Best of Monemvasia

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Monemvasia

Monemvasia is a walled castle town on a rocky islet connected to the mainland by a causeway. The cobbled streets of this sixth-century fortress are home to 46 churches and a history that spans the Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman eras. Spot cannons in the Lower Town's central square and climb to the Upper Town for panoramic views from the 11th-century Hagia Sophia Church. To admire Monemvasia from the water, take a sea kayaking trip around the island, discovering hidden coves and grottoes.

Kimkim travelers have taken excursions from Monemvasia to nearby olive groves and vineyards to learn about the region's rich history of wine and olive oil production. Bali Canyon, just outside Monemvasia, offers treks to a historic watermill. You can also enjoy a trip to nearby Elafonisos Island or Plytra Beach, where you can snorkel among the partially submerged ruins of the Roman city Asopos.

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Monemvasia Essentials

Top Cultural Experiences in Greece

Greece is a country of ancient history, refreshing gastronomy, vivid art, and scenic landscapes. All of these characteristics play an essential role in Greek culture. Explore rural villages and learn how the Greek islands functioned before tourism hit. Discover the secrets behind locally sourced cheeses, olive oil, and liqueur, and learn why marble is such a staple throughout the country. Go beyond the beaten path and delve into Athens' unique neighborhoods, Santorini's authentic villages, and the fascinating history of Naxos.

Villages and Seaside Vistas of the Peloponnese

Best Things to Do in the The Peloponnese

Although not as touristy as the rest of Greece, the Peloponnese region abounds in history, culture, and gastronomy. For over 3,000 years, this jagged peninsula was the heart of Ancient Greece. Visit some of the country's most historic spots, like Ancient Olympia where the Olympic Games started, the impressive theater of Epidavros, and the fortified stone village of Monemvasia. Relax on the scenic Mani Peninsula, explore the popular coastlines, and climb the castle of Nafplio, all while noshing on local cuisine like the country's famed Kalamata olives.

Explore Greece's World-Famous Food Culture

Top Culinary Experiences in Greece

Greek gastronomy is known worldwide as one of the freshest and healthiest cuisines, with its signature Mediterranean diet featured in numerous countries. Learn the secrets behind the country's staples with wine and cheese tastings, city food tours, farm visits, and meals with locals. Take a cooking class or visit a winery and learn about Greece's ancient farming and winemaking techniques. There's a reason why the flavors are so pronounced in Greek gastronomy, and tradition has a lot to do with it!

Monemvasia Itineraries

The Island of Poros and Peloponnese Mountains

Greek Odyssey: Athens, Saronic Islands, & the Peloponnese - 10 Days

Explore Greece's ancient wonders on this adventurous 10-day tour. Starting in the vibrant capital of Athens, you'll spend a day discovering the mysteries of Delphi before setting sail across the Saronic Gulf, mooring at the spectacular islands of Aegina, Poros, and Moni. Back on land, set off on a self-guided exploration of the Peloponnesian Peninsula, visiting the Bronze Age ruins of Mycenae, the fairytale carved village of Monemvasia, and the Byzantine mountain monasteries of Mystros.

Hidden Gems of Mainland Greece - 12 Days

This dynamic road trip takes you through some of mainland Greece's best kept secrets, starting with a mythology tour of the Acropolis in Athens and a visit to the wineries in Nemea. Then head into the picturesque Peloponnese Region where you'll discover the ancient ruins in Sparta, the medicinal tales of Ascelpius, and the charms of historic Mani villages. Visit the birthplace of the Olympics in Olympia, hike to an alpine lake for a swim, and visit a family-operated olive farm to learn all about the production process and to taste different varieties.

Greek Mainland & Saronic Islands Sailing Trip - 10 Days

Discover the storied heart of Ancient Greece in this 10-day escorted journey. Begin your trip in Athens before taking an idyllic sail around the Saronic Islands. Spend three days island-hopping, enjoying small seaside towns, beautiful beaches, and a relaxed ambiance. Once back on land, head to the Peloponnese peninsula, home of the original Olympic Games and the famously warring cities of Sparta, Corinth, and Argos. Your journey ends where it began, with a bike tour through the iconic capital city.

