Cycling in the Peloponnese

Activity Level

Moderate

Activity

Cycling

Overview

Discover the highlights of Ancient Greece by bike

The Peloponnese is the Greece of myth and legend. Hera bathed in the Carathus spring near Epidaurus, the attack against Troy was led from Mycenae and it was in Lerna that Hercules killed the Hydra, a mythical beast with many heads. Aside from being the cradle of Greek civilisation, it is also astoundingly beautiful. The mountainous region of Arcadia has thick pine forests and meadows alive to the scent of wild mint and the gently sloping lowlands towards the coast are a tangle of vineyards and citrus and olive groves, bright with oleander bushes.

Key Information

Trip Code: C07GP
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: Greece

What's Included

All accommodation (see accommodation)
All breakfasts
Bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
Headwater Navigation App
High quality bikes
Luggage transfers between hotels
Cycle transfer on Day 7

6 days of Cycling

Terrain:

Cycling is mainly on quiet country lanes.

Day 2: 38 km / 23.6 miles
Day 3: 47 km / 29.2 miles
Day 4: 55 km / 34.2 miles
Day 5: 45 km / 28 miles
Day 6: 51 km / 31.7 miles
Day 7: 42 km / 26.1 miles

Highlights

Cycle from mountains to coast; traditional settlements, ancient cities, fishing villages and seaside towns
Important historical and archaeological sites of Mycenae, Epidaurus, Mantinea and Tegea
Ride varied landscapes stopping at cafes and tavernas for homemade local specialities and fresh seafood

Itinerary

First Destination: Vytina
Next Destination: Nafplio

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Vytina
Next Destination: Nafplio

Arrival in Vytina

Accommodation: Hotel Art Mainalon (four-star or similar)

Your day starts with an uphill ride into the mountains to Alonistaina, a traditional settlement and one of the highest villages in the Peloponnese. Continue along fir-lined country roads to the village of Piana, important during the Greek War of Independence. Enjoy a rest in a kafeneio beside the church of Saint Georgios, built on a rock before starting the descent to Tripoli, capital of Arcadia region.

Accommodation: Palatino Hotel (three-star or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

A circular route today starts with a cycle through vineyards and apple orchards to reach Mantineia, one of the most important ancient Greek cities where you can explore the preserved archaeological site. Opposite the site is the church of Agia Foteini, built in 1972 but which combines several architectural elements (Classical, Byzantine, and Minoan). Continue through fruit crops to Kapsia cave, a natural wonder of multi-coloured stalactites and stalagmites before returning on quiet country roads to Tripoli.

Accommodation: Palatino Hotel (three-star or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Today you descend to the coast. First stop is the settlement of Tegea, where you can see history in layers with a 10th Century Byzantine church constructed over the ruins of an ancient theatre. Continue through olive groves and small villages to the ancient city of Eva. Arrive in Paralio Astros, a beautiful small fishing village. Wander along the harbour, visit the castle on top of the hill or have a dip in the sea before choosing where to eat from one of the tavernas offering fresh fish and local specialties.

Accommodation: Ariadne Hotel (three-star or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Follow an amazing coastal route along the Argolic Gulf coastline to reach Mili, a small seaside resort and a good place to take a refreshement break. Visit the archaeological site of Ancient Lerna and Lernea Hydra where Hercules killed the beast of many heads before heading to his hometown and one of the oldest cicties in Greece, Argos. Visit the ancient theatre before continuing on to the seaside resort of Nafplio. Spend your final three nights here allowing plenty of time to explore its narrow old streets, marbled square and bustling harbour.

Accommodation: Ippoliti Hotel (four-star or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Cycle through beautiful countryside of orange and lemon groves via the huge castle remains at Tiryns, considered to be one of the most important centres in the Eastern Mediterranean, to reach Bronze Age Mycenae, the kingdom of mythical King Agamemnon. Marvel at the Lions Gate at the main entrance of the Acropolis before exploring the rest of this extensive site. Return to Nafplio.

Accommodation: Ippoliti Hotel (four-star or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

The day starts with a transfer to the ancient healing centre of Epidaurus. The ancient theatre here is well-preserved and still used in the summer to host plays. Along with the theatre you’ll also discover temples, porticoes, houses, shops and spas of this city that is considered to be the birthplace of medicine.
Cycle mostly downhill through mountainous landscape and through the vast pistachio growing region back to the coast.

Accommodation: Ippoliti Hotel (four-star or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Call us on 0203 733 5948

Your Group, Your Adventure

Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a Private Adventure just for you.

View Details

Accommodation

Accommodation is in a mix of 3 and 4 star hotels, all are within easy reach of a range of local restaurants.

Essential Information

Greece

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Greece. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/greece
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/greece
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Greece.html

Simple buffet style Greek breakfast consists of bread/toast, butter, jam, fresh juice, milk, local yoghurt, eggs and honey, and coffee/tea. For lunch we recommend taking a picnic on most days although there may be options on some days to eat at a taverna. For dinner, in each place you stay there will be a range of different local tavernas and restaurants to choose from where you can sample some typical Greek meze dishes, olives, fresh fish, vegetables and much more.

The Peloponnese has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. Average summer temperatures can get up to 30 degrees C in July & August whilst June and September are slightly cooler at an average high of 27 degrees. April, May and October range from 20-24 degree highs. Coastal areas will feel cooler when there are sea breezes and in Vytina it will be coller in the early/late season, particularly in the evenings.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.