Mani - Peloponnese

The place - Mani

Drive from Githio or Kalamata into Mani and you will see yet another totally contrasting face of the Peloponnese. Turrets, castles and tiny villages dot the hillsides at every turn off the small twisting roads zigzagging along the coast. The towers were fortifications, a means of survival through many ages of Mani's history. The scenery is dazzling in a stark and powerful sense. Rocky hillsides with fascinating shapes descend to caves, jewel-shining seas and quiet enclaves.
The hardy Taygetus mountain range stretches the length of Mani and all the way up to Megalopoli. The highest point just exceeds 2400 metres  inland from Kardamyli as this range climbs and then fades (it is at minimum a full day climb from Kardamyli to the summit). The charming village of Kardamyli with its ancient city remains and its Italianate, Tuscany-like rooftops, charming harbour and ideal small beach, sits on the coast to welcome you. Take this spectacular rural coastal route from Itylo to Kardamyli - the most natural-seeming rural village trail.

Along the coast apart from still-abandoned towers, there are abandoned monasteries which for the enthusiastic hiker, carrying plenty of water and well protected from the harsh rock-reflected sun, offer a trophy on reaching.
 

How to get there - Mani

It will be useful to check how to get to Peloponnese.
 

Where to stay - Mani

The sublime Kyrimai Hotel at Gerolimenas - if you can stay here do, both for the area and this destination-in-itself.
Porto Vitilo, wonderful by-the-sea small hotel with a distinctive classy feel mixed with comfortable warm welcome.
At Areopoli (the "small town centre of Mani") Trapela Hotel is strikingly appealing and Kastro Maini speaks the plain truth of a good effective base with the benefit of a swimming pool. 
Review, photos, rates & reservations with SuperbGreece.com:
- Kyrimai Hotel
- Porto Vitilo Hotel
- Trapela Hotel
- Kastro Maini

- Melitsina Village NEW
 

What to see/do - Mani

Itilo village:
Also known as "Vitilo" in the past.
The old town looks over Itilo Bay towards Limeni. Neo Itylo is down by the sea across the arc of the bay from Limeni.
Notable in the area, the Castle of Kelefa a 17th century Turkish stronghold; Sotiras Church - Byzantine, overlooking the bay and including in its structure parts of an original ancient temple, frescoes to see here.
You can see Dekoulou monastery above. It is told that the monastery was a meeting place of the Orlov brothers who Catherine the Great sent to prepare a revolt against the Turks in the late 1700s.
 

Areopoli:
In 1821, after 350 years of Turkish occupation, the move for independence commenced in the main square of Areopolis under the motto: "Freedom or Death" (Eleftheria i Thanatos in greek). The place where this motto was flown on a banner is marked. The town was named Areopolis after "Ares", the mythical god of war.
There are several churches in the village and others formed in caves on the surrounding hills.
 

Diros caves:
11 km south of Areopoli, close to sea level.
These caves are beautiful indeed, with some marvellous shapes, formations
and fossils. Very enjoyable is also the way you visit the various, well-lit, chambers: by little boat, up to 4-6 people on each, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide that tells the story of the caves and points out the most interesting features and facts.
Open: daily 08.00-17.30 (June-September), 08.30-14.30 (October-May)
Tel: 27330-52222, 52223.

Another cave, Alepotrypa ("fox's hole"), is close by.
The cave was apparently in use by prehistoric men. Many stalactites and stalagmites. The Museum of Neolithic Civilization at Diros - is at the entrance of Alepotrypa Cave.
Also nearby: the Katafigi cave.

Agios Nikolaos, just south of Stoupa, has cafes at an attractive harbour.
Agitria - 13th century Byzantine church. Splendidly, if precariously sitting on the edge of a sheer cliff over the sea.
 

Beaches:
- Kalogria is a sandy beach, a cove where Nikos Kazantzakis' "Zorba the Greek" - the man himself, the real-life Zorba from Stoupa, danced. Even so, you can't help hearing the unforgettable music created later by Mikis Theodorakis for the heartwarming movie about the man. Thank you also Anthony Quinn!
-Stoupa is one of the more popular "happening" beaches during summer months, though with a casual laid-back air. Cafes, tavernas and more.
- Limeni is a shingle and sand beach with many cafes and tavernas - north of Areopoli.
- Gerolimenas, a picturesque harbour with a pebbly beach, some imposing cliffs, with a handful of tavernas and cafes.
- Marmari with a sandy beach.

Lighthouse:
- Tainaron lighthouse is a the tip of the Mani peninsula south of Gerolimenas, one of the biggest in Greece. It is solar-powered.
 

Special Comments - Mani

Simply gorgeous, rugged, wonderful waters, splendid small hill towns and villages, towers and turrets unique to the area, visible history and plentiful outcrops of archaeology.

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