Monemvasia: Gibraltar of the East
From Nafplio we set off to visit Monemvasia, also known as the "Gibraltar of the East". Monemvasia is a peninsula in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese, famous for its picturesque medieval fortress.
- Monemvasia was founded in the 6th century during the Byzantine period, as a refuge from invasions.
- It is connected to the mainland only via a narrow causeway, which is why the name means "one entrance" in Greek.
- The city is known for its impressive architecture, including walls, churches, traditional stone houses and narrow streets.
- At the top of the cliff stands the Church of St. Sophia, one of the most notable historical landmarks in Monemvasia, offering a magnificent view of the sea.
Monemvasia today retains its medieval charm and is a popular tourist destination that truly impresses every visitor. Including us!
I recommend that you allow at least two hours for your visit. You can park in front of the embankment (it's about a 20-minute walk to the village on an asphalt road - the town itself is then closed to traffic) or you can explore the place on foot along it.
Elafonisos: a restless night on the wild side
After visiting Monemvasia, we went to the small island of Elafonisos, where we slept like crazy. There is a ferry to the island, the ride costs €18 and you cross the sea in ten minutes. Elafonisos is known for its beautiful beaches (Simos and Panagia are the most famous) and crystal clear sea.
Simos Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, known for its white sand and turquoise sea. The island is very small and popular with tourists due to its unspoiled nature and peaceful atmosphere. The island has 300 permanent residents. The island has only one main settlement, where most of the services and infrastructure are located. The roads on the island are limited and mainly lead to key points such as beaches and settlements. Elafonisos is ideal for those looking for less popular tourist destinations, peace and natural beauty.
There are two campsites on the island. They were closed at the time of our visit (early May). We also had some problems with the weather. Unfortunately, there was a strong wind at night, with gusts between 40 and 60 km/h, which made it difficult for us to sleep. The tent rattled and creaked all night. We spent the morning on Simos beach, then drove around the island in half an hour and left it at noon (a little sad).
Kalamata: the heart of the Peloponnese
Our journey continued to Kalamata, where we stayed at the small family campsite Fare, just a few meters from the sea. The beach in Kalamata is long and pebbly, and the city is full of history and culture. Here we also swam in the sea (the water was a refreshing 18 degrees) and washed all our dirty clothes.
- Kalamata is the second largest city in the Peloponnese
- The city is known for its production of olives and olive oil, especially Kalamata olives, which are popular all over the world.
- Kalamata olives are large, fleshy and dark purple in colour, known for their rich and fruity flavour. They are named after the city of Kalamata, although they grow in a wider region. They are protected by a designation of origin, meaning they must be grown, processed and prepared in a specific region to be labelled with this name. These olives are often used in salads, preparations or as a snack. They are also a key ingredient in traditional Greek salad. The harvesting of Kalamata olives is a special process, usually carried out by hand, to preserve the quality and integrity of the fruit. The olives are harvested when they have reached FULL RIPENESS and have acquired their characteristic dark purple colour. They are harvested BY HAND, as only manual harvesting ensures that they are not damaged, which is essential for the subsequent processing process.
Kalamata also has a rich history, with archaeological sites, a medieval castle, and beautiful churches. I explored the city on my own while running, enjoying the views of the sea and the surrounding hills.
