Pavlopetri
Παυλοπέτρι
A Bronze Age sunken town about 5,000 years old. In shallow water you can snorkel and see the stone foundations of streets, houses and tombs.
Pavlopetri lies off Pounta Beach, across from Elafonisos Island, and is one of the oldest known submerged town sites. People lived here from around 3000 BC, and the town later sank beneath the sea after earthquakes and rising sea levels. The site lies just offshore in water only 3 to 4 meters deep, where the stone foundations of streets, houses, courtyards and sarcophagus tombs can be seen. You can view them by snorkeling with a mask, but the stones are covered in seaweed, so a little imagination helps. It is best to look at the information boards on shore or reconstruction images online first. The site is under archaeological protection. Touching or removing anything is strictly forbidden, and diving is not allowed, only snorkeling at the surface. Entry is free, and the gentle Pounta Beach beside it can be combined with a day trip to Simos Beach.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Simos Beach, Elafonisos
- Kastania Cave
- Gefyra
- Church of Elkomenos Christos
- Archaeological Collection of Monemvasia
- Lower Town of Monemvasia
- Hagia Sophia, Monemvasia
- Upper Town of Monemvasia