mystras

If you have 2 cars , enter from upper entrance and move one car to the main (lower) entrance. The whole place is fantastic.

I first reviewed Mystras in 2012 while cycling in the area and have just returned. This time the visit was by coach and this had the advantage that we were dropped off at the top entrance and then picked up at the lower entrance. A climb to the castle is worth while if only for the view, but is hard going if you are not fit and do not have suitable footware. The path down is relatively easy and most of the attractions can be visited by short detours off the main path. Wonderful Byzantine buildings in good repair make it a photographer's paradise, so remember the camera!

Must see around Sparta, great castle, byzantine churches and walls! Must take the walk in the morning or evenings, as it gets really hot!

So happy I was in the area and dropped in to take a look. Very impressive and well worth the 5 euro. Museum is very small but the area is beautifull and there is a lot to see. Unfortunately two of the exhibits were closed but a great way to spen a half day.

Of all the archaeological sites visited in Greece, I really felt like we went back in time here. Breathtaking ruins surrounded by gorgeous landscape.

Bring good walking shoes as the hillsides of the city ruins are steep. Great history and worthy of exploration.

I am a Mistra historian. This is my emotional home. Unfortunately I have become lame in my 70s & it is a difficult place to walk. People with walking issues should be warned.

The mistras site is famousA lot of history behind it in relation to Byzantine EraThe size of the site is very big for Greek standardsHowever i must say i was a bit disappointed as most of the ruins where in bad condition and the long walk under high sun made it all worseIf properly restored will be worth the visit

Fascinating ruined Byzantine city, not as crowded as many of the other historic sites in Greece and it is easier to immerse yourself in the history. The monastery, still in use, is a must see.

The guidebooks all talk at great length about the Byzantine Churches of Mystras. What they don't say is that the Churches of Mystras, awe inspiring as they are, are only a tiny part of this amazing fortified city. We paid only a flying visit here, on our way to Kardamyli and we were blown away by the sheer scale of the site and what we saw. We will definitely have to visit again.

We went for the second time this year - the first time was an excursion on a package holiday and we didn't have long enough to see everything we wanted to. We've wanted to go back ever since. This time we were on our own and could spend as long as we wanted, the whole afternoon in fact, and even then we had to miss out a couple of bits we'd visited before. It's not a touristy kind of site, in fact it's not terribly well signposted from the main road at Sparta (otherwise we would have been there earlier!), but the relatively small number of visitors makes it even more magical. They do seem to have a small number of water taps on the site now, but basically the advice given by other reviewers still applies - wear stout shoes and something to shade your head, and take water with you or buy it from the machine near the gate at the bottom of the hill. And go to the loo while you're there! Don't expect to get into the palace building any time soon, either. They were working on it last time we went, 5 years ago, and they're still working on it now.

As part of our visit to Sparta, we spent three hours exploring the ancient hillside town of Mystras. The town overlooks the wide plain on which Sparta was located. Although one can become weary of visiting ancient ruins, Mystras offers something quite different. First is the magnificent location high on a hill. Then there is the variety of buildings in various states of preservation, some remarkably intact both structurally and decoratively including the interiors. Some nuns from one of the old orders still live at the top of the hill, and it is possible to support them by purchasing some of their needlework. The views from the top are wonderful. A considerable amount of uphill walking is necessary and it is not recommended for anyone with any sort of mobility limitations, both medical and physical. Stout footwear is necessary, either good quality runners or walking boots/shoes. Sunscreen, a hat, and a supply of water is essential, especially in hot weather. A visit to Mystras is highly recommended.

very extensive remains stretch up the steep hillside for hundreds of yards. Mainly in ruins, though some parts appear to be being restored, the settlement reaches right up to the citadel at the top. Several churches remain intact and contain fine frescoes; some are locked, others require legs and shoulders to be coveredWith lots of steps and steepish slopes to negotiate, the site is not for the less able bodied. Good placards are on display throughout describing what is in front of you.Staggering overall design of this extensive site, first built by the Byxantines

We arrived here early in the morning as part of the Cosmos tour. It was drizzling and there was cloud cover. it was incredible to know that people actually lived so high up in this mountain castle and to build it was a miracle indeed. The structures are fairly well preserved but the signage was bad from the top. I nearly got lost coming down from the top. You have to relatively fir to go up to the top to see the clouds below your feet.Exhilaration when you are at the top! You can see the whole valley and different vegetation. The museum was decent.

We visited Mystras at the first day of our vacation in Sparta. This was a very good start. We started at the bottom when all the way up with 2 small children. We started at 930 and it took us the entire morning. A must go!