5 amazing Easter destinations in Peloponnese

Is there a way to make an Easter trip even more exciting than it already is?

Think about it; in the heart of spring, as nature is covered with the most beautiful colors and the sea reflects the sunlight which after a long winter lasts finally longer than the darkness of the night and reminds us that summer is on its way.

We believe that indeed there is something more exciting than an Easter trip and that is an Easter trip to five top destinations in Peloponnese.

Monemvasia

Monemvasia is not one of the most popular Easter destinations in Greece just by chance.  The byzantine castle city looks like it is made to be lit up by candles- as it happens during the procession of the Epitaph on Holy Friday or at the night of Resurrection at the Church of Christ in Chains (Christos Elkomenos) - while the spring celebrates by filling with flowers the plateaus of the Upper City from which the view to the sea is pure magic.

One of the special traditions of the area is the burning of Juda in the evening of Easter Sunday that kids find exciting.

Apart from its Easter festivities and the local traditions, Monemvasia is an experience which you’ll live as you gaze at the sunrise from the lighthouse, climb the winding cobbled alleys that bring you to the imposing Upper City, hang out at the southern wall under a sky full of stars that hugs the pink panorama of the castle city, and if you’re brave enough by taking the first dip of the year from Portello.

There are also 10 more ways that we have gathered here- 10 unique Monemvasian experiences you must experience.

Monemvasia is not just another destination it is an experience

Nafplio

The old town of Nafplio looks like it comes out of the pictures of a fairytale, making the perfect scenery not only for spring strolling on sunshine with an ice cream at hand, but also for the Easter customs that are revived every year among the Venetian buildings of Syntagmatos Square.

This is the place where the epitaphs of the old city meet at the night of Good Friday and light up the cobbled streets with thousands of lit candles, and this is the place where a stage is set up during the Resurrection night as people gather and fill the square and its alleys.

It’s not just the Easter traditions that you can enjoy here, though: It is also one of the most beautiful and well-preserved castles in Greece, the legendary Palamidi, and the path of Arvanitia which is one of the most gorgeous walks by the sea in Peloponnese.

In addition, there is the strolling at the pier under the light of the sunset that paints Bourtzi in pink and golden colors, and the carefree walks in the alleys under the flowery balconies of the old town.

Read more about Nafplio here: Under the shadow of three castles.

Kynouria

Famous for one of the most unique resurrection customs in Greece, thousands of lantern air balloons paint the night sky orange at the Midnight of Holy Saturday, Leonidio is one of the most beautiful small towns in Peloponnese.

Nestled between the slopes of mount Parnonas and the waves of the Myrtoo Sea, under the impressive red rocks which gave it the reputation of one of the top climbing destinations in the world, it is an ideal place both for all-day strolling among its mansions and for its historically interesting discoveries in the museums as well as for its historical towers.

The villages of Kynouria hide so many surprises that you can’t fit in a four-day trip at Easter. It’s ok though. One thing is certain; once you come, you will fall in love with them and you will keep coming back.

On the one side the gorgeous mountainous villages of Tsakonia nestled in the green sides of Mt. Parnonas, and on the other side the cosmopolitan Coastal Astros and the island-like Tyros for those who already dream of swimming at the sea even at Easter, can fill plenty of vacation days with all these alternatives that few other places can do the same.

Read more about Leonidio here: How do you spell Beauty in the Tsakonian language? https://www.allaboutpeloponnisos.com/en/place/Nomos-arkadias/leonidio-2

Tyros: where Arcadia reaches the sea. https://www.allaboutpeloponnisos.com/en/place/Nomos-arkadias/turos

Kalamata

It is the norm to spend Christmas in town and Easter at the village. But those clichés are meant to be broken and Kalamata is the proof of that with its special Easter customs, like the phantasmagoric Shuttle War on the Easter Sunday and the colorful hot air balloons that rise from Rachi or Othonos Square to light up the night sky during the Holy Week.

However, it’s not just the Easter traditions the main reason that someone should spend four days in Kalamata in spring.

They’re also the strolling at the historical center, the nights spent at the beach with the city lights on the background reflected on the sea, the magic of the Frankish Castle that enjoys a panoramic view to the city, and the plenty of opportunities for quick trips in nature that is flourishing all around- from the magical waterfalls of Polymnio to the impressive archaeological site of Messini.

The most challenging thing about Kalamata and its surrounding areas is to choose which place you’ll visit and what to do first.

You can read more about Kalamata here

Mani

Its stone city oddly glitters under the candle light and the Holy Saturday’s fireworks, which are reflected on the sea, light up a landscape so dry that it could easily be compared to the Far West.

These are also just the beginning of your Easter trip to Mani. After those we have the second Resurrection on Sunday afternoon which is followed by the burning of Juda and the well-known Manian processions of Easter Monday.

Among all those you will find time for an amazing boat ride at the out-of-this-world Diros Caves, and for a couple of strolls at the stone-built alleys of Areopolis, Itilo and Gerolimenas.

Also you’ll find time for the postcard-like sunset from the top of Vatheia Hill, for hiking at the “end of the world”, Cape Tainaro, and -if you feel brave- for the first dip of the year at the freezing turquoise waters of Limeni.

Read more about Mani here.

Easter in Peloponnese

Easter in Peloponnese is the ultimate spring celebration! The landscape, the customs and the local gastronomy intertwine together to create a whole experience that it is hard to forget once you’ve lived it- whether you’re a local or a visitor.

It is not only the actual nature of Peloponnese and the culinary customs which have been created throughout the centuries from the land and its products, it is also every single one of its conquerors all these centuries that left their culinary mark there that make the tastes of “Moria” (Peloponnese) so unique! 

The culinary religious ritual of spring