What better way to discover the Peloponnese than by motorhome? We give you the keys to a successful road trip!
Close your eyes. Imagine small roads winding between sea, mountains and Mediterranean plains. Breathe in the scent of orange trees and admire the beautiful stonework and colorful facades of friendly villages. Be intoxicated by ancient legends and myths, and walk in the footsteps of giants.
Admire the most emblematic archaeological sites of ancient Greece, as well as impressive medieval fortresses. Enjoy lovingly prepared dishes and nectar from local vineyards. But no, you’re not dreaming: the Peloponnese offers all these treasures, and much more besides!
Full of charm, this peninsula in southern Greece boasts 21,000 km² of unrivalled heritage. To explore these nuggets and venture off the beaten track, there’s nothing better than touring the Peloponnese in a motorhome. To make the experience truly unforgettable, discover all our practical tips.
Route ideas in the Peloponnese by motorhome
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Olga Kot Photo
FromAthens or even from France, there are many ways to discover the Peloponnese by motorhome. You’ll be spoilt for choice: discover the must-sees, take an in-depth tour or take a themed tour.
How to get to the Peloponnese
The Corinth Canal, which marks the entrance to the Peloponnese peninsula, is only 1 hour’s drive from Athens. This makes it easy to reach the region by motorhome from the airport or after a stopover in the capital.
There are also two airports on the peninsula: Kalamata airport in the south and Araxos airport in Patras in the north. A few flights to France are offered in season.
Finally, the most adventurous option is to rent a motorhome in France. You’ll be able to round off a wonderful tour of Mediterranean Europe with a visit to the Peloponnese.
The different routes
The peninsula abounds in treasures throughout its territory. And while they’re all well worth a visit, you’ll rarely need to spend more than a day or two on site to discover them. A motorhome road trip in the Peloponnese is the perfect way to discover the region.
Depending on how long you’d like to spend there and what your interests are, here are the itineraries we recommend:
- A week in the Peloponnese: from Athens, discover the Corinth Canal, Mycenae, Nafplio, Epidaurus, Monemvasia, Mystra and the breathtaking ancient site of Olympia;
- A complete three-week tour departing from Athens: Corinth, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Mycenae, Tirynthe, Mystra, Sparta, Monemvasia, Gýthio, the Mani peninsula (beaches, visit to the Diros and Kardamýli caves and hiking opportunities), Kalamata, Kóroni, Methóni, Kyparissia, the Temple of Apollo at Bassae, the Neda waterfalls, Olympia, the Vouraikos Gorge, the Lousios Gorge. This itinerary can be completed with a detour to Delphi and the Byzantine monastery of Ósios Loukás, or to the island of Zakynthos;
- A one-week Antiquity itinerary: ancient Corinth, the theater of Epidaurus, Thyrinth, Mycenae, the temple of Apollo at Bassae, Sparta (museum and ruins), Olympia;
- Relaxing one-week itinerary: ancient Corinth, the theater of Epidaurus, Thyrinth, Mycenae, the temple of Apollo at Bassae, Sparta (museum and ruins), Olympia;
- Ten-day nature itinerary: Kastania cave, Mani peninsula (visit to Diros and Kardamýli caves, beaches including Foneas, hiking), Polylimnio waterfalls, Neda waterfalls, Lousios gorge.
Please note that these stages are indicative and can of course be combined differently. If you only have a few days to visit the Peloponnese by motorhome, the south-eastern part already has a lot to offer.
Driving a motorhome in the Peloponnese: traffic rules you need to know
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Pit Stock
The Greeks are true to the reputation of Mediterranean driving. That’s why it’s best to be particularly vigilant on the road. Remain cautious and don’t let yourself be thrown off balance by someone overtaking you on the right, for example.
The basic principles
As a member of the European Union, Greece’s highway code is similar to that of France. Seatbelts are compulsory, driving is on the right-hand side of the road, and traffic circles are taken anticlockwise.
To drive a motorhome in Greece, you’ll need a B driving license, vehicle registration document andinsurance certificate. You must carry a warning triangle, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher.
Routes and restrictions
Although there are several freeways, during your road trip in the Peloponnese, you’ll often be driving on small, quiet roads. The road network is generally in good condition, and there are plenty of road signs.
Speed limits are slightly different from those in France:
- 50 km/h in the city;
- 70 or 90 km/h on roads ;
- 110 km/h on expressway;
- 120 km/h on freeways.
There are two things to note about freeways. Firstly , freeway signs are green, not blue as in France. Secondly, it’s customary touse the far-right lane to pull over when a faster vehicle catches up.
Freeway tolls in the Peloponnese: what price for your category of motorhome?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Pit Stock
Here are the prices for the various stretches of freeway you may need to use when visiting the Peloponnese by motorhome:
- Athens to Patras: €12.50;
- From Athens to Corinth: €3.90;
- Corinth to Patras: €8.60;
- Athens to Tripoli: €8.85;
- From Corinth to Tripoli: €4.95;
- Corinth to Nafplio: €2.55.
How and where to rent a motorhome in France?
Depending on the route you take, you’ll need to cover between 2,000 and 3,000 kilometers to reach Corinth from France. A road trip like this is only for the most adventurous! To rent a motorhome in France, you can either use a professional agency, or a private rental platform such as Yescapa.
Increasingly widespread, they offer you warranties comparable to those of professionals, often at a lower cost. With these two solutions, it should be easy to find a motorhome near you.
Bear in mind that conditions vary from rental company to rental company, insurance company to insurance company and country to country. So don’t forget to check that you have the minimum age required to rent and drive the vehicle in Greece. The vast majority of motorhomes can be driven with a « B » license.
How does it work?
- First, you need to choose the motorhome in your city (e.g. Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Paris, Montpellier or Marseille).
- Make sure you choose unlimited mileage, check the number of berths available and whether international travel is possible.
- Make your rental request online and share your travel information (dates, rental options, mileage, etc.) with the owner.
- If your request is accepted and after payment, you will have access to the owner’s contact details to arrange a first meeting.
- On the day, present your driver’s license and pay the deposit.
- An inventory of fixtures is drawn up and a rental contract signed by both parties. On your return, after having explored the roads of the Peloponnese, you sign the return inventory and that’s it!
How and where to rent a motorhome in the Peloponnese or Athens?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Georgios Tsichlis
Some car rental platforms, such as Yescapa, also offer car rentals in Greece. When booking, remember to choose unlimited mileage. As in France, check that you meet the age requirements. For added peace of mind, we recommend choosing a rental company that speaks a language you understand.
If you prefer to hire a professional, you’ll easily find agencies in Athens and in the cities and airports of the Peloponnese. In the case of small local companies, be sure to ask for details of rates and guarantees to avoid unpleasant surprises.
A word of advice: make sure you have a credit card, not a debit card. Some rental companies will charge you extra for insurance if you use an immediate debit card.
Motorhome parks in the Peloponnese: where to park?
Photo credit: Caramaps
Wild camping is forbidden in Greece. However, it is possible to park your camper van or motorhome in a legal parking space and spend the night there. Please note, however, that this is only permitted if neighboring campsites are fully booked. You should also be aware that you could be fined if your camping equipment (table, seats…) encroaches on the roadway.
The best option is to bivouac at one of the 56 campsites in the Peloponnese. The www.greececamping.gr website lists all the campsites in Greece.
As for the Park4Night app, it brings together thousands of places recommended by travelers from all over the world to park your motorhome for the night. It will suggest a host of campsites, parking lots and quiet spots to spend the night in the Peloponnese with your motorhome.
When is the best time to travel in the Peloponnese by motorhome?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Andronos Haris
The climate in the Peloponnese is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. July and August are the hottest months, and also the most popular with tourists. For this reason, the best time to visit is in spring or autumn, when you’ll enjoy milder sunshine.
We particularly recommend traveling between mid-May and the end of June, or between early September and mid-October. Please note, however, that nights can be cool, even in summer.
There’s no doubt about it, visiting the Peloponnese by motorhome is a fantastic experience, provided you’re well prepared. With these tips, you’re all set to organize an unforgettable trip to this cradle of Western civilization!