Caves of Diros
Caves of Diros
4
About
A large underground network of caves full of strangely shaped rock formations.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- roeburn91 contributionsNo problems for usWe were able to purchase tickets online from the USA and they were honored (We'd also been told that this wasn't possible). We expected long lines because it was July, so we arrived early, and we did not have to wait long. We were placed in the "English speaking" line, and our guide spoke serviceable English, and was polite. The caves were certainly worth visiting, just as remarkable as described!Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 January 2024
- Jadiewadie C73 contributionsWorth a visitArrived 11am and queued at the first gate for tickets. Only the long tour was available. Limited parking at next area but there is a small cafe and we waited about 10-20mins to be called for a boat. Must be chaos when the coaches arrive. Given a huge buoyancy aids and told to get in the boat by guide based on weight distribution. I was very nervous about the small spaces but actually you have no time to think about it as you're moving fast all the time from cave to cave . The issue is the ridiculously bulky buoyancy aid as you are told regularly to bend down but you can't wearing it. That was my biggest criticism. It's practically strangles you. Our guide was OK and told us about the cave. Not an easy job as I can imagine people don't listen to the instructions and it could mean someone hits their head or off balances the boat by turning round . But it's all good if everyone does as he says. You Almost travel a bit too fast and you can't see everything as you can't turn much and have people say infront off you off course. My son was sat at the front, so he got some great photos. Was a nice thing to do, but could be better if they sorted the buoyancy aids out so people can duck better.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 9 April 2024
- Steve G3 contributionsWorld class caves and terrible boatman.The caves are absolutely stunning- I have visited many caves over the years and these are absolutely one of the best. The formations are incredible and world class. The boatman however was rude and aggressive. He acted and spoke as though he was drunk. He shouted and sang loudly and out of tune, it seemed almost revelling in the discomfort he was causing. He punted as fast as he could to get round. It spoilt the serene beauty of this place. Advice to the management- get a grip on your boatmen or change them!Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 May 2024
- moll f22 contributionsStunningly beautiful and if you speak Greek you get the full tour experience, too bad if you don't you can only lookDecided on a whim whilst visiting Areopolis to go to caves. Parked up on the hill and purchased tickets. Then drove the car down to the entrance. We were planning just doing the walking part not the boat. After queuing up for what seemed like an eternity waiting for half a dozen locals to exchange pleasantries with the ticket lady we were then told that the land only walk wasn't an option and the boat and land tour was only available. We agreed and got 3 tickets at €17 each. Ushered down to the boats with a life jacket on we then got on the small paddle boat seating about 8 persons. We set off with the tour guide at the back pushing us along. Not one explanation of what we were seeing the whole time time. All in Greek for the three Greeks on board with 5 British. So apart from ducking out heads and not daring to move for fear of unbalancing the weight of the vessel it really wasnt worth it. I felt like a little history along the way would of made it appreciated. The cave itself was stunning. So at the end of what seemed like a lifetime we got off and walked 300m to the exit. A short walk and we were back on the hill at the car.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 9 June 2024
- Travel_Addict_CyprusMichigan1,356 contributionsHighly recommnded Cave Tour!We enjoyed the tour of the cave, it's an amazing cave to explore, first by boat and then on foot. There are a few things that could be improved; it was a bit unprofessionally run but still a worthwhile experience highly recommended. There is no good system of taking names to ensure first come first served. Once in the boats, the narration is in Greek so for non-Greek speakers it's not helpful. The guides come across as rude, but i think it's their broken English and the fact that they probably have to repeat warnings and make sure the boats don't tip over all day long. Once the boat tour ends, you walk through the rest of the cave and have an opportunity to take more photos as you exit. The scenery as you exit the case is also amazing. Highly recommended!Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 July 2024
- Dimitris M4 contributionsthe good and the ugly things from my visit the cavesThe caves are amazing, but the people who work there were not friendly and didn't convince us that the water level truly prevented the longer trip. Considering the high number of visitors per day and the small number of boaters, I wonder if the high water level in the caves was just an excuse. Shorter trips might allow more visitors to see the caves, which would mean more tickets sold and more money with less effort by the boaters each day. The souvenir shop at the caves was closed, and the surrounding area was full of debris and building remnants.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 August 2024
- Ευαγγελία Τ3 contributionsA miraculous trip back in timeΑπίστευτο μέρος! Incredible place that travels you back in time. An amazing geological miracle. A must for your trip. Be aware though that usually in the summer months only the short trip is available. Still amazing.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 27 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
1,459 reviews
Excellent
820
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337
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146
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74
Terrible
82
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billybob101
Vancouver, Canada667 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
First off - the caves themselves - what a treasure! Unlike anything we had seen before and really breathtaking. Glad we went and spent the 40 min drive from Gythios. Highly recommended
Pro tip - do not show up and look to buy tickets on site same day. We booked ours months in advance. If you do need to purchase tickets j there, you’d be making a first pit stop above the caves in the ticket office. Why the tickets wouldn’t also be down with the cafe, store, entrance is beyond me!
