The Peloponnese is Greece's most historically layered region — a peninsula where every hill holds an ancient citadel, Byzantine castle or Venetian fort, and where the 20th century's rural exodus, the EOT Xenia programme and post-2008 crisis dereliction have added three more abandonment layers. The Deep Mani's tower village ghost towns, the Xenia Hotel on Nafplio's Venetian castle, the Xenia Mycenae within the Bronze Age citadel's shadow and the Xenia Sparta all represent a dereliction density unavailable anywhere else in Greece. Discover the 5 best abandoned places in the Peloponnese, selected from our Greece Urbex Map — 60+ verified GPS locations.
Why the Peloponnese Offers Greece's Richest Dereliction
The Peloponnese concentrates more distinct abandonment typologies per square kilometre than any other Greek region — Xenia hotels in extraordinary archaeological settings, Mani tower village ghost towns, Byzantine and Venetian ruin layers and post-war rural exodus settlements across the Arcadian plateau and the Mani peninsula create a derelict heritage of exceptional historical depth.
1. Hotel Xenia Nafplio – Akronaflia, Nafplio — 1961 by Triantafyllidis, 100 Beds on Venetian Castle, Abandoned Since 2000, Palamidi and Sea Views (Known Location)
The Xenia Hotel in Nafplio was built in 1961 on the Akronaflia peninsula — the site of political prisons since 1937. It was a luxury hotel with 100 beds, operating until 2000, sold to owners who planned renovation but left it to collapse. Today it stands completely abandoned with stunning views of Palamidi fortress, Arvanitia beach and the sea on both sides. Walk up from Nafplio old town — the hotel is unmissable on the clifftop.
🔗 Sources: Pepper Urbex – Hotel Xenia Nafplio | Finns Away – Nafplio Peloponnese
2. Vathia Tower Village – Deep Mani, Peloponnese — 18th–19th-Century Defensive Towers, Clan Warfare Heritage, Abandoned Mid-20th Century, Southern Aegean Views (Known Location)
Vathia is instantly recognisable by its imposing stone tower houses, built between the 18th and 19th centuries for protection against invaders and rival clans. The village played a significant role during the Ottoman period when Maniots resisted Turkish rule. As the 20th century progressed, inhabitants left for better opportunities, leading to its decline. Visitors can wander through narrow streets, explore the abandoned towers and take in breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
🔗 Also read: Top 5 Abandoned Places in Greece →
3. Xenia Hotel Mycenae – Near Ancient Mycenae, Argolid — Abandoned Since 1970s, Rare Post-War Modernist, Bronze Age Citadel Adjacent, Conversion Pending
The Xenia Hotel at Mycenae — described as "a rare example of modern architecture abandoned since the 1970s" — stands in the archaeological zone adjacent to the 3,200-year-old citadel of Mycenae. Pending Ministry of Culture conversion plans, it remains derelict. The extraordinary juxtaposition of 1950s Greek modernist hotel and Bronze Age citadel creates a temporal depth unavailable anywhere else in the Peloponnese. All GPS in our Greece Urbex Map.
4. Abandoned Mani Village – Laconia, Deep Mani — Post-War Exodus Stone Settlement, Tower House Ruins, Barren Mani Landscape, Cape Tenaro Setting (Exclusively on Our Map)
Beyond Vathia, the Deep Mani holds numerous smaller stone villages in various states of near-complete dereliction — nameless clusters of tower house ruins visible from the winding Mani road whose inhabitants left in the 1950s–60s and have never returned. The specific barren Mani landscape of limestone rock, phrygana scrub and the sea on both sides of the peninsula creates a ghost village atmosphere of extraordinary bleakness and beauty. Mapped exclusively in our Greece Urbex Map.
5. Derelict Arcadian Plateau Settlement – Arcadia, Peloponnese — Mountain Rural Exodus, Stone Construction, 1,000m Altitude, Pine Forest Setting (Our Map Only)
The Arcadian plateau — the mountainous interior of the Peloponnese at altitudes above 1,000m — experienced severe rural depopulation through the 20th century as agricultural communities left for the coastal towns and Athens. Several stone villages on the plateau and its surrounding slopes stand in states of near-complete dereliction: dry-stone construction returning to the mountain terrain, the village church still standing in the pine forest and the extraordinary panoramas of the Peloponnese interior visible from the ridge. GPS in our Greece Urbex Map.
Safety Tips
- Xenia archaeological zones: Nafplio and Mycenae Xenia hotels are within or adjacent to archaeological zones — never enter restricted perimeters; document from accessible areas
- Mani heat: Deep Mani in summer exceeds 40°C with minimal shade and very limited water — always visit in spring or autumn and carry sufficient water
- Arcadian roads: mountain plateau tracks can be rough and impassable after rain — always check conditions and use a vehicle with sufficient clearance
- Never explore alone — always bring at least one other person and share your location
❓ FAQ
What is the best abandoned place in the Peloponnese?
Hotel Xenia Nafplio — a 1961 modernist hotel built on the Venetian Akronaflia castle with 360° views of Palamidi fortress, Arvanitia beach and the sea. Abandoned since 2000, walkable from the old town. The finest combination of modernist dereliction and historic setting in Greece.
How do I get to Vathia Mani?
By car from Areopoli (40 minutes south on the main Mani road). No public transport serves Deep Mani — a rental car is essential. Combine with Cape Tenaro (the southernmost point of mainland Europe, 30 minutes from Vathia) and Gerolimenas village for a full Deep Mani day.
Is Mycenae Xenia Hotel accessible?
The Xenia Hotel at Mycenae is within the archaeological zone — document from the accessible perimeter; entry without Ministry of Culture authorisation risks penalties under Law 3028/2002. The building exterior and setting are visible from the public approach road to the citadel.
Greece Urbex Map
- ✓ 60+ verified GPS locations across Greece
- ✓ Peloponnese: Nafplio, Mani, Mycenae, Arcadia
- ✓ Instant download after purchase
- ✓ Free updates forever
9,99€
Explore All 60+ Locations →
