Do US citizens need a visa to visit Greece?

No. Greece is part of the Schengen Area, and US citizens can visit for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. Confirm current entry requirements on the U.S. State Department's Greece travel page before departure.

Where is the Peloponnese?

The Peloponnese is a large peninsula connected to the Greek mainland by the narrow Isthmus of Corinth, a land bridge so strategic that it was crossed by both Alexander the Great's armies and the canal cut through it in 1893. The peninsula includes some of the most historically significant sites in Greece: Corinth, Sparta, Olympia (where the ancient Olympics were held), Mycenae, and Epidaurus. Unlike the island Greek experience, the Peloponnese interior is forested mountain terrain, Byzantine ghost towns, and seaside villages that haven't been reshaped by tourism.

When is the best time to cycle the Peloponnese?

April through June and September through October are the best windows. Spring brings the hillside wildflowers and cooler temperatures that make climbing between villages manageable. September in the Peloponnese is warm and clear, the Aegean swimming is excellent, and the summer crowds have moved on. July and August heat up considerably in the interior valleys. For specific departure dates, see the trip details above or call us at 1.800.245.3868.

What fitness level does this tour require?

Rated moderate biking, daily distances run 7 to 37 miles over 1 to 4 hours. The Peloponnese has character: the terrain moves up and down between coastal routes and hillside towns, and a higher baseline fitness than our easy-rated tours is useful here. Regular cyclists who ride a few times a week and are comfortable with some climbing will find this the right level.

Are bags transported between hotels?

Yes. Luggage moves between all accommodations across the 7 days. You carry only a day pack or handlebar bag.

Are E-bikes available?

Yes. E-bikes can be reserved before departure and are a good option for the hillier inland sections. We provide quality bikes, helmets, and GPS navigation for all riders.

What's the group size, and is this good for solo travelers?

Groups run up to 22 people. Solo travelers join every departure; the shrimp-harvesting excursion format makes for easy conversation. Our group travel program is a great option if you're planning a trip with friends.

What's included in the Peloponnesian Bike Tour price?

This is one of our guided biking tours: boutique accommodations, 13 meals (6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners with local wine and beer), all bike equipment, luggage transfers, entrance fees, and Trip Leaders throughout the 7 days. For current pricing and Tour + Travel Packages with airfare, see the trip details above or call us at 1.800.245.3868.

What is Mystras, and what does the archaeologist-guided visit include?

Mystras was the capital of the Byzantine Empire's Despotate of the Morea from the 14th through 15th centuries, a fortified hilltop city where Byzantine court culture, painting, and philosophy flourished while Constantinople was declining. The ruins include palaces, churches with intact frescoes, and a residential quarter still largely standing. An archaeologist accompanies the group through the site, which makes the political and artistic history legible in a way that a guidebook can't replicate. Mystras is a UNESCO World Heritage site and receives a small fraction of the visitors that the better-known ancient Greek sites attract.

Monemvasia is a medieval fortified town built onto a massive rock island connected to the mainland by a single causeway. The name means "single entrance" in Greek. The lower town, carved into the cliff face on the seaward side of the rock, is entirely car-free and largely unchanged since the Byzantine and Venetian periods.

What is the shrimp-harvesting excursion with the taverna owner?

One day on this tour involves going out with a local taverna owner to pull in the shrimp traps he set earlier in the day, then returning to the kitchen as he prepares garidopetoules, a savory Peloponnesian shrimp pancake. The lesson is a demonstration: cleaning, seasoning, and cooking in his actual kitchen. The meal that follows uses everything you just caught. It's the kind of experience that exists specifically because we know the people involved, not because it's on a tourist menu.

What is Byzantine cuisine?

Byzantine cuisine is the culinary tradition that predates modern Greek cuisine: dishes that trace back to the 13th and 14th centuries, using techniques and ingredients that survived the Ottoman period in the Peloponnese. Byzantine food is distinct from what most people know as "Greek food."

Peloponnesian Bike Tour in Sparta & Monemvasia

7-day Tour from $5,445 per person

Tour with travel package from $6,645 per person

Activity Level

Moderate

Daily Mileage

7-37 miles

Bike Style

E-Bikes Available

Greek Peninsula Cycling Adventures

If you’re looking for a Grecian cycling adventure that escapes the crowded tourist centers, this VBT | Country Walkers vacation is a breath of fresh air. The Peloponnese Peninsula juts into the azure waters of the Aegean Sea, and here you’ll experience authentic Greece. Cycling from historic Sparta, your Greek Trip Leaders introduce you to local...

Tour Highlights

Uncover the treasures of the hillside medieval gem of Mystras, the Byzantine Empire's cultural capital for nearly a millennium, during a guided visit with an expert archaeologist.
Ride through the fertile Sparta Valley and along the scenic Peloponnesian coast, from peaceful olive groves beneath Mt. Taygetos to the picturesque fishing port of Gytheio.
Wander the maze of alleyways in the medieval castle town of Monemvasia, a crossroads of Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian, and Ottoman civilizations.
Join a local taverna owner for a hands-on shrimp-fishing excursion in the protected wetlands of Limin Gerakas, then learn to prepare traditional garidopetoules during an authentic cooking demonstration.
Cycle to beautiful Elafonisos Island, where crystal-clear turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and a laid-back fishing village offer the perfect Greek island escape.

Activity Level

Moderate

Daily Mileage

7 to 37 miles

Biking Time

1 to 4 hours

Max Group Size

Great For

Beginner to Experienced Cyclists, Groups

Accommodations

Vehicle Support Available

The experience with VBT went beyond expectations as did the part of Greece where we cycled. The Peloponnesian Peninsula is a relatively undiscovered biking jewel, I enjoyed it far more than biking various Greek Islands. Accommodations were excellent and Greek food speaks for itself. VBT and the guides went out of their way in providing a 5 star experience. The bikes were new and top quality, the routes were varied and interesting. The guides bent over backwards to please us and provide a great biking as well as cultural experience.

Marcia B, Boise, Idaho

What's Included

	Tour + Travel Package	Tour Only
Exceptional Boutique Accommodations
Luggage Transportation
Entrance Fees and Special Events as Noted in the Itinerary
Free Branded Gear
Local Leaders Throughout the Tour
Support Vehicle
12 Included Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Local Wine and/or Beer with Included Dinners
High-Quality Bike or E-bike for Use on Tour
Helmet and Bike Bag for Use on Tour
Ride with GPS Navigation
Roundtrip Airfare		Not included
Airport Pickup and Drop-off		Not included
Pre-Tour Hotel Night in Athens		Not included
Post-Tour Hotel Night in Athens		Not included
2 Additional Meals: 2 Breakfasts		Not included
City Highlights Information		Not included

Greek Peninsula Cycling Adventures

Tour Highlights

Uncover the treasures of the hillside medieval gem of Mystras, the Byzantine Empire's cultural capital for nearly a millennium, during a guided visit with an expert archaeologist.
Ride through the fertile Sparta Valley and along the scenic Peloponnesian coast, from peaceful olive groves beneath Mt. Taygetos to the picturesque fishing port of Gytheio.
Wander the maze of alleyways in the medieval castle town of Monemvasia, a crossroads of Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian, and Ottoman civilizations.
Join a local taverna owner for a hands-on shrimp-fishing excursion in the protected wetlands of Limin Gerakas, then learn to prepare traditional garidopetoules during an authentic cooking demonstration.
Cycle to beautiful Elafonisos Island, where crystal-clear turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and a laid-back fishing village offer the perfect Greek island escape.

Activity Level

Moderate

Daily Mileage

7 to 37 miles

Biking Time

1 to 4 hours

Max Group Size

Great For

Beginner to Experienced Cyclists, Groups

Accommodations

Vehicle Support Available

Marcia B, Boise, Idaho

What's Included

	Tour + Travel Package	Tour Only
Exceptional Boutique Accommodations
Luggage Transportation
Entrance Fees and Special Events as Noted in the Itinerary
Free Branded Gear
Local Leaders Throughout the Tour
Support Vehicle
12 Included Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Local Wine and/or Beer with Included Dinners
High-Quality Bike or E-bike for Use on Tour
Helmet and Bike Bag for Use on Tour
Ride with GPS Navigation
Roundtrip Airfare		Not included
Airport Pickup and Drop-off		Not included
Pre-Tour Hotel Night in Athens		Not included
Post-Tour Hotel Night in Athens		Not included
2 Additional Meals: 2 Breakfasts		Not included
City Highlights Information		Not included