When you do arrive through the dust and pylons of construction, you’ll be potentially greeted by a chain smoking, surly couple who are in the middle of semi organized chaos. It’s kinda like they are on their first day on the job yet I bet they’ve been there for years. We showed up early for our 2 to 3 reserved time slot, and we instructed to sit and wait till we were called. Meanwhile, the guy is getting in heated arguments in Greek with other patrons who, like us, are likely just looking for a little direction and information. After 30 minutes of arguing and randomly directing confused patrons around, chainsmoker just packed it in, abandoned post and sat with buddy / other workers at a table outside. We ended up sitting around for 45 mins while virtually no one we coming in or out of the attraction. Maybe they had just one boat driver? Our boat driver didn’t shed any insight into what we were looking at, just propelling us expertly and silently along. Who knows, honestly the whole thing was a big mystery and a bit of a head scratcher BUT would still recommend despite the confusion and general disorganization
Pro tip - do not show up and look to buy tickets on site same day. We booked ours months in advance. If you do need to purchase tickets j there, you’d be making a first pit stop above the caves in the ticket office. Why the tickets wouldn’t also be down with the cafe, store, entrance is beyond me!
When you do arrive through the dust and pylons of construction, you’ll be potentially greeted by a chain smoking, surly couple who are in the middle of semi organized chaos. It’s kinda like they are on their first day on the job yet I bet they’ve been there for years. We showed up early for our 2 to 3 reserved time slot, and we instructed to sit and wait till we were called. Meanwhile, the guy is getting in heated arguments in Greek with other patrons who, like us, are likely just looking for a little direction and information. After 30 minutes of arguing and randomly directing confused patrons around, chainsmoker just packed it in, abandoned post and sat with buddy / other workers at a table outside. We ended up sitting around for 45 mins while virtually no one we coming in or out of the attraction. Maybe they had just one boat driver? Our boat driver didn’t shed any insight into what we were looking at, just propelling us expertly and silently along. Who knows, honestly the whole thing was a big mystery and a bit of a head scratcher BUT would still recommend despite the confusion and general disorganization
Written 26 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John A
Oxford, UK28 contributions
Jan 2020
A vast cave structure which is experienced from an expertly guided boat. The lighting and variety of rock formations and formations of stalagmites and stalactites lit with sympathetic lighting makes you appreciate the passage of time. Gentle drip and plonk as the droplets hit the water surface is almost musical. I visited out of season and was privileged to be the only person on the boat and so silence magnified the experience where the only other noise was the oarsman's padel. A fantastic experience and bucket list plus, and minus one achieved.
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John V
Athens, Greece102 contributions
Sept 2020
One of the most beautiful caves I have visited. To start off with the facilities were very well kept, very clean and all Covid measures adhered to. The sheer beauty we encountered during the short boat ride and walk through the cave was really something else.
We dwarfed in comparison to the age and beauty of this phenomenon. Stalactites and stalagmites dating back ages in colors of nature that no human hand could achieve.
Well worth the trip.
We dwarfed in comparison to the age and beauty of this phenomenon. Stalactites and stalagmites dating back ages in colors of nature that no human hand could achieve.
Well worth the trip.
