How to get to Sparta and Laconia's destinations
Updated with 2024 toll prices
In Lakonia's prefecture are some of the most popular destinations in Greece, but because they are scattered in the prefecture, it is good to be already prepared about how to get there. In recent years two new highways have been built in the area: the Lefktro - Sparta which has dramatically reduced the access time to Sparta and the Sparta bypass which has reduced the time for all destinations thereafter Sparta.
Now you don't enter Sparta, with the only exception being Mystras, but follow the Sparta bypass.
In this article you will find information about how to get to: Sparta, Mystras, Gytheio, Areopoli, Mani, Monemvasia, Plitra, Elafonissos, Neapoli, Geraki and Kyparissi.
First read how to get to Sparta and about the Sparta bypass and then refer to your destination.
At the end of the article there is a Google map with all the routes I describe.
Toll stations
The distance between Athens and Sparta is 240 km and you go there in just under 3 hours. Starting from Athens you pass through 6 toll stations (the toll below is for a private car).
| Athens - Isthmus | |
|---|---|
| Eleusis | 2.30 € |
| Isthmus | 1.90 € |
| Korinthos - Lefktro | |
|---|---|
| Spathovouni | 2.70 € |
| Nestani | 2.60 € |
| Manari Bridge | 2.10 € |
| Lefktro - Sparta | |
|---|---|
| Petrina | 3.15 € |
The total cost for a private car is €14.75 (€4.20 Athens - Isthmus, €7.40 Korinthos - Lefktro, €3.15 Lefktro - Sparta). After Sparta there are no more toll stations.
For Sparta
From Athens follow the Olympia Odos Motorway A8 that reaches the Isthmus and from there the Moreas A7 that ends in Kalamata. Drive up to Megalopolis. As soon as you see the chimneys of the Public Power Corporation (DEI) in Megalopolis, Lefktro exit is after a few kilometers. There you turn right. From there you follow the Motorway Lefktro - Sparta A71 where you do not turn anywhere at any junction until you reach Sparta. The route Lefktro - Sparta is 30 minutes.
The exit for Sparta at the Lefktro junction. The exit number is 14
Sparta bypass
When you are reaching Sparta, if your destination is not Sparta or Mystras, you should not enter Sparta but continue straight ahead following the sign for Monemvasia - Gytheio. I emphasize that you follow this sign even if your destination is Areopoli, Mani, Plitra, Elafonissos, Neapoli, Geraki, Kyparissi.
In Sparta continue straight ahead for the Sparta bypass
At the junction that follows you continue straight ahead, the sign for Geraki - Gytheio - Monemvasia appears at the last second. Sparta bypass has several bends and you drive at low speeds. But even if by mistake you enter Sparta you are not lost, you will just waste time.
At the junction that follows, follow the sign for Geraki - Gytheio - Monemvasia
For Monemvasia
Follow the Sparta bypass until the road ends. At the intersection turn left for Gytheio - Skala (shortly before there is a sign notifying that you must also turn for Neapoli - Monemvasia - Molaoi - Skala). A few kilometers later there is a sign for Skala - Krokees - Monemvasia - Molaoi - Neapoli - Elafonissos where you turn right. From here you continue on country roads and the speeds drop. You pass through the villages Skala - Vlachioti - Molaoi - Sykea. You do not turn anywhere, follow the signs for Monemvasia which all point straight until you arrive.
At the end of the Sparta bypass turn left
After the Sparta bypass turn right for Monemvasia - Molaoi - Neapoli - Elafonissos
Crossing the Evrotas river bridge at Skala
For Gytheio
Follow the Sparta bypass until the road ends. At the intersection turn left for Gytheio - Skala. Coming out of the Sparta bypass, the Sparta - Gytheio road has long straights and you can move at slightly higher speeds than at the Sparta bypass. Go straight until you reach Gytheio.
At the end of the Sparta bypass turn left
For Areopoli - Skoutari - Kotrona - Gerolimena - Alypa - Porto Kayo - Tainaro (Mani)
Follow the route to Gytheio as described above. Just before Gytheio there is the intersection of the Gytheio ring road where you turn right, you will see the sign for Areopoli 22 km. The road is narrow and you drive at low speeds. For Areopoli - Limeni - Oitylo - Mezapos - Gerolimenas continue straight until you reach Areopoli.
The turn for Mezapos
Reaching Gerolimenas
For Skoutari turn left at the village Hosiari. For Kotrona - Alypa - Porto Kayo - Tainaro you can go either from Hosiari or from Areopoli.
For Mavrovouni you go through Gytheio.
For Plitra - Elafonissos - Neapoli
Follow the route to Monemvasia as described above until Molaoi. After Molaoi in the straight line with the eucalyptus trees is the turn for Elafonissos - Neapoli - Plitra. Turn right. The sign write Elafonissos 44 km, Neapoli 47 km and Plytra 12.
In the straight line with the eucalyptus trees after Molaoi is the turn for Plitra - Elafonissos - Neapoli
For Plitra, turn to the village Papadianika. For Neapoli, Elafonisos continue until you encounter the sign. For Elafonisos the ferry boat departs from Pounta beach in Viglafia.
The ferry boat to Elafonisos departs from Pounta in Viglafia
For Geraki - Kyparissi
10 minutes after entering the Sparta bypass is the turn for Geraki - Skoura. Turn there if your destination is Kyparissi.
For Geraki - Kyparissi turn onto the Sparta bypass. There is a sign 10 minutes further down to turn left
For Mystras
Enter Sparta (you do not follow the Sparta bypass). Follow the main street, Konstantinou Palaiologou, the one with the islet with the palm trees, and turn right onto Lykourgou Avenue at the traffic police post. From there follow the signs.
Map
The routes are displayed in order (on the left bar of the map):
- Korinthos - Sparta
- Sparta - Monemvasia
- Sparta bypass - Gytheio
- Gytheio - Areopolis - Gerolimenas
- Areopolis - Kotronas - Alypa - Kokkala
- Molaoi - Elafonissos
- Neapoli
- Papadianika - Plitra
- Sparta - Mystras
- Sparta - Geraki - Kyparissi
