Monemvasia
80 NM southwest of Athens
A unique village / fortress combination perched on a magnificent rock and connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway approximately 200m long. Surviving from Medieval times when it was a powerful fortress, the site was fought over and controlled by different powers for roughly 1200 years.
The tiny village is accessible only by foot due to the walls and doorways of the fortifications being too restrictive for motor vehicles. Once inside the walls be prepared for an almost fairy-tale ambiance as you walk through the maze-like streets. Climbing to the top of the rock is a must for the adventurous where you can explore the perimeter walls of the old fortress and the Byzantine church of Hagia Sophia. Back down in the village there are plenty of great places to eat and drink, with most offering fantastic views of the sea below, and the shops in Monemvasia consistently surprise me with some of the most unique merchandise you’ll see.