Written 29 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RajGlow
Antwerp, Belgium4 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We were expecting a spectacular 30-45 minute boat ride through the cave waterways, as so many of the reviews here rave about. In fact, because of the coronavirus, you get to experience only a (spectacular) 5 minute cave boat ride and then a 10 minute (300 meters) walk by foot through the cave. The new coronavirus measures are understandable, but what we fault the management on is zero communication in English on the website or on-site (written or oral) to explain the shortened excursion. The current price (€10 adults €8 children—€36 together for our family) for a 15 minute (mostly alone on foot) tour seemed excessive. A Greek woman who comes here regularly told us that in regular times the full tour used to be €12 per adult. She complained to management as well that a €2 reduction was not proportional to seeing 75% less.
You will not get to see the “blue lagoon” which is such a treasured part of the tour here.
The cave itself is indeed amazing. You may want to consider skipping this one until better times so you won’t leave feeling disappointed and deceived like we did.
You will not get to see the “blue lagoon” which is such a treasured part of the tour here.
The cave itself is indeed amazing. You may want to consider skipping this one until better times so you won’t leave feeling disappointed and deceived like we did.
Written 9 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ash P
Preston, UK32 contributions
Sept 2021
Visited today and left very disappointed. The tour has been severely curtailed by the covid regulations as is the walking part. The boat trip is advertised as being 300m but was closer to 1-200m and was over in less than 5mins. The guide explained the stalagmites/times were formed by water depositing minerals but little else. The walking part is advertised as being 1200m but was closer to 5-600m and took us less than 15mins to complete. The entry costs have been reduced to €10 from €15 but it wasn’t worth the money. Suggest don’t go until the full trip have Benn re-instated
Written 28 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GolfikowaLajza
Wroclaw, Poland47 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
The cave was beautiful, but we felt that there was not too much done to preserve the nature, rather obviously interfering with it.
But that was not the main cause for our disappointment. We paid 10 EUR for 5 min boat cruise and 10min walk, both very rushed, with absolutely no information from the staff. We thought that was quite expensive for this type of tour and after deeper internet research we found out we saw 25% of what was supposed to be normal tour. No idea if we got shorter one because of Covid-19, tide or anything else, as there was absolutely NO INFORMATION about it on site or at ticket counter. And this, is unacceptable.
But that was not the main cause for our disappointment. We paid 10 EUR for 5 min boat cruise and 10min walk, both very rushed, with absolutely no information from the staff. We thought that was quite expensive for this type of tour and after deeper internet research we found out we saw 25% of what was supposed to be normal tour. No idea if we got shorter one because of Covid-19, tide or anything else, as there was absolutely NO INFORMATION about it on site or at ticket counter. And this, is unacceptable.
Written 11 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Νίκος Βαλλιανάτος
5 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Where to start...from the endless queue in the sun without a shelter...in the most touristic destination of Mani..
We arrive at the cash register after almost an hour in the sun... a couple of foreigners looking at the price list posted above the cash register choose the short route that has 10 euros
The employee who probably doesn't know English or is bored to speak tells them that only the long route is available for 15 euros
Without informing them about the 1.5 hour wait, which he did to the next Greek visitor after charging him for the tickets first
Hearing this, the man asked him why there is no information so that people do not wait unnecessarily in the sun...
Of course, the employee didn't answer anything...
As soon as we heard that, of course we left
And the icing on the cake...arriving at the intersection in the village of Diros, the sign for the airport sends you in the opposite direction...what can I say...if this is an organized tourist consciousness, it makes sense that tourism should turn to neighboring countries
We arrive at the cash register after almost an hour in the sun... a couple of foreigners looking at the price list posted above the cash register choose the short route that has 10 euros
The employee who probably doesn't know English or is bored to speak tells them that only the long route is available for 15 euros
Without informing them about the 1.5 hour wait, which he did to the next Greek visitor after charging him for the tickets first
Hearing this, the man asked him why there is no information so that people do not wait unnecessarily in the sun...
Of course, the employee didn't answer anything...
As soon as we heard that, of course we left
And the icing on the cake...arriving at the intersection in the village of Diros, the sign for the airport sends you in the opposite direction...what can I say...if this is an organized tourist consciousness, it makes sense that tourism should turn to neighboring countries
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ARIADNI2013
Naxos, Greece195 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
It's the 3rd time I've gone and this time I was disappointed. Although the boat trip was very short, they made the short trip a closed museum. The ticket is 8 Euros per person for a group, but it was not worth it.
