Tour Paleokastro Monastery on Mykonos

Written by Greek Boston in About Mykonos, Greece, Greek Travel Guide Comments Off on Tour Paleokastro Monastery on Mykonos

The Greek Island of Mykonos is filled with history, beauty, and mystery. It’s the perfect destination for a romantic vacation or a trip with friends and family. Whether you’re interested in exploring archaeological sites or the landmarks of the island, you will find something to keep you entertained. The island of Mykonos is also perfect for the adventurous traveler. You can go diving, kite surfing, or horseback riding.

If you’re in the mood for a little history, you will surely enjoy the monasteries of Mykonos Island. One of these the Monastery of Paleokastro. Here’s what you will want to know about the Monastery of Paleokastro in Mykonos, Greece.

About the Monastery of Paleokastro in Mykonos

Built during the 18th century and located on a hill close to Ano Mera, the Monastery of Paleokastro is a nunnery. The architecture of the monastery is typical of the Cyclades. The monastery takes its name from Paleokastro a medieval castle, early Byzantine, that is on a neighboring hill. This castle called Gizi Castle sits on the remains of an ancient fortress. Just steps from the monastery is the Church of Agio Vlassis, which features a large pigeon house as well as a prehistoric burial monument that stands three meters high. The area where the Monastery of Paleokastro is located is known to be one of the two large settlements during ancient times.

Tour the Paleokastro Monastery

There are different ways you can explore the Monastery of Paleokastro. You can explore the monastery on your own and take your time admiring every nook and cranny as well as the surrounding area. If you’re the adventurous type, you might enjoy a self-drive 4×4 tour of Mykonos that includes a stop at the Monastery of Paleokastro.

Choosing this type of tour will expose you not only to the monastery, but to other stops such as beaches, and the port of Mykonos. A benefit to taking a tour such as this is that you will learn the history of the island along the way from a professional guide. This can also be a wonderful way to see Ano Mera. As the second largest town in Mykonos, Ano Mera has shops, restaurants, cafés, and attractions including Gyzi Castle.

Getting to Paleokastro Monastery

To get to Paleokastro Monastery you must first get to the island of Mykonos. You can get to Mykonos by plane or by ferry. A flight from Athens takes about 30 minutes and a ferry from Athens can take between 3 and 5 hours. Either choice is going to impress you with the views they have to offer. Once on the island of Mykonos, you have to make your way to Ano Mera. Ano Mera is located near the center of the island of Mykonos and just a 30 minute drive from Mykonos Town. Ano Mera can also be reached by public transportation.

Touring Paleokastro Monastery is worth your time during your trip to Mykonos, Greece.

Categorized in: About Mykonos, Greece, Greek Travel Guide

This post was written by Greek Boston