2 min summary Best time to visit Map & highlights Archeology Self drive Cycling Walking Things to do in Messinia Turtle conservation Tips Responsible tourism All our Greece guides

Walking vacations in the Peloponnese

Find out what walking vacations in the Peloponnese entail as well as how to make the most of your time from the slopes of Mt Parnassos to the ancient theatres at Olympia and Epidaurus. Traveling in a small group you’ll reach parts of the country that not many other tourists get to, and you’ll have a band of ready-made friends with whom to share your epic adventure in the land of myths and legends.

Home\Europe\Greece\Peloponnese

Walking vacations in the Peloponnese

A small group walking vacation in the Peloponnese is your chance to admire green forests, discover traditional mountain villages and stumble upon old ruins, with the foothills around Mount Pelion and the northwestern region of Zagori both offering walkers archaeological sites, monastic retreats and rugged scenery to complement a variety of distances and gradients.

Your guide will be a local, full of knowledgeable tips and enthusiasm that stem from years spent exploring the region. And arriving in towns and villages in small numbers and on foot mean that it's far easier to strike up a conversation with the local taverna owner or shopkeeper than if you were to rock up in a coach party. Walking vacations are great for the local economy too. Most take place out of peak season, bringing a new lease of life to small villages, both mountain and coastal, when many other visitors have gone home.

See all our Peloponnese Vacations

Give us a call

Our Peloponnese Vacations

What does a Peloponnese walking vacation entail?

Walking vacations in the Peloponnese are small group tours, which take place on selected dates across the milder spring and autumn months and are accompanied by local guides, with all the logistics taken care of so you can just relax and enjoy the scenery.

Small group numbers of around eight to ten mean that you’ll have the chance to get to know your guide, and therefore more about where you’re walking and what you’re experiencing, something that our responsible travelers really rate about our guided, small group vacations. Small group walking also gives you the chance to meet new people with similar interests – walking, for one – and it can be quite amazing just how quickly a group bonds and friendships form over a hillside picnic or a glass or two of ouzo.

Our trips are point to point itineraries – you’ll walk (or sometimes go by car) from one location to the next, with luggage transferred to be waiting for you upon arrival. Point to point does require packing up your stuff before you leave each day, but staying somewhere new each night can be really fun and also allows you to get deeper into the countryside as you explore in mountain ranges and ancient history. Accommodation will usually be in small, family-run hotels or guesthouses which have been hand-picked for their traditional character, comfort levels and relationship with both the local community and surrounding natural environment.

Usually you’ll start and finish your trip at Athens International Airport (you can add a few days in the city if you prefer), where you’ll meet your tour leader and fellow travelers before transferring to your next destination.

What will I see?

A real high point here is the chance to get to grips with the ancient world through sites such as Olympia, Epidaurus and Mycenae. But you’ll also find crusader castles, ruined monasteries and medieval towns bumping up the historic highlights. Aside from ancient heritage, the Peloponnese has a wealth of natural assets: wander through the beautiful mountainous region of Arcadia, go hiking through the gorge of Lousios River, hike on Mount Mainalon and follow paths through dense thickets of pine and juniper, along low lying cliffs and past thick olive groves.

How tough are they?

Walking vacations in the Peloponnese are more about experiencing local history and culture than they are about wearing yourself out on the trails. You don’t have to be super fit to take part: there might be the odd steep mountain trail, but you’ll hike for no more than three hours a day, with plenty of rest stops built in, whether for picnic lunches, dips in the sea or archaeological explorations.

How responsible are they?

You’ll travel with operators that have worked in the region for years, who’ll take you to small, locally owned and mainly family-run accommodations and restaurants, not only for the experience of traditional home-cooked food, but also to ensure that the local community benefits from our groups visiting the area. Along the way you’ll shop for picnic supplies in markets and small stores and any additional guides (at archaeological sites, for example) will be locally-based.

Lunchtime stops are often picnics. No single-use receptacles will be used and you’ll be encouraged to bring reusable picnic supplies with you, as well as water bottles, which can be refilled with tap water.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Peloponnese or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

1-866-821-6866

Call toll free

Calling from outside the USA

rosy@responsibletravel.com

1-866-821-6866

Call toll free

Calling from outside the USA

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Best time to go walking in the Peloponnese

The best time for walking in the Peloponnese is definitely either spring or autumn. Restaurants are empty, the roads aren't busy and the weather is pleasant. The scenery is incredibly beautiful during these seasons as well – think wildflower meadows in spring and the busy olive harvest in October. Keep clear of July and most of August, when temperatures can easily reach 30°C. It’s also worth checking the Greek Orthodox Easter period (which changes every year), when Greek expatriates flock home and the roads can be heavy with traffic.

Call us for the best time to go on a Peloponnese Vacation

More about Peloponnese

Best time to visit the Peloponnese

The best time to visit the Peloponnese is May-June and September, when temperatures are warm and either the wildflowers or the autumn colours are in bloom.

Peloponnese travel guide

This Peloponnese travel guide takes you to a part of Greece that’s still unknown to the many travelers who’ve spent years focused on the islands.

Peloponnese map & highlights

Discover some of the most rewarding destinations in the region, from Byzantine towns and ancient sites to hiking routes and beaches.

Peloponnese archeology vacations

Organised Peloponnese archaeology tours provide every opportunity to open up the doors to the past, from Olympia to the settlements of Sparta.

Peloponnese self-drive

Peloponnese self drive vacations give you the freedom to discover this region’s history, mountains, beaches and delicious local wine, olives and honey.

Peloponnese cycling

Cycling in the Peloponnese takes you into a region steeped in myth, liberally dusted with archaeological sites and fringed with idyllic beaches where you can leap out of the saddle for a swim.

Things to do in Messinia

The southwestern corner of the Peloponnese has many attractions, from the peninsula's loveliest beaches to old Venetian towns, impressive castles and even underwater parks for divers, but while it can easily compete with the islands in both looks and activities, its mainland location means it receives a fraction of the visitors.