Astros is a town and seat of the Municipality of North Kynouria, in the province of Kynouria in the prefecture of Arcadia. It is located in a fertile and extensive plain that has an important strategic position. In the 2011 census it had 2,285 inhabitants. Its inhabitants are engaged in agriculture, olive growing, viticulture and animal husbandry, although in recent years tourism has accumulated the lion's share in the employment of its inhabitants.
Astros is a charming town in the Arcadia region of the Peloponnese
peninsula, divided into two main parts: the inland village of Astros
(also known as Ano Astros) nestled in the hills, and the coastal resort
of Paralio Astros along the Argolic Gulf. Historically significant as
the site of the Second National Assembly during the Greek War of
Independence in 1823, where the first constitution of modern Greece was
drafted, Astros blends medieval heritage, pristine beaches, and natural
beauty. It's less crowded than popular tourist spots like Santorini,
attracting mostly locals from nearby Tripoli and offering a relaxed
atmosphere with crystal-clear waters, family-friendly vibes, and easy
access to day trips in the region. The area is ideal for those seeking
authentic Greek coastal life, with sights ranging from ancient ruins to
wetlands and scenic promenades.
1. Paralio Astros Castle (Castle
of Zafeiropouloi)
Perched on a hill overlooking the gulf, this
medieval fortress is one of the most iconic landmarks in Astros. Built
in 1256 by Guillaume de Villehardouin, a Frankish prince, it was
originally named Castello della Estella (Castle of the Star). In the
18th century, it was renovated by the wealthy Zafeiropoulos brothers,
who turned it into a stronghold during the fight for Greek
independence—hence its alternative name. The ruins today include
remnants of walls, towers, and three houses built by the Zafeiropoulos
family, offering a glimpse into medieval architecture blended with
Ottoman and Venetian influences.
Visitors can hike a short, 10-minute
trail from the town center to the top, where panoramic views unfold: the
sweeping bay, distant mountains of the Parnon range, and the harbor
below. It's especially magical at sunset, with the sea turning shades of
turquoise and gold. The site is free to enter, though paths can be
uneven, so sturdy shoes are recommended. Reviews highlight its peaceful
ambiance, with some noting the lack of crowds making it feel like a
private discovery. It's not heavily restored, preserving an authentic,
rugged charm—perfect for history buffs exploring the Peloponnese's
Frankish legacy.
2. Astros Beach (Paralio Astros Beach)
Stretching over 2 kilometers along the Argolic Gulf, this
pebble-and-sand beach is the heart of Paralio Astros' seaside appeal.
Known for its exceptionally clean waters—among the clearest in
southeastern Peloponnese—the beach is Blue Flag-certified for
environmental quality and safety. It's family-oriented, with shallow
entry points ideal for children, and sections equipped with rentable
sunbeds and umbrellas (often complimentary with a drink from adjacent
cafes). The backdrop of pine-covered hills and the distant Parnon
mountains adds to its scenic allure, while the calm gulf waters are
perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or stand-up paddleboarding.
In peak
summer (July-August), it buzzes with locals on weekends, but remains
uncrowded mid-week or in shoulder seasons like May or September. Nearby
amenities include beach bars like Batis, where you can enjoy fresh
seafood, grilled meats, and local wines while watching the waves.
Visitors praise the relaxed vibe, with one review calling it "a hidden
gem for authentic Greek beach days without the tourist hordes." For a
quieter extension, walk south toward the harbor's small cove beaches.
3. The Port and Mermaid Port
The picturesque port of Paralio
Astros serves as both a functional marina and a scenic hub. Originally a
simple fishing dock, it has evolved into a yacht-friendly harbor with
berths for sailboats and small vessels. The breakwater pier extends into
the gulf, providing excellent spots for diving, fishing, or simply
strolling to watch boats bobbing in the azure waters. At the port's
entrance stands the "Mermaid Port" feature—a statue or landmark
depicting a mermaid, symbolizing local folklore and adding a whimsical
touch to the area.
