PeloPonneseAr
KADIAPeloPonneseGET TINGT
HE
rE & AWAYPeloPonneseSOuTHWESTArGOLIS(p 144 ) stages both modern theatre and An-
cient Greek dramas during the annual Ath-
ens and Epidavros Festival, part of the larger
cultural Hellenic Festival (p 94 ). Tickets can
be bought in Epidavros at the theatre box of-
fice, online or from Athens’ box office (p95).
There are special bus services available from
Athens (around €25, two hours) and Nafplio
(around €10, 45 minutes).
8 Getting There & Away
There are buses from Nafplio to Epidavros
(€2.90, 45 minutes, six Monday to friday, four
Saturday, one Sunday).
Southwest Argolis
Very few travellers take the time to venture
to the southwestern heel of the Argolis pen-
insula, yet the zigzagging drive (or bike ride)
along the east coast, past the pretty coastal
town of Galatas and a scattering of pictur-
esque houses across the narrow bay that is
Poros, is absolutely spectacular.
The western part of the peninsula, centred
on the agricultural town of Kranidi, features
the small resorts of Porto Heli, 4km south of
Kranidi, and Ermioni, 4km east of Kranidi.
Both offer convenient connections to the Sa-
ronic Gulf islands of Hydra and Spetses. Ad-
ditional Hydra services fly across the water
from Metochi, essentially a waterfront car
park, around 10km east of Ermioni.
Off the main road between Kranidi and
Epidavros, 1km west of the village of Didy-
ma, don’t miss the Didyma Caves F,
two extraordinary sinkholes. The caves col-
lapsed thousands of years ago, leaving large
crater-like holes. One hides a tiny Byzantine
church, constructed under a crevice.
8 Getting There & Away
regular boat services run to Piraeus via Hydra
and Spetses. There are bus services (% 27540
21237; http://www.ktel-argolidas.gr) between Kranidi
and Nafplio (€7.70, two hours, four on weekdays,
three on Saturday, one on Sunday), and local
buses from Kranidi to Ermioni (€1.85, 10 min-
utes, one or two daily) and Porto Heli (€1.85, 10
minutes, one to two daily).ARKADIA ΑΡΚΑΔΙΑ
The picturesque rural prefecture of Arkadia
occupies much of the central Peloponnese.
Its name evokes images of grassy meadows,
forested mountains, gurgling streams and
shady grottoes. According to mythology,
it was a favourite haunt of Pan, the flute-
playing, cloven-hooved god of nature.
Almost encircled by mountain rang-
es, Arkadia was remote enough in ancient
times to remain largely untouched by the
battles and intrigues of the rest of Greece,
and was the only region of the Peloponnese
not conquered by the Dorians. The region is
dotted with crumbling medieval villages, re-
mote monasteries and Frankish castles, and
is popular among fresh-air fiends.8 Getting There & Away
KTEL Arkadia (%27102 22560; http://www.ktelark
adias.gr; Plateia Kolokotroni) in Tripoli is the
departure point for buses to Stemnitsa (€5, one
hour, one daily Monday to friday), Dimitsana
(€6.50, 1½ hours, one daily) and Andritsena
(€8.60, 1½ hours, one daily).
This office also handles buses to Athens (via
Corinth Isthmus, €15, up to 14 daily), Olympia
(€12.40, one daily), Pyrgos (€14, one daily),BOAT SERVICES FROM ARGOLISRegular Hellenic Seaways (%27540 32408; http://www.hellenicseaways.gr)) high-speed boats depart
from Porto Heli to Piraeus via Spetses and Hydra, and from Ermioni to Piraeus via Hydra. The
cheapest and most frequent boats to Hydra from Argolis are Hydra Lines (%22980 52961; http://www.
hydralines.gr; one way/return €6.50/13) from Metochi; park for free by the waterfront or leave
your car in a secure, shaded car park (€5). Caïques shuttle between Galatas and Poros (€1,
five minutes; €1.50 between midnight and 5am). From Poros there are four daily fast boats to
Piraeus (€6.50, 1¼ hours).
DESTINATION PORT TIME FARE FREQUENCY
Hydra Ermioni 20-40min €7.50 3 daily
Hydra Poros 30min €12.50 4 daily
Hydra Metochi 20min €6.50 6-7 daily
Spetses Porto Heli 10min €5.50 3 daily
Spetses Ermioni 25min €7.50 2 daily