 C) in late May and a few days in June. More about when is best to go to Greece in my post here
• Recommended accommodation: Here are my favorite places in Peloponnese Greece to help you decide if it’s a good fit for your trip:

Hotel	Pros/cons	Availability
Seaside Nafplio Amymone Suites	1. Doubles from €130 2. Booking Review: 9.4 3. Children friendly, Accessibility on the ground floor only 4. Breakfast included, amazing collection 5. Central Nafplio is a 5-minute walk far	Check Availability
Kardamili, Ritsa Beach Melitsina Village Hotel	1. Doubles from €102 2. Booking Review: 9.2 (Superb) 3. Children-friendly, with terrace and balconies, and stunning views. No accessibility facilities 4. Self-catering accommodation 5. Ritsa Beach is a 6-minute walk far	Check Availability
Castle of Monemvasia House in the Castle	1. Doubles from €119 2. Booking Review: 9.6 (Exceptional) 3. Children friendly, with garden, amazing views balcony 4. Self-catering accommodation 5. Terrace is facing the sea at 270 degrees!	Check Availability

I have also included 3 more hotels: The idea behind it is that you may spontaneously decide to stay a night in any of those places so I have found 3 fantastic choices for you:

• Stunning Mazaraki Guesthouse (doubles from €109, a traditional property with a swimming pool and breakfast), in tiny Pikoulianika (a picturesque village with amazing taverns near Mystras)
• If you would love some luxury by the seaside, check out Mareggio Exclusive Residences (doubles from €127 Β&Β, I love those breakfasts by the sea), in Gythio town
• Pallas Pension (Doubles from €61 B&B), overlooking the seaside and the garden, beautifully decorated rooms, around the corner from all restaurants and shops. Elafonissos island

Driving in the Peloponnese

• You can rent a car at an airport. Don’t forget to check the condition of the car you have rented – check for any dented areas or scratches and take a photo of them to present as evidence that it wasn’t your fault
• Check the gas tank. It is common to get a car with little gas on in Greece
• There are strays in Greece as well as many sheep, goats, and cows. Not to mention the wildlife which is abundant. Keep an eye for the poor things in case one of them just jumps in front of you (not common but it can happen)
• Greece is 80% mountainous, so expect a lot of uphills and downhills. Also expect a lot of turns and in villages, the roads might be smaller. Don’t get intimidated by them and don’t get stressed, you got this! 😀
• All gas stations take credit cards
• Renew your international driver’s license

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8 Days in the Peloponnese Itinerary and Map

Even though this itinerary was designed for 8 days, you can easily stretch it out for more days. If I were to extend the trip, I would spend more time in Kardamili or Elafonissos, or even visit the beautiful Kythira island from Monemvasia.

Here’s what you can do in the Peloponnese in 8 days.

• Corinth Region
• Nafplion
• Sparti, Mystras
• Mani
• Monemvasia
• Elafonissos
• Mountainous Kastanitsa

8 Days in the Peloponnese Itinerary

As soon as you have picked up your rental car from Athens International Airport, take the national road towards Eleusina and Corinth. The road is in excellent condition with 2 toll stations with the cost for a normal sedan €2,10+1,80=3,90.

Your first stop, is at Corinth Canal, 106 km far through E8. Corinth Canal is 6 km long and an engineering miracle. No entrance fee. 13 km from the Canal lies Ancient Corinth, its amazing Museum, and the Bema, the special pedestal where Apostle Paul preached to the Corinthians in 51 AD.

• Hours 8am-7pm Easter – Oct, 8.30am-3.00 pm Nov-Easter
• Price adult €8 April to October – €4 Nov to March

On the large rock behind Ancient Corinth, and 4 km far, lie the remains of one of the largest castles in Greece, Acrocorinth which is worth visiting if only for the 360 birds-eye views. No entrance fee.

From Acrocorinth if you take the E65 national road 27 km (tolls €2.55) to the south you will find Ancient Nemea with a small site, museum, and ancient stadium. Entrance ticket €6 April to October – €3 Nov to March. Modern Nemea is famous for the largest vineyards in Greece! A great way to combine both ancient and modern Nemea is by booking an Ancient Nemea private tour with wine tasting in 3 wineries.

18 km from Nemea through EO (EO=National Road) Korinthos Argos you get to the stunning UNESCO Archaeological site of Mycenae. To put you into historical perspective, the war against Troy happened during the Mycenean civilization (approx. 1750 to 1050 BC). The ticket for Mycenae is €12 from April to October and €6 Nov to March.

