Where to Stay in Monemvasia and Elafonisos

Monemvasia is one of the most magical places in Greece: a Byzantine castle town hidden on the seaward side of a huge rock, joined to the mainland by a narrow causeway, with no cars inside its walls and the church of Agia Sofia on the plateau above. Just to the south, Elafonisos is a small island famous for the white sand and turquoise water of Simos beach. Here is how to choose where to stay, and the partner hotels we book for our guests.

Inside the castle, outside, or on Elafonisos?

Inside the castle town of Monemvasia – historic stone houses in the car-free lanes. Unforgettable evenings and mornings when the day visitors have gone; you walk in from the gate with your luggage.
Just outside Monemvasia – on the mainland, with gardens, pools and parking, and views across to the rock. Ideal if you have a car or want a resort-style stay.
Elafonisos – for beach days, sunsets and a slower island rhythm, about an hour south of Monemvasia plus a 10-minute ferry ride.

Our partner hotels in Monemvasia and Elafonisos

We work directly with these four properties. All prices on request – we send you a personal offer.

Malvasia Traditional Hotels, Monemvasia

Best for: sleeping inside the car-free castle town

Three historic houses inside the walls – including the Stellakis Mansion on the sea wall and the Ritsos Guesthouse above the Portello sea gate. Cobbled lanes and quiet evenings.

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Ardamis Traditional Guest Houses, Monemvasia

Best for: history lovers who want stone walls and vaulted ceilings

In one of the most important buildings of the castle town, once the Venetian governor’s residence, carefully restored with its historic tower.

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Kinsterna Hotel, Monemvasia

Best for: a luxury estate with a pool and views of the rock

A 5-star boutique eco-hotel in a historic mansion on a 50-acre estate of olive groves, vineyards and citrus trees, looking across to the castle rock.

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Eight Dimensions Capari Suites, Elafonisos

Best for: beach holidays, sunsets and families

Suites at Kapari on Elafonisos, among sand dunes and cedar forest, with a garden pool suite, dunes suites and family suites.

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How to get to Monemvasia and Elafonisos

Monemvasia is about 320 km from Athens – roughly 3 hours 45 minutes by car. There is no train and buses take much longer, so the easiest way is a private transfer from Athens to Monemvasia, with a stop at Mystras or Sparta on the way if you like. For Elafonisos, our transfer from Athens to Neapoli (Pounta port) takes about 4 hours 20 minutes, and the ferry to the island about 10 minutes.

What to do

Walk the lanes of the lower town, climb to the church of Agia Sofia, and swim from the rocks below the walls.
Spend a day on Elafonisos and Simos beach.
Visit Byzantine Mystras near Sparta – read our Mystras & Monemvasia guide.
Make it part of a longer trip: Beaches of the Peloponnese in 5 days or Archaeological Peloponnese in 5 days.
Coming from the Arcadian coast? See also where to stay in Nafplio.

Frequently asked questions

Should I stay inside the castle of Monemvasia or outside?

Inside the castle town you sleep in a historic stone house in a car-free medieval town – magical in the evening when the day visitors have left, but you carry your luggage along cobbled lanes from the gate. Outside, on the mainland, you have more space, a pool and your car at the door, with views across to the rock.

How do I get to Elafonisos?

Drive or take a transfer to Pounta near Neapoli, at the southern tip of the Peloponnese, and cross on the small ferry – the crossing takes about 10 minutes. Simos beach is on the south side of the island.

Can you book the hotel together with my transfer?

Yes. Tell us your dates and the hotel you like – we check availability with our partner and send you one offer with your private transfer from Athens, tours and activities if you wish. We reply within 24 hours and nothing is booked until you accept.