The main settlement of Mavrovouni lies on the hill above the beach. At the highest point are the small Goula Castle and, nearby, the Church of the Three Hierarchs. This makes the coast and the historic part of the settlement two distinct points of reference. There is also a seasonal information station on the beach and a combined figure for sea turtle nests across several beaches.

Beach and Sea Turtles

Every summer, from June to September, ARCHELON operates a seasonal outdoor information station at Mavrovouni Beach. If you would like to include the station in your travel plans, this period is the specific point of reference; it is not open year-round. The operating period can therefore directly affect your decision about when to travel.

The sea turtle nests are counted across a wider geographical area: the beaches of Mavrovouni, Valtaki, Selinitsa and Vathi in the western part of the bay, together with the 15 km-long Evrotas Beach, collectively host an average of 200 sea turtle nests per year. The annual average applies to all the beaches listed together, not to Mavrovouni alone. The 15 km length refers to Evrotas Beach; it does not apply to Mavrovouni Beach. As an average, this figure is not a fixed value for any particular year.

Goula Castle and the Church of the Three Hierarchs

The small castle at the highest point is called Goula, also known as Goulades or Beanika. These names refer to the same structure. Goula is in ruins, but two towers and the vaulted gate remain intact. This combination of a ruined state and these surviving features defines its architectural character. The Church of the Three Hierarchs is near the castle at the highest point of Mavrovouni. This makes it possible to locate both historic sites together without conflating them. If you are interested in the historic part of the settlement, you can use the church and the castle as distinct points of reference when finding your way around. If you plan to visit the castle, check its current accessibility in advance. “Vaulted” describes an arched covering.

Taking Location into Account When Looking for Accommodation

If you are more interested in the upper part of the settlement, the nearby castle and church may offer a different frame of reference. First decide whether the coast or the higher-lying features of the settlement matter more to you; then you can assess the exact location of your accommodation more specifically. The seasonal station can also be a consideration if it is relevant to your stay: its stated operating period runs from June to September. This lets you distinguish the practical question of where accommodation is located from the question of which months the station operates.

Discover more destinations: Agios Kiprianos, Pikoulianika, Xirokambi, Xifias, Varvitsa, Kiparissos, Sellasia, Psathakia

For the overview of the wider area: Laconia.