I've read a few suggestions from people that when touring Mystras, we should start at the "top" and work our way down so we don't have to walk up hill. I have 2 questions about this: First, is there a parking lot near the "top" entrance? and second, once we've made our way through the ruins to the "bottom" wouldn't we have to walk back up to get our car or is there another way? Thanks for any tips on this. We're going to be travelling with our 2 kids so I like to have some idea of what to expect. Also, are there official guides for hire at the entrance?

Hi

We visited Mystras as part of a tour. The coach parked in a parking area at the bottom. We didn't make it to the top. Most of the site is at the lower level. We were really enthralled by it - beautifully preserved Byzantian site. I don't think we missed that much not making it to the top.

We have visited Mystras a couple of times. There are 2 entrances, one near the bottom and the other about half way up. We parked at the higher one last time. I don't think it makes too much difference, it's a large site and if you want to see all of it allow plenty of time. It is a bit of a trek right to top - the first time, it was very hot and I didn't bother going all the way up.

There isn't much in the way of facilities, I think that even WCs are at the main car park, rather than onsite. This may change as there was a lot of restoration work going on at the main palace which wasn't open last year but I don't know what visitor facilities (if any) are planned there. There were drinking water fountains throughout but thats about it. I don't remember guides but then I wasn't looking for any. It is a fascinating site and well worth visiting - it was especially beautiful in spring.

These sites have some interesting information on Mystras:

http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh351.jsp?obj_id=2397
http://www.laconia.org/Mystra1_intro.htm

I have a few pictures of Mystras last spring on here:

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/296138/index.html

Thanks both for the information. I appreciate it. Anyone know if there is a good place to stop for lunch nearby without driving into Sparta proper?

I'm pretty certain that we passed tavernas in the nearby modern village of Nea Mystra.

Xenia is on the road heading to the ruins. It's hip and lovely, with an amazing vista of the surrounding area. Part resto part ice cream parlour and hopping on summer nights.

Definitely recommend Xenia. John and his brothers own the place. The lived in the US for years (don't hold it against them haha, but they are the warmest most amazing men.

Most of the tour buses stop at the first entrance to Mystras. Based on that alone we decided to go to the to the top to avoid the crowds.
From the top you can climb up to the fortress and then head down to the overlook on the old town and the Despots palace which is being reconstructed, it was not finished in May 2006 when we were last there. From the palace continue down to a couple of the monistaries but stop at the entrance to the lower town. From there we headed back up to our car and drove down to the lower entrance and explored the rest of the site from there. It is a very long climb back up to the top from the lower town and I certaily would not recommend it to anyone. it will make a delightful visit a misery. Splitting our visit was a very god idea for us.

Once you leave the site there is a very good taverna about a kilometer away. It has good food and beer. What more could a weary traveller desire.

We have pictures of Mysatras at:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/551988174qxbTNw

I am originally from Mystras....those are amazing pictures. I'm going back to visit this fall and your pics are getting me excited.

Thank you I hope the pictures will sustain you until you can return to Mystras.