Best Things to do in Monemvasia, Greece: Ultimate Travel Guide

Since we were kids watching medieval movies, we’ve always dreamed of experiencing living in a castle. So when we started planning our Peloponnese road trip and kept seeing Monemvasia pop up in other travelers’ recommendations, we knew this was our chance. Monemvasia might not have a massive archaeological site like the Acropolis in Athens or a sprawling fortress like Acrocorinth in Corinth, but it stands out in its own way. What makes it special is the total immersion, like you’ve been transported straight back into ancient Greece. And after spending a few days wandering the stone alleyways, staying inside the castle walls, and soaking up the history, we’ve put together the best things to do in Monemvasia to help make your trip just as unforgettable as ours!

Is Monemvasia Worth Visiting?

You can probably tell from our excitement in our intro that we absolutely loved our experience in Monemvasia and believe it is 100% worth visiting!

In fact, out of everywhere we visited on our Peloponnese road trip, from Nafplio and Corinth to Mystra, Gythio, Methoni, and Messini, Monemvasia was easily one of our favourites! 

Maybe it was finally getting to live our childhood dream of staying in a castle, or the peaceful maze of cobblestone streets, or waking up to the breathtaking views of the sea and fortress walls every morning, but this place completely stole our hearts. It does require a bit of a detour from the typical Peloponnese route, but trust us, it’s more than worth the extra drive. 

Where To Stay in Monemvasia

As you’ll see below, one of the best things to do in Monemvasia is the experience of staying inside the castle walls and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere once the crowds disappear. Monemvasia ended up being one of our favourite stops on our Peloponnese road trip not because of a single impressive site, but because you can literally live inside the historical ruins and feel the town’s history all around you. But we’ll get into more of that later. 

First, let’s take a look at some of the most worthwhile places to stay in Monemvasia.

And before we go any further, here’s a crucial tip: make sure to stay on the actual island of Monemvasia, not in the neighbouring town of Gefira. We almost booked in Gefira for the cheaper prices, but we are SO glad we didn’t. Staying in Monemvasia itself (within the castle walls) is absolutely worth it, no hesitation!

9 Best Things to do in Monemvasia

Below we’ll share our most memorable 9 things to do in Monemvasia, Greece. You won’t find iconic landmarks in this list, but every experience is soaked in the rich history and culture of this ancient town!

1) Stay at a historical hotel within the Castle walls

Truly the best way to experience Monemvasia is to stay inside the castle walls at one of the historic hotels! Because the town is built on a hill, almost every property offers sweeping views over the rooftops, the sea, and the dramatic castle walls wrapping around the island. It honestly felt like walking through King’s Landing in a scene of Game of Thrones! 

Another huge perk of staying inside the castle is getting to enjoy the town after all the day tripper have left. Without the crowds, the narrow cobblestone streets turn quiet and you can really soak in the history all around you! 

We stayed at Malvasia Traditional Hotel which was one of the more affordable options and loved our stay there. We had chosen a budget room without an direct views, but breakfast every morning was served in another building higher up on the hill, where you can eat while soaking in incredible sea views. So even on a budget, you can still get that “wow” moment!

2) Hike up to the Holy Church of Hagia Sophia

Monemvasia is split into an upper town and a lower town, connected by a single set of narrow, winding pathways. One of the best ways to appreciate the scale and dramatic setting of the town is to hike up to the upper town, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over the castle rooftops and 360-degree ocean vistas. 

Once at the top, make sure to also visit the Holy Church of Hagia Sophia. Scattered throughout the upper town are the ruins and remnants of the city that once existed. But the area around Hagia Sophia contains some of the best-preserved remains and gives you a real sense of the town’s history.

We would recommend timing your visit closer to sunset when the sunlight is softer, and you can admire the city lighting up in a warm golden-orange glow! Plan to spend around 2 hours up there. 

3) Wander the charming streets of Monemvasia

The charm of the cobbled streets of Monemvasia are unbeatable!

As you explore the town, make sure to wander and get lost beyond the main street. Cutting through the Town, the Central street is where you’ll find all the boutique shops, restaurants, but also all the tourist crowds! Instead, wander through the Lower street (shown in blue on the map) and let yourself get lost among the stone archways and hidden corners. Trust me, it will literally feel like you’re navigating through a maze and ducking through tunnels and entranceways.

Eventually you’ll arrive at the lower castle walls where the town meets the sea! Walking along the walls and looking up at the layers of houses rising toward the upper town gives you an incredible sense of scale and the majesty of how this fortified town once operated in its prime.

