Stalactites
Mirrored in the water.
Gary Bembridge from London, UK — CC BY 2.0 · Alexandrosmp — CC BY-SA 4.0 · C messier — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gary Bembridge from London, UK — CC BY 2.0 · Christos Koudounis — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Diros Caves are a group of limestone caves on the coast of the Mani peninsula in the southern Peloponnese, near the village of Pyrgos Dirou, about 3 km south of Areopoli and 21 km southwest of Gytheio in a straight line. The best known is Glyfada, or Vlychada, Cave, which visitors tour by boat. An underground river runs through Glyfada Cave, its fresh water mixing with seawater, so visitors travel in small boats rowed by guides through waterways between stalagmites and stalactites, then finish a short stretch on foot. Nearby is Alepotrypa Cave, «the Fox's Hole», a Neolithic site used for living and burial and one of the largest ancient burial sites found in Europe. White and golden stalactites hang from the cave roof like curtains and are mirrored in the still, clear water, with soft lights picking out one chamber after another. In places the passage narrows until the boat almost brushes the rock, then opens into wide halls. The boat tour is calm and cool even in summer, so bring a light jacket. A small beach lies near the entrance, and many combine the visit with Mani's stone tower villages, such as Areopoli and Vathia.
Mirrored in the water.
Rowed by guides.
Stone towers.
Pyrgos Dirou, Mani peninsula, Peloponnese, Greece
Yes, with a short walk at the end.
A light jacket; the cave is cool.