Lined with fish tavernas and cafes (such as Avra
Fish Taverna for year-round fresh catches like grilled octopus and
sardines), the port is a great evening spot for sunset dinners. The
surrounding promenade buzzes with low-key activity: locals chatting,
kids playing, and the occasional street musician. It's also a starting
point for boat trips to nearby coves. Travelers describe it as
"charmingly unpretentious," with crystal-clear waters inviting impromptu
swims off the pier.
4. Coastal Promenade
Running parallel to
the beach and port, the scenic coastal promenade (or "paralia") is a 1-2
km paved walkway ideal for leisurely walks, cycling, or jogging. Flanked
by palm trees, benches, and occasional playgrounds, it offers
uninterrupted sea views and connects key spots like the beach, port, and
amphitheater. In the evenings, it transforms into a social strip with
ice cream vendors and street food stalls serving souvlaki and fresh
fruits.
This promenade encapsulates Paralio Astros' laid-back
lifestyle, with opportunities to spot local wildlife like seabirds or
even dolphins in the gulf. It's wheelchair-accessible in parts and free,
making it a staple for all visitors. Reviews emphasize its cleanliness
and the refreshing sea breeze, perfect for escaping midday heat under
shaded areas.
5. Moustos Wetlands (Mostou Natural Wetlands)
Just south of Paralio Astros, this protected natural area spans around a
freshwater spring lake fed by underground sources from the mountains. As
a Natura 2000 site, it's a haven for biodiversity, hosting over 100 bird
species (including herons, flamingos in migration season, and
kingfishers), reptiles, and rare plants. Trails wind through reeds and
olive groves, with observation points for birdwatching—bring binoculars
for the best experience.
The wetlands offer a contrast to the beachy
vibe, with picnic areas and a small parking lot at the entrance. It's
free to visit, though guided eco-tours are available seasonally. Nature
enthusiasts rave about its tranquility, noting it's "a peaceful escape
where you can hear nothing but birdsong and waves."
6. Paralio
Astros Amphitheater
This open-air amphitheater, set against the sea,
hosts summer events like concerts, theater performances, and festivals
celebrating local culture. Built in a semi-circular design reminiscent
of ancient Greek theaters, it's a modern venue with stone seating for
about 1,000 people. While not an ancient ruin, it ties into Greece's
theatrical heritage and offers stunning gulf views during shows.
Check local listings for events, as it's most active July-August. Even
without a performance, it's worth visiting for photos or a quiet sit.
Visitors appreciate its intimate scale, saying it's "a magical spot for
evening entertainment under the stars."
7. Nearby Beaches:
Xiropigadou and Others
Beyond the main beach, Xiropigadou Beach lies
a short drive north—a quieter, pebbly stretch with fewer amenities but
more seclusion. It's backed by cliffs and olive trees, ideal for those
seeking solitude. Other coves dot the coastline, accessible by car or
boat, offering snorkeling in clear waters teeming with marine life.
These spots extend Astros' appeal for beach-hoppers, with water
temperatures averaging 24-28°C in summer. Reviews highlight their
natural beauty, free from overdevelopment.
Additional Tips and
Day Trips
While Astros itself is compact and walkable, rent a car for
exploring inland sights like the Archaeological Museum in Astros village
(housing artifacts from nearby ancient sites) or venturing to day-trip
destinations such as Mycenae (45 minutes away, with its Lion Gate and
Agamemnon's palace) or Nafplio (30 minutes, for its Venetian
fortresses). The area is budget-friendly, with fresh produce markets and
tavernas emphasizing local Arcadia cuisine like roasted lamb and
tsipouro spirit. Best visited in spring or fall for milder weather and
blooming landscapes.
The first official reference of the city with the name
"Astros" is found in a gold bull of the year 1293 of the emperor
Andronikos II Palaiologos. In this golden bull, the metropolitan of
Monemvasia takes the office of the exarch of the Peloponnese and his
ecclesiastical rights are determined. In the year 1256 on the hill
of Paralio Astros, a few kilometers outside Astros, the Castle of
Paralio Astros was built by the Frankish ruler, William
Villehardouin, to subdue the disobedient Tsakonians who lived in the
area. The older name (before 1961) as mentioned in various
historical sources, was "Agiannitika Kalivia", because its first
inhabitants came mainly from the mountain village of Agios Ioannis
in the prefecture of Arcadia. In the area there were ancient cities
such as Thyrea, Anthini, Niriida and Eva in which is the famous
Villa of Herod of Attica.
The Archaeological Museum of Astros
houses interesting exhibits from the villa of Herodes Atticus, such
as inscriptions, marble sculptures, architectural members, statue
heads, as well as a votive relief with Hermes and the nymphs. Also,
ceramics from the cemeteries of Elliniko Kynouria and other
interesting works of the 2nd and 3rd AD are exhibited. century as
well as a tombstone of the 4th BC. Due to lack of space, many
wonderful works are located in the courtyard. Today, where the
Archaeological Museum is located in 1805, a branch of the
Karytsiotis school of Agios Ioannis (1798) was founded in Astros,
where young people from the surrounding areas studied. Together with
the school, Dimitrios Karytsiotis from Agianni (1741 - 1819),
donated a large area, the so-called Agrokipio (today a stadium).
Astros played an important role in the Revolution: on March 29,
1823, the Second National Assembly was formed there, chaired by
Petrobei Mavromichalis, to vote on the revision of the first Greek
Constitution of Epidaurus.
With the first administrative
division of the Greek state, it joined the Municipality of Thyreas,
which had its original seat in Agios Ioannis. From 1912 the
settlement was the seat of a community which developed into a
municipality in 1985. Since 1998 Astros is the seat of the
Municipality of North Kynouria.
The city
The city has
three squares, two larger and one smaller, the main one, with many
shops and stores. It has a Primary School, Gymnasium, Lyceum, EPAL,
Archaeological Museum, which was the former school of Karytsioti
(1805). It also has City Hall and municipal services, Health Center,
banks and post office. It has a football pitch with artificial turf
and an indoor gym.
Next to Astros is the village of Meligou,
which is spatially integrated in the town. Most of the inhabitants
of Astros come from the surrounding villages and especially from
Agios Ioannis, and many live in Paralio Astros which is located at a
distance of 4 km.
In the area and on the route from Astros to
Tripoli through Kato Doliana, is the area of Ancient Eva, where
the ruins of the villa of Herodes Atticus lie. Nearby is the
Monastery of Loukous.
It is the place of origin of the Deputy
Minister of Health Vassilis Kontozamanis.
Astros is a town situated in the east-central part of the Peloponnese
peninsula in Greece, specifically within the eastern region of Arcadia.
It lies near the Argolic Gulf in the northeast Peloponnese, serving as
the administrative seat of the North Kynouria municipality. The town is
positioned at coordinates 37°24′16″N 22°43′23″E and an elevation of
approximately 40 meters (130 feet) above sea level. It is accessible via
roads connecting it to Corinth and Argos to the south, and it is located
about 40 kilometers southeast of Tripoli, the capital of Arcadia. The
municipality of North Kynouria, which encompasses Astros, spans an area
of 576.981 square kilometers and has an average elevation of 55 meters,
bordered by the northwestern shores of the Argolic Gulf to the east and
northern Laconia to the south.
The landscape around Astros is
predominantly rocky and bushy, with much of the terrain unsuitable for
extensive cultivation due to its rugged nature. However, low-lying areas
near the town support some agricultural activities, including farms,
groves, and sheep grazing. Astros is built on a green plain within the
historic Valley of Thyrea (also known as the Thyreatis plain), a fertile
coastal plain that extends roughly 10 kilometers along the Argolic Gulf,
south of the Anigraea pass and Zavitsa mountain. This plain is divided
by natural features into sections, including the plain of Astros and the
plain of Agios Andreas, and it represents a key agricultural and
commercial hub in the region.
To the northeast of Astros,
approximately 4 kilometers away, lies its coastal counterpart, Paralio
Astros, a port settlement at coordinates 37°24′57″N 22°45′58″E and an
elevation of 10 meters (33 feet). This area serves as the seaside
extension of Astros, featuring beaches along the northern coast of
Arcadia in the eastern Peloponnese. The harbor, renovated in 2015,
accommodates small ships and is formed by a peninsula known as "The
Island," which juts out into the gulf and hosts a medieval Frankish
fortress on its heights. The main square of Paralio Astros sits at the
base of this castle mount, and the coastline here is characterized by
pebble and sandy beaches backed by low cliffs and Mediterranean
vegetation. The Argolic Gulf provides a scenic backdrop, with clear
turquoise waters and views toward distant mountains.
