Superb beaches, castle walks, and good food are all offered in Monemvasia, an ideal three-day break destination promising to fulfill your getaway needs. This castle town, situated in an incredible coastal location featuring an islet rock linked to the Laconia prefecture in Peloponnese’s southeast by a short causeway, combines natural beauty, medieval and modern history, and a truly amazing atmosphere.
How to get there
Monemvasia is located 320 km from Athens, about a 4 hour drive, and most of this distance is covered along a safe highway running down the Peloponnese.
Day One: Gibraltar of the East
Monemvasia shares many external similarities with the rock of Gibraltar at the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea, which is why it is often referred to as the small Gibraltar or Gibraltar of the East.
The name Monemvasia is derived from two Greek words, Moni and Emvasis, collectively meaning sole entrance to the island by bridge. Crossing the short bridge signals the beginning of your marvellous three-day break in and around Monemvasia, where the castle town has stood imposingly since at least the 12th century.
Upon entering the town, the house of esteemed Greek poet Yiannis Ritsos, who hailed from Monemvasia, is situated to the left.
Carrying on leads to the main street with a Byzantine-era cobbled path that reaches the main square with an old canon and the Elkomenou Christou church.
Standing opposite is the listed 16th century mosque building that nowadays houses the Monemvasia Archaeological Collection. From this point, roads branch out to reach all sections of the medieval fortress that lies on a large plateau, some 100 metres above sea level, covering most of the island’s area.
An uphill stretch taking 15 minutes to walk leads to Ano Poli (Upper City), whose fantastic view compensates for the effort needed to reach this elevated point. It is perched high above the town, fortification walls and sea below, while slightly further up, the Agia Sophia church is built on the edge of the steep rock. During the evening hours, you may dine at one of the many tavernas that combine local traditional cooking with sensational views. For drinks, the Enetiko café and cocktail bar offering a splendid outlook is recommended. If preferring to get away from the fortress area for your drink, head to Di Porto, which looks over the picturesque little harbour.
Day Two: Swimming at Pori, walking in the Larnaka gorge and a visit to Paleomonastiro
Pori beach
Pori is one of the biggest and most impressive beaches of the Peloponnese as it offers visitors a magnificent view of the fortified town as well as Palia (old) Monemvasia.
Stretched over 2 kilometres, Pori is ideal for walking, running and beach volleyball. A canteen is situated on the beach, while umbrellas and sunbeds are also available. The mellow waters are ideal for swimmers of all ages and swimming levels.
Larnaka gorge
If the weather conditions are not good for swimming, it is worth visiting the Larnaka gorge, at Molai.
The gorge’s entrance is at Molai main square. The route begins as a cobbled path and the sound of running water and the singing of birds is audible from the first few steps into the gorge. The vegetation to be found here is dense and completely different to that encountered in the wider region, and the contrast makes it difficult to fathom the existence of such an extraordinary setting behind a provincial town.
The gorge has four paths, taking between one and six hours to cover and benches for a rest can be found along the way. For less daring visitors favouring the shortest route, its trail leads to Agia Paraskevi church, situated to the left as you face the mountain. The longest of the gorge routes leads to the top of Mount Kourkoulas, and an elementary level of mountaineering expertise is required to reach the top.
Paleomonastiro
Paleomonastiro, located 68 kilometres from the town of Monemvasia, is over an hour’s drive away but well worth visiting. The monastery, in a cave on a cliff rising over the western side of a gorge, through which the Evrotas river runs, features an inscription that has been preserved in its interior devoting the monastery to the Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos, and Nikitas the Great Martyr, while the monastery’s impressive frescoes date back to the Byzantine period.
One of the Greek Revolution’s biggest sacrifices took place at Paleomonastiro in 1825. Some 300 residents of the nearby Vrontamas village were held in captivity at the cave for resisting to surrender to the troops of general Ibrahim Pasha. All the captives were eventually killed in the monastery cave when they were blown up with explosives.
Day Three: Excursion at Mystras
On the third day of your journey, before returning to Athens, it is worth devoting some time to culture. Mystras, located five kilometres from Sparta, is one of the most prominent and best-preserved archaeological sites of Greece, ranking as the one of the most significant Byzantine-era finds.
The history of Mystras has mid-13th century origins, when the conquest of the Peloponnese by the Franks reached its height. In 1249, William II of Villehardouin built his castle on the eastern slope of Mount Taygetus, at the peak of a hill with a sharp conical shape named Mystras or Myzithras.
Fortified Mystras developed into a prominent castle town and became the capital of the Despotate of the Morea, as the Peloponnese was known during the Middle Ages and early modern period. Mystras continued to be an important town over the ensuing centuries, up until the early post-Greek Revolution years, when it was abandoned.
It is best to leave your vehicle at the second entrance, which leads to Pano Hora (Upper Town), where Mystras’ most significant monuments are situated. Mystras is divided into three basic levels of construction. Its fortified castle is perched at the top. From there, in descending order, the castle is followed by Pano (Upper) Hora and Kato (Lower) Hora. Make sure you arrive at Mystras early in the day for cooler weather conditions, wearing comfortable sneakers as extensive exploration of the area takes at least two hours, and carry water, too.
If all this sounds a little too demanding, be sure that the overall Mystras experience will reward you. Walking along its cobbled paths will transport your mind to bygone times; exploring the narrow alleys and Byzantine churches as well as monasteries will take you back to the era when castles flourished, while making it to the peak will compensate with its impressive view. This is one of the few ancient sites which, besides featuring impressive monuments and a view, also offers a sense of daily life in the past. When you decide to leave Mystras, tired but satisfied, you may enjoy a meal at one of the many very good tavernas in the region, many of which are renowned for their meat dishes.
Read also:
Five Fairytale Villages in the Taygetos Mountains, Southern Peloponnese
Monemvasia: accommodation, food and stroll recommendations for the dreamiest place in Greece
Nafplio, Pelion, Monemvasia: Spring driving in three of Greece’s loveliest areas
