Where to go in the Peloponnese: our guide to Corinthia

Leave the islands behind and venture further into the fingertips of Greece. Sip on wine, be blown away by olive oil, and write your own tale of adventures in the land of gods, heroes, and monsters.

Home to many of our producers—and some of the best oil in Greece—the Peloponnese is a haven for EVOO and so much more. Rolling hills, fertile plains, and dramatic coastlines, birthplace of the Olympians, and the backdrop to countless epic battles: history, culture, and myth run deep through the veins of this region.

Corinthia exemplifies the incredible diversity of this region. Just a short drive from Athens, you’ll find ancient sites nestled between modern life, plentiful wine, welcoming tavernas, and, most importantly, exceptional olive oil—including our top olive oil tasting experiences. 

To help you uncover more of the area, Sarah, founder of Citizens of Soil, shares a few of her top suggestions for what to do around Corinthia from her regular visits and meals out with Marianna, one of our first Club producers.

1. Taste EVOO with Marianna.

For any trip to Corinthia, an olive oil tasting with Marianna is a must-visit. One of our first producers, Marianna, is a certified olive oil sommelier and self-confessed “oleosopher”. Let her passion and expertise inspire your own journey of discovery into EVOO.

Sit around a covered table overlooking Marianna's groves and the rolling hills of grapes and olives. Indulge your senses with a full olive oil immersion or tickle your tastebuds with a farm-to-table cooking experience.

2. Go to the wine region of Nemea.

Referred to as the “Greek Tuscany” due to its special food and wine culture, Nemea doesn’t disappoint. It's Greece's most famous red wine region, but also makes some excellent white. Sarah recommends the Nikalaou estate or Constantin Gofas, both small, organic estates situated in the largest zone producing PDO wines in Greece, an area which has been cultivating native Greek varieties for over 3,000 years.

(Photo from Gastronomos.gr)

3. Experience local gastronomy. 

There are so many great options, it’s hard to whittle down the list, but these are three of the standouts. Have dinner at 17 Choria in Nemea. This restaurant is run by a husband and wife duo, who also happen to be a chef and a sommelier—a match made in heaven. Its name, 17 Choria, is a nod to the menu, comprising 17 dishes, each representing one of the 17 villages of the wine region here. It also has an outstanding selection of Greek wines with more than 150 labels, the majority of which are produced in Nemea. Just around the corner is also Sofos. Running for 75 years and counting, it makes both modern and traditional recipes and is a destination in the area. Similarly, Eviva Tavern, in the beachtown of Vrachati, has some fantastic meat dishes, and Marianna tells us it even draws in Athenians who come out here for it's solid reputation.

4. Enjoy a local taverna. 

For a more relaxed, but equally flavour-filled approach, a local taverna is the place to go for your quintessential Greek hospitality. This charming roadside taverna ΤΑΒΕΡΝΑ ΜΠΕΚΟΣ (Beko’s tavern), was closed for a few minutes while the chefs popped out to forage some more wild hortas (greens). It’s hard to get more local than that!

A nice place to eat if you want to stay near the water for a dip in the sea is Ταβέρνα Το Χαγιάτι by Vrachati,  which is one of the spots Athenians go for beach weekends. For meat eaters, Ταβέρνα Βασίλας Βασίλειος (Tavern Vasilas Vasileios) will hit the spot, especially after a long day of harvest or hikes in the hills.

5. Hike to the Castle of Fokas.

Brave breath-stopping inclines and be rewarded with breath-taking views when you hike up the Mountain of Fokas to see the Castle of Fokas, a 13th-century settlement that’s now home to an old church carved into the side of the mountain. For the classics buffs amongst you, it’s also the site of the birth and downfall of the Nemean lion, where Hercules came to slay the beast as one of his 12 labours.

Marvel at more wonders at the ancient city of Corinth, with its archaeological museum and impressive ruins. For those who like to be seaside, Vrachati is where many Athenians have their beach homes, but a further drive out to Nafplion will get you some of those iconic Venetian architectural vibes, with picturesque alleyways and colourful houses to stroll around.

For more oleotourism inspiration, check our recommendations across the whole of the Mediterranean.