Properties Location
East Peloponnese

Regions of Greece : East Peloponnese (Korinthia or Corinthos, Argolida, Arkadia, Lakonia, Kithira or Kythira)

 The Prefecture of Argolida

The Prefecture of Argolida, Peloponnese is a fantastic holiday destination, as it possesses one-of-a-kind ancient and historical sites, breathtaking natural beauty, and enchanting beaches. Argolida Greece is a multifaceted prefecture, with very picturesque towns and traditional villages, which also have a contemporary atmosphere; a fusion that is simply irresistible.

The prefecture of Argolida Peloponnese is a favorite vacation spot for history aficionados and nature lovers. Travellers have the opportunity to stroll through the charming town of Nafplion to visit its ancient and Venetian castles, and to admire the panoramic view offered from both these historic monuments. Tolo Argolida is the perfect place for those who want to spend their holiday lying on marvelous beaches, exploring the lush terrain, and visiting sites such as Mycenae, Nafplion, and Ancient Epidaurus.

Argolida Greece is a great destination for family holidays, as it has a very well-developed tourist infrastructure, including excellent hotels in Nafplion and Tolo. All the ancient sites, such as Mycenae and Ancient Epidaurus, are easily accessed, and the Argolida beaches are organized and sheltered.

The Peloponnese is famous for its delicious cuisine, which you should definitely try while vacationing in the Argolida Prefecture. There are many traditional tavernas and restaurants throughout the Argolida, especially in the quaint alleyways of Nafplion. For your evening entertainment, Nafplion and Tolo offer a wide selection of nightclubs and bars for all tastes .

While planning your vacation in the Argolida Prefecture, you will find a plethora of apartments, rooms for rent and hotels in Nafplion, Tolo and other towns, covering all price ranges. The prefecture of Argolida is a popular holiday spot all year round, meaning that there are excellent Argolida hotels in both seaside towns and lush, hillside villages.

Argolida Beaches 

Beaches are ideal for endless moments of relaxation and recreation. Most of the Argolida beaches are situated in bays, making them safe for families with small children, even when the sea is choppy. There are many hotels located near stunning beaches, offering easy access to a swimming and sunbathing paradise.

In Argolida there are long stretches of sand, and small cove-like beaches to choose from. The pebbly beaches of Nea Epidaurus and Epidaurus are lovely, and the ideal place for a swim after visiting the archaeological sites. The sandy beaches of Ermioni, Petro thalassa, and Porto Heli are very popular and frequented by holiday-makers staying at the seaside resorts. Saladi Beach is lovely, as are the marvellous beaches in Tolo Bay: Iria, Drepano, Vivari, and Tolo, offering many options to those staying in the town of Tolo.

Argolida Greece Sighseeing

The prefecture of Argolida is one of the prime locations for sightseeing in Greece. It is a popular spot for archaeology buffs who spend days just exploring the historical monuments and taking in the magical aura of the ancient civilisations of Greece.

There are several impressive sites in Argolida Greece, which are marked on our map of Argolida on this page.

The town of Nafplion is inarguably one of the most picturesque towns in Greece, with its neoclassic buildings, narrow alleyways, and Venetian charm. Visits to the Palamidi Castle, the Akronafplia Fortress and the Bourtzi Fortress are a must during your stay in Argolida Greece.

The town of Argos has a number of wonderful sites, such as the Larisa Castle, the ancient agora, and the ancient theatre. The archaeological site of Asini is excellent, as is the prehistoric site of Ancient Lerna in Myli. In the town of Tyrintha, you will have the opportunity to tour the archaeological site and its ancient remains.

Flights & Ferries to Argolida

The easiest way to reach Argolida Greece is travelling by car or bus via the National Highway. Intercity buses depart daily from Athens for Nafplion Argolida, approximately every hour. On the other hand, if you decide to travel to Argolida Greece by car, you should take the National Highway in the direction of Corinth. On your way you will follow the road signs showing the way towards Tripoli, and then towards Nafplion and Argos.

There are also ferry boats that depart from Piraeus to the seaside towns Ermioni and Porto Heli.

Epidaurus

Epidaurus is a modern town belonging to Argolida, which is situated on the eastern part of Peloponnese. The historical legacy is related to mythology, as it is said to be the birthplace of Asklepios, the god of healing, son of Apollo. In fact, Epidaurus has the most popular health centre of ancient times, called �the Asclepieion�.

During 4th and 3rd century BC, this building was enlarged and partly reconstructed, as part of a Roman demanding program destined to monumental buildings. The project was successful and its benefits extended over the Hellenistic times.