This is also where you’ll find the small entranceway leading to the Portello Cove, where you can swim right outside the castle walls! More on that next! 

4) Swim right outside the castle walls at Portello Cove

Ok, how often can you say that you swam right outside the walls of a historic castle? Probably never. Until now! We got to visit several impressive waterfront castles and fortresses along our Peloponnese road trip but in each case, it was not safe to swim in the waters due to the rugged coast and rough waves. 

Fortunately, Monemvasia is different. There is a designated area called Portello Cove where you can comfortably and safely enjoy the sea.

You walk down through the lower streets and pass through a small entranceway built into the castle walls. Once inside you will find a few flat rock platforms where you can relax and enjoy the sun. There is also a small ladder to help you enter the water. When we visited, the water was calm and fresh and you get one of the most breathtaking views as you swim out and look back towards the castle town!

We easily spent 2 hours here soaking in the sun and then cooling off in the perfect turquoise waters! 

5) Enjoy dinner on a rooftop terrace

Food makes it onto every list of best experiences in Greece, and Monemvasia is no exception. What sets it apart here is the chance to dine on a rooftop terrace with a full view of the castle town.

Our favourite spot for this was Karoni located right beside the main plaza! From the terrace you can see the white church, the central square, and wide open views of the sea. We arrived a little earlier in the evening to secure one of the better seats on the rooftop terrace.

When you go, make sure to ask for the rooftop terrace as they have several other indoor and outdoor seating areas as well. We spent the evening enjoying great food and taking in the beautiful views.

It was one of those travel moments that made us pause and appreciate how special it is to experience a place like this.

6) Explore the Upper town of Monemvasia

We’ve already recommended visiting Hagia Sophia in the upper town, but it is worth mentioning that there is much more to explore beyond this famous church. We spent most of our time in the central and Eastern part of the Upper town, but there is also the rugged Western part where you’ll find the Acropolis of Monemvasia.

During our visit, we didn’t get the chance to explore the Western sector since we were running out of time and preferred instead to just enjoy the sunset views right from the scenic viewpoint of Hagia Sophia!  

7) Admire the view from the Winding steps to Upper Town

As you make your way up to the Upper Town, make sure to spend some time enjoying the views from the winding steps! Here the pathway zigzags up the steep mountainside, and with every turn, the views of the castle town below get even more impressive! This is also a really fun spot to take photos from where you can frame your subject with the castle walls in the background!

This post is part of our series about traveling through the Peloponnese. If you want to learn more about the Peloponnese, planning a road trip itinerary, best things to do and more, check out the guides below:

14 Unforgettable Things to do in Nafplio, Greece

9 Best Things to do in Corinth, Greece (2026)

2 Days in Athens: The Ultimate Itinerary for an Unforgettable Trip

Peloponnese Road Trip: 14 Days Greece Itinerary (2026)

8) Visit the Lighthouse and East castle walls

This is one of the experiences we didn’t see many other tourists doing. Head over to the Eastern Castle gates and you’ll get a sense of just how fortified this town was. Then once through the gate, It’ll be around a 10 minute walk to reach the Monemvasia lighthouse. There is a hiking trail that loops around the entire island but we would not recommend it since the trails are not well maintained and can be challenging to navigate.

9) Day Trip to Kinsterna Hotel and join in their experiences

Monemvasia is quite remote in location and not the ideal spot for day trips to Nafplio, Corinth, Mycenae or other famous archeological sites. However, one place we would recommend doing a day trip to (or maybe even spend a night or two there) is Kinsterna Hotel!

They have one of the most stunning mansion vineyard estates we’ve ever seen and there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy. Whether you want to explore the countryside on horseback or by horse-drawn carriage, try your hand at baking country bread or join a cooking class, or simply relax with some olive oil and wine tasting, Kinsterna has something for everyone!

Kinsterna Hotel is ideal for couples, honeymooners, or anyone seeking a relaxing all-inclusive escape packed with delicious food and memorable activities.

Best Day Trips from Monemvasia

If you will be spending a few days in Monemvasia like we did and you want to explore beyond the castle walls, there are a few worthwhile trips you can include in your itinerary:

Day Trip to Kastania Cave

Kastania Cave is a stunning underground wonder just a short drive from Monemvasia. Here you’ll find incredible rock formations, giant columns, and colourful crystalline limestone shaped over three million years. It’s a super impressive cave to visit but keep in mind they are only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM to 5PM. 

