Greece: The Peloponnese : with Athens, Delphi & Kythira

Thoroughly updated fifth edition – the only dedicated guidebook to the southern Greek mainland.

The Peloponnese remains one of Greece's most captivating regions, a landscape roughly the size of Wales that encompasses extraordinary diversity. From whitewashed villages and Byzantine churches to world-renowned archaeological sites like Olympia and Mycenae, this peninsula offers layers of history at every turn. Medieval fortresses, ancient ruins, and tower houses in the famed Mani sit alongside a stunning Mediterranean coastline of classic white sandy beaches, while inland you'll find towering mountains perfect for hiking and skiing, productive olive groves, and hillsides ablaze with wildflowers.

This guide goes beyond the headline attractions to reveal the lesser-known treasures that other books overlook. Discover the colourful traditional paneyiri festivals, experience the genuine Greek spirit of philoxenia (hospitality), and embrace the philosophy of 'slow travel' through independent tours, secluded villages, agritourism stays, rustic tavernas, and encounters with locally grown produce. Whether you visit in spring for wildflowers, autumn for the olive harvest, winter for skiing, or any other season to spot birds and marine life, the Peloponnese rewards exploration at every turn.

This fifth edition includes focused mini-guides to Athens and the world-famous site of Delphi, refreshed hotel and restaurant listings, and details of new or upgraded museums including the Epigraphic Museum in Argos and archaeological museums in Argos and Sparta. Originally written by Andrew Bostock, a former resident of the region, it has been updated by Greece experts Dana Facaros and Mike Gerrard.