From Mycenae go straight to Nafplion and discover one of the most beautiful towns in Greece. I have written a dedicated article on Nafplion but here are a few of the most popular things you can do:

• Take the hop on hop off bus and see all highlights and attractions in one day(€8 ticket)
• Take the small boat from Nafplion port to Bourtzi Castle, a tiny islet right across Nafplion with great history
• Hike to the Karathonas beach (4,48 km each way), a picturesque trail by the sea
• I would take a 3-hour walking tour of Nafplion center to learn about the town’s fascinating history, enjoy the panoramic views of the city and the bay from the Akronafplia Fortress and sample local food (€60 per person)

This is Sparta!

You can spend a night or two in Nafplion (Amymone Suites from €130 B&B, is a great stay with sea views and a Booking rate of 9.5). When you are ready to go, drive south for 120 km to the famous Sparta town and his brave Leonidas King.

My favorite things to do in Sparta are:

• Visit the Archaeological site of Sparta (free entrance)
• You will be fascinated by the Museum of Olive Oil in Sparta (entrance €4)
• Discover UNESCO Mystras, a fortified town very important during Byzantine Empire
• Have lunch in Pikoulianika, a small gorgeous mountain nearby village

Tip: if you can’t make this itinerary take a private tour from Athens to Sparti, Mystras and the Mani Peninsula.

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After your lunch at Pikoulianika, you can stay in the beautiful village for a night at Stunning Mazaraki Guesthouse (doubles from €109, a traditional property with a swimming pool and breakfast).

Alternatively, you can drive the 90 km distance to Kardamili.

Mani

Mani (separated into 2 main areas, Lakoniki and Messiniaki Mani) has famous beaches, lacy shores, and picturesque bays. The arid land with the little vegetation and the relentless sun has residents that claim they come straight from the ancient Spartans.

Some of the best places to visit in Mani are:

Kardamili

I love Kardamili so much. It is objectively a really lovely seaside village 35 km southeast of Kalamata. It has mostly old buildings of 300 years old, built from local stone, a peaceful fishing village. The best things to do in Kardamili are:

• Discover beach “Ritsa” with its cafes, tavernas, and a few sunbeds. A great hotel in Ritsa beach is Melitsina Village Hotel (doubles from €102 B&B) in a fantastic location
• Visit the Byzantine church of St Spiridon and the tiny museum
• Beach Kalamitsi is a perfect Greek beach; a crescent of crystal clear bright blue water backed by cypress trees and olive covered hill
• Foneas beach is south of Kardamyli. In beautiful nature, pebbly, the water is crystal clear, and it has interesting caves to snorkel in
• Wonderful taverns (my favorite Elies), bars, old and modern cafes
• Kardamyli is great for outdoor activities such as sea kayaking. This is a great Kayaking tour where you visit many coves, the Blue Cave and finally have a picnic with freshly baked bread, organic fruits and vegetables, homemade olive oil, and cheese (€80 pp with lunch).

Other Amazing Places to Visit in Mani

• If you drive towards the south, you get to traditional settlements such as Areopolis with its unique cobbled streets and flowering courtyards
• Visit the Mani towers in impressive stone-built Vathia
• Try fresh fish in the beautiful village of Gerolimenas or Porto Kagio

• Hike the rugged and breathtaking Tainaro Cape with its lighthouse
• Take a 7-day, small group, semi-private cultural tour in the Peloponnese(with great reviews on Viator)
• Go to spectacular Diros Caves. See here a virtual tour of the caves.

Drive all the way to Gythio, the capital seaside town of eastern Mani. The southern edge of Gythio is joined by a pier to a small island, the ancient Kranai or Marathonisi. According to Pausanias, this is where Paris and Helen of Troy spent their first night before arriving in Troy. Paris forgot his helmet (kranai) and so the little island got its name.

Gythio is a beautiful place to stay overnight and relax from driving all the way from Kardamili. If you would love some luxury by the seaside, I suggest you check out Mareggio Exclusive Residences & Suites(doubles from €127 Β&Β).

Make a stop at the nearby Dimitrios Shipwreck and at the point where Evrotas river goes into the sea on Trinisa beach.

Monemvasia

Continuing with your 8 days in the Peloponnese, we get to Monemvasi also known as the Gibraltar of Greece. It is a Byzantine castle town with a backdrop of stone tower houses, narrow cobbled streets, and winding alleys.

Monemvasia is a very romantic place, ideal for a couple. Just follow the cobbled streets and indulge in the magic of the history of a settlement that once “hosted” all the emperors of Byzantium!

