Lower Town of Monemvasia
Κάστρο Μονεμβασιάς (Κάτω Πόλη)
A Byzantine stone town enclosed by walls beneath the rock's southern slope, with car-free stone lanes, arches, churches and stone guesthouses, most enchanting after dark.
The Lower Town of Monemvasia lies by the sea on the south side of the great rock and is fully enclosed by walls dating from the 13th to 16th centuries. The only way in is on foot through the west gate, whose name means "the only entrance"; cars are banned inside the town. The main street is lined with stone shops, cafés and tavernas, while side lanes pass under arcades and stairways to boutique hotels converted from old houses. The central square has the Church of Elkomenos Christos and an archaeological museum housed in a former mosque. At the eastern end stand the Panagia Chrysafitissa church and the seafront walls. Outside the gate is the house of the poet Yannis Ritsos. Entry is free, and the town is open all day. Stroll the lanes in the evening once the day-trippers have left, and watch the sunset from the seafront walls. The stone paving is slippery, so wear flat shoes. It is about a 20-minute walk along the causeway from Gefyra, or you can take a shuttle minibus to the gate.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Archaeological Collection of Monemvasia
- Church of Elkomenos Christos
- Hagia Sophia, Monemvasia
- Upper Town of Monemvasia
- Gefyra
- Gerakas Lagoon
- Kastania Cave
- Pavlopetri