Near the traditional village of Melana and the little fishing ports of Pragmatefti, Livadi and Sampatiki, you’ll come acrossLeonidion, the capital of Tsakonia. Tucked into a valley surrounded by red rocks, the town is neatly bisected by the river Dafnon.

As a gentle reminder of its agrarian heritage, three old windmills stand on the fertile flatland to greet you as you enter the town. At the eastern end of the plain is Lakkos beach and the picturesque port of Plaka.Leonidion is recognized as a traditional settlement of considerable historical and architectural interest, as many early 19th century tower houses have been preserved (Tsikalioti, Polytimou and Skarbouni among others) as well as a significant number of neoclassical mansions with impressive frontages and gateways. To the north of the main square, a stone building typical of Tsakonian architecture now serves as the town hall and home to the archive of Tsakonia, which is a rich source if you want to find out more about the area’s very own language and popular culture.

To your great delight and delectation, you’ll soon discover in the restaurants why folks here are so proud of the Tsakonian eggplant, the main ingredient in so many local delicacies. If you have the good fortune find yourself here at Easter, you’ll think you’ve just stepped into a fairy tale, as the spectacle of hundreds of illuminated lanterns being released into the sky is quite incredible. In recent years, the creation of theLeonidion Climbing Park has become something of a magnet for climbers from all over the world.

One last treat, if time allows, is a drive along the road that follows the west bank of the Dafnon, passing bythe Monastery of Elona, taking you up to the beautiful villages of Parnonas and Kosmas and ending in Laconia.