OVERNIGHT PARKING FOR MOTORHOMES IN THE GREEK PELOPONNESE

Places to park overnight on the coast of the Peloponnese, described anti-clockwise from Patras, include:

1. Patras: At the harbour, or in a cul-de-sac leading to a closed campsite a mile or 2 N of the port along the sea front.

1a. Kato Achia: Colin and Jan report a quiet night outside the closed Camping Kato Alissos, on the Old National Road, about 12 miles west of Patras. They even found water!

2. Kalogria Beach: About 20 miles S of Patras, turn right off the New National Road for Kalogria. After the Arachos air force base, 5 miles along, turn left for another couple of miles to Kalogria Beach. Several places to stay in winter, under the pine trees by the shore or on the car parks of empty tavernas and cafes. Warning!!! In March 2008, Colin and Jan wrote to say that they were disturbed at night by a group of youths on motorbikes throwing rocks at their motorhome. On the other hand, we had a quiet night there in December 2007.

3. Killini: 45 miles SW of Patras. The port for Zakinthos and Kefalonia. On the harbour, or on the sea front W of the harbour.

4. Loutra Killinis: 5 miles S of Killinis. On the sea front at the end of the cul-de-sac, in a turning circle. The abandoned EOT hotel and former campsite (now being rebuilt) provide other opportunities in winter.

5. Thinnon Forest: 3 miles S of Vartholomio (which is between Gastouni and Loutra Killinis). On the beach by the tavernas in a large car park.

6. Amaliada: Several lanes lead to quiet seaside parking areas SW of Amaliada.

7. Pirgos: The car park of the AB on the right of the main road (the New Nat Road), waiting for the supermarket to open!

8. Lake Kaiafas: 5 miles N of Zacharo by the warm springs and baths at Kaiafa Lake. Approach on gravel road leaving main road N of lake. There is a 'No Camping' sign, but no-one has troubled us during overnight parking in winter, when the complex is closed.

9. Giannitsohori: 10 miles S of Zacharo. One of several cul-de-sacs leading to seafront parking.

10. Kiparissia: On the sea front off the road leading to the campsite (which is closed in winter).

11. Marathopoli: 3 miles W of Gargaliani on minor seafront road. By the small fishing port.

12. Gialova: 10 miles N of Pylos. Follow tracks leading to headland on N side of Navarino Bay (you will probably have company near one of Greece's best beaches).

13. Pylos: Excellent overnight parking on the harbour.

14. Methoni: On the extensive harbour car park.

15. Petalidi: On the waterfront south of the town centre.

16. Nea Itio: 4 miles N of Areopoli. Leave the main road to the N of Nea Itio to find small splendid parking (signed) by a fish taverna, which is closed in winter. Alternatively, park by the shore. Road through the village is very narrow - leave the way you entered.

17. Gerolimenas: Near the foot of the Mani, west side. Small gravel car park behind the tiny harbour, behind hotel, W of the road. Great place from which to cycle to Cape Matapan.

18. Marmari: Near the foot of the Mani, east side. Parking area before the hotel at the end of the road, signed 'Parking for Car and Mobile Homes'. Even nearer to Cape Matapan.

19. Gythion: On the promenade on the N side of town, on road towards Skala.

20. Glikovrisi: 20 miles NE of Gythion. On the beach outside the (now permanently closed) campground.

21. Monemvassia: By the harbour, S of town, before Camping Paradise (closed in winter). Alternatively, continue past Paradise for a couple of miles to park on a little cove.

22. Paralia Astros: A long way N of Monemvassia. 18 miles S of Argos. Main road bypasses town. In car park for nature reserve, just N of town of Paralia Astros.

23. Nea Kios: 5 miles S of Argos, 5 miles W of Nafplio. In large car park on seafront road.

24. Nafplio: Lots of opportunities in large parking areas around commercial harbour and railway station.

25. Epidavros, ancient site and theatre near Asklipio, 20 miles E of Nafplio. In the extensive free car park. (Not to be confused with Palea Epidavros on the coast, where there are seasonal campsites.)

26. Corinth: At Isthmia, the far E end of the Canal. In large car park at the very end of the canal near control station or, just S, on a small sea-front road near gardens.

27. Rion: 5 miles NE of Patras. Ferry port or new bridge to cross the Gulf of Corinth. Lots of space on large waiting areas for ferry.

Note that Greece is unlikely to be included in SatNav systems: their definition of Europe often ends at Italy and Austria!

Most maps made and sold in Greece are simply misleading: they are hard to read, inaccurate and very selective in their content. This is equally true of the atlases that are on sale at inflated prices. If you do buy an atlas, check that all the pages are there, in the right order! (We once returned a faulty one bought in Igoumenitsa, to find they were all alike!)

The best map of the Peloponnese, made and available in Greece, is number 5 in the 1:250,000 series 'Road Editions' which cover Greece in 5 overlapping maps (Crete is the 6th). There is an index in Greek and English, including separate indices to monasteries and ancient sites, and street maps of key towns. Of all the road maps of Greece, this one does the most to show contours. The Greek Islands are covered separately in 18 maps with scales ranging from 1:20,000 to 1:1,000,000. Another series for walkers covers 8 mountain areas at 1:50,000 (roughly 1 mile = 1 inch).

Available in the UK, but not seen on sale in Greece, is the much cheaper option, the 1:300,000 GeoCentre Euro Map 'Greece and the Islands', published by RV Verlag GmbH in Stuttgart. Available from good bookshops in the UK; we bought ours in Blackpool. Printed on both sides, it covers the whole of Greece on a good scale, clearly and with considerable accuracy. All the islands are included and there is a splendid little map showing the regions. The index is in English only, with a very few street plans.

Stanfords of Covent Garden, the best map and guidebook source in the UK, will post maps and guides to Greece, to a Poste Restante for example, paying by credit card. Their International Mail Order Service Number is +44 (0)207 836 1321. Website: www.stanfords.co.uk

And, of course, there are the Google maps!