Peloponnese holidays

Fall in love with the Peloponnese, a gorgeous part of mainland Greece spread out across an easy-to-explore peninsula. This holiday honeypot comes up trumps with its striking scenery and mountain-backed beaches, but that’s not the beginning and end of its draws. Epic history is woven throughout, with a roll call of ancient gems to discover, and its lip-smacking cuisine is worth writing home about too.

Litsa Apartments

Agios Nikolaos, Peloponnese

Our rating

Based on 86 reviews

Close to the resort centre
Relaxing pool area
Ideal for couples

Grecotel La Riviera & Aqua Park

Kyllini, Peloponnese

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Our rating

Based on 497 reviews

Luxurious surroundings
Beachfront
Thalasso Spa
Choice of restaurants
Perfect for all ages

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Language

Greek

Currency

Euro

Time difference

+2hrs

Cost of a beer

£3.20

3 course meal

£25.20

Flight times

4hrs

Admire the attractions

To truly take in the landscape, visit the hillside Kastro in the city of Kalamata. The views out to the seafront are simply marvellous. Back on lower ground, you’ll be equally as amazed by the detailed mosaics and sculptures of the Archaeological Museum of Messenia. And how’s this for a slice of history? The Church of Agioi Apostoloi is where the Greek Revolution began.

Hit the beach

Beach bums will be in heaven here, with long sandy stretches and the azure Aegean to enjoy day in, day out. Blue Flag Skafidia Beach is a quiet place to plop down and chill out, while Voidokilia Beach is one of the Greece’s most stunning patches, with a lagoon on one side and the twinkling sea on the other.

Many reasons to explore

Love history? There’s oodles to uncover here! Ancient Messene is one of the best-preserved historical sites in all of Greece, with a vast number of ruins stretching across the city. Take a seat at the silvery stone of the Stadion and Odeon.

Kalamata

Perched on the Peloponnese peninsula, Kalamata is chiefly renowned for its juicy olives, but there’s a whole lot more to this destination on mainland Greece.

Skafidia

Looking to take some time out on the serene shores of Greece? Look no further than this pretty Peloponnese village.

Stoupa

Backed by mountains and framed by olive groves, Stoupa is a peaceful retreat in a quiet corner of Greece.

Agios Nikolaos

After a quiet Greek getaway? Say hello to sleepy Agios Nikolaos, a dinky fishing village that’s part of the stunning Peloponnese peninsula and framed by the lush Taygetos Mountains.

Finikounda

In the southwest of the Peloponnese, you’ll find Finikounda. This dainty resort is all golden sands, traditional Greek goodness and foodie faves by the bucketload.

Kalo Nero

Welcome to an Ionian idyll, where the beach is almost as warm and welcoming as the village’s atmosphere.

Beaches

Kalamata is a city on the coast, so a great beach is always within reach. The city itself has a scenic stretch of sand and shingle, while if you follow the Peloponnese peninsula to resorts east and west of Kalamata, you’re sure to find sandy beaches and clear waters. See all beaches (8)

Golden Beach

Kyllini, Peloponnese

Sitting just to the south of the Kyllini town harbour is glistening Golden Beach.

Kalamata Beach

Peloponnese

Backed by magnificent mountains and sprinkled with straw umbrellas, Kalamata Beach is the perfect place to plonk down for an afternoon of relaxing. It’s backed by restaurants which is really handy too....

Sights

Check out the church where the Greek Revolution began. Gaze at mosaics and weathered statues of archaeological museums, and visit the wondrous ancient sites at Messenia and Sparta. See all sights (15)

Ancient Mystras

Peloponnese

Take the opportunity to discover the UNESCO-protected wonder that is the ancient city of Mystras. With so much of the city left intact for you to wander around and explore, you’ll get a real feel of the...

Ancient Sparta

Kalamata, Peloponnese

Want to see some of Greece’s greatest history? There are famous cities and then there’s Sparta – one of Ancient Greece’s mighty military centres. If you’ve seen Gerard Butler lead the warrior Spar-tans into...

Activities

See the traditional costumes of Greece, stroll around squares and explore old towns. There’s plenty to sink your teeth into! And with the warmth of the Mediterranean, water sports are popular here too. What will you do first? See all activities (10)

Discover island life

Kyllini, Peloponnese

Kyllini is the perfect springboard to the islands of Greece.

Kalamata Municipal Railway Park

Kalamata, Peloponnese

Experience an important part of Greek society at Kalamata’s open-air railway museum. Discover the traditional railway station, vintage carriages and freight wagons that were used by passengers of different...

Eating and drinking

You may have heard of them already, but Kalamata olives are particularly famed for their large size and strong flavour. Messinian olive oil is very highly rated too, while you should look out for local delicacies such as tsouchti, pasta fried with cheese and egg, and pasteli, a sweet treat made with sesame. See all eating and drinking (5)

Akrogiali

Stoupa, Peloponnese

One of the best restaurants in Stoupa, Akrogiali is the ideal place to spend an evening indulging in incredible food and drink. This picturesque stone taverna offers freshly-prepared pasta and gorgeous fish...

Baroque

Kalamata, Peloponnese

For delicious tiki cocktails and laid-back nightlife in the heart of Kalamata, head to Baroque. This well-known cocktail bar is a favourite for locals and tourists. Choose from the impressive range of beverages...

Shopping

The new town in the city of Kalamata is a great choice for shopping and picking up souvenirs, so who’s for a spot of retail therapy? It’s also worth looking out for wine shops and craft wares in resorts such as Koroni, Kardamili and Methoni. See all shopping (2)

Farmer's market

Peloponnese

On Wednesdays and Saturdays, tourists and locals alike flock to the farmer’s market for their share of local fare. Wander among stalls creaking under the mountains of fresh fruit and veg as people rush by...

Kukuvaya

Skafidia, Peloponnese

Take a break from the usual souvenir shopping for something a little different. Kukuvaya offers a wide range of contemporary Greek gifts – from quirky accessories and handmade bags to more traditional...

Nightlife

Things are pretty relaxed in Kalamata and its surrounding areas. Look out for beach bars by the coastline if you fancy something low-key. Alternatively, you’ll find the biggest choice of clubs are based in the city itself. Anyone up for staying awake until sunrise? See all nightlife (1)