Bordering the southernmost region of the Balkans, the Peloponnese lies in southern Greece and is one of its most enthralling destinations. Offering a rich, stunning coastline stretching for miles, bustling markets, and countless historical sites, Peloponnese is one of the most unique and exciting destinations; it’s why thousands of tourists from all over the world yearly pour in. But despite being an open book, Peloponnese also boasts destinations that usually escape tourists’ eyes. Here is a list of the best hidden gems in the Peloponnese
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1. The Mani Peninsula
One of the most beautiful hidden gems of the Peloponnese is the Mani peninsula, which stretches so far beyond that it becomes the most isolated and rugged part of the region. The Mani Peninsula is sandwiched between the Laconian and the Messenian Gulf, so it’s already a captivating destination, but wait till you take a drive. You’ll start at the rugged stretch of sand and eventually reach a collection of remote villages and pristine beaches, making you feel like you’ve entered a wonderland. Don’t forget to hit up the Maniot Towers, fortified tower houses that make every cliff feel even more dramatic.
2. Mount Ziria, Korinthia
Usually called Mount Kyllini, Mount Ziria is a breathtaking mountain on the Peloponnese. Now, while this might not usually be considered among the hidden gems of the Peloponnese, since it’s out in plain view, you’ll be surprised at what Mount Ziria offers. Instead of just trekking up to the stunning magnificent, you can also take a short detour to the archeological destinations, making this a true spot for nature and history lovers. Explore the nearby valley’s cobblestone streets, old churches, and unique taverns. If you visit during the winter, you can even take an exciting skiing trip.
3. Gialova lagoon, Pylos
If you’re hoping to make a perfect trip while exploring the hidden gems of the Peloponnese, we recommend stopping at the Gialova Lagoon. This stretch of water is surprisingly quaint and simple, so tourists usually ignore it, which is a true shame because it’s one of the most unexpectedly fun destinations in the region. While you’re welcome to take a refreshing dip or a quaint boat ride at the Gialova Lagoon, we recommend propping up a seat, grabbing a pair of binoculars, and watching birds. Gialova Lagoon is an important migration route for hundreds of species of birds, so it’s every bird lover’s dream.
4. Skiritida forest, Vlahokerasia
Nestled in the heart of the Arcadian region, the Skiritida forest is a luscious expanse of green between the Parnonas, Taygetos, and Mainalo mountain ranges. Naturally, its stunning location makes it one of the most irresistible destinations in Greece, but tourists surprisingly ignore the Skiritida forest. While some do venture, most only explore the outskirts or go trail hiking, not really exploring its true beauty. But if you genuinely want to take your trip to the next level, go mushroom foraging at Skiritida. Of course, we recommend getting a guide or an expert locally, but the more you go around picking mushrooms, the more you’ll learn about nature, Skiritida, and other hidden gems of the Peloponnese.
5. Dimitsana
Dimitsana is a mountain village, towering about a thousand meters altitude. Offering countless medieval hotels and fortifications perched over the hilltops, Dimitsana brings breathtaking views of the surrounding areas. Not only are these views worth capturing, but they’re also why most tourists flock to Dimitsana for exhilarating hikes. Once you’ve explored Dimitsana’s peaks, walk back down to the village and make your way to the nearby museums, where you’ll be able to learn a lot about Dimitsana and other hidden gems of the Peloponnese. The architecture, fantastic walkways, and captivating views of Dimitsana are why tourists can’t help but return over and over again.
6. Lousios Gorge
If you’re heading up to Dimitsana, it’s impossible to ignore the allure of another one of the hidden gems of the Peloponnese: Lousios Gorge. This exciting hiking area borders Dimitsana, so you won’t have to make a separate trip. Formed by a gushing river, this narrow gorge is roughly 2 kilometers wide, making for an exciting yet easy hike. While not challenging, the hike can take about half a day, so you should be strapped with snacks and water. If you’re hoping to explore other hidden gems of the Peloponnese, head from Stemnitsa to Dimitsana, where you can also cross Lousios Gorge.
7. Methoni
You’ll recognize Methoni by the infamous fortification stretching out into the open sea. Dubbed the Methoni Castle, this gorgeous promontory was built by the Venetians sometime in the early thirteenth century and still stands tall today. The fort marks the beaches of Methoni, where tourists usually come to bask in the sunlight and play in the sand. Methoni isn’t just a collection of sandy stretches; the village is home to some of the most scrumptious natural olive formations, so you can even take an olive-tasting tour. Of course, if you hike up to the rocky formations around Methoni, you’ll realize why it’s considered one of the most unforgettable hidden gems of the Peloponnese.
8. Feneos Valley
Meet the Greek Switzerland; Feneos Valley is a stunning piece of land in Corinthia, Peloponnese. It follows directly after the Kastania village, so tourists get a chance to explore Greek culture and tradition up close. Feneos Valley is known for its natural beauty, spanning white snow-tipped mountains and verdant meadows, making it a delight for naturalists. Its most prized destination is Lake Doxa, a bright, man-made triangular stretch of sparkling water that makes it one of the most exquisite hidden gems of the Peloponnese.
9. Elafonisos Island
While Elafonisos Island isn’t technically on the Peloponnese, its proximity makes it qualify. Elafonisos lies sandwiched between the Peloponnese and Kythira, just off the coast of Vatika and Cape Malea. Stretching just 19 square kilometers, this tiny island is home to some of the finest golden sand beaches and a Caribbean charm that you won’t find elsewhere. If you’re really hoping to immerse yourself in Mother Nature’s beauty, you won’t find a destination as good as this hidden gem of the Peloponnese.
10. Neda Waterfalls
Most tourists heading to the Peloponnese visit the Polylimnio Waterfall, but today, we’re taking a detour into a destination that most tourists don’t even know about. The Neda Waterfalls are a thunderous cascade of bright green waters plunging deep into the shallow pool below. These waterfalls are incredibly secluded and need a short hike through stone bridges to reach, so it’s truly one of the most stunning and elusive hidden gems of the Peloponnese. The crystal sheen, the twinkling sky, and the calm atmosphere make Neda Waterfalls the perfect destination for nature lovers.
Video Guide: 10 Hidden Gems in the Peloponnese (Coming Soon)
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Travel Resources for Planning a Trip to the Hidden Gems in the Peloponnese, Greece
To make planning a trip to these hidden gems in the Peloponnese, Greece easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do at each destination during your trip to in the Peloponnese, Greece.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportation and transfer options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to the hidden gems in the Peloponnese, Greece?
Want to plan a trip to the hidden gems in the Peloponnese, Greece but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a multi-city trip to these hidden gems in the Peloponnese Greece are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
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