Acropolis of Monemvasia

The citadel of the upper town is an almost square shaped fort with square towers at each corner. During Venetian occupation, the Southwest tower was modified into an ammunition storage warehouse. With such natural defenses all over, there was no need to build some impregnable citadel here. Its purpose must have been to house the imperial officials, their guard, and the treasury. The view is astonishing, and the walk is manageable though somewhat demanding. Don't miss a chance to see this.

An absolute gem that travels you back in time. With rich history and places to grab a coffee or a bite inside it is truly a wonderful experience. P.S it tends to get rather busy during weekends

Monemvasia- perfect to spend 1 weeknight (try to avoid weekends crowds) Unless you’re on a honeymoon. Why? You need to see SUNSET from lower town main plaza, near ocean and gape at the evening light painting in amber the massive upper town Fortress walls spanning the whole rocky top of the tiny island town. You also need to wake super early, hike from lower town to upper, roam the grounds of ruined fortress. But mainly to catch the dramatic, magnificent SUNRISE (in late Sep was 7am). Late in season you’ll probably have the whole place to yourself (apart from the ever present few workmen maintaining the site), with bird calls and wind in your ears. Also staying overnight gives you a few precious quiet hours before the town floods from 11-5pm with cruiseship visitors. If u wanna save bucks stay at much cheaper new town. Cheaper restaurants too. New town is larger and spread across the bay. From the edge of the causeway joining it to Monemvasia island, it’s a picturesque 20 min walk. Or catch the shuttle to and from town. Shuttle timetable is iffy- depends on season- in late September shuttle ran 8am-2pm to and from new town- old town gates for 2.40 euro each way every 30 mins.

The Acropolis of Monemvasia, located on a steep rock off the eastern coast of the Peloponnese in Greece, is a breathtaking historical site. Known as the "Gibraltar of the East," it boasts well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and stunning sea views. The blend of Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman influences reflects its rich history. Visitors can explore ancient ruins, churches, and fortified walls, all while enjoying the serene, timeless ambiance. It's a must-visit for history enthusiasts and travelers seeking unique, scenic destinations.

The citadel at the acropolis of Monemvasia offers spectacular views. There are a few ruins left that show you where some of the towers used to be, but other than that, little is left of the once so grand fortification. One of the towers was turned into a mill in later years but not much of it can be seen anymore. However, it's the only structure that still has a roof now. It is quite a walk from the lower town, and there is hardly any shade. So wear walking shoes and bring water and a hat!

You have this image of these famous sites in your head from text books and TV, but in reality it's not quite the spectacle you want. Even for low season it was super busy (high season must be unbearable). There is still alot of work being done to explore the site making it sometimes feel like a building site but that's the nature of the site. It is awsome to see and be in the Acropolis, but the scaffolding, diggers and cranes take the edge off it! Some staff really nice some staff VERY rude!

It is difficult to put into words how beautiful and magical this place is. The tiny peninsula hosts an old village on the south cost and an ancient settlement at the top. All ruins are very well preserved so one can see the typical structure of the original houses, churches, cisterns and walls. The village at the bottom has hotels and little shops for tourists. The top is uninhabited and can be visited freely. You will need proper hiking boots to explore the top of the mountain and to reach the most beautiful view points. You can park after the bridge, at the entrance of the fortification walls.

This is one of the must-visits in Greece. It's out there, mobbed by tourists (you and I included), but truly an amazing locale. If you can visit off season it's highly recommended, but if not plan on getting there early and enjoy a few hours before the buses arrive. It's worth a walk up to the top of the lower town, but I've but been up up! I can only imagine.