The Best Hotels in Monemvasia, Greece

This award-winning hotel, in an impressive Byzantine mansion on the mainland, allows you to experience authentic Laconian life. The 25-acre (10ha) estate, in the peaceful settlement of Agios Stephanos, 7km (4mi) from Monemvasia, is planted with centuries-old olive trees, eucalypts, cypresses and the famous Monemvasia oranges. There’s even a private vineyard with native Greek varietals. Each room or suite is unique, yet each features traditional hand-made embroideries, wooden ceilings covered with herringbone-patterned reeds and luxurious marble bathtubs. The hotel also offers a variety of local experiences, including exploring the estate with the chef de cuisine, and visiting a boutique weaving room.

Travellers looking for a beachside hotel on a budget will love Hotel Panorama. The simple rooms here have enviable sea views, and all have cool tile floors and air conditioning. There are 27 standard double and triple rooms, as well as two family rooms that can sleep up to five guests. If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, book one of the five two-room suites, which feature built-in king-size beds, living rooms and furnished balconies with views of the ocean and the castle. On your departure, there’s the opportunity to stock up on local souvenirs, such as wine and olive oil, at the hotel shop.

This affordable hotel is ideal if you’re looking for atmospheric accommodation within easy walking distance of Monemvasia castle without spending a fortune. The traditional rooms and apartments respect the history and architectural identity of the area, with antique furnishings, timber-beamed ceilings and stone walls, while rich textiles, linens and carpets add warmth. If you’re on a budget, opt for the ground floor or semi-basement economy rooms, none of which lack character, just a view. If you need space, go for a quadruple, split-level family room, with an outdoor seating area and excellent views. Every evening from 6pm to 8pm, the hotel serves complimentary wine in the Café Byzantine.

The Bastione Malvasia Hotel, less than a 10-minute walk from the castle, offers a variety of rooms and suites, including a cosy budget double. In keeping with its location, the hotel is built from local stone in the traditional style – think stone archways, whitewashed walls, enormous boulders emerging from walls, and intricate timber ceilings. If you’re travelling with family and want more space, book the superior family apartment, which can sleep up to five people and has a living room and kitchenette.

Looking for accommodation with a more contemporary style than Monemvasia’s many historically inspired hotels? The Iris Beach Hotel, located on the mainland an eight-minute drive from Monemvasia’s new town, is a minimalist building with beachside vibes and bright white rooms with colourful accents – and it’s pet-friendly. It’s also less than 100m (330ft) from Ambelakia Beach – perfect if you want to combine visiting the town’s cultural sites with a few beach days. Enjoy a coffee, fresh juice or a cocktail on the sea-facing terrace.

See the rock of Monemvasia from a different perspective from this casual hotel located in the new town on the mainland near the bridge that leads to the old town. The town’s pebble beach is directly in front of the hotel, and there are plenty of sandy beaches within the surrounding 5km (3mi). Many of the simply furnished rooms have sea views, and some have furnished balconies. There are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby where you can sample local cuisine, including try tsaitia (a traditional pie), gogles (local pasta) and amygdaloto and samousades (local sweets).

At the end of the main cobbled road of Monemvasia, this complex of stone buildings, restored in the mid-1980s, was one of the first hotels to open in the old castle town. Many of the rooms and suites have a private terrace and cozy fireplace, as well as antique furniture, pretty hand-painted washbasins and hand-crafted rugs – and almost every room comes with a sea view. The bar is open during the summer months. The owners also run Stellaki Mansion, a hotel in one of Monemvasia’s oldest residences, and Ritsos Guesthouse, just above the east gate of the town wall.