Gruntie’s Favrit Castles

I love castles and the Peloponnese has a fair few gooduns. What makes a ‘good’ castle is obviously subjective. It could be the actual castle itself – its majesty or history or perhaps the view from, or of it, or maybe it’s just the effort of getting there and finding it in the first place! Whatever the reasons, here are my favrit castles [in no particular order] in the Peloponnese:

[Click on the links below for more info- they open in a new tab]

MYSTRA [Laconia]

Not far from Sparta is the abandoned Byzantine hill town of Mystra which is topped by castle ruins offering stupendous views.

More info here : https://gruntiestravels.com/mystra/

GERAKI [Laconia]

The abandoned Byzantine town of Geraki is rarely visited and is just as, or possibly even more wonderful, than Mystra. Just like its better known cousin it has castle ruins at the top offering amazing views.

More info here : https://gruntiestravels.com/geraki/

MESOCHORI CASTLE [Laconia]

In the south of Laconia is Mesochori Castle which looks wonderful as you approach but is sadly rather difficult to get up close.

More info here : https://gruntiestravels.com/kastania-cave-and-area/

MONEMVASIA [Laconia]

Looming over the [not abandoned] Byzantine town of Monemvasia are the ruins of a castle which, because of the steep path, requires some effort to get to.

More info here : https://gruntiestravels.com/monemvasia/

KEFELA CASTLE [The Mani]

I love this castle which is set high above Itylo Bay. You can actually walk along the huge walls, which is a bit scary!

More info here : https://gruntiestravels.com/itylo-bay/

ZARNATA CASTLE [The Mani]

Hidden above Stavropigi is this attractive and well preserved Byzantine castle.

More info here : https://gruntiestravels.com/around-kardamyli/

KAPETENAKIS CASTLE [The Mani]

This castle is in pretty good condition as it’s only a couple of hundred years old. The views along the coast are lovely.

More info here : https://gruntiestravels.com/around-kardamyli/

ACROCORINTH [Corinthia]

Set high on a hill overlooking Ancient Corinth is this rarely visited large castle. The walls by the entrance are HUGE and the views are stunning.

More info here : https://gruntiestravels.com/acrocorinth/

LARISSA CASTLE [Argolis]

You can see this medieval castle from miles away as you head towards Nafplio passing Argos.

More info here : https://gruntiestravels.com/around-nafplio/

PALAMIDI CASTLE [Argolis]

This is the best known of the three castles in Nafplio. You can walk or drive to get there, of course driving is easier.

More info here : https://gruntiestravels.com/things-to-see-and-do-in-nafplio/

AKRONAFPLIA CASTLE [Argolis]

Set on a lower rise opposite Palamidi Castle are the ancient ruins of Akronafplia Castle. It’s less visited but offers lovely views of the bay and over Nafplio.