The centre used to be visited by ill people who expected to find a cure. Sick persons had to share a room called the �enkoimitria� to sleep at night. The idea was that Asklepios would appear in their dreams and give them the cure to their diseases.

However, the mineral springs located nearby may have been taken advantage of, as well. Epidaurus counts on some other characteristic places that also make it very unique. One of them is the theatre, a monument whose magnificence remains until today.

Just like the Asclepieion, the theatre owes part of its splendour to the Romans, since during their domination it received 21 more rows in addition to the 34 that already existed. However, unlike the Roman theatres, in this case the surrounding view is part of the building, so it was taken into account and respected due to its design.

The advantages this structure offers makes it possible for plays, and as a banqueting hall as well, known as the ceremonial Hestiatoreion. Due to the relationship that Greeks had to sports, the theatre can also become an arena where wrestling is practised. All these activities were extensively practised in this place during ancient times

Another advantage of this place is its acoustics, to the point that the actors� voices do not need to be amplified, in spite of a 15.000-spectator capacity. No matter the location within the amphitheatre, all spectators can hear the play perfectly.

Prefecture of Corinthos (Korinthia)

The prefecture of Corinthos joins Sterea Hellas ( Central Greece ) with Peloponnese. It is known for its many summer resorts that have sprung out on its north coast and for the various archaeological sites, that have remained from ancient years. The capital, Corinthos, is 84 km from Athens.

Passing through the prefecture, it is obvious that this is a place with a history that goes back to the ancient years. Many archaeological sites show us the growth and the cultural development of ancient Corinthos. Akrocorinth inside the ancient city, the most ancient castle in Peloponnese, Nemea with the temple of Zeus and ancient Sikion with the theater and the stadium are all very important pieces of the Greek history.

The prefecture of Corinthos is also an ideal place for summer vacations since many are the wonderful beaches that have contributed to the development of tourism. Small villages and towns such as Vrahati, Derveni, Kiato and Xilokastro are attracting many tourists from all over the world, offering the wonderful climate and the clean waters of the area.

These cosmopolitan summer resorts also attract many people living in the neighbouring towns. Loutraki, famous for its hot healing springs, has for many years been a great solution to many people living Athens, who are looking for a weekend full of summer fun.

The prefecture of Corinthos is known for many more amazing places, such as Isthmus, a narrow cutting in the land to allow the ships to pass and historic villages such as Dervenakia, who marked an important victory against the Turks.   

 Prefecture of Laconia

Laconia is situated on the north-eastern part of Peloponnese and covers an area of 3.636 km. Its terrain is mostly semi-mountainous, with rich and fertile plains and the 5% of the area is taken up by forests. It is washed by the Messinian and the Laconian Bays, also by the Myrtoon and Cretan Seas. The wonderful islets Trinassos, Glaros, Leptonissi, Kasela, Roditsa, Daskalio and the island Elafonissos belong to Laconia. It is defined by the two impressive mountain ranges: Taygetos on the west and Parnonas on the east and between them the river Eurotas flows through the Laconian plain.

The climate of the area, purely Mediterranean, varies with regions. Winter is generally mild but snowy on the mountainous country. Summer is hot, autumn is mild and spring is simply wonderful. The plains around Sparta are extremely fertile, full of orange and olive trees. There follows a hilly region where you can find a great variety of aromatic herbs and brushwood. The two feet of Laconia, the first flat, the second rocky have one common characteristic: the beautiful seashores, some of them with rocky small bays and secluded havens and others with infinite, sandy beaches.

From an administrative aspect the prefecture of Laconia consists of four provinces: Gythio (its capital Gythio), Epidavros Limira (its capital Molai), Lacadaemon (its capital Sparta) and Itilo (its capital Areopolis). It has a population of 95.695 people whereas 14.084 of them reside in Sparta. The prefecture's financial resources derive mainly from agriculture. The most important products are its famous olive-oil, oranges, figs, honey and tomatoes.

