Castles of Peloponnese

A loop of the Peloponnese built around castles. Seven days from Athens, six nights and around 850 miles, taking in more than ten medieval fortresses and fortified towns along with Ancient Olympia and Mycenae.

There is no idle arrival day on this one. The first ride covers 131 miles to Nafplion by way of Akrokorinthos, a vast hilltop citadel above the Corinth isthmus, and the Palamidi fortress above the town itself. Monemvasia follows, a Byzantine town built onto the side of a rock, connected to the mainland by a causeway and completely invisible from the landward approach.

The west and south deliver the rest. Mystras, a ruined Byzantine city on the slopes of Mount Taygetus, and the Sparta Pass lead to Kalamata, then the Venetian sea forts at Koroni, Methoni and Neokastro line the coast towards Kyparissia. Karytena and Ancient Olympia, where the Games were held for a thousand years, come next, then Chelmoutsi, and the final day crosses Mount Mainalon to Argos and Mycenae, whose Lion Gate has stood since around 1250 BC.

EAGLERIDER supplies the bike and books all six nights, with route notes for each day. Fuel, meals and insurance are arranged separately, and Athens at both ends makes the flights easy. The package pricing on this tour follows an unusual order, so the per-person basis is worth confirming at booking. For riders with an interest in history and a taste for coastal mountain roads, the Peloponnese fits a remarkable amount of both into only six nights.