My husband and I will be visiting Greece at the end of the month - June 2026. I would like some help with deciding our itinerary.
As it stands we will be traveling from Nafplio (4 nights) to Monemvasia (1 night) with a stop in Mystras (day visit). From Monemvasia we will be traveling to Kardamyli via Gytheio and head north at Neo Itilo to Kardamyli.
We are thinking about skipping Monemvasia and staying 1 night in Mystras instead and then traveling over the Langada-Taygetos Pass to Kalamata and then to Kardamyli
We have not been to Greece before and are so excited to see and do all we can while there. We are wondering if passing on Monemvasia in favor of the Langada-Taygetos Pass would be a good idea.
Any thoughts?
Posted by
3536 posts
I just went to both and both are worthwhile. I would say that you are doing a lot of driving and Monemvasia would make that longer. I also would say that if you are driving from Nafplio and stopping at Mystras, you won’t arrive until evening. Then you have a lot of driving planned for the next day so you are likely to want to start early. So not sure if stopping in Movemvasia would be worth your trouble.
We arrived about 1 pm and had lunch before driving over the bridge. We were in our room and settled by 2:30. We left the next morning at 11:30 am which was check out time. I felt like this was the right amount of time to see the town and hike to the top.
I would check on the pass you plan to drive and make sure it is open. It had been closed at some point earlier this year. Also, if you are prone to motion sickness, bring Dramamine. I took one regular Dramamine and it made a big difference without making me sleepy.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks for your insights and sound advice. I think we have decided to skip Monemvasia and will spend the night in Mystras. It was a difficult decision because Monemvasia seems fascinating but a little less time on the road is very attractive.
Posted by
150 posts
I faced the same question during my first visit to Peloponnese. I decided to visit Mystras and leave Monemvasia for another visit (which I am doing this year). Mystras is beautiful and is well worth spending a day exploring the ruins. Don't miss the convent, the only part of the site that is still inhabited, by the nuns and the cats. You may not see the nuns, but you will see the cats :) If you don't mind mountain and twisty roads, drive through Langada Pass. It's a scenic drive.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks for your reply. We are looking forward to our exploration of Mystras. And we are planning the journey along the Langada Pass on our way to Kalamata and on to Kardamyli. We will have to save Monemvasia for another time.