tidy

We are driving to Monemvasia today and could stop at either Mystras or Ancient Nemea but time for only one site. I was thinking Mystras. If we stop there which of the churches would you visiting if we only want to spend 2-3 hours there.
I should say that we are later visiting the monasteries in Meterora and also Olympia so may each of these options are very similar. Thank you

stanbr

They are two totally different sites. Nemia is much older and quite small with the main site quite compact with the restored temple and museum. Just a couple of kilometers away you will find the stadium.
Total time required about an hour.

Mystras is a much more complex site with cathedrals flowing down the mountainside. We spent over 4 hours there and didn't finish the whole site.

This is the first time I have heard anyone compare Mystras with Meteora. They are totally different. There is really no comparison between Olympia and Nemia Olympia wins every time unless the 5 hour drive each way to Olympia is a problem.

If I had to do it again I would do Mystras however given the time it takes if you only plan an overnight in Monemvassia I would suggest you do Nemia so you will have sufficient time in Monemvassia it is special as well. Tough choices.

Everything but Olympia are in this album
Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094108982/

tidy

Stanbr, I was hoping you'd reply, thank you. Did you walk to and from each of the cathedrals or take a taxi up and walk down?

stanbr

We drove to the top entrance visited the fortress and the upper cathedrals and walked probably half way down the mountain then returned to the top drove the car tot he bottom entrance and started waling back up. I am pretty sure we didn't make it up as far as we came down but that just leaves us something to visit next time.

HappyTrvlr

Mystras is Byzantine so a change from the other antiquities in the PeloponneseanPeninsula. Our Greek friends told us it was a "must see" and we agree. We parked at the rop, walked all the way down and walked back to car. We spent the night in Sparta, a last minute decision which worked well for us.

uppsala30

Stanbr, do you have a trip report to go with your awesome pictures? I did a similar trip two years ago w my daughter, an archeologist.
Thanks

RubyTwins

Just returned and loved Mystras. As above, it is a great break from antiquities. We parked in the lower town. Explored everything... poked in and out of the various Churches (they are really TINY). Then we ate a packed lunch outside the gates on the stone wall and we DROVE up to the upper town because climbing to the very top took longer than expected. We then drove back to Nafplio. BRING WATER

halfapair

@Tidy - thank you for posting this question. We are getting ready for a trip to Greece and because I saw your question and the great replies I have added Mystras to our itinerary.

Fodorites really are the best source of information.

Thank you to @RubyTwins, @stanbr, and @HappyTvlr for your answers.

tidy

Stay be, thanks again for your advice. Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you but we have been busy. We ended up doing Mystras and LOVED it. We drove to the lower section first and walked around that area pretty thoroughly. Then drove to the top and only saw a few sites because of time restraints. I am so glad we visited it . We will visit Meterora in two days. Loving Greece.