Hestia
Our guide to the local secret gems...
Towns & Villages
Kardamili
Kardamili is one of the most charming villages in the Peloponnese, steeped in history and legend—said to be one of the seven cities offered to Achilles by Agamemnon to lure him back into battle. Today, it remains a place of quiet beauty, with a long pebbled beach, excellent tavernas, and an international jazz festival that brings music lovers to the village every May. October brings a renound international literary festival which is always a sell out.
The town itself is divided into two distinct parts: the old quarter, where cobbled streets wind their way up to the historic castle, and the newer—though still charmingly traditional—seaside district.
Kitries
A small fishing village with 2 seafront tavernas.
Pigi
An enchanting village with tiny roads - you may wish to park up and explore on foot! The only taverna has wonderful views and special Greek dancing nights.
Agios Nicolaos
This was once a quiet fishing village, and on some mornings you can still buy your fish straight off the boats at dawn. It’s grown and the harbour now buzzes with small shops and restaurants. But the essentials haven't changed — there's no one here, or anywhere nearby, and no one will hastle you for a table.
Stoupa
Worth a visit to get a sense of the place and have a cold beer while watching the sun go down.
Dining & Drinks
Lela’s Taverna
For several years Lela was the cook at Joan & Patrick Leigh Fermor’s house, till she opened this wonderful restaurant with her two sons Georgio and Stavros. Best known for it’s traditional dishes created with the familys’ own olive oil, free-range meat and herbs picked from the slopes of Mt. Taygetos.
lelastaverna.com | +30 697 7716017
Lola’s Frozen Yougurt
Lovely little coffee shop, children will love the great choice of home made cakes and ice creams. Grown ups will love the cocktails.
Kardamili | facebook.com/LolaFrozenYogurt
Aquarella
Tables under a vine covered pergola, right on the water and overlooking the island of ‘Meropi’ opposite.
Kardamili | +30 27210 75010
Gialos Kardimili
Simple, delicious and generous food served on the waterfront with the beach below- perfect for children who don’t want to sit still for long lunches.
Kardimili | +30 27210 73278
Harilaos Restaurant
More fine dining than the traditional tavenas. Deliciously fresh fish esecially the ceviche sea bream.
Kardimili | +30 27210 73373
Old Kardimili Restaurant
Very traditional Greek menu. Pretty views over Kardmili and toward the sea.
Kardimili | +3027210 75315
Tikla Cuzina
Stylish restaurant on the waterfront, owned by the same guy as Aquarella.
Kardimili | +30 27210 73223
Ormos
Next to Tikla. Tapas style bites in a great location.
Kardamili | +30 27210 73373
Maistros
Great restaurant on the high street in Kardimili, happy to cater for gluten free dietary requirements.
Kardimili | +30 27210 73286 |
Elies
Geranium flowers peeping out of pots and jolly yellow and green chairs shaded by large olive trees. Elies is a charming restaurant set back from Ritsa beach. Best for lunch.
Ritsa | elieshotel.gr/restaurant/ | +30 27210 73140
Hobo’s on Santova Beach
The coolest bar playing great music all day and into the early hours.
Santova Beach | facebook.com/hobobeachbarkalamata
Akrogiliali
At the far end of Stoupa beach. Delicious food.
Stoupa | +30 27210 77335
Stoupa Restaurant
Simple fare over with a pretty outdoor restaurant overlooking the water
Stoupa | +30 2721077516
Elli’s
Jolly tables lining the quayside and top quality food in the charming fishing village of Aghios Nikolaos.
Agios Nikolaos | +30 698 3294889
Lithos
Good coffee and cocktails right by the harbour mouth. A place to while away and hour with a good book.
Agios Nikolaos | +30 27210 78131
Medikon
On the harbour, serving upmarket food and execllent fish.
Agios Nikolaos | +30 27210 79119
Gaitanaros
Waterfront taverna serving delicious seafood.
Kitries | facebook.com/gaitanaros | +30 2721 058370
Mimis
Go at sunset, serves delicious simple Greek fare. No formal menu, the waiter can tell you what’s best on the day.
Kitries | facebook.com/Mimis.Kitries
See & Do
Areopolis
Areopolis is a pretty hour’s drive to the south and makes a charming place for lunch. It then takes no more than an hour to drive right round the peninsular, taking in the tower villages that dot the landscape and perhaps stopping to explore the extraordinary caves at Dirou, or the abandoned village of Vatheia in the south.
Walking
The best time to walk is in the Spring from April to June when the country is a riot of wild flowers that grow to waist-height and line every path and road, or in the Autumn from mid-September to mid-November, when the sea is at its warmest.
A wonderful trail lines the coast between Stoupa and Agios Nicolaos. Walk it or hire bikes in Stoupa. You can also extend the ride up the mountