{"id":10986,"date":"2022-11-15T15:34:38","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T15:34:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/monemvasia-greece-peloponnese\/"},"modified":"2024-07-16T12:55:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T12:55:20","slug":"monemvasia-greece-peloponnese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/monemvasia-greece-peloponnese\/","title":{"rendered":"The Medieval City of Monemvasia in the Peloponnese"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Perched on a rocky peninsula, Monemvasia (also spelled Monemvassia \/ \u039c\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u03bc\u03b2\u03ac\u03c3\u03b9\u03b1 in Greek) is a true postcard-perfect destination. It is hands down one of the Captain’s favorites in Greece! \u2764\ufe0f<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the guide!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 Hot Tips<\/strong> \ud83d\udca1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca4 Accommodations:<\/strong><\/strong> Top hotels in the Peloponnese<\/a> & in Athens<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude97 Car Rental:<\/strong> compare the deals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfdb Plan Your Stay:<\/strong> The Complete Guide to the Peloponnese<\/a> and The Complete Guide to Athens <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Brief history of Monemvasia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Founded in the 6th<\/sup> century by Laconians fleeing\nthe invasions of the warlike tribes coming from the North, Monemvasia became over the centuries\na key strategic location in mainland Greece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The citadel was in turn conquered by the Byzantine Empire,\nthe Franks, the Venetians and the Ottomans, before becoming\nGreek at the time of the country’s independence (in the 1820s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the Second World War, Monemvasia\nwas occupied by the Italians, then Germans and finally the British! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the 1950s, major renovations have been carried out to\nrestore the city to its former glory.\nToday, Monemvassia has become an essential stop for any visitor one of the top\ntourist attractions in the Peloponnese! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Must-sees and Top Activities.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The old town of Monemvasia is closed to all motorised vehicles. The only solution: exploring the city on foot! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kastro<\/em>, the old town of Monemvasia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The upper city<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A steep path leads from the lower to the upper town:\nwhile you might feel a bit out of breath, no need to be in great\nphysical shape to get to the top and the view is really worth the effort! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upper town of Monemvasia is a picture-perfect pastoral haven of peace. In spring, when the landscape is covered with small country flowers, the scenery is all the more magical. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Upper<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The remains of an ancient hammam dating from the 17th<\/sup> century\nas well as ancient cisterns stand proudly amidst the brush.\nThe church Agia Sofia (Saint Sophia), built in the 12th<\/sup> century and\nconverted into a Catholic convent under Venetian rule, became an\nOrthodox Church after the independence of Greece, in the early\n19th<\/sup> century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lower town<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Put away your your map\/GPS and get lost in the lower town’s its winding streets!\nTake some time to linger a while on the city’s panoramic terraces (the view is quite simply\nspectacular),<\/p>\n\n\n\n

sit at a caf\u00e9\nand explore the charming souvenir stores where you’ll find olive oil,\nmead and wine of Malvasia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t miss Tapia Square, the main square of the\nfortified village, from which the view of the Mediterranean is simply\nbreathtaking. That’s also where you’ll find the church of Christos Elkomenos (Christ of the Leaves),\nbuilt in the 17th<\/sup> century on the site of an ancient Byzantine\nmonastery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Venetian walls<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Venetian walls, which surround the old city, offer\nbeautiful views of the city and the Mediterranean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new city<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located on the mainland, facing the old city perched on\nits rock, the new city of Monemvasia, baptized Gefyra, has very little interest\nexcept for the beautiful panorama that it offers on the Kastro<\/em> (the fortified city).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will also find accommodation and food\nat more affordable prices than in the old town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"View
View of the old city<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Visitor Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting to Monemvasia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Monemvasia is located in the southeast of the Peloponnese, almost 200 kilometers\/125 miles from Nafplio<\/a>, 90 kilometers\/55 miles from Mystras and a little over 80 kilometers\/50 miles from Gythion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renting a car is the easiest way to get to Monemvasia. Captain Ulysses recommends taking the back roads: the journey is simply breathtaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\ude98 Visiting the Peloponnese by car \ud83d\ude98<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you’re planning to explore the Peloponnese on your own, Captain Ulysses highly recommends renting a car:<\/strong> it’s by far the most convenient way<\/strong> to get around the peninsula. Not to mention that car rental in Greece is on the whole quite cheap!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find the best deal, <\/strong> Captain Ulysses suggests checking out Rentalcars<\/a><\/strong>, a platform that compares offers from a wide range of rental services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One last tip:<\/strong> since the Peloponnese is full of winding mountain roads, it’s best to choose a fuel-efficient car, even if it costs a bit more to rent!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Explore car rental options<\/a><\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you don’t want to drive and if your budget allows it, you can also opt for a private day trip to Monemvasia from Athens<\/a>. This is a rather expensive option, but very handy, especially if you have little time and intend to travel around the Peloponnese from Athens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also get the bus from Athens to Monemvasia. The journey is long, but has the undeniable merit of being cheap. For more information, visit the bus company’s website<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay in Monemvasia?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You’ll find plenty of hotels in\nMonemvasia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can afford it, the Captain strongly recommends staying in the old town. The hotels, nestled in historic buildings, are mostly very beautiful. The Captain particularly recommends Casa Felicia<\/a>, Guesthouse Kellia<\/a>, Pietra Suite<\/a> and Theophano Art Hotel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are on a tighter budget, then you’ll find more affordable options in the new city. Villa Cazala<\/a> and Filoxenia Hotel<\/a> are good options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for an unforgettable experience, the Captain can only recommend Kinsterna Hotel: <\/a> an absolute gem 6 kilometers\/4 miles from the old town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more options, check out this list of quality accommodation in Monemvasia<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n Booking.com<\/a>\n<\/ins>\n