Monemvasia - General Info
Description:
Monemvasia is located on a small island off the east coast of the Peloponnese. The town’s name derives from two Greek words, mone and emvasia, meaning “single entrance”.
Often referred to as the Greek “Gibraltar”, the island of Monemvasia is connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway 200 meters in length. It’s village – Yefira – is located on the mainland.
The old fortified village is Byzantine in origin, but was rebuilt by the Venetians. Many of the old Medieval buildings have been restored and overall it is a charming place, as is the church of Ayis Sofia at the very top of the hill. You will be rewarded with incredible views.
There is an unfinished marina here with on-going works at the entrance so access is not always possible.
Position:
36° 41.11’N, 23° 02.36’E (harbour outer breakwater)
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Related to following destinations: Greece, Monemvasia, Peloponnese
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Major construction works going ón in the marina. Few berths available due to the works. Works expected to be finished for summer 2023??
The Moorings on the North side are still up and running, but really only suitable in calm weather, not good in North winds, too múch swell.
Visited twice in 2018. First time was a total nightmare; the second OK. First thing to know is that Monemvassia is fundamentally dangerous unless you are moored alongside in the “marina”.
The outer wall is exposed to the north (not a good idea) and you are dropping your anchor in 1.8m (not a good idea either). In the inner harbour your anchor won’t hold if it blows even a little bit.
The mooring area on the north side of the causeway is lethal in anything of a northerly. Do what Heikell says and head for the bays some 3Nm to the north, even if that begs the question of how to visit the wonderful old town.
SV FLY THE COOP. We stayed here for two nights and were met by Mateo, a Greek Australian who runs a taverna of the same name in the town.
He mentioned there is no charge for marina fees and not to pay anyone who asked for them. Indeed, no-one did during our stay.
Water is available at no charge (bring a long hose or double up with a fellow cruiser), there is power on the main dock (again, no charge) and free wifi in the port. Does it get any better?
Reported by SY Funny Girl – September 2016:
There is now a harbormaster in charge to collect money. The standard Greek tarif. 8,16€ for a 14-metre yacht.
Drinking water available at some parts of the quay, good quality, so some boats need long hoses. We were not charged for the water. Some places there is also Electricity at a fixed price of 4€.
We stayed at the “marina”. 50 cent per meter per day.
More from Tony Olin:
Yerekas, two hours north of Monemvasia, is a really nice anchorage and little village, with good shelter and good holding.
There is some space on the old ferry quay for several yachts, also space for a couple of yachts just to the west of the first taverna, going stern to, keeping a few meters off the quay.
There is also possible alongside mooring for very shallow draft boats here. Several good tavernas, water on the quay.
Reported by Tony Olin:
There is good docking in the harbour with good depth, but beware of rocks extending out 10 meters on the harbour side of the new mole at the entrance to the harbour.
Yachts regularly go aground at this point, very deceiving. Water available on the quay, good shopping in the town with plenty of tavernas, good supermarket twenty minutes walk outside the town, they will deliver to cruisers for free.
Docking on the quay and good anchoring off the beach to the north of the road that links the town with the walled city of Monemvasia. Don’t miss a visit to the old city, twenty minutes walk.