A guide to the Peloponnese
An endless paradise of delicious eating, crystal beaches & superior honey
With two trips to the Peloponnese in the past three years, I’ve learned that whilst the region is huge and every corner looks different, there are a few constants: incredible food, stunning beaches, and honey thats been made by the superior bees of the globe.
A lot of people default to the islands for a Greek holiday. And though I am a queenie of loving an island escape, I think mainland Greece, especially areas outside the Cyclades - is so worth exploring and adding to the hit list.
Both times, I’ve landed at Athens Airport, spent one or two nights in the city shopping and eating (my Athens guide linked Part 1 and Part 2), then headed back to the airport to collect a hire car and hit the highway. The drive to the Peloponnese takes anywhere from three to five hours depending on where you start. There are quite a number of Toll points on the way there so be prepared with either cash or a card ready and lets just say the merging into those Toll lanes is….interesting! (Make sure a stressful driver isn’t behind the wheel)
I’ve gone with friends both times, first with Bella and then with Morgan, and both those trips were a mix of beach days, delicious meals out, napping in the arvo and cooking at home.
You definitely need a car here. The region is massive, and public transport won’t get you to all the beaches and small towns. We learned that not every part of the Peloponnese is equal when it comes to food and beach access. This year, we left one area a day early to head back to the east coast and stay in Monemvasia, which was a great decision to have explored.
The southern part of the Peloponnese is the main part I’ve explored on both expeditions. It has three long “fingers” jutting into the sea. These sections are categorised as
+ West “finger” – Messenia region
+ Middle “finger” – Mani Peninsula (split into Outer Mani in the north and Deep Mani in the south)
+ East “finger” – Cape Malea / Laconia region
The middle and eastern tips/fingers are some of the most stunning beaches and the best food we found. The whole area is lush, green, and the water is crystal clear. Its also noticeably cheaper than the islands, with more Greek locals holidaying here. You’ll find roadside honey stalls, handmade tiles, and small shops along the highways between the hills. There is also a common siesta time after lunch that is everywhere - like an official state rule.
The Peloponnese is steeped in history and DELICIOUS food. Its home to ancient sites like the medieval town of Monemvasia and the famous kalamata olives are from: Kalamata. We also (of course) nabbed some incredible local honey with no label from a roadside stall. Most accomodation options are boutique guest houses or small family run hotels rather than your larger, touristy hotels.
If you can give yourself at least 10 days here at minimum, thats what I would recommend and even though both my adventures were that long, it still wasn’t enough time. We moved every 3-4 days to a different region or ‘tip’ - and that felt like the right move. There are endless beaches, towns, tavernas and mountain villages to endlessly discover, so you could easily come back every few years and have a totally new experience every time.
The beaches are a mix or organised (sun beds & food) and natural (nothing there). For the organised beaches its nice to grab a set of beds and an umbrella and park up for the day, these can cost anywhere between 10 to 20 euros depending on where you are. In my mind for the comfort and ease, plus the ability to order coffee and food to your sun bed, its TOTALLY worth it.
Life here moves slower than on the islands. It doesn’t have that touristy high-energy rush as its more local, laid-back and quietly beautiful. If thats the kind of Greek holiday you’re craving, the Peloponnese is it.
I’ve linked below some of my favourite beaches, food spots and accomodation places!! I hope you taste the honey, spend full days by the crystal beaches and slllloooowwww down as you melt into a stunning part of a exceptional Greek holiday.
With love & chaos
PM xx
BEACHES
