Our Grand bicycling tour of the Peloponnese starts in ancient Sparta and covers all seven (!) provinces: Laconia, Messinia, Ileia, Arkadia, Achaia, Corinthia and Argolis. In addition, the tour visits three islands: Poros, Hydra and Spetses.
We begin our cycling adventure in Mystras, home to one of Greece’s most beautiful archaeological sites, staying in the picturesque villages of Gythio and Areopoli before retreating to the charming village of Kardamyli. From Kardamyli, we proceed along the Akrita Peninsula. This peninsula is known for its idyllic coastline and the medieval castles of Koroni, Methoni and Pylos. Next stop…Ancient Olympia, the Birthplace of the Olympic Games. From Olympia, we travel inland and explore villages that have not changed over centuries. Once over the mountainous heart of the peninsula, we follow the coast along the Gulf of Corinth to the famous wine-producing region of Nemea and then to Nafplio, one of Greece’s most beautiful towns. The tour ends with three well-known Greek Islands, Poros, Hydra and Spetses. A tour of a lifetime!
Highlights
UNESCO World Heritage site of Mystras
Sparta
Tower houses of the Deep Mani
The Birthplace of the Olympic Games
Wine Region of Nemea
The Theater of Epidaurus
Experience traditional Greek village life
Three cosmopolitan Greek Islands
Includes
23 days, 22 nights, accommodation and meals as noted in the itinerary
Guided tours of the Archaeological sites of Mystras, Ancient Olympia, Mycenae and the Theater of Epidaurus
Penciling in on a tour is a great way to temporarily hold a space while you think about your travel logistics and find some friends to join you. We encourage you to book your space on the tour dates that interests you as soon as possible. Many departures are already sold out.
Average daily distanceWithout optional rides on rest days 60 km (37 miles)
Tour styleExpedition
Tour level
4.0
Highlights: Test ride along a gorge, welcome dinner
Meet this morning in Athens to transfer together to Mystras, an ancient fortress considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval walled towns in the region. Built in 1249, the fortress sits on the slopes of the Taygetos Mountains overlooking Sparta and is where the last Byzantine emperor was crowned. Following your bike fitting, take a scenic test ride. This evening we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner together.
Highlights: UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mystras, foothills of Taygetos mountain range
Today we will take a loop ride through traditional villages and the land of the Ancient Spartans. We’ll pedal through the foothills of the Taygetos mountain range; these mountains surround the Evrotas river valley and created a natural defense – one reason Ancient Sparta was never sacked. After our loop ride we will take a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Mystras fortress. The fortress was conquered by many including the Byzantines, Turks and the Venetians, and was finally abandoned in 1832.
Highlights: Scenic coastal ride and the Ancient Port of the Spartans
We leave the foothills of the Taygetos this morning and travel south towards the coast to Gytheio. This colorful town features a waterfront promenade with several restaurants and cafés that are buzzing with activity until late into the evening hours. Dinner is together tonight.
Today’s ride takes you along dramatic coastlines passing several traditional villages on your way to Areopoli, in the heart of the Mani Peninsula. Areopoli’s narrow, winding city streets, restored pyrgi (fortified tower homes), and its delightful village plazas make this traditional settlement a charming place to call home for the next two days. Not enough riding for you today? There is the option to add another 16 km (10 miles) and 329 meters (1,079′) of climbing.
We are in for a special day, as we ride from Areopoli to Gerolimena. As you cycle past Byzantine churches and sleepy fishing coves the quiet roads of the peninsula give you a taste of peaceful Mediterranean lifestyle. Cyclists looking to add more miles will have the option to extend their ride to the tower house village of Vathia
A beautiful descent leads us to the picturesque fishing village of Limeni. After Limeni we have a challenging climb but will then be rewarded with a stunning descent into Kardamyli during the second half of the ride.
Highlights: Explore old Kardamyli, olive oil tasting
Today is an ideal day to rest and enjoy the elegant seaside village of Kardamyli. Take in its picturesque neighborhoods of stone-built houses and restored medieval towers or grab a book (our hotel has many) and lounge on the beach. Or if you prefer a ride, we’ll offer a loop option that will stun you with its panoramic views of the sea and views towards Mt. Taygetos. Explore remote villages and find an opportunity to talk to some of the few remaining but very friendly inhabitants before dropping back to the coast and treating yourself to a refreshing and leisurely swim and lunch. This afternoon, learn everything there is to know about Kardamyli’s most famous product during our visit of a local olive-oil producer.
Highlights: Olive groves as far as the eye can see, home of the Kalamata olive
We have a challenging climb, but once over our mountain pass, we will be amply rewarded by a seemingly endless downhill all the way to Kalamata. Tonight, you can enjoy Kalamata’s rich culinary traditions and famous local products.
Highlights: Views of the Taygetos mountain range, Castles of Koroni, Methoni
We cycle west along a scenic coastal route passing several traditional villages that compete for our attention. Enjoy fantastic views of Mount Taygetos and the bay of Messinia as we ride past Koroni, home to the last inhabited castle of the Peloponnese. We’ll then cycle to Methoni, another picturesque castle town.
