One week itinerary in the legendary Peloponnese

Homeland of the legends and Gods, Peloponnese abounds in deeply moving views, ancient sites, crystal clear water and beautiful beaches. With its first-rate food, wine and hospitality, Peloponnese is among the best Greek regions to add on the bucket list.

The Peloponnese is unique for several reasons, encompassing its historical, cultural, geographical, and natural attributes. Here are some key aspects that make the Peloponnese stand out:

Ancient Civilization:

The Peloponnese is home to some of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece, including:

• Mycenae: An ancient city known for its massive stone walls and the legendary kingdom of Agamemnon.
• Epidaurus: Famous for its ancient theater and the sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of medicine.
• Olympia: The site of the original Olympic Games held in honor of Zeus.
• Sparta: Renowned for its military prowess and unique societal structure.
• Byzantine and Medieval Heritage: The region also boasts important Byzantine and medieval sites, such as:
  • Mystra: A well-preserved Byzantine city near Sparta.
  • Monemvasia: A medieval fortress town on a small island off the east coast.

Myths and Legends:

The Peloponnese is the setting for numerous Greek myths and legends, including the epic tales of Hercules and his Twelve Labors, the tragic story of Helen of Troy and the Trojan War, and the heroic adventures of Perseus and Theseus. Every corner of the region is steeped in stories that have been passed down through generations, making it a treasure trove for mythology enthusiasts.

The region is utterly vast with so many attractions to see, so one single week is not enough to discover all the beauty of Peloponnese. In this post I will highlight one of its stunning gems – Monemvasia.

The Castle-town of Monemvasia

The Castle-town of Monemvasia is a magical town nestled on a small island connected to the mainland only by a road bridge built over the sea. There is one single entrance to the town, through a gate, Moni Emvassi (“One entrance” in Greek, hence the name) and as soon as you will enter it you will never want to leave. Here the time has stopped and old centuries never look so close.

The Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans left behind pastel castles and old mansions dated back from the 6th century, surrounded by the teal Aegean Sea and ancient walls, giving the impression of an imaginary town untouched by the passing of time. Monemvasia is by far like no other places I visited before in Greece.

Accommodation

Many of the ancient houses of Monemvasia were renovated and transformed into hotels. I highly recommend to stay there for a truly authentic experience.

Is good to know that the vehicles are not allowed inside the Castle Town. In fact driving on the tiny cobbled alleyways is impossible for any type of vehicle, there’s simply no room. All the cars are parked alongside the causeway which leads to the entrance gate.

Our first accommodation was on the Monemvasia island, Malvasia Hotel a traditional hotel, very cosy and romantic, with intimate courtyards, old authentic furniture that will transport you in a fairy-tale world.

Our second accommodation was Kinsterna Hotel, a luxury mansion with centuries of history meticulously preserved, located 7 km away from the castle-town. You can read about our stay and the experience in my previous article.

Top things to do in Monemvasia

• getting lost wandering the romantic pathways is the most beautiful thing to do in Monemvasia.
• take a unique walk to the Upper Town for magnificent views, then dine at one of the restaurants located on the main alley of the Lower Town, overviewing the sea.
• try the local wine, Malvasia
• visit Agia Sofia Church, the main attraction in Monamvasia with Byzantine and Venetian roots.
• Go to the beach. Portelo is the only entrance to Monemvasia by water. Swimming under the impressive fortress was one of my favorite experience there.
• day-trip to Elafonissi Beach, recognized to be among the most beautiful beaches in Peloponnese

Restaurants and cafes

The restaurants, cafes and souvenirs shops are all aligned on the main cobblestone street in the Lower Town.

We dined at To Kanoni restaurant, a romantic place to have dinner with sea view and serving very good food. Among the local specialties I loved Goges a local homemade pasta and saitia a type of fried spinach pie.

The region is famous for its winery, the Malvasia Wine is the authentic flavor of Monemvasia. The exceptional virgin olive oil, seafood, onions from Vatika, the honey and organic products render the local cuisine an authentic culinary experience.