5 days on the beaches of Monemvasia

Sponsored by Municipality of Monemvasia

You don't need a passport. You’ll just need a swimsuit, sunscreen and five days off - maybe six, to process the shock of returning home. Monemvasia is not just a destination.

It's an experience. It's a postcard of a summer that doesn't want to end, with beaches that change style every hour of the day.

From the absolute serenity of dawn, to the beach party of the dusk, and finally to the big moment: when the sun dives, like a fireball, into the waters of the Myrtoo sea, applauded by selfie sticks and wine in plastic cups.

Day 1: Period piece setting with the castle in the background – Ampelakia beach

It's time to introduce you to Ampelakia. A secret beach that slips away from the general norm and reminds you that beauty doesn't need excesses to enchant you.

It has fine pebbles so smooth and so bright that it looks like sand from a distance. With crystal clear, deep blue waters that invite you to be lost in them. And with a light touch of organization - a few deck chairs, a few wicker umbrellas, a discreet beach bar that just adds to the harmony.

And if you wake up early, for the sake of sunrise, get ready for magic. The sun rises through the sea, painting the horizon with colors made of fire and dream. In Ampelakia beach, the first light of day is not just beautiful; it is captivating. It’s a small miracle, every morning.

This is not just a good beach of the area.  It's the reason to travel all the way to Monemvasia.

Day 2: Two diamonds hidden in nature - Vlychada & Balogheri beach

You take the road to Rychia, but don't go to the village. You’re going for the ultimate turn to the seclusion.

Vlychada beach stretches wide and white among forest covered slopes, like a painting by Monet if he had been born in Laconia, with its street food canteen having everything you need to replenish your supplies and spend a dreamy day there.

Balogheri, on the contrary, is the most secret creek ever: enclosed, rocky, with green waters that scream “icy but totally worth the dive”. No canteen, no sign, no annoying people. It’s just you, your flip-flops and the wild silence.

Day 3: Family business with comforts - Archangelos & Bozas beach

If you have little ones or want to be kids again, then Archangelos is your salvation. It’s a sandy, friendly, blue-flagged beach with umbrellas to let so that you keep the stress away. Behind every towel, a cafe or a bar winks at you to lure you in.

Bozas is a different story: a beach that is a feast for the eyes, with golden sand that spreads generously and waters that invite you to endless dives. In this place, archaeologists suspect that the ancient city of Asopos once flourished - and if you let your imagination run wild for a while, you might hear it whispering stories amidst the crashing waves.

The beach is organized, with a beach volley court for those who need to constantly move, but also with a café-restaurant that makes sure you don't miss anything. So you don't have to part with the landscape, not even for a moment.

It's a destination for all ages, from children digging sandcastles to adults relaxing with a book in hand and the sun in their hearts. Whatever sports you love, here you will find the space and the mood to enjoy them.

Day 4: Youthful energy and summer groove - Tigania and Pounta beach

Tigania beach is what you want your holiday to be like when you're 20: huge, sandy, slightly chaotic, and always ready to dance.

The southern part is a beach bar addict's paradise: sunbeds, cool waters (thanks to the underground splash pools), music and volleyball. If you love beach life, this is where your friends will find you.

Further north, however, the waters get warm, the pace drops and the place turns into an ideal setting for families or simple lovers of peace and quiet. Whatever you choose, you'll be in the right spot.

Punta: At the southeastern tip of the Peloponnese, where the land overlooks Elafonisos, lies Pounta - a beach that needs no fancy words to captivate you. It’s one of the most impressive corners of Laconia where nature seems to have created a place with rare diligence.

It is a large sandy beach, open and welcoming, ideal for families and young explorers who build sand castles and chase seagulls with their buckets. But Punta doesn't stop there. It stands out for its imposing dunes - undulating, almost Arabian -that transform the landscape into a setting of another era, almost metaphysical.

And if you descend towards its southern end, a treasure buried in the light awaits you: the ruins of Pavlopetri. The oldest sunken city in the world is not located in some inaccessible sea; it is here, beneath the waters of the Punta. A simple mask and a snorkel are all you need to swim over streets, foundations and tombs that have endured for millennia.

Day 5: Enter the depths of history - Plytra & Mangano beach

Plytra is not just a beach. It is a whole microcosm.Choose between a guesthouse, a hotel or a house of friends and start your tour. Pachia Ammos beach is organized, cosmopolitan and - of course - award-winning. But the best part is the sunken city.

With a simple mask you can see foundations, streets and - perhaps, if you have enough imagination - an ancient man beckoning you to mind the railing.

A few kilometers further on, Mangano awaits you: endless sandy, golden, shallow waters and a laid-back vibe that makes you forget what day it is. Here, next to the oldest submerged city in the world, Pavlopetri, you swim with the awareness that you are stepping into history.

What if you have an extra day? Keep notes

Neapoli: Everything you need for city beach lovers, with an organized coastline, infrastructure and... caretta-caretta turtles. Yes, you read that right. It's also a breeding ground for the famous sea turtles.

Marathias: It's the well-kept secret of those who know where to go when the north wind blows. It’s perfect for families, racquet games and endless diving.

Kakkavos: The city beach of the new Monemvasia, with sunbeds, coffee, a rocky backdrop and a “let's go for a quick dive before lunch” vibe. It’s perfect for Instagram poses too.

Useful Tips (and some summer wisdom)

North wind vs. South wind: Monemvasia's beaches play with the wind. Looking for protection from the north wind? Go to Plytra or Archangelos beaches. Is there a south wind? Don't go to Mangano beach - unless you have a passion for waves.

If you're into hiking: Many beaches have trails worth exploring. Wear shoes and bring a hat. You're not taking part in beauty pageants; you're going for the experience.

Don't be in a hurry to leave: The sun doesn't just set here. It's putting on a show. The kind you never want to end.

Epilogue: five days are never enough

Monemvasia does not let you leave that easily. Not only because it has over 50 beaches, which you can't catch up with in just two weeks, but because each wave carries fractions of time.

Something from your past and something from the summer you always wanted to experience. And just like that, when the sun dips for the last time in the Myrtoo Sea, you will be sitting with salt on your skin and a smile on your lips, giving a promise to yourself: next year, sooner. And we’ll stay longer this time.