Highlights: The town of Pylos, Voidokilia Beach, Kiparissia Bay
We pedal on a fabulous route along the Western side of the peninsula, past Pylos, known for the famous naval battle of Navarino in 1827. Our ride will then lead us to the Kyparissia. Kyparissia Bay hosts one of the biggest reproductive populations of the Loggerhead Sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean.
Highlights: Ancient Olympia, Guided tour of a world-famous site
Our route takes us to the site of the ancient Olympic games that were first held in the 8th century BC. Once in Olympia, we will be dazzled by the beauty and history of this famous site during our guided visit.
Highlights: Foloi Oak Forrest, the unspoiled village of Lampeia
Our ride inland to the village of Lampeia may be one of our shortest in distance, however the gain (over 1300 m) will slow us down enough to enjoy the scenery. The Foloi oak forest, unique in the Balkans and one of the largest in Europe, spreads out on a plateau of over 10,000 acres that surround the water basins of the Erymanthos and Pinios rivers.
Highlights: arched stone bridge over the Erymanthos River, Ruins of Ancient Psofis, Kalavryta
Surrounded by beautiful landscape, Kalavryta is widely known for its ski resort, its cog railway which travels up and down the Vouraikos Canyon and for being the town that endured one of the cruelest World War II massacres in Greece.
Highlights: One of Greece’s oldest monasteries, Ancient Aigeira, our beautiful hotel in Derveni
We start off our day with a long and spectacular descent back to the coast. Later in the day, you will have the option of riding to site of Ancient Aigeira, one of the most important Mycenean city in Achaea, and the nearby Ancient Theater that dates back to 280 BC. A special seafood dinner together tonight in the small seaside town of Derveni.
Highlights: The coast along the Gulf of Corinth, Acrocorinth and Ancient Corinth
Enjoy a long stretch of flat coastal terrain as we make our way East towards Corinth. Towards the end of our ride, you will be amazed with the views as we climb up to the magnificent site of Acrocorinth, before dropping back to the coast and our seaside hotel.
Highlights: The vineyards of Nemea, Ancient Nemea, Mycenae, Nafplio
Today’s ride has it all: quiet roads through vineyards, two important historical sites (Ancient Nemea and Mycenae), and a top-notch destination. Nafplio was the first capital of the modern Greek State and is arguably the country’s most beautiful town. Overnight in Nafplio.
Highlights: The very long list of sights and attractions in and around Nafplio
We have an optional ride today to Nafplio’s imposing Palamidi Fortress and Karathonas Beach, or you may decide to rest and enjoy exploring Nafplio’s Old Town and its numerous attractions. Overnight in Nafplio.
Highlights: Marble factory visit, quiet farm roads, Guided tour of the famous Theater of Epidaurus
We begin our ride with a beautiful coastal route but then, after a visit of a marble factory, we head inland and follow a spectacular remote route through the mountains. This afternoon you will be amazed with the best preserved ancient theater in Greece. Overnight in Epidaurus.
We head back to the coast today along a route that is simply spectacular. This afternoon we will board a ferry and hop over to the island of Poros. The island’s name means narrow passage and refers to the strait that separates it from the Peloponnese.
Highlights: Excursion to the Island of Hydra, optional pine-scented loop ride of Poros
This morning, we will pack our backpacks and ferry to the neighboring island of Hydra. Seafaring merchant families-built mansions of honey-colored stone on Hydra in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, artists and writers began arriving in the 1960s, and in their wake came the rich and famous. If you feel like enjoying a short but spectacular loop ride through the pine forests of Poros, you will have time to do that this afternoon.
Highlights: Another spectacular coastal route, the Island of Spetses
Your ride today will lead you to Spetses, an extremely picturesque island with gorgeous architecture that heralds back to Venetian times and Greece’s neoclassical era. Today, Spetses’s pine groves and architecture are its greatest treasures: The island has an unusual number of handsome archontika built in the 19th and 20th centuries by wealthy residents, many of them shipping magnates.
Highlights: Loop Ride around the Island’s Perimeter
Enjoy a leisurely final ride along the road that traces the island’s perimeter. Cycling is one of the few ways one can explore this island! This afternoon, you will have time to explore the beautiful shops in the Dapia district and pick up a few gifts. Tonight’s final dinner will be an opportunity to celebrate.
The transfer will take around 3 to 3.5 hours and the driver will stop along the way for a quick snack and bathroom break. You will meet your Tour Leaders at the shuttle's destination.
Staying at the meeting hotel before or after your bicycle tour:
We will be glad to provide you with a discount code for booking your stay at the meeting hotel. Just reach out to us. Note that we will not sleep there as a group and the stay there is not included in the tour price.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
Airport: We recommend flying into the Athens Airport (ATH)
Getting from the Athens airport to the meeting hotel:
Metro Blue Line from the Athens Airport to Syntagma (Consitution Square), change to Red Line (direction Elliniko) and exit at Acropoli station (1 hr/EUR 10)
