This Is Sparta!

From your hotel, your first stop is the Tomb of Leonidas, which is the perfect proof that the city doesn't know how to attract tourists. There are no signs, there is no inscription, no info, just a pile of stones. Amazing for a place with so much history. Learn more about the famous Leonidas here.

The Acropolis of Ancient Sparta is to be found just outside the modern city of Sparta. It was one of the largest ancient theaters of its time, and it could hold not less than 16000(!) spectators. The theater was special not only because of its size, but also because it had a movable wooden stage.

Leonidas was the king of Sparta from 490 or 489 to 480 BC and is considered a true hero because he led a small army of Spartans in the battle at Thermopylae against the invasion of the huge army of king Xerxes I. Leonidas' army wasn't as small as 300 (what many people think) but with around 4000 men way smaller than the army of the enemy. Read the whole story here.

Enough with the ancient times already! Time to hop into the time machine and zap a little forward in time. Life wasn't all that bad in Sparta in the 19th century. Especially not for the high society. In this house museum, which you can enter for free, you can see how the upper class lived. Beware, the museum is closed on the weekend.
Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 14:00 Saturday - Sunday: closed

A bit outside of the center you can find the restaurant En Chatipi where you can enjoy your lunch. There are a lot of typical Greek dishes to choose from. And, like you might have noticed already, the portions are big in restaurants in Greece. Beware, the restaurant is closed on Sundays.
Open hours: Monday - Saturday: 11:00 - 19:00 Sunday: closed
When you are done, you can take a little stroll to the nearby church before you head to your next stop: the museum of the Olive!

During your time in Greece, you couldn't have missed the many olive trees. With their robust trunks and silvery leaves, they are seen in many places along the road. Did you know you can't just pick an olive from the tree and eat it? There is a whole process that takes place before the olive is good to eat. And what if you need olive oil? In this modern museum, you get to know more about the olive and how olive oil was and is made. It will make the little treats even better tasting as an appetizer for your next meal!
Beware, the museum is closed on Tuesdays.
After the visit to the museum, pick up your car. You are leaving Sparta and going back on the road!

While the sun is burning, it is nice to get some cover in the shade. Here you can take a walk while you can take a look at these awesome trees that provide the shades for you. Wow, those trunks are massive!

The Moustos Wetland is one of the two wetlands of Eastern Peloponnese and a significant one. It's one of the few places where you can spot migratory birds. But those are not the only animals here. There are fish, reptiles, amphibians and in winter, you can spot Caretta caretta turtles here.

After all that driving in the heat, it is nice to enjoy the shore or take a dip in the clear water of the Peloponnesian coast. There are many beaches to head for, but this one is a bit quieter than the rest. You can have a drink in the beach bar before you head off for dinner.

If you are close to the beach, why not have some tasteful fresh fish for dinner? This is the perfect place to have some. If you are not in the mood for fish, there are many other dishes to choose from.
Before or after dinner, you can walk onto the peer or on the street alongside the ocean to breathe in some salty air. Enjoy! The next stop is your hotel, so take as long as you want here.

Park your car.

A little bit of luxury never hurt anyone, so I recommend treating yourself after two days of sightseeing by sleeping in this hotel. Tomorrow you are exploring this beautiful city, but for now, it is time to dream sweet dreams. Ssssssst.