Some of the best things to do in Monemvasia are:

• Go to Matoula’s Garden. Great food and stunning views of the Kastro and the sea
• Take a wine, olive oil, and honey tour (Monemvasia is famous for its honey)
• Visit the archaeological collection of Monemvasia Castle, housed in an old Muslim mosque
• Hike the “Voltes”, the stone winding path that hugs the rock of the town at its highest point, ascending towards the gate of Ano Polis (not an easy hike, especially if you are visiting Monemvasia in the summer)
• Do sea kayak around the magnificent rock of Monemvasia
• If you have limited time take a half-day Tour to Elafonissos. That way you can relax and let the professionals organize your day to Elafonissos!

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Elafonissos

If time is not an issue then you will enjoy visiting Elafonissos, a really stunning island. It is located 50 km from Monemvasia and you can drive to the small port of Pounta. From Pounta, you take the ferry across the island. There is a ferry every hour but the first boat is at 7.50 am and the next at 9.00. The trip lasts around 8 minutes and you can issue your ticket at the port.

Elafonissos island is famous for the twin beaches of Simos (small beach) and Sarakinikos (big beach or Tseratsiniko for the locals). Access is by car and during the summer months, there are boat trips from the old port of Elafonisos (Skala).

What makes those beaches so unique is the fine golden sand, the shallow, turquoise, transparent waters, the dunes that reach even 10 m high, and the cedar forest that stretches over a large area connecting the two beaches. The vast, white sandy beach and the turquoise waters give the landscape an exotic beauty.

Top Things to Do in Elafonissos

• Stroll by the small village under the same Elafonissos name. You will find many tavernas, shops, cafes and souvlaki places
• Visit the picturesque chapel of Agios Spyridon built on the small island opposite the Elafonissos post and can be accessed from the bridge
• Snorkel Pavlopetri, the lost Atlantis of Greece! It is an ancient city 5,000 years old that is submerged a few meters below the sea surface (3-4 meters). It is located opposite Elafonisos on the beach of Pounda and is the ideal spot for snorkeling
• Hike! Elafonisos has 6 hiking trails and 3 cycling routes. The most famous hiking route is the one that starts from the port of Chora, passes through the village of Vigla and ends at the top of Vardia. Vardia is the highest point of the island (276m) from where you can admire Cape Taenaro, Kythera, Kavos-Malias, and the endless sea

Where to Stay in Elafonissos: Pallas Pension (Doubles from €61 B&B), overlooking the seaside and the garden, beautifully decorated rooms, around the corner from all restaurants and shops.

On your way back to Athens, you can stop at Kastanitsa village, a beautiful mountain village built on the slopes of Parnonas mountain, at an altitude of 850 meters. It is considered one of the most picturesque traditional settlements of the entire Peloponnese.

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Survival Tips in the Peloponnese

• No need to prepurchase your tickets for any of the sites mentioned in this post
• In smaller towns and islands, museums or sites might be closed on a certain day, usually Mondays or Tuesdays. So before you venture to any remote site, monastery or museum, check out if that specific day is closed. It would be such a pity to drive all the way and find it all locked up
• There might be urchins if the beach is rocky, you better wear your sea shoes to protect your poor feet
• Not every village has an ATM. Always carry with you 100-150 euros cash just in case
• Need more info: Read my dedicated posts: Must-have items for Greece & Greece Packing list

Top Places to visit in the Peloponnese in 8 days

• Corinth Region
• Nafplion
• Sparti, Mystras
• Mani
• Monemvasia
• Elafonissos
• Mountainous Kastanitsa

Related Article: 4-Days in the Peloponnese: Nafplion, Ancient Olympia

Would you go to Peloponnese?

Share your thoughts in the comments and let me know what sites you think are the most compelling in Peloponnese! I know that there are so many other places to visit, so let me know your recommendations for me 😉

Athens Quick Reference

• Where to stay in Athens: Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens (Doubles from €629 Β&Β) & Ancient Agora Apartments (Doubles from €95 Β&Β), Attalos Hotel (Doubles from €62 Β&Β)
• Heading to the Greek Islands from Athens? Book your ferry tickets in advance with no-hidden-fees FerryScanner or FerryHopper
• Essential Things to Have for Athens Metro: An anti-theft design Backpack, a World Travel Adapter Kit & Microfiber Quick Drying Beach Towel that looks like the Greek Flag!

Some of my Favorite Travel Resources for Greece