The Castle Town of Monemvasia
Visiting the Greek castle town of Monemvasia makes for a fun and relaxing getaway. Located on the southern coast of the Peloponnese, the castle is well worth the visit and will transport you back in time.
How to Get There
As of the writing of this blog post, the only way to get to Monemvasia is by car or bus. You can drive directly from Athens to Monvemvasia in about four hours. Another option is to turn the drive into a multi-day road trip with one or several stops along the way:
Athens – Spetses – Nafplion – Sparti – Gytheio – Monemvasia
Where to Stay
When visiting the castle town of Monemvasia, definitely book your accommodations within the castle’s ramparts. No cars are allowed within the ancient city’s walls which adds to the place’s charm. Park near the castle’s entrance and forget about your car until it’s time to leave.
There are a number of excellent hotels to choose from. We stayed at Likinia Hotel and loved it. The room was very comfortable, clean, and included a beautiful breakfast buffet each morning. All of the hotels within the castle are a short walk to the restaurants. Your biggest consideration when picking a room should be price, whether you want breakfast included, an ocean view, or a private patio.
All of the town’s amenities exist within the medieval castle’s original structure. As a result, the castle has retained its authenticity. Just walking through the narrow cobblestone streets makes for a fun activity and gives visitors the opportunity to imagine what life might have been like back in the castle’s hayday. The local historical society has done a wonderful job displaying information about the castle’s history throughout the grounds, making evening strolls both enchanting and educational.
Where to Eat
Most of the restaurants are located along the main stretch as you enter the castle and many offer outdoor seating with wonderful ocean views. One of our favorite meals was at Matoula Restaurant where I highly recommend ordering the local sausage or “loukaniko”. The sausage stuffing recipe calls for minced orange rind and is absolutely delicious.
Things To Do
Swimming
Follow the signs and you will find a swimming spot at the base of the castle. The area is very rocky and there is no beach. However, the lack of sand makes for crystal clear waters. If you have swimming goggles or snorkeling gear, be sure to bring them with you. We saw lots of fish and with such good visibility you can have fun exploring the underwater nooks and crannies along the castle’s shoreline.
Drinks with a View
For a fun afternoon coffee or cocktail, be sure to wander up to Malvasia Cafe. Perched on the high grounds of the castle, this hidden gem offers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding area.
If you’re looking for a fancy cocktail or a decadent dessert, Enetiko Cafe & Cocktail Bar, is a great option as well.
Wine Tasting
One of Monemvasia’s claims to fame is its wine. The Monemvasia Winery, founded in 1997, has revived the indigenous Malvasia wine, which was previously lost during the rule of the Ottoman empire. They produce a range of red and white wines and have received critical acclaim for their Monemvasia-Malvasia, a naturally sweet wine that is produced from sun dried grapes, fermented in stainless-steel tanks, and aged for two years in oak barrels. If you’re looking to leave the castle grounds, you can visit the winery, located 10 kilometers down the road. Alternatively, you can stay put and enjoy a fun wine tasting at Byron’s Wine Tasting Bar.
Of our many Greek weekend getaways, our visit to Monemvasia has been one of our favorites. Every one of our Greek friends raves about the place. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend spending a few nights in this special place.