Sparta
Sparta is a city with a long history and a modern municipality, the Spartan Municipality. Sparta is the capital of the Laconia prefecture with an excellent city plan and stands on the site of the ancient city built by the decree of 1834 signed by King Otto and designed by Staufehrt. The plan followed the Ippodamean example of wide avenues and big squares and was designed for 100.000 inhabitants. The capital of the prefecture is the administration center and has all the characteristics of a modern provincial city. The economy is based on agricultural production and tourism. It is surrounded by ancient sites and the center of the city is crowned with many neoclassical buildings and monuments. Sparta offers to the traveler all the required facilities for accommodation and for organizing tourist excursions. Near Sparta, at Amykles, is the throne of Apollo, the most important religious center of the Spartans. At Vafio lies the Mycenaean tomb where the two world famous golden cups diasplayed at the National Archeological Museum in Athens were found. As for Ancient Sparta, it is a city which played a decisive role in the ancient Greek world, a society which developed the concept of the Spartan Life ��� asceticism, self-sacrifice discipline. Sanctuaries, altars and the ancient theatre evoke a distant age. The findings are displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Sparta.

Mystras
Mystras occupies a steep foothill on the northern slopes of Mt. Taygetos at a distance of 6 km from Sparta. The castle on the top of the hill was founded in 1249 by the Frankish leader William the 2nd the Villeharduin. The Aercheological Museum of Mystras is housed in the two-storeyed building at the west wing of the north courtyard of the Cathedral of Ag. Dimitrios. It was founded in 1951 and since then its collections have been considerably enriched. It features collections of Byzanttine sculpture, jewellery, pottery, coins, fragments of wall paintings, portable post-Byzantine icons and pieces of fabric. The entire Byzantine city of Mistras is essentially an open-air museum, evidence of a glorious era. The fortress, the palaces and churches, the fortifications and the gates, the mansions and houses, the streets and the fountains, all constitute a record of the unique history of the seat of the Seignior of Moreas. In Ano Hora, the Palaces of the Seignieurs form an impressive complex of buildings constructed at different times. All, starting from the mansion of the Katakouzini, to the palace of Paleologi, have been renovated and have had their old glamour restored.

Monemvasia
The rock of Monemvasia, towering 300 meters above the eastern coast of Laconia, is an unforgettable site. The medieval, Byzantine and Venetian city is still very much alive on the south eastern part, looking to the sea. At the top of the rock lies the old, now abandoned city. A low bridge connects the rock with the coast. This sole entry gave the city its name. The first Laconians passed through here in the 6th century B.C., seeking a place of refuge. There followed a thousand years of prosperity and glory. Time has stopped in Monemvasia. The visitor is invited for magical walks through the busy towering street, the cobblestone alleys, the mansions, the Byzantine churches, the terraced houses, the low arches and staircases. New Monemvassia, on the coast across from the fortress-town, is a picturesque town full of vivacity, which offers all tourist facilities: many accommodation opportunities, restaurants, night-life, a large varied market, a pretty hospitable harbor. Recreation by the sea can be enjoyed at the municipal beach, to the north and pera Kakavos and Pori, and to the south at Agia Paraskevi, Nomia, Agios Stefanos and Xifias.

Elafonissos
Only 350 meters from the coast of the Peloponese, lies the isle of Elafonissos ��� a chance for quiet recreation in a wonderful natural environment. Exotic in its leeward coves, sand dunes and cedars, traditional in its island color. At the harbor fishing boats lie anchored, while the fish-taverns and ouzo-caf��s offer fresh fish, fish soup and grilled octopus. The trademark of Elafonissos are its exquisite beaches: Kontogoni and Kalogeras near the village, Lefki on the eastern coast, the famous beach of Simos- in the bay of Frangos, with its sand dunes and cedars, the beach of the bay of Sarakiniko ��� a major mooring place for centuries, carrying memories of naval battles and pirates- and the sandy beach of Panagia on the western coast, opposite four small islands.

Gythion
The sea is generous with its gifts along the coastal region of Gythion, from the municipal beach to the sandy beaches of Mavrovouni and Selinitsa where the Careta-Careta turtles always come to lay their eggs. To the south are the hospitable beaches of Vathi, Ageranos, Skoutari, Kalyvia and Paganea, with their crystal-clear water and the wind filling the sails of the surfers in the Laconian bay. The harbor, the two- or three-storey neo-classical mansions, the maritime and traditional Maniot color��� All this combined with tourist services of all levels: Hotels with conference facilities at Selinitsa, Mavrovouni and Vathi, restaurants, taverns and caf��s. In the morning or in the evening a walk around Gythion is magical. Later, the town offers beautiful, romantic nights, but also, for those so inclined, dance and night life. A charming addendum to the attractions of Gythion is the islet of Kranai, which is now linked to the coast. An interesting site on Kranai is the Tzanettakis tower, a Maniot fortress-residence donated to the state and currently housing the history and ethnology Museum of Mani. Also worth visiting are the chapel of Agios Petros nad the octagonal lighthouse of 22 meters height, built in 1873 of tenarian marble.