Peloponnese Holidays

The Peloponnese is where Greece stops showing off for tourists and starts being properly, brilliantly Greek. Ancient Olympia, jaw-dropping beaches, Kalamata olives straight from the source — and prices that won't make you wince. This is mainland Greece at its finest, with way fewer crowds than the islands and way more to explore.

✨ Peloponnese holiday Highlights

• Ancient wonders galore (hello, Olympia and Mycenae!) 

• Stunning beaches without the tourist hordes

• Proper Greek mountain villages with authentic tavernas 

• Wine regions that'll make you forget all about Tuscany

• Dramatic landscapes from coast to mountains

🎉 Holidays to Peloponnese 2026 - Good to Know

• 🤩 Fun fact: This is where the original Olympic Games kicked off in 776 BC - so you can literally run where the ancient athletes did (though maybe save that for after your beach day!)

• 🏖 Best beach: Voidokilia Beach is our pick - a perfect horseshoe bay with golden sand and turquoise waters that looks like it's been photoshopped, but it's totally real.

• 🍻 Price of a pint: Around €3.50-€4.50 (£3-£3.80) - proper bargain compared to the islands, and the views of olive groves are included free!

🏨 Where to stay on your Peloponnese holidays

The absolute best spots in the Peloponnese - proper gorgeous locations with epic beaches and authentic Greek vibes.

• Loutra Killinis - this is where the magic happens! Think thermal springs, endless golden beaches, and ancient ruins all rolled into one gorgeous package. Set on the western coast with a stunning 2km sandy beach where the forest meets the sea, it's home to famous thermal baths that have been healing people since Roman times. Perfect for families and couples who want beaches, wellness, and a bit of history.

• Kalamata - the foodie capital that's got everything sorted. Famous for those incredible olives you've been munching, but there's so much more - gorgeous Blue Flag beaches, a buzzing marina, and that lovely old town with cobbled streets perfect for evening strolls. Right on the waterfront promenade with contemporary design and luxury vibes. Great for couples, culture vultures, and anyone who loves proper good food.

🏨 Top Peloponnese Hotels 2026/2027

For Families

• 🏨 Grecotel Ilia Palms and Aquapark — Loutra Killinis Family fun central with Greece's largest resort aqua park (20,000m² of waterslides and splash zones). Set on a gorgeous 500-acre wooded estate with a 2km sandy beach, shallow waters for paddling, kids' clubs, horse riding and all-inclusive options. The go-to pick for families who want everything on their doorstep.

• 🏨 Grecotel Lux Me Oasis at Riviera Olympia Aqua Park — Loutra Killinis Five-star all-inclusive with access to the same mega aqua park, plus 11 dining venues, adventure pools, lazy river and a kids' club. A step up from the Ilia Palms with premium rooms and LUX ALL-INCLUSIVE LIVING concept — unlimited drinks, a la carte dining and more.

• 🏨 Grecotel Filoxenia Kalamata — Kalamata Completely renovated four-star seafront estate with 162 rooms, infinity pools that seem to flow into the sea, Grecoland Kids' Club, tennis courts and olive gardens. No road between you and the beach — just step out and you're on the sand.

For Couples

• 🏨 Grecotel Mandola Rosa — Loutra Killinis Pure luxury — an ultra-chic boutique resort with just 25 suites and 20 beachfront villas on that stunning 2km beach. Private pools, 24-hour concierge, rose-coloured buildings inspired by the almond blossoms of nearby Ancient Olympia. If you want to feel like Greek royalty, this is your spot.

• 🏨 Horizon Blu — Kalamata Five-star waterfront sophistication in Kalamata with a massive infinity pool, marble bathrooms and rooms with private pools. The perfect city-resort hybrid — urban buzz by day, sea views by night.

For Groups

• 🏨 Grecotel Olympia Riviera and Aquapark — Loutra Killinis Massive five-star resort with 24 restaurants and bars, aqua park, beach bars, sports facilities, horse riding and evening entertainment — everything a group needs without anyone having to organise a thing. Set on the same 2km beach as the other Grecotel properties.

