There are countless spots around Greece that deserve the spotlight, yet remain relatively unknown on the international scene. For overtourism-conscious travellers and lovers of nature, peace, and tranquility, this is good news. Below I have the five most underrated mainland destinations.

Monemvasia – The Gibraltar of the East

Monemvasia holds the second place in my heart. I would easily say that it is one of the most romantic cities in Greece.

Monemvasia stands out for its castle, which has two settlements and is, in my opinion, among the most well-preserved medieval fortresses, dating back to the 6th century. The fortress is located on a rocky hill around 120 meters above sea level.

There is an old town within the castle that is truly a maze of alleys to explore. It is a unique and beautiful town, steeped in history, with picturesque stone houses and narrow alleys climbing the hillside.

Inside the castle, there are 40 churches, the most famous of which are Panagia Myrtidiotissa, Panagia tis Kritikia, Agios Nikolaos, Agios Stefanos, Agios Pavlos, and Agia Anna.

I still remember the magical summer nights in that castle. The old town is incredibly beautiful at night, and I was so impressed the first time I visited. I felt as if someone had cast a spell on me—I fell in love with that city and the fortress at first sight.

That feeling made me return to Monemvasia several more times.

Photo Credit: monticelllo