Things to Do in Peloponnese

At the western edge of Greece's Peloponnese Peninsula, Katakolon’s deep waters makes it one of few Greek ports able to accommodate the world's largest cruise ships. It’s also the gateway to ancient Olympia, the flame and founding place of the Olympic Games, and one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.

 

The most popular day trip destination from Katakolon is ancient Olympia, 20 miles (32 kilometers) east. Shore excursions typically take in the highlights of the archaeological site, including the Temple of Zeus, the palaestra gymnasium, the archaeological museum, and the Olympic stadium, which held the first Olympic Games in 776 BC.

 

Those staying in Katakolon can visit the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology, enjoy a wine tasting at the Mercouri Winery, relax at Agios Andreas beach, or browse the many tourist shops along the main street.

 

 

Cruise ships dock right in the center of Katakolon, and it’s an easy 5-minute walk to the shops and restaurants of the town, as well as Plakes Beach.

 

The euro is the currency used in Greece. Greek is the official language here, but English is also widely spoken. You’ll find restaurants with free Wi-Fi, ATMs, and currency exchange houses along the main street in Katakolon town.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Olympia in the Peloponnese is world-renowned as the location of the first Olympic Games of the classical world, which were held in in 776 BC; they subsequently took place every four years for almost a thousand years before being disbanded in the fourth century AD. However, the story of Olympia goes back much further, as for centuries it was the holiest and most celebrated shrine in ancient Greece. Pilgrims came from across the Empire to worship Zeus — the father of all Greek gods — and his wife Hera in the temples and shrines of the Atlis (Sanctuary of the Gods).

Excavations at Olympia began in 1829 and today the vast complex is scattered with cracked paving, mounds of stone, crumbling statuary and fractured temples. Only one column remains of the Temple of Zeus, but that is enough to grasp the sheer size of the original building. The temple of Hera is better preserved and it is here that the Olympic flame is still lit before it journeys across the world. Among the jumble of ruins are civic buildings and guesthouses that served ancient pilgrims, plus the stadium, hippodrome, wrestling school and gymnasium where Olympic athletes worked out. 

The Archaeological Museum at Olympia is one of the most important in Greece; highlights include a scale model of the ruins, pediment carvings from the Temple of Zeus and a statue of the messenger god Hermes by Praxiteles, one of the most important sculptors of ancient Greece, whose work also adorned the Acropolis.

The cultivation of olives and the production of olive oil have been vitally important to Greece for centuries and hills covered in silver-leafed olive trees form an iconic part of the landscape. The country’s homage to its most important crop opened in 2002 in Laconia, one of its main olive-producing regions, and offers an informative take on the cultural and economic importance of olives as well as taking visitors step by step through the process of producing olive oil, soap and other by-products. As well as ancient amphorae used for transporting olive oil, mill stones and flat-bottomed Byzantine storage jars, highlights of the exhibition include clay tablets from the 14th century BC, which are inscribed with the health-giving properties of olive oil. 

A variety of olive presses from all across Greece date from ancient times right up to the industrial age and include examples powered by water, steam, diesel and even by animal. Among the olive trees in the museum grounds are several sizeable presses, including replicas of ones from prehistoric, Classic and Byzantine times. A small store offers a range of local, organic and flavoured olive oils for sale as well as handmade soaps.

The Epidaurus Theater is a stunningly well-preserved ancient theater constructed in the 4th century BC. It was built by the architect Polykleitos on the side of a mountain and merges perfectly into the surrounding landscape of undulating hills, overlooking the Sanctuary of Asklepius.

For centuries, Epidaurus Theater remained covered by trees, until excavations revealed the ancient monument towards the end of the 19th century. Despite repairs and restorations over the years, particularly to the seats, the stage itself has been retained as it was since ancient times. Today, the theater is a popular venue for the annual Athens Festival productions, which are held here every summer.

In terms of its architecture, structure, and acoustics, Epidaurus is widely regarded as the best ancient theatre in Greece. In fact, its extraordinary acoustics mean that all 14,000 spectators situated in its semi-circular seating arrangement can hear every note played and every word spoken – even from the highest seats up on the 54th tier.

Mystras is a fortified town located on Mount Taygetos in Peloponnese, Greece. Not far from ancient Sparta, the history of Mystras dates back to the 13th century. Over the years, it was alternately occupied by the Byzantines, Turks and Venetians before being abandoned altogether in the 1830s. In 1989, the ruins of Mystras, including the fortress, palace, churches and monasteries, were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The only remaining inhabitants of the town are the nuns at the Pandanassa convent.

One of the highlights of Mystras is the Palace of Despots, which is located at the top of the ruins, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The palace has been undergoing extensive restoration. Another important stop is the 14th century Church of Agia Sofia, which features marble floors and well preserved frescoes. The Cathedral of Saint Demetrius dates back to the 13th century and is home to a small museum of exhibits from ancient and medieval times. The cathedral may be best known as the place where the last Byzantine emperor was crowned in 1449.

One of the best surviving churches in Mystras is the Pandanassa convent, where nuns sell handmade crafts and sometimes offer cool drinks to visitors. Nearby is the Perivleptos Monastery, which dates back to 1310 and contains the most complete set of frescoes in the town. Also of note are the Byzantine Laskaris Mansion, the Vrondohion Monastery and the Church of Agios Theodoroi.

Squeezed between two hills on the arid plains of the northeastern Peloponnese, fortified Mycenae was the major settlement in the powerful Mycenaean civilization that held political and cultural sway over the Eastern Mediterranean from the 15th to the 12th century BC. The Bronze Age city is regarded as the home of the legendary Agamemnon and is UNESCO World Heritage-listed for its profound cultural influence upon later Greek civilizations. 

Covering around 32 hectares and at its peak with a population of around 30,000, the ruins at Mycenae were excavated in 1874 by Heinrich Schliemann, who also worked at Troy. Highlights include the Lion Gate, the main entrance into the citadel carved with figures of mythical lions; the Treasury of Atreus – also known as the Tomb of Agamemnon; the scant remains of the Royal Palace; and the Cyclopean Walls, whose massive stone blocks are all that remain of the original fortifications. The true showstoppers, however, are the grave circles, believed to be the burial sites of Mycenaean royalty thanks to the numerous precious gold, silver, bronze and ivory artifacts excavated around the tombs, including a gold funerary mask Schliemann believed to be the mask of Agamemnon. Many antiquities discovered at Mycenae are now on show at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens but the smart, white museum next to the citadel still has three halls stuffed with pottery, burial urns, clay figurines, fragments of fresco and a replica of the death mask of Agamemnon. A model of the ancient site can be found just outside the museum.