Land of myths and legends, Peloponnese is the main exhilarating setting of Homer’s epic tales; in its verdant forests and its flowing rivers, scenes from the Iliad and the Odyssey come to life; even the fortress of the great military commander Agamemnon and the imperious castle of Menelaus! Greek mythology comes alive in Peloponnese. From the extremity of the Europe, the finale of the Balkan Peninsula and the southernmost part of Greece, Peloponnese is a mysterious world by herself. Mountainous in its lovely heart and deeply intended in its dramatic golden shoreline, Peloponnese hides millions of surprises under the craggy slopes of Mount Taygetos. Land of the powerful 300 Spartans and birthplace of the Olympic Games, Peloponnese is a timeless destination with ancient monuments, medieval castles, scenic villages and places of immense natural beauty. And your journey to mythical Peloponnese begins! Discover the top 10 places to visit in the peninsula of Peloponnese!\

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The Wonder of Moreas

Mystras, the wonder of Morea, was amphitheatrically constructed around the fortress erected from the prince of Achaea in 1249. Reconquered from the Byzantines, and occupied from the Ottomans and the Venetians, the city of Mystras was totally abandoned in 1832 leaving only outstanding medieval ruins in a breathtaking landscape. Undeniably, the Byzantine town of Mystras is a must if you are visiting Peloponnese this summer!

The Kingdom of Mythical Agamemnon

Traces immortalized from time; in the palaces of Mycenae, the ghost of Aegisthus, Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, persons of myth and tragedy dipped in human passions, seem to hang around seeking for vindication, as the tragic poets did. Mycenae, the capital of Greece in prehistoric times and religious center of the Mycenaean world, was firstly called rich from Homer eight centuries ago. Aeschylus was the first who, in the peak of the Greek culture, followed from Sophocles and Euripides, revived the fate of the generation of Atreides talking about the palace of the Mycenaean. It’s more than a century since Schlieman, the first to unveil the mysteries of Mycenae, brought to light the royal tombs of its citadel opening a new chapter in the history of European civilization. Mycenae is the place that fueled archeology, literature, theatre and research with an astonishing wealth of material, unique in the world! Will you explore a route between epic and drama in the city of Mycenae?

The Napoli of the East

Timeless and beautiful, lively and vibrant, picturesque and scenic, charming Nafplio will make you fall in love with it, as it holds the reigns of one of the most beautiful cities of Greece. Nafplio, the first capital of the newly-established Greek state and the place where the first political assassination in Greece took place, the city where the first Constitution Square was built, where the first national printing office was established and the first Greek Parliament was constructed along with the first theater of Greece and the first pharmacy; indeed, Nafplio was ahead of its time! Whether you are a lover of the deep emotions of not, Nafplio will inspire you feel the unique emotion of romanticism, , a place where you might think that time has stopped some a while ago. At the end, it will be inevitable not to feel nostalgia and melancholy upon leaving this erotic and poetic city.

The Paradise of Messenia

Often described as one of the most beautiful locations of the Peloponnese peninsula, the Polilimnio Waterfalls in Polilimnio Gorge offer a wonderful experience away from the ordinary of Messenia’s beaches. Immersed in lush greenery, green lakes and gushing cascades, Polilimnio Waterfalls is a must if you are vising Messenia! If you are adventurous, cliff diving from the highest and deepest pools will exhilarate your adrenaline. The hike to the waterfalls of Polilimnio takes about an hour an a half with the trailhead beggining in the village of Haravgi. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes. as the ground can be slippery!

Exotic Finesse & Unparalleled Beauty Protected from Natura 2000

Conquered from corsairs and pirates through the centuries, Elafonisos is a mysterious treasure located just off the coast of southern Peloponnese. Distinguished for its exotic sceneries and its turquoise waters, this island is blessed with the finest of nature. Elafonisos has unique natural beauty, extraordinary sceneries and temples of historical significance hidden in the underwater mysteries of Pavlopetri. Whether you want to hike to the highest spot of the island to enjoy the astonishing views of Cape Malea, a world natural heritage monument of Unesco, or you desire to dive into the crystalline waters of Simos beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, Elafonisos is an ideal destination to explore a destination off the beaten track!

The Protagonist of Ancient Greek Drama

Intertwined with the passage of time, Epidaurus is an irreplaceable spectacle of unique beauty with huge cultural heritage. Its monuments are true masterpieces of the ancient Greek art, a genuine testimony of the Greek culture that is still alive. Inhabited since the 3^rd millennium BC, Epidaurus is one of the greatest marvels of the ancient world whose former glory has been retained through time gaining the title of a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. Epidaurus is a place that will enchant everyone, archaeology lover or not. It is no accident that the ancient Greeks decided to establish the greatest therapeutic center of antiquity dedicated to God Asclepius in Epidaurus; the most beautiful theatre of Greece, if not the entire world, where ancient drama is glorified starred from the cultural spirit of Greece. Undeniably, Epidaurus is a place for your bucket list, a destination you must explore at least for once in your lifetime!

The Jewel of Eastern Mani

Diros cave is considered to be one of the three most beautiful and impressive lake caves in the entire world! Situated on the southern part of Areopoli in Laconia, the bay of Diros lies below the entrance of the cave. The caves were first explored from speleologists Ioannis and Anna Petrochilos in 1858 while archaeological research began in 1970 under the direction of archaeologist Georgios Papathanassopoulos. A nearly three kilometers long winding passageway is the main route for sightseeing the cave of Diros! During the boat trip, the travelers will have the opportunity to intricate a network of passages with gleaming stalactites and stalagmites that distinguish for their natural beauty!

The Eternal Fortified Castle of Methoni

Sparkling crystalline waters splash on the imperious fortified walls of the Venetian castle of Methoni, one of the largest castle in the Mediterranean! Undeniably, travelers will be captivated from the stone bridge with the fourteen arches that connect the castle to the shore of the Peloponnese peninsula. The Lion of Saint Marc, the celebrated symbol of Venice, dominates the gate of the castle where emblems, inscriptions, immured relifs and huge gates have survived up until today.

Under the Medieval Spirit of the Peninsula

Perched on a peninsula off the eastern coast of the Peloponnese, Monemvasia holds the reigns of one of the most impressive cities of Greece. This remarkable romantic town, nestled under the towering rock, is a living museum of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Venetian history dating back to the 13th century.A promenade around the fortified town will travel you to back to the medieval times while the views to the endless blue of the Aegean Sea from the castle top will make you want to stay there forever!

Swimming besides the Wreck of Gythio

Just off the southern coast of the Peloponnese, near Gythio, travellers will be captivated from a strange piece of history; an entire ship, rusted from the passage of time, rests on the rocks of the coast of Glyfada beach. One of the most photographed beaches of Peloponnese, the Glyfada beach of Gythio, is surely a must visit. It may seem shallow, but the sand is fine and clean ideal for dives beside the wreck of Gythio.

The Birthplace of the Olympic Games

Off the secluded western coast of Peloponnese, in the valley of the Gods, lies the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. Dedicated to Zeus, the father of the gods, Ancient Olympia became the most important religious and athletic center in Greece.  Its fame rests upon the Olympic Games, the greatest national festiv, which was held every four years to honor Zeus. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, which gave birth to the Olympic Games, could be nothing less that astonishing.

Find more information form the Official Website of Mythical Peloponnese!