7 reasons why you should visit Leonidio

The local cuisine is to die for.

Have you ever tasted a dish that had you daydreaming for days? Leonidio's cuisine will likely cause the same. Imam baildi, moussaka with sweet aubergines, fresh local fish - there's so much to try!

Mountain or sea? Leonidio has both!

Leonidio's location rivals that of any other Greek village. It is located near the mouth of the Dafnon Gorge, a long, narrow gorge that follows the Dafnon River through the mountains before emerging on the coastal plain and the sea. Leonidio is a maze of little streets and dwellings interspersed with vast squares and huge avenues that stretches along the vast riverbed. With banks, stores, restaurants, and many modest hotels in old buildings, the town serves as the commercial hub for this section of Arkadia.

Plaka is Leonidio's modest port, with fishing boats, a few yachts and sailboats passing by on their way north or south, and a few fish tavernas and cafés.

Unique easter celebrations.

Easter is a very special celebration in Leonidio. The tradition is to let thousands of lanterns light up the night sky, right when the priest says "Christos Anesti" (Christ has risen).

Equally beautiful nearby villages.

A few kilometers away from Leonidio, on a mountainous landscape, lies the tiny village of Kosmas. With less than 300 inhabitants, it stays true to tradition. The main square invites people to taste local delicacies and finish with a cup of Greek coffee. During warm summer days, Kosmas is the perfect destination for a sweet breeze of fresh mountainous air.

Aubergine is more than just a vegetable here.

Leonidio is famed for its aubergines, which are grown in fields on the plain between town and sea. They are light purple with white stripes and locals call them "tsakonikes". In the first weekend of July, Leonidio hosts Melijazz, an ode to jazz music and aubergines. Every year in August the village hosts Giorti tis Melitzanas (Aubergine Festival) that brings people from all around Greece and other countries. A competition among cooks for the greatest eggplant dish is part of the event. Leonidio has even been dubbed the European Tsakonika Eggplant Capital for having the finest tasting and sweetest eggplants.

Tsakonian dialect

A unique language is spoken in the tiny alleyways of Leonidio and the surrounding villages. It's called 'tsakonian', and it is believed to descend from the Doric dialect. It is spoken only by the elderly people of Leonidio and is considered the world's oldest dialect.