Monemvasia Winery

Just a short 15 minute drive from Monemvasia, you’ll find one of the most famous wineries of the region, Tsimbidi. They are open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10AM to 4PM and offer several wine tasting options ranging from 15euros to 25 euros.  

Elafonisos Island – Blue beaches

Elafonisos Island is a tiny gem in the Peloponnese, famous for its Caribbean-like beaches and crystal-clear waters. It’s just a 15-minute ferry ride from this port, which you can reach by car in around 40 minutes. 

Mystras – Mysterious Mountain Monastery

About 1.5 hours north-west of Monemvasia, this abandoned Byzantine town and fortress is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. We spent two nights in the Mystras region before arriving in Monemvasia and loved how it revealed a completely different side of the Peloponnese, one of mountain landscapes shrouded in mysterious fog!

Gytheo – Port Town

Gytheio is a charming harbour town in the rugged Mani region. Its Mavrovouni Beach is not only a nesting site for endangered sea turtles but also home to an intriguing shipwreck. The town is about an 75 minutes from Monemvasia by car. We spent 2 nights in the Gytheio region and although it wasn’t our favourite stop of the Peloponnese road trip, one experience that turned out to be a highlight was renting a boat and exploring the turquoise coast on our own! 

Recommended Monemvasia Itinerary

Ok, now that you know all the amazing things to do in Monemvasia, the next thing to figure out is how to plan your itinerary there. We’ll cover 2 most common scenarios. Whether you’re visiting as a day trip, or spending at least one night there.

Monemvasia Day Trip Itinerary

If you’re only visiting as a day trip, then we would recommend arriving as early as possible. One reason is to make the most of your day there, but another huge factor is finding parking. Parking is very limited near the castle gates so if you arrive late, then you’ll need to park near the town of Gefyra which is about a 30-40 minute walk to the castle gates.

With one day in Monemvasia, we would recommend the follow this 1 day itinerary:

• Arrive early in Monemvasia and head straight up to the Upper Town and see Hagia Sophia before it gets too hot
• Then come back down and walk along the Main street, exploring boutique stores
• Once it is afternoon and hot outside, head down to Portello for a swim outside the castle gates. Spend 1-2 hours there.
• If you have time, enjoy an early dinner at Karoni with the rooftop terrace views.
• Depart from Monemvasia before it gets too dark.

Monemvasia 2 day Itinerary

If like us, you will be spending at least one night in Monemvasia (which we highly recommend), then you can follow this itinerary. You will have more time to explore at a comfortable pace and we suggest doing only one main activity per day.

• For Day 1, focus on exploring the Main street, Lower street, and swimming at Portello. You can then end the day dining at Karoni. We suggest swimming on the first day since you’ll want to shower afterward, and you still have your hotel room for the night.
• For Day 2, enjoy a later breakfast admiring the views from the terrace, then explore the Eastern Castle Gates and the lighthouse. For sunset, head up to Upper Town and Hagia Sophia.
• If you have more days, then we would recommend going to explore the Kastania Cave or a day trip to Kinsterna Hotel to enjoy one of their activities. The most interesting activities include horseback riding, baking your own bread, cooking class, or wine tasting.

How to get to Monemvasia

We included 2 nights in Monemvasia as part of our Peloponnese road trip. Our journey started in Athens, then 2 nights in Corinth, then 4 nights in Nafplio, 2 nights in Mystra, before arriving in Monemvasia. After Monemvasia, we continued on to Gytheo, Methoni, and Messene, before returning to Athens and spending a few nights there. 

Reaching Monemvasia is almost impossible without having your own rental car or booking a private tour. We rented our car directly from Athens airport to start our road trip and feel like it is the best way to explore the Peloponnese. Apparently there are KTEL local buses that do connect Monemvasia to other local towns like Sparta but the schedules are inconsistent and unreliable. 

How Long to Visit Monemvasia

We would highly recommend spending at least 1 night in Monemvasia to experience the historical town after all the cruise and day trip visitors have departed. We ended up spending 2 nights and felt like that was the perfect amount of time. If given a few more days, we would’ve happily added on some of those day trips like horseback riding at Kinsterna Hotel and a visit to Elafonisos island! 

Using WISE card in Greece

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.

Recap: Best Things to do in Monemvasia

Monemvasia fulfilled one of our childhood dreams of living within a castle! The town is charming, historic, and full of culture, and it gave us one of the most relaxing stays of our entire Peloponnese road trip. We saw so many travelers recommending Monemvasia, and now we completely understand why. Hopefully, you’ll get to visit this magical town and have an equally unforgettable experience!

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