The Central Driving Route

This circular route begins and ends in Monemvasia, exploring the back country with its pretty villages in the hills on the peninsula standing between the Myrtoon Sea and the Gulf of Laconia.  A beach is never more than a few minutes away, so there are plenty of opportunities to cool off in the sea.

The first stop is in the village of Velies, where there is a folklore museum, followed by a stop in Talanta to visit the restored historic watermill hidden in a thickly wooded gorge.

The road after Daimonia leads to the Laconian Gulf, with a number of options for swimming.

Recommended beach: Archangelos or Marathias

On the road south to Neapoli is the village of Pantanassa and its Byzantine church of Aghios Athanasios.  The route continues over the mountain via the villages of Koulentia and Lira to Teria, which has two of the oldest Byzantine churches in the region – the Dormition of the Virgin and Aghia Anna.

The road takes you back to Monemvasia via the beaches south of the town.

Recommended beach: Xifias