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Aiolos taverna in Nafplio served the best Greek salad of our trip — a hearty portion of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, red onions, olives and capers topped with a thick slab of smooth, creamy feta
A beach at Arcaia Epidaurus in the Argolida region of the Peloponnese
We spent four relaxing days and nights in Tolo, a picturesque beach resort area near Nafplio
Mountains provide a scenic sunset backdrop for a fishing boat anchored in Nafplio bay
We got to see the 123-year-old Corinth Canal during our drive from Athens International Airport to Nafplio. The cliffs flanking the canal rise to a vertigo-inducing 63-meter height.
Part of the scenic coastline between Nafplio and Karathona beach, which we walked numerous times
Buildings and ruins at the Mystras archaeological site near Sparta
The beautiful palm tree promenade on the Nafplio waterfront
Tall plane trees shade taverna terraces in Kosmas, a village on the upper slopes of Mount Parnon
Agios Nikolaos church is perched on a steep rocky slope above the sea, a short walk from Karathona beach near Nafplio
Karathona bay near Nafplio
Expansive sea, island and mountain views from a footpath between Hydra Town and Vlychos beach on Hydra
Seafront hotels at the beach resort of Tolo
Mountains tower behind Leonidio, a village in Arcadia
A sailboat passes the walled fortress town of Monemvasia
Clouds sweep across the peaks of the Taygetos mountains near Sparta
A dramatic sunset view from the Kamini area of Hydra
Houses on a hillside above the coast in Spetses Town on Spetses island, which we passed on a tour boat ride from Tolo to Hydra
The Palamidi Castle straddles a mountain peak next to Nafplio
A view of the Old Town area of Nafplio from the long staircase leading to the Palamidi Castle
Bougainvillea creates a colourful canopy above a lane in the Old Town of Nafplio
Connected to the mainland by a causeway, Monemvasia is often called the “Gibraltar of Greece”
Shop and restaurants along the main street of Monemvasia
One small section of the extensive waterfront at Nafplio
Larissa Castle occupies a mountain peak at Argos, a city 12 kilometers from Nafplio
Looking down steps in a lane in the upper part of Nafplio’s Old Town area
The blue and white Agia Kyriaki church at Tolo
A small harbour at Karathona beach near Nafplio
Thousands of olive trees surround the archaeological site of Ancient Sparta, located just a short walk from the central business district of Sparta
The Grimani Bastion was built from 1702 to 1706 to protect the Acronauplia Castle that sits atop the hill behind Nafplio’s Old Town
Restoration and repair work is underway on the Bourtzi Castle in Nafplio Bay, arguably the most famous landmark at Nafplio
The harbour at Hydra Town on Hydra island
A panoramic view of the harbour at Hydra Town
A row of tall palm trees extends along the center boulevard on Konstantinou Palaiologou street in Sparta
A fishing boat crosses the bay at Tolo
Tourists explore the Mystras archaeological site near Sparta as stormclouds gather above the nearby Taygetos mountains
An evening view of the Bourtzi Castle from the waterfront at Nafplio
Approaching Kamini village and harbour on Hydra island
A rustic church in the Old Town area of Nafplio
Buildings in the fortress town of Monemvasia
The beautiful white Panagia Chrysafitissa church in Monemvasia
Mountains and verdant valleys near Tolo village and beach resort
The popular Spilia coastal swimming spot at Hydra Town
A vaulted entrance to the Grimani Bastion in Nafplio
The Palaces of the Despots at Mystras
View to the Bourtzi Castle from the Arvanitia Promenade at Nafplio
The Arvanitia Promenade winds more than a kilometer along the coast from the Nafplio Old Town to Arvanitia beach
Arvanitia beach at Nafplio
The spectacular Great Theatre at Epidaurus
Some of the extensive ruins and excavations at the Epidaurus archaeological site
Mountains rise behind Gefira village at Monemvasia
Agioi Apostoli church on Koronisi island at Tolo
Dark stormclouds pass above Monemvasia and Gefira during an evening windstorm on June 7
It didn’t rain during the windstorm, but a rainbow appeared on the horizon when the stormclouds started to break up soon
We had great views of Hinitsa Bay and the Porto Heli area while riding an excursion boat from Tolo to Hydra. This is the AKS Hinitsa Bay Hotel.
Hills and mountains behind the New Town area of Nafplio
The domed ceiling of a Byzantine church at Mystras
Just some of the many dozens of beehives we saw on a terraced hillside behind Karathona beach near Nafplio
A landscaped courtyard inside the Palamidi Castle at Nafplio
A Palamidi Castle view of the Acronauplia Peninsula and part of the Nafplio Old Town area
Sea view of Hydra Town on Hydra island
A church in Hydra Town
The entrance to a cave church in the face of the steep cliffs above the Monemvasia castle town
We saw the Poseidonion Grand Hotel on Spetses when our boat passed the island en route to Hydra. The legendary hotel, which is one of the most famous in Greece, opened in 1914.
An orange tree in Nafplio. We saw scores of fruit-laden apricot, lemon and orange trees in Nafplio and throughout the Peloponnese.
Early morning sunshine sparkles on Tolo Bay
A view, from Hydra, of mountains along the Peloponnese coast
June 20, 2016 at 11:38 am
Nice shots, and they bring back lots of memories about my trip in the area. Glad you had a great time, and eager to read more!
June 26, 2016 at 3:04 pm
We too were in Sparta on that very hot Saturday driving from Elafonissos to Gialova. The air temperature felt like a hairdrier was blowing hot air through the car window. We are home today and cant wait to return.
October 27, 2018 at 7:16 pm
My 78 yr old husband and I (67 yrs) will visit central Pelopponese in September 2019 – We have 6 days traveling by car in Peloponnese and 2 days in Athens at the end. The purpose of this trip is to visit my grandparent’s hometown of Chranoi, Arkadia near Megalopolis. We’ll meet a translator there to help with distant relative who still live there. Our first night in country will be in Rafina to meet with relatives. I’m thinking of driving to Ancient Olympia via Corinth the next day. The day after that maybe White Water Rafting or not.. or just drive to Chranoi… after that..go stay in Tolo for four days then do day trips. Another thought is to pass on Olympia and spend more time in Southeastern Peloponnese. We’d rather not move hotels every night so staying on one place at one time works best.. Where did you stay in Tolo? I’d love to visit Hydra and Spetses// spend a night in Spetses?? What would you suggest. My last visit was 45 years ago…
October 28, 2018 at 9:16 pm
We stayed at Minoa Hotel in Tolo … it’s right on the beach (you actually have to walk across the sand to reach the entrance) and most rooms have excellent sea views. Daytrips from Tolo don’t allow for staying overnight in either Hydra or Spetses, since the excursion boats don’t operate every day. I assume you will be driving a rental vehicle during your trip? If not, Nafplio would be a better place to stay, since from there you have easy bus access to a wide variety of nearby sites, allowing for convenient day trips. Plus Nafplio has much more to see than Tolo, and much better restaurants. Tolo’s beach is much nicer and better than any of the beaches within walking distance of Nafplio, but you can’t beat Nafplio for its selection of excellent restaurants, the three castles, the historic Old Town, and the lovely seaside promenades.