A notable
natural feature in the vicinity is the Moustos wetland, located a few
kilometers south of Astros at coordinates 37°23′10″N 22°44′45″E. This
protected coastal ecosystem covers 3.39 square kilometers (840 acres)
and acts as a divider in the Thyreatis plain. It comprises shallow lakes
(with depths not exceeding 5 meters), including the main lake and a
smaller one called Heronisi, connected to the sea via two artificial
canals, one of which is the historic "Bavarian" canal built in the 19th
century to drain the area and reduce malaria. The wetland is fringed
with dense reeds, thorns, alders, and other aquatic vegetation, while
the surrounding areas bloom with wildflowers such as white crocuses,
anemones, Greek cyclamens, poppies, and the local White Narcissus
(Manusaki). As part of the Natura 2000 European Network, Moustos serves
as a vital refuge for migratory birds, including wild swans, herons,
mallards, Eurasian coots, falcons, purple herons, and black-winged
stilts. The fauna also includes fish like flathead grey mullets and
eels, as well as reptiles such as marginated tortoises, toads, and
lizards, all protected under international and Greek laws.
The
broader geography of the Astros area is influenced by the Parnon
mountain range to the east and south, which rises dramatically from the
plains and contributes to the region's varied topography. These
mountains, part of the larger Peloponnese highlands, create a natural
barrier and add to the scenic diversity, with foothills transitioning
into the coastal plains. There are no major rivers in the immediate
vicinity, but seasonal streams and drainage from the mountains feed into
the wetlands and gulf.
Astros experiences a hot-summer
Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csa), typical of the Peloponnese coast.
Summers are hot and dry, with average high temperatures reaching 33.7°C
(92.7°F) in July, while winters are mild to cool, with lows around 6.2°C
(43.2°F) in January. Rainfall is concentrated in the winter months,
averaging 492.7 mm (19.39 inches) annually, with December seeing the
highest at 79.9 mm and summer months like June receiving minimal
precipitation (6.2 mm). Relative humidity averages 64.1% yearly, peaking
at 74.2% in December and dropping to 50.9% in July. This climate
supports olive groves, citrus farming, and tourism along the coast,
though the rocky interior limits large-scale agriculture.
There are three Astros teams:
Panthyreatikos A.O. founded in 1928,
has yellow and black colors and has a men's football section.
Pegasus
A.O. Thyrea, founded in 1980, colors crimson and white, with men's and
women's basketball departments, as well as women's volleyball academies.
The A.P.O. Aeolos Kynourias, first founded in 1999 and the association
reactivated in 2014, which has men's and women's volleyball divisions
and has green and yellow colors.
The community of Astros with the first administrative division of the
Greek state, joined the Municipality of Thyrea, which originally had its
seat in Agios Ioannis (Government Gazette 16A – 24/05/1835). From 1841
to 1912, Astros was the winter seat of the Municipality Thyreas,
Agiannis was the summer seat {Government Gazette 5A – 08/03/1841) ..From
1912 the settlement was the seat of the community of Astros which
evolved into the Municipality of Astros in 1985 (Government Gazette 99A
– 28/05/1985) (For historians) reasons it became a municipality).
Since 1998, Astros has been the seat of the Municipality of North
Kynouria. (6) (Government Gazette 244A – 04/12/1997) .
The first
official mention of the city with the name "Astros" can be found in a
chrysobull of the year 1293 of the emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos.
However, the first reference to the name "Astron" is in the Geographer
Claudius Ptolemy (2nd century AD) Nikos Veis (1883-1958), University
professor and Academician, mentions "we have repeated mentions of this
Kynourian city" of Astros in 1320, 1372, 1374, 1407, 1421, ,1435, 1463,
1467, 1471, 1481. G. Tercetis mentions "Dimitrios Ypsilantis and
Kolokotronis were eating together in the shadows of the Astros trees".
p.287) Kolokotroni's assistant Fotakos reported after the table: "From
Astros we passed to Agios Ioannis, and from there, after having lunch in
the arches of Agios Petros, we arrived at Verbaina".