Monemvassia

The medieval town that so many tourists come to see is known for its remarkable setting on a limestone peninsula that projects from the larger Neapoli Peninsula, which is also a wonderful botanical site, with a very long list of plants found here.

Just a few are yellow asphodel, wild leek, a bellflower that forms a mat, tree spurge, and yellow horned poppy.

Birds include blue rock thrushes, nuthatches, Ruppell's warblers, short-toed eagles, peregrines, lesser kestrels and Eleonora's falcons.

The southern swallowtail butterfly breeds here, as well as two other kinds, along with quite a few other butterflies.

In spring, the beaches nearby have pink-purple stock in masses, and large patch of yellow fenugreek, along with sea heath, a rare garlic endemic to the Aegean, several orchids, and more.

Reptiles have been much studied on the mainland near Monemvassia, with many species recorded, including tortoises, terrapins, quite a few kinds of lizards and snakes.

The very rare sand boa, which is the only European member of this family (which is mostly tropical), is also found here.

The East Lakonia Mountains to the north of Monemvassia have been identified as an important bird area, with breeding birds that include Bonelli's and short-toed eagles, and some uncommon warblers, among others. These mountains are a major migratory corridor for birds, with Cape Maleas, at the southeast tip of the penisula, a well-known bird-watching site. Autumn and winter (along with spring) are good times to come, when there are special botanical delights to be enjoyed.