Mythology Trip in the Peloponnese with Kids  

If you wish to experience a family mythology trip in Greece with your kids, and to combine visits to the most important historical landmarks with family fun, local life and great food, the Peloponnese is the best destination for your family all-year round. The small towns like Nafplio and Kalamata are vibrant, lively and ideal for relaxing evening strolls throughout the year. They offer plenty of kid-friendly activities, and they are great “bases” to explore the surroundings and pursue a mythology trip. The villages are picturesque and maintain their authenticity, and nature offers a great variety of outdoor activities. Family-friendly accommodations satisfy a wide range of taste and budget; from boutique farm stays to independent villas with swimming pools, and from beachfront hotels to mountainous cottages and Maniot towers, accommodation in the Peloponnese is not overpriced and offers the opportunity for a unique contact with local life.

Peloponnese: the perfect mythology trip for families in Greece

In the Peloponnese, you will have the chance to visit the places where  Greek Mythology is born together with kid-friendly guides,  who will make your visits interactive and fun.  You will stroll in the pedestrianized Nafplio and play a treasure hunt to explore the fortified town’s past. You may visit  Mycenae, where the Mycenean civilization is born and have fun in a pottery workshop, where the kids will create their own ceramics inspired from the ancient site! You may also visit ancient Epidaurus with the most impressive ancient theater famous for its acoustics, Nemea and Lake Stymphalia, where Hercules fulfilled 2 of its 12 Labors, and ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and run in the Stadium like Olympic athletes once did. You will travel through time from Antiquity to Medieval times by visiting Pylos and the castles of southern Peloponnese, and driving through the Mani peninsula, and its unique landscape!

If you are a family of nature-lovers and you like outdoor adventures, you will have the chance to hike along the Menalon Trail through the authentic stone-built Arcadian villages and raft in Lousios river. You may also sea kayak in the Gulf of Navarino or above the Epidaurus sunken city, swim in the beautiful Voidokilia beach, and the endless dunes of Messenia, bike in the unique ecosystem of Gialova lagoon, try archery in Polilimnio waterfalls, and cross the famous Vouraikos gorge!

Foodies and wine lovers cannot miss Nemea, one of the most important wine-producing regions of Greece. There, you can enjoy a private farm-to-table lunch in the vineyards with wine-pairing, taste the local produce and cherish a memorable cooking class! You certainly cannot miss Kalamata, the “capital” of olives and olive oil, where you will have the opportunity for an olive oil tasting in an olive grove with a castle and a magnificent sea view, and you will experience a food tour in the town to discover the richness of the Mediterranean diet!

While in the Peloponnese, you won’t skip the experience of island-hopping, as you can also visit the picturesque and car-free islands of Hydra and Spetses or Kythera! Not to mention how beautiful sailing is in the virgin uninhabited islands of Proti, Sapientza and Sfaktiria, three hidden gems of Greece.

Customizable Peloponnese Road trip itinerary for Families

In this family mythology trip itinerary in the Peloponnese with kids, MAMAKITA family travel specialists propose the best spots in the Peloponnese for families, as well as the best activities and experiences to enjoy during your Greek exploration with kids. Follow this 12-day family mythology road trip itinerary and explore the kid-friendliest Nafplio, Arcadian villages, Ancient Olympia, Kalamata and Corinth. 

Need some help in trip planning by the best family travel agents in Greece? MAMAKITA family travel specialists can customize this Mythology Trip in the Peloponnese family vacation itinerary according to your preferences, age of kids, travel pace and budget. Enjoy your family trips in Greece without worrying about family friendly accommodation or kid-friendly tours and activities by making your request here. 

Brief Family Trip Itinerary for a Mythology Road Trip in the Peloponnese with kids 