The view from Navarino Castle overlooking Pylos Bay

Mainland Greece Road Trip - 12 Days

Immerse yourself in history and culture on this 12-day trip encompassing Athens and the Greek countryside. Learn about Greek mythology straight from the source at the Acropolis before heading west to the Peloponnese. Go wine tasting at the vineyards of Nemea, visit Byzantine castles, and stroll the streets of traditional villages. See where Helen of Troy lived and where the Olympics were born, and consult the oracle at Delphi before ending your road trip back in the capital.

Mainland Greece Road Trip - 13 Days

In just under two weeks, you'll see traditional villages, fascinating historical sites, and beautiful views on this road trip around the Greek countryside. Begin in Athens, where you'll delve into ancient mythology and enjoy a culinary tour before setting out for the Peloponnese. As you make your way around the hilly landscape, you'll go wine tasting, visit castles, stroll the streets of old fishing villages, and see some of Greece's most famous ancient sites.

Mainland Greece Road Trip - 14 Days

Take in the sights and flavors of the countryside on this two-week road trip around mainland Greece. Starting in Athens, you'll explore the Acropolis and sample local delicacies before making your way to the Peloponnese. Here you'll encounter traditional villages, ancient castles, beautiful Byzantine architecture, and fascinating archaeological sites. Go wine tasting in Nemea, consult the oracle at Delphi, and see the birthplace of the Olympics along the way.

Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 14 Days

Take two weeks to cross the stories of the Peloponnesian peninsula with this 14-day itinerary. Start with the classics on the Acropolis, then make your way down through to the site of the kingdom of Mycenae, ancient vines of Nemea, and stadium at Olympia. Top it off with four days of shipwrecks and sea turtles on the island of Zakynthos before you return to Athens and thank Poseidon for your journey.

Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 15 Days

Travel across both the Peloponnesian peninsula and Greek history with this 15-day itinerary. After a brief start in Athens, you'll go down to the sea to visit Nafplio and neighboring mythical Mycenae, then over to the castles of Mystras and Monemvasia. Set sail for the quintessential Greek island of Zakynthos to end your journey on its turquoise shores before returning to Athens for one final temple sunset.

Byzantine church and the ruins of Mystras

Mainland Greece Road Trip - 15 Days

Travel from Athens to the vineyards, castles, and archaeological sites throughout the Peloponnese with this itinerary. After exploring the Acropolis and the local delicacies of the capital, head to the countryside, where you'll discover Byzantine castles and monasteries and ancient palaces, and sip on wine worthy of Dionysus. You'll see where the Olympics were born and where Helen of Troy lived and consult the oracle at Delphi along the way.

Drive along Greece's pristine coast on this 16-day road trip

Mainland Greece Road Trip - 16 Days

On this 16-day road trip across Greece, you'll see historical sites, sample local flavors, and discover beautiful castles and monasteries. Spend a few days in the capital, learning about the Acropolis and enjoying the culinary delights of the modern era. Then, drive along the Peloponnese and Mani peninsulas to sample wine in Nemea, explore several archaeological sites, relax on pristine beaches, and discover picturesque villages before ending your journey back in Athens.

Mainland Greece Road Trip - 17 Days

Take a drive through the scenery and history of mainland Greece with this 17-day itinerary. Begin in Athens, then make your way through the seaside towns, vineyards, scenic castles, and historic sites of the Peloponnese.

Other popular travel destinations in Greece
Athens · Greek Islands · Cycladic Islands · Santorini · Crete · Naxos · Mykonos · Chania · Peloponnese · Northern & Central Greece · Nafplio · Tinos · Heraklion · Meteora · Ionian Islands · Kalabaka · Zagori · Thessaloniki · Corfu · Nafpaktos · Paros · Sparta & Mani · Olympia · Delphi · Mani Peninsula · Syros · Rhodes · Dodecanese & Northern Aegean Islands · Milos · Rethymno · Kalamata · Corinth · Sparta · Saronic Islands · Sifnos · Sifnos Port · Gortynia · Messinia · Drama · Hydra

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