Places to Visit
Below are some of our favourite places to visit, some touristy, others off the beaten path. Distances are shown from The Doctor's Villa.
If you'd prefer to look at a map, here is our Google Map with our favourite places in Peloponnesus highlighted.
Historical Sites
The Ancient Theatre of Epidauros (1.5 hrs drive). This 2500-seat theatre is over 2000 years old and still hosts plays and concerts in the summer. It's a magical place, free of modern interventions and tourist trappings. The views, the acoustics...well worth the trek.
Mycenae (45 mins drive). The Mycaenian civilization was one of the most prolific and important of the ancient world. The site itself is not particularly impressive, but if you're a history buff it's a must-see. We especially love the huge views across the plains from atop the castle ruins, and the King's Tomb, the largest free-standing dome built at that time. Worth a day trip with a winery in Nemea.
Acrocorinth (Castle Corinth) (30 mins drive). Spectacular fortress on top of a rocky outcrop with 360 degree views that are breathtaking. Hike to the very top…it’s fab. You drive right past it just after the Corinth canal.
Delphi (3-hour drive) Considered the centre of the world by the Ancient Greeks, Delphi was an ancient spiritual site where pilgrims from all over the Classical world made pilgrimages to foretell their fate. Nestled high up in the mountains of mainland Greece, it's quite a trip from the Doctor's Villa, but well worth it if you have a day or two to spare.
The Acropolis (90 mins drive) One of the most spectacular ancient sites...we visit every year and still love it.
Cape Sounion (45 mins from Athens, 2 hrs from The Doctor's Villa). Sounion is a remote cliff-top temple at the very end of the Greek mainland peninsular near Athens. If you can get out there at sunset it’s awesome, as is the legend of King Aegis and his death-plunge off the cliff.
Coming soon...Olympia, Kalavryta, Meteora, Thermopylae, Sparta, Monemvasia and Northern Greece!
Other Towns to Visit
Nafplio (2 hrs drive). Greece’s original capita, Nafplio is a gorgeous, unspoiled Classical Greek city. We love it and it’s worth the 2 hour drive if you want a day in a port city with a cool castle, cute shops and cafes lining the port overlooking gorgeous yachts!
Coming soon: Corinth (canal), Pilos, Kalamata and Mani region, and our full Athens guide.