Greece & Peloponnese by motorcycle

Breakfast included. Transfer to the motorcycle rental company. Final formalities and bike handover. After a beautiful first section along the south shore of the Gulf of Corinth, you reach the mouth of the famous Corinth Canal, which separates mainland Greece from the Peloponnese. 

Turn due south on small roads toward the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the most beautiful ancient Greek theaters, nestled in the mountains and dating back to the 3rd century BC. 

After visiting the site (ticketed), ride toward the lovely village of Palea Epidaurus, where we suggest lunch on the harbor. 

Continue to Nafplio, arriving late afternoon. Check in at your hotel. Free visit of the coastal town of Nafplio (and its fortress).

Overnight in Nafplio. 

Breakfast included. Leave Nafplio via a beautiful coastal road along the Argolic Gulf to reach the western shore. Lunch break recommended in Leonidio, before possibly taking a dip at the charming port of Plaka, if timing, weather and mood align... 

Then cross beautiful deep gorges that shelter the Monastery of St Eloni. The climb continues to Kosmas at 1,150 m. 

Well-deserved coffee break on the main square of this typical mountain village, under the plane trees. Then descend gradually toward seaside Monemvasia, reached late afternoon. Check in at your hotel.

The old town is hidden at the foot of a real fortified rock, accessible only via a bridge. Its charm and the panorama over the Mediterranean make it an absolute must! 

Overnight in Monemvasia.

Breakfast included. Head to Gytheio via a very pretty panoramic road. Not to be missed: the shipwreck stranded along the beach, seen from the cliff... Lunch break on the old harbor. 

Then begin a southbound descent toward Mani, the peninsula of the Morea (the 3rd “finger” of the geographical “hand” of the Peloponnese, which has 4...). 

Follow the peninsula’s eastern coast to reach Cape Tainaron, the southern tip of the “finger” (and of continental Europe). 

Far south—where the west coast is only a stone's throw from the east—you reach your destination for the next 2 nights: the small isolated village and Marmari beach. 

Overnight in Marmari (or Porto Kayo, subject to availability).

You are in Marmari, in the south of Mani, in an exceptional setting. What could be more natural than to prolong the pleasure by staying 2 nights here, to enjoy this little haven of peace to the fullest... Several options are available: laze on the hotel's beautiful beach, sip cocktails between swims, reading and naps... Bliss! 

Or, for those whose throttle hand is itching, ride to Porto Kayo, just a short distance away but on the eastern side of the isthmus. It's a small village nestled on the edge of a large bay, with several seafood restaurants right on the sand and by the water. You can also walk to the chapel of Agios Nikolaos. 

The roads in the area are delightful, though narrow. The views revealed around certain bends are quite vertiginous, and you can also ride north along the eastern coastline. Not many people around, and a few lovely hamlets.

Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight in Marmari (or Porto Kayo, subject to availability).

Breakfast included. After a pause in peaceful Marmari, head north along the western coast of Mani. Unmissable coffee & pastry stop in the adorable fishing village of Gerolimenas. A real postcard! After the rather arid and rugged nature of southern Mani, the landscape gradually becomes greener. Visit the beautiful Dyros sea caves (weather permitting). 

Continue north to the small and famous seaside resort of Kardamyli, where you’ll leave the bikes for a visit and a late lunch break. Then on to today’s final destination, the large coastal town of Kalamata, famous as the air gateway to the Peloponnese and for its lively seaside promenade (there's also a nice small historic quarter spared by the 1986 earthquake). 

Kalamata is also renowned for its olives. Indeed, the city is surrounded by olive groves!

Overnight in Kalamata.

Breakfast included. Head northwest to Messene, reached after passing through the small village of Trikorfo, where aviation enthusiasts can admire an old Greek Air Force F-104, surprisingly sitting right in the middle of this isolated village. Ancient Messene is a highlight of the trip—it’s hard to remain unmoved by the beauty of this archaeological site in such a unique setting. And it’s relatively uncrowded, unlike Olympia. The restoration work underway is vast and impressive. 

Then continue northwest to the western coast of the Peloponnese. Lunch in the coastal village of Kalo Nero, at the start of Kyparissia Bay, home to Europe's longest beach. Further north, leave the sea and the sunset behind you to reach the site of Ancient Olympia (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Check in at the hotel.

Overnight in Olympia.

Breakfast included. Set off for a superb riding day in the mountains of the Peloponnese. A whole new world awaits you here: magnificent roads, endless hairpins, and picturesque mountain villages such as Lagkadia or Dimitsana. Still little known to many tourists—often confined to the beaches and major sites like Olympia—this is without a doubt one of the highlights of the trip. And our favorite!

Lunch break in Stemnitsa, another charming village (your stop for the evening and overnight), before getting back on the bikes for about an hour of riding to reach the magnificent Temple of Apollo Epikourios, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Protected by a covering structure, it sits at an altitude of 1,130 m, making it the highest of the ancient temples in Greece. The views over the mountains of Arcadia and the Bay of Kyparissia are breathtaking. Return to Stemnitsa via the same road—but with different landscapes and viewpoints... Check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Stemnitsa (or Dimitsana, subject to availability).

Breakfast included. Set off for the final stage of this motorcycle tour in Greece, taking you back to the starting point, Athens. You are not done with the beautiful little mountain roads of the Peloponnese, as after passing through Elati you head northeast toward Mount Cyllene, one of the highest points of the Peloponnese, at 2,376 m. 

You then descend gradually to cross the vineyard region west of Corinth, one of the 7 protected designation of origin areas in the Peloponnese. 

After reaching Corinth, head for Athens via the coastal motorway to return the motorcycles to the rental company. Transfer (included) to your hotel in Athens for a final evening before taking your return flight the next day. 

Except for those who opted for a stay extension—either in Athens, or on the islands. Or both... 

Overnight in Athens.

Free morning or start of the day, depending on your flight schedule.

Transfer (included) to Athens airport.

Return flight. 

Possible stay extension in Athens or on the islands (Cyclades, Saronic, Sporades, Ionian, Crete). Contact us.