Leonidio is a large and very picturesque settlement in South Kynouria, about 3 hours by car from Athens.

The settlement is built at the foot of Mount Parnon and is characterized by the imposing red rock, which dominates the settlement and attracts climbers all year round from Worldwide.

Around 4,000 permanent residents live in the beautiful, Frankish-style mansions of Leonidio, with their stone-built courtyards, which proves that it is not just a country destination. The region is famous for the production of the infamous sweet, Tsakonian eggplant, a product of protected designation of origin, which has its fair share every August and is worth trying.

Leonidio and the wider area of South Kynouria are still known for the only local dialect still spoken today, Tsakonika. It is a corruption of the ancient Doric dialect, it is considered the oldest dialect in the world and it is estimated that about 2,000 inhabitants of the area speak and write Tsakonic.

The wider area is also full of beaches. And it even boasts some of the most impressive beaches of the Peloponnese, such as Fokiano. Other beaches worth a visit are Plaka, the beach in the village of Pulithra, Tigani and many more.

Finally, it is worth visiting Leonidio on Easter, to enjoy the sight of the small balloons that are released into the night sky.

In conclusion, the small town of Leonidio is a very good choice for a holiday home, as well as a permanent residence, for someone who is not interested in being too close to Athens, but wants to live in a place with authentic Greek character.