Ancient ruins, epic myths, and a few unexpected detours—welcome to the Peloponnese, where history is literally around every corner! If you love Greek history, stunning landscapes, and a bit of van life adventure, this journey is for you.

Setting Off: Our Journey Begins

I’m Helen, a solo traveler exploring Europe in my campervan. This time, I have a special guest—meet Marc, my partner and sidekick in this Greek adventure. Together, we set out to discover some of the most incredible ancient sites in the Peloponnese, from legendary temples to awe-inspiring theaters (and, as it turns out, a few mishaps along the way!).

Stop 1: Ancient Corinth – A City of Power & Myth

Our first stop was Ancient Corinth, one of the most powerful cities in ancient Greece, dating back 2,700 years. Right at its heart is the Temple of Apollo, an impressive Doric temple with towering monolithic limestone columns that have survived countless earthquakes. It’s a surreal feeling walking among these ruins, knowing how much history has unfolded here.

Corinth also has a fascinating mix of Greek and Roman history, including an Odeon (a venue for music and debates) and the famous Peirene Fountain, which, according to legend, was Pegasus’ favorite drinking spot.

Stop 2: Acrocorinth – The Ultimate Fortress

Perched high above Corinth, Acrocorinth is a fortress that has stood the test of time. Built by the Greeks, expanded by the Romans, and fought over by just about everyone, it’s the largest and most impressive acropolis in mainland Greece.

We made one crucial mistake here: arriving too late in the day. Most historical sites close around 3:30 PM, so if you plan to visit, start your day early!

Stop 3: The Great Theater of Epidaurus (After Some Confusion!)

Our next stop was Epidaurus, but things didn’t go quite as planned. Thanks to Google Maps, we first ended up at a completely different (yet still ancient) theater! It took some time (and a lot of head-scratching), but we finally found the real Theater of Epidaurus—and wow, was it worth it!

This ancient theater is one of the best-preserved in the world, with acoustics so perfect that you can whisper on stage, and people at the very top can still hear you. Of course, we had to test it out, so Marc ran to the top while I sang in the center.

But Epidaurus wasn’t just about entertainment—it was a healing sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. People traveled from all over the ancient world seeking cures, making this one of the most important healing centers in history.

Stop 4: The World’s Oldest Arch Bridge

Before heading to our next destination, we visited a 3,000-year-old stone arch bridge—the oldest still in use today! There’s no mortar holding the rocks together; it’s just brilliant ancient engineering. Of course, I had to walk under it and dramatically ponder if it would collapse at that very moment (spoiler: it didn’t).

Stop 5: Nafplio – A Seaside Gem

Our final stop was Nafplio, one of Greece’s most beautiful seaside towns. With cobblestone streets, Venetian architecture, and not one, not two, but three fortresses, this place is a history lover’s dream.

We also happened to visit during the yearly carnival, which meant street parades, live music, and plenty of delicious food. And, of course, we couldn’t leave without trying a cocktail made from local Greek spirits (purely for research purposes, of course!).

Van Life Challenges: When Things Go Wrong

No road trip is complete without a few hiccups. As we left Nafplio, my campervan Kenny decided to have another mechanical issue—this time, the boiler. Cue the frantic Google searches for mechanics, navigating tiny Greek roads, and questioning all of my life choices.

Google Maps also led us into a rural forest path, where we may or may not have encountered a guy with an axe. (I swear, Google Maps sometimes wants me dead.)

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Explore the Peloponnese

The Peloponnese is an absolute treasure trove of history. Whether you’re into ancient ruins, fortresses, stunning coastlines, or accidentally ending up at the wrong ancient site, this region has something for you.

I’ll be doing deep-dive videos into some of these places soon, including a full episode on Nafplio—so make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more!

Have you been to the Peloponnese? What was your favorite site? Let me know in the comments! 😊