Camping Semeli
A New Campsite at Plaka Beach near Leonidio in Arcadia, Greece 

Margaret Williamson
December 2015

In mid-November 2015 we spent a few nights at the delightful Camping Semeli, a newly opened campsite well signposted at Plaka Beach near Leonidio, on the east coast of the Peloponnese (see map below).

Officially open from 1 April to 30 November, the campsite may be open outside these dates according to demand. For example, it is now open over Christmas and New Year until at least 4 January 2016 because of an international climbing event. Our helpful young host Panagiotis, one of the family who built, own and run the campsite, is a keen climber and the limestone gorge above Leonidio has become a popular climbing centre. We met French and Austrian climbers on the site whilst we were there.

To contact the site about winter opening:

Telephone:  +30 2757022995     Mobile:  +30 6970804672  or  +30 6948881559

Email: 

www.climbing-leonidio.com

The low-season price of €15 included hook-up, good free WiFi and hot water. The facilities are excellent, clean and modern with hot showers. The several kitchens have plentiful sinks, fridges and dining areas (and electric cookers to use for a small fee). There are two washing machines (€3 per load) and lines for drying clothes. The mini-market was open and bread could be ordered. The summer café was closed.

The site is surrounded by lemon and mandarin trees (pick-your-own) and has direct access to Plaka Beach. Plaka village with a couple of tavernas and a small shop is a 5-minute walk from the site. We can recommend the moussaka at 'Margaret's Fish Restaurant' overlooking the harbour. And the lovely town of Leonidio with shops, post office, bank, hairdresser etc, is an easy 5-km cycle ride away (or there is plenty of parking space by the river there).

The 30-km drive or cycle ride up through the gorge past the cliff-hugging Elonis Monastery, then climbing to 1250m (4,125 ft) to the mountain village of Kosmas is truly one of life's great experiences!

A new campsite is a rare find in Greece (in fact unique in our recent experience) and we can thoroughly recommend this one.

The location of Camping Semeli on the beach just south of Leonidio

The Town of Leonidio

Our Carado Motorhome at Camping Semeli

Margaret at the Entrance to the Beach from Camping Semeli

One of the Kitchens at Camping Semeli

The Laundry at Camping Semeli

What it Says on the Tin

The Elonis Monastery above the Gorge beyond Leonidio

Part of the Road above the Monastery up to Kosmas