Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Snorkellers can see further marble remains from the site, now underwater, as well as the
wreckage of a sunken German warship.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
MONEMVASIÁ
By bus
Buses arrive in the modern mainland village of
Yéfira, from where a minibus shuttles across to the rock
every 20min (8am-midnight; €0.50). Direct buses connect
with Spárti although they are not timed to allow a day visit
from there.
Destinations
Athens (4 daily; 6hr); Spárti (3 daily; 2hr
30min).
Services
Yéfira has a bank, three ATMs, a post office and a
travel agent, Malvasia Travel (
T
27320 61752,
E
malvtrvl@
otenet.gr), which can help with rooms and scooter rental.
2
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Monemvasiá is expensive - in season and out - and from June to September you should book ahead.
Within the walls, the choice includes some very upmarket hotels, with attractively restored and traditionally furnished
rooms. For cheaper hotel options, check out Yéfira.
comfortable and personal as possible; they also go all out
with their wonderful breakfast (€6/person), best enjoyed
on the panoramic ter
race
. Wi-fi, stereos, a/c or fan. 2-4-
night minimum stay.
€85
MONEMVASIÁ
Byzantino
T
27320 61254,
W
hotelbyzantino.com.
This elegant, historic property features a range of rooms
with period details, some with balconies and sea views. It's
on the main street so noise can be a factor. All rooms with
a/c; wi-fi in the lobb
y. The
y also own the
Enetiko
café, with
a panoramic terrace.
€100
Malvasia
T
27320 61160,
W
malvasia-hotel.gr.
This
well-appointed complex occupies three separate
locations between the main street and the sea; call first
at the hotel reception, well signposted from just inside
the main gateway. Traditional stone buildings, with
comfortab
le, s
leekly modern rooms, all with a/c; wi-fi in
the lobby.
€85
Ì
To Monopati
T
27320 61772,
W
byzantine
-escapade.com.
Multilingual Isabelle and Christos are
devoted to “The Rock” and to making their lodgings (follow
the signs up from the main commerical lane) as
YÉFIRA
Filoxenia
T
27320 61716,
W
filoxenia-monemvasia
.gr.
Located just north of the causeway, this modern hotel
has comfortable rooms with a/c and large balco
nies
with
views of the sea and the Rock. Breakfast included.
€60
Flower of Monemvasia
T
27320 61395,
W
flower-
hotel.gr.
Just inland of the road, this pleasant, red-tile-
roofed property has rooms with kitchenette, a/
c an
d
balconies with panoramic views. Breakfast included.
€70
Pramataris
T
27320 61833,
W
pramatarishotel.gr.
Friendly and comfortable hotel with some balconies
overlooking the sea. Rooms have fridges, a/
c an
d other
amenities. Excellent buffet breakfast included.
€60
EATING AND DRINKING
Monemvasiá restaurants are generally excellent, with prices to match. Several good tavernas for seafood are found in
Yéfira. For nightlife, try the popular
Rock Café
bar on the southern seafront.
Matoula
Monemvasiá central lane
T
27320 61660,
W
matoula.gr.
This taverna offers both excellent food and
a leafy garden overlooking the sea. Main courses here
hover around €10. Everything, including the plump
dolmádhes, is home-made.
Daily lunch & dinner. Closed
two weeks in winter.
Trata
Yéfira
T
27320 62084.
Just at the beginning of the
causeway, this seafood taverna is in an inviting converted
fisherman's hut. Expect to pay about €20/person, more for
fresh fish.
Daily lunch & dinner.
Neápoli
NEÁPOLI
(full name Neápoli Vión), 42km south of Monemvasiá, is a mix of old
buildings and modern Greek concrete behind a grey-sand beach with views of
Kýthira
and
Elafónissos
islands - and really only of interest for its ferry connections to these
islands. For such an out-of-the-way place, however, it is surprisingly developed,
catering mostly to Greek holiday-makers. Neápoli
beach
extends northwest to Vingláfia
village and the little harbour of
Poúnda
, some 8km west of Neápoli, which has frequent
vehicle ferry crossings over the short strait to Elafónissos island, a popular day-trip.