Written 9 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
milou
Paris, France6 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
We drove 70 km to the cave. The boats are running again. We arrived at 11:30 a.m. and there were no tickets left for the whole (!) day. We were not able to find out whether it was possible to make a reservation for one of the next days because the personal did neither speak English nor French nor Spanish nor German.
Written 30 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M m
2 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
The caves are very beautiful, but the experience was not the best. We got online tickets for the long tour, when we arrived they explained that the long tour could not be done because the water level was too high. To get the price difference we would have to go to the ticket office and have the difference, bypassing the queue of 30 people waiting. We waived the refund. We entered earlier than expected then, but with a young guy driving the boat, who received information from a more experienced one at the start for about 10 minutes. I hoped everyone would be okay. No one says anything about caves or anything else during the short trip, just told us 3 things: be careful with your head, do not unbalance the boat, and do not touch the stalactites and stalagmites. No life jackets to wear or helmets. On the land journey no one to accompany people, so the American tourists in front of us had fun with their children to touch all the formations they met and us to shout "don't touch!" Moreover, those who drive boats with small oars help themselves in navigation by touching here and there the stalactites in the path. The caves are beautiful, but ruined by the neglect of those who manage them and those who visit them who do not respect this place. It is urgent to rethink the whole organization that brings visitors to this wonderful land, even if for the caves the sadness of seeing a heritage violated daily remains.
Automatically translated
Written 5 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Have the Caves of Diros closed (it's March 2023 when I am asking). The website seems to indicate a closure.
Written 9 March 2023
Find their website, it's not allowed to post url's
Here you can find all informations.
I guess it's open since they call low season from March 1 till April 30.
You can also call them, better than e-mail them, and ask.
Hope this helps
Written 10 March 2023
Γεια σας! Θέλω να πάω τον Ιούλιο στα σπήλαια και θα ήθελα να αν υπάρχουν κάποιοι ιδιαίτεροι κανονισμοί τώρα λόγω covid. Πέραν της μάσκας που αναφέρεται στην ιστοσελίδα των σπηλαίων υπάρχει κάτι άλλο που θα έπρεπε να ξέρω; Τα εισιτήρια πχ είναι αδύνατον να αγοραστούν ηλεκτρονικά, μπορεί να γίνει τηλεφωνικά ή κράτηση ή πρεπει να πάω την προγούμενη να τα κλείσω. Επίσης είναι με συγκεκριμένη ώρα ή υπάρχει ουρά; Ευχαριστώ
Written 14 July 2020
Hi, they look yous temperature and you need a mask . Because of COVID-19 they follow the small journey (20 minutes and 40 minutes that is a normal ) the price of the ticket is 10 euros and you take the ticket only there . The time entrance is 08:30 - 16:00. It is better for you to come early in the morning there because in the normal time before Covid-19 there was a lot of people there . Enjoy your trip
Written 15 July 2020
Does anybody know if Cave is open in June / July due to Corona???
Written 19 June 2020
Is this opening in December and January?
Written 25 September 2019
Depends on the water levels. Best to ask your travel agent as waters get very rough in November and d3c
Written 25 September 2019
Si può accedere dall'altra spiaggia al di là del piccolo promontorio?
Written 11 August 2019
Credo proprio di no, le spiaggie sono divise da una scogliera e guardando dall’alto non ho visto sentieri
Written 13 August 2019
We are traveling by sailing boat around the area and we have a medium well behaved dog use to traveling in a boat. We could not leave her behind if we take a hire car to the caves and we could not leave her in the car as it would be too hot. Would we beable to bring her in the boat ride in the cave?
Written 6 July 2019
I don’t see it as a problem because the boat ride is very smooth but they might refuse. It might be best to ring them to find it out. Alternatively you could potentially tie your dog to the outdoor cafe area.
Written 6 July 2019
posso portare il mio cane taglia media. Quanto costa il biglietto x le grotte?
Written 4 July 2019
No. It's too long (minimum 30 mins), in some parts quite dark, the toddler would have to sit on a wooden bench (no back rest) without moving for all that time. And you cannot change your mind in the middle of the ride, it's all water & caves. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a minimum age for participation, although they seem quite lax about some things.
Written 28 May 2019
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