• 🏨 Pharae Palace — Kalamata Right in the heart of Kalamata on Navarino Street, a stone's throw from the beach, bars, restaurants and nightlife. Rooftop restaurant with panoramic Gulf views — brilliant base for groups who want to explore the city and eat their way through the waterfront tavernas.

Luxury

• 🏨 The Romanos, A Luxury Collection Resort — Costa Navarino Ultra-luxury at Greece's most prestigious resort destination, about 45 minutes from Kalamata. Four championship golf courses, the Anazoe Spa, an aquapark, multiple restaurants and facilities shared with sister resort The Westin. If money's no object, this is the one.

• 🏨 The Westin Resort Costa Navarino — Costa Navarino Spectacular five-star family resort with over 20 dining venues, kids' clubs, aquapark with slides and the Mouratoglou Tennis Centre featuring Greece's only grass court. Shares the Costa Navarino complex with The Romanos — same world-class location, slightly more family-focused.

Budget-Friendly

• 🏨 Elite City Resort — Kalamata Beachfront with an outdoor pool, sun terrace and pool bar. Just 2.5km from Kalamata's centre — great for cheap holidays where you still want a proper beach and pool setup without breaking the bank.

• 🏨 Messinian Bay Hotel — Kalamata Simple, solid and right by the water. Pool bar, restaurant with Mediterranean dishes and an easy stroll into town. No frills but everything you need for a relaxed Peloponnese jolly.

👉 See all Peloponnese hotels

🏖 What are the best beaches to visit in Peloponnese?

Peloponnese knows how to do beaches properly - and the ones near these resorts are absolutely next level for crystal-clear waters and gorgeous golden sand - it's Greece holidays done right.

• Loutra Killinis Golden Beach - Golden sand meets crystal-clear Ionian Sea waters, with thermal springs bubbling nearby (yes, really!). The forest literally meets the sea here, giving you natural shade and a proper magical vibe.

• Kalamata Beach - Blue Flag beauty that stretches along the palm-lined waterfront. Right by our hotels, this gorgeous stretch has everything sorted - sunbeds, beach bars, and that famous Kalamata atmosphere. Perfect for morning swims before exploring the town.

• Voidokilia Beach - Okay, this one's a bit of a drive but seriously worth it. This horseshoe-shaped stunner is basically nature showing off with golden sand and turquoise water that looks like the Caribbean.

• Arkoudi Beach - peaceful and gorgeous, just a short hop from Loutra Killinis. Crystal-clear waters and loads of space to spread out your towel without bumping into anyone.

• Kastro Beach - Near the medieval Chlemoutsi Castle (how cool is that?), so you get history and beach vibes all in one. Perfect for when you want to combine sightseeing with sunbathing.

🧳 Peloponnese Holidays 2026/2027 — Travel Guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Things to Do for Families

• 🏛️ Visit Ancient Olympia where the Olympics began — let the kids race on the original track (then cool off at the aqua park afterwards)

• 🚂 Take the rack railway through Vouraikos Gorge — scenic mountain views without any hiking required, brilliant for all ages

• 🛶 Explore Diros Caves by boat — underground lakes and stalactites that feel like a proper adventure film

• 🌿 Visit a traditional olive farm near Kalamata and learn how olive oil is made (with tastings for the grown-ups)

💕 Things to Do for Couples

• 🏰 Wander Monemvasia's medieval streets — this 'Gibraltar of the East' is like stepping back in time, peak romantic

• 🍷 Wine tasting in Nemea — sample the famous Agiorgitiko red where grapes have been growing since ancient times

• 🌅 Sunset dinner in Nafplio's old town with views over the Bourtzi fortress — genuinely one of the most romantic spots in Greece

• ⛵ Take a boat trip to Spetses island for a day exploring charming harbours and car-free streets

🎉 Things to Do for Groups

• 🍷 Organise a wine and olive oil tour through Nemea and Messinia — the Peloponnese is one of the oldest wine regions in the world, and a designated driver means everyone gets to taste

• 🚗 Road-trip the coast with a different beach and taverna each day — the drives between spots are stunning and the Peloponnese is built for exploring by car

• 🎭 Catch a performance at the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus — the acoustics are so good you can hear a coin drop from the back row, and summer shows under the stars are unreal

• 🏖️ Base yourselves at one of the Loutra Killinis resorts and make use of the aqua park, horse riding, tennis and beach bars — everything's on site so nobody has to organise anything

🍽️ Things to Do for Culture & Food Lovers

• 🌿 Try Kalamata olives where they actually come from — they're a protected designation of origin, and you can genuinely taste the difference

• 🍖 Sample local specialities like kagianas (scrambled eggs with tomatoes and olive oil — a Kalamata classic) and hilopites (handmade egg pasta from Arcadia)

• 🧀 Visit cheese makers in the mountain villages and try graviera and feta straight from the source

• 🍷 Tour the Nemea wine region — one of the oldest wine-producing areas in the world, famous for its deep red Agiorgitiko grape

🚍 Getting Around on your holidays to Peloponnese

• 🚗 Car Rental - This is your best bet for exploring properly. The roads are decent, mountain views are epic, and you can stop at random beaches and villages whenever you fancy. Plus, Greek drivers are... let's call them 'enthusiastic', so you'll fit right in.

• 🚌 Buses - KTEL buses connect the main towns and are pretty reliable. Not always the quickest option, but you'll get proper local vibes and the chance to practice your Greek with friendly passengers.

• 🚕 Taxis - Available in bigger towns like Kalamata and Nafplio, but can get pricey for longer journeys. Great for airport transfers or when you've had one too many wines at dinner.

🗓️ When to Visit the Peloponnese 2026/2027

☀️ May to June — Best Overall

19-26°C with wildflowers blooming across the hillsides. Ancient sites aren't baking hot to explore, beaches are warming up, hotels are open but not rammed, and prices are decent. Perfect for combining beach days with sightseeing at places like Ancient Olympia.

🌡️ July to August — Peak Beach Season

28-33°C with minimal rain and endless sunshine. Brilliant for beach holidays at Loutra Killinis and Kalamata, but gets busier and pricier. Book ahead for the best hotels.

🍷 September to Early October — Hidden Gem

24-28°C, sea's at its warmest, crowds have cleared off. September is genuinely one of the best months — summer weather without summer prices. Perfect for wine tasting in Nemea, exploring mountain villages and having beaches almost to yourself.

🌿 April and Late October — Shoulder Season

16-22°C. Decent for sightseeing without sweating. Beach weather's hit-and-miss but hiking in the Taygetos Mountains is brilliant. Some hotels might not be fully open yet. Great for culture lovers and budget travellers.

🎶 What's On in the Peloponnese

• 🎭 Epidaurus Festival (every June-August) — Ancient Greek drama performed in the original 2,300-year-old Theatre of Epidaurus. Properly magical under the stars.

• 🍷 Nemea Wine Festival (every September) — Celebrate the famous Agiorgitiko grape with tastings, food and live music in Greece's oldest wine region.

• 💃 Kalamata International Dance Festival (every July) — World-class dance performances across the city. Greece's premier dance event, drawing choreographers and fans from around the world.

• 🌿 Kalamata Olive Festival (every autumn) — Celebrating the harvest of Greece's most famous olives with tastings, cooking demos and local produce markets.

• 🎉 Patras Carnival (every February-March) — Greece's biggest carnival, with parades, floats and fancy dress. Think Mardi Gras but with ouzo.

Other Greece Holidays:

• Athens

• Corfu

• Crete

• Halkidiki

• Kefalonia

• Kos

• Mykonos

• Preveza

• Rhodes

• Samos

• Santorini

• Skiathos

• Zante