• Day 1: Arrival in Athens, Drive to Nafplio via Corinth, Folk Museum Visit with Light Lunch 
• Day 2: Nafplio Old Town & Fortresses Treasure Hunt for Families, Private Cooking & Pastry Class in Nafplio with Dinner 
• Day 3: Mycenae and Epidaurus Tour, Mythical Argolis Creative Workshop for kids 
• Day 4: Cultural Hiking in the Monastery of Prodromos, Self-drive through the Arcadian Villages 
• Day 5: Drive from Nafplio to Kalamata, Kalamata Private Food Tour 
• Day 6: Waterfalls & Archery at Polylimnio, Visit Pylos and the Medieval Castles 
• Day 7: Self-Drive through Mount Taygetus & Mystras Castle Town 
• Day 8: Explore Mani Peninsula, Diros Cave & Areopolis, Free Afternoon in Kardamyli 
• Day 9: Drive from Kalamata to Olympia, Free Beach Day in the Olympia Riviera
• Day 10: Ancient Olympia Guided Tour, Archaeologist for a Day, Honey Tasting & Private Dinner at a Farm 
• Day 11: Drive from Olympia to Corinth, Free Beach Day along the Corinthian Gulf 
• Day 12: Cross the Vouraikos Gorge by Rack Railway & visit Kalavryta 

Detailed Family Trip Itinerary for Mythology Road Trip in the Peloponnese with kids 

Day 1: Arrival in Athens, Drive to Nafplio via Corinth, Folk Museum Visit with Light Lunch  

Nafplio, Greece’s first capital, is one of the country’s most picturesque cities, the perfect location to start your family vacation, and the best “base” for your excursions in the nearby significant archaeological sites such as Epidaurus and Mycenae.  

En-route from Athens to Nafplio, you may stop at the Corinth Canal and afterwards at an old winery transformed into a museum of traditional Greek folklife. There, your guide will lead you through a kid-friendly and interactive tour of the museum’s three exhibition rooms and after your tour, you will help collect vegetables and fruit, plus eggs from the chickens. Your host will serve you a light traditional meal made from local ingredients. If you need a pick-me-up, enjoy a Greek coffee served traditionally with dessert and good conversation. 

Day 2: Nafplio Old Town & Fortresses Treasure Hunt for Families, Private Cooking & Pastry Class in Nafplio with Dinner

Discover the streets and monuments of Nafplio by walking through the colorful alleys and castles, Acronafplia, Bourtzi and Palamidi. Walk through the Gate of the Land and visit, amongst other, the Vouleftikon building, the very first Greek Parliament, and the city’s main square, Constitution Square. 

Next, head to the heart of Nafplio town for a hands-on cooking experience to create memories, and gratify your bellies! Meet your host, a talented chef, and indulge yourself in a cooking and pastry class.  Together, you will enter in the sanctuaries of the Greek cuisine and you will cook and bake Greek traditional recipes, combining traditional and modern techniques. 

Day 3: Mycenae and Epidaurus Tour, Mythical Argolis Creative Workshop for kids 

Step back in time and combine two of the most impressive archeological sites in mainland Greece: the Acropolis of Mycenae and the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus. After lunch, cherish some relaxing time while your kids enjoy an art workshop in Fougaro Artcenter, housed in an old tomato canning factory. Depending on your kids’ age there are options such as a pottery workshop, comic and illustration, theatrical play and more! 

Day 4: Cultural Hiking in the Monastery of Prodromos, Self-drive through the Arcadian Villages 

Enjoy a unique hiking tour in the paths of mount Menalon into untouched nature following the trail of history. Descending to the valley of Lousios river, you will come across Arcadia’ s deep spirituality still alive until today in the monasteries that appear to be literally hanging from the cliffs. Built during byzantine times, played a crucial social and economic role during the years of the Ottoman rule, as well as the Greek War of Independence. You will also delve into the Greek history as you will meet the ancient city of Gortys and the Arcadian villages, where the most important battles during the Greek war of Independence were held. Circle mount Menalon and its dense fir tree forest while visiting the hidden gems of Vytina, Stemnitsa and Dimitsana, as well as the interactive open-air Water-Power Museum. 

Day 5: Drive from Nafplio to Kalamata, Kalamata Private Food Tour

The Southern Peloponnese can feel like a “gateway to paradise”, with sandy beaches covered in waving white sea lilies, dunes and swimming spots next to medieval castles. 

Kalamata, the capital city, is known for its olives and extra virgin olive oil, as well as its interesting museums, spacious public squares, and the historic city center around the castle. Discover the city and its flavors, with a one-of-a-kind food tour in this gastronomy hub and taste beloved traditional recipes, stroll through charming and colorful streets and make a few stops at family-owned food and pastry stores, listening to stories from the locals.  

Day 6: Waterfalls & Archery at Polylimnio, Visit Pylos and the Medieval Castles

Discover the natural paradise of the Polylimnio waterfalls by hiking through the forest, swimming in the cascades, and learning archery skills. 

As you drive west, indulge yourself in the incomparable prettiness of western Messenia and visit the Palace of Nestor, Pylos, the Gulf of Navarino and Gialova lagoon at your own pace, swim in sandy beaches like the picture-perfect Voidokilia and the laid-back Romanos, relax and enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in Greece, where the sea meets the endless Messenian olive grove. 

Day 7: Self-Drive through Mount Taygetus & Mystras Castle Town

Drive through a stunning route passing through Mount Taygetus, the highest mountain of the Peloponnese, whose name is associated with the nymph Taygete, the daughter of Atlas. It is the natural boundary between Messenia and Laconia, the land of Sparta. This road passes from the Byzantine Castle of Mystras, picturesque little villages and beautiful gorges and caves that create a mythical landscape. 

Day 8: Explore Mani Peninsula, Diros Cave & Areopolis, Free Afternoon in Kardamyli 

Today you will have the chance to explore Mani. Towers built in stone and nature bathed in light cradle unique traditional settlements with a medieval and Byzantine past. Start from the most important village Areopolis and continue to the Cave of Diros, the “underground cathedral” as it is often called, in the heart of the Maniot peninsula.

Then, follow the west coast and spend some relaxing hours in the heart of West Mani, Kardamyli. Dressed in “stone and light”, Kardamyli captured the heart of world-famous travel writer sir Patrick Leigh Fermor and his wife, photographer Joan Leigh Fermor, back in the 1960s and hosted them until the end of their lives.

Day 9: Drive from Kalamata to Olympia, Free Beach Day in the Olympia Riviera

Explore ancient Elis, the region of Olympia and birthplace of the Olympic Games. You may wander in the Foloi Forest, home of the mythical Centaurs and Dryads that aided Hercules, or Strofilia, the largest littoral forest in Greece.

In the afternoon, enjoy the family-friendly sandy coastline, between Kyllini and Kourouta, the ideal setting to relax and watch the sun that scorches everything in the horizon and paints the endless olive grove in silver until it sets in the deepest blue Mediterranean Sea.

Day 10: Ancient Olympia Guided Tour, Archaeologist for a Day, Honey Tasting & Private Dinner at a Farm

Explore the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia, where the Olympics first started in 776 BCE. In the company of your kid-friendly guide, discover the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, and the place where the Olympic Torch is still lit to this day. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia and the Archimedes’ Museum are really worthy of your visit.  

Next, roll up your sleeves and become an archaeologist for a day together with an archaeologist-pedagogue! All of the family members have the chance to become real archaeologists and excavate a house from the 5th century B.C., the Ancient Gymnasium and an impressive Roman bath with mosaics next to the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia! 

After digging and learning, reward yourself by savoring a delicious meal at a local honey farm. Your host will welcome you with a generous spread of regional cuisine and you will try different recipes, sip drinks, and chat in the garden of a traditional farmhouse. After your meal, your host will share with you information about the beekeeping process, where both kids and adults will learn the secrets of honey and the importance of bees for the planet.  

Day 11: Drive from Olympia to Corinth, Free Beach Day along the Corinthian Gulf

Enjoy a relaxing day at the beach in the crystal-clear deep waters of the Corinthian Gulf. Along the coast, you can find traditional taverns by the water, and you can spend your day without having to move! Discover your own small, but precious gems, and if you are lucky, you might see some dolphins!

Day 12: Cross the Vouraikos Gorge by Rack Railway & visit Kalavryta

On the last day of your Greek mythology trip, experience one of the most spectacular train rides of the world, the “Odontotos rack railway” and explore the natural beauty of the Aigialia region, spreading along northern Peloponnese. Nature here is magnificent, as northern Peloponnese is sheared through by rivers flowing to the Corinthian Gulf forming lakes, waterfalls and gorges. As you travel uphill, the slopes become cliffs and rocks leading to snowy mountaintops, offering a diverse setting, ideal for outdoor activity lovers.

Need some help in trip planning by the best family travel agents in Greece? MAMAKITA family travel specialists can customize this mythology trip itinerary in the Peloponnese according to your preferences, age of kids, travel pace and budget. Enjoy your family trips in Greece without worrying about family friendly accommodation or kid-friendly tours and activities by making your request here.