Getting from Astypalaia to Monemvasia

If you are heading to Monemvasia from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to a medieval fortress town on the southeastern Peloponnese coast, on the opposite side of Greece. It is built entirely on a massive rock connected to the mainland by a single causeway with Byzantine churches and narrow lanes that have changed little in centuries.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Astypalaia to Monemvasia. Monemvasia is accessible only by road. Getting there means taking the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus, which runs around 5 times a week and takes around 8 to 12 hours, and then driving or taking the KTEL bus south through the Peloponnese to Monemvasia, which takes around 4 to 4.5 hours from Athens via Corinth, Tripoli and Sparta.

Getting there by air

Monemvasia has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Astypalaia to Athens and then driving or taking the KTEL bus to Monemvasia gives a total journey time of around 7 to 8 hours. The KTEL bus from Athens Kifissos terminal runs to Monemvasia via Sparta and takes around 4.5 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Astypalaia to Athens and drive or take the KTEL bus south to Monemvasia. Monemvasia rewards at least two nights. The town reveals itself slowly once the day visitors leave in the evening and the streets inside the walls become entirely your own. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus and drive south through the Peloponnese to Monemvasia.