Diros Caves
Pyrgos Dirou, Peloponnese, Greece, 23063
Winding their way for miles beneath the western coastline of the Laconian Peninsula, the Diros Caves are among the most spectacular natural wonders in the Peloponnese. These flooded chambers and passages hold countless stalactites and stalagmites, crystals, and towering waterfalls that you can explore with a guide by rowboat and on foot.
The basics
This impressive cave system dates back to the prehistoric period—and may have been inhabited during the Neolithic era—but was rediscovered in the 20th century. Today, visitors can explore about 1 mile (1.5 km) of caverns and passages as part of a guided tour that covers the initial water-filled stretch by boat and the final stretch on foot. Marvel at the natural formations that fill the interior of the caves, dramatically lit and reflected on the surface of the water below.
Things to know before you go
Visitors can only enter the caves as part of a guided group; not all guides speak English, so it’s beneficial to read up before visiting.
The tour takes about 25 minutes to complete and includes a leg by boat and a leg on foot along a walkway.
Passengers are fitted with life jackets before boarding the boats.
The caves are suitable for all ages.
There is a gift shop, small café, and restrooms.
There are steps at the entrance to the caves that make it impossible to enter with a wheelchair or stroller.
How to get there
The Diros Caves complex is located near the village of Pyrgos Dirou on the west coast of the Laconian Peninsula, about a 15-minute drive from Aeropoli. The only way to reach the caves is by car, so rent a car or book a private driver for a day trip to Laconia. Alternatively, join a tour that visits the cave—many include round-trip transportation.
When to get there
The caves are slightly cooler in temperature than outdoors, offering an ideal break from the midday heat in summer. Closing time is earlier from November to March, so plan to arrive no later than mid-afternoon. Ticket sales stop 45 minutes before closing time.
The history of the Diros Caves
The Diros Caves were formed over hundreds of thousands of years, and much of this cave system, both above and below water, has yet to be explored. Signs of human habitation—including pottery fragments—were discovered near the entrance to the Alepotrypa Cave, which would make this one of the oldest human settlements in Europe. In 1949, two Greek spelunkers began exploring and mapping the cave, which opened to the public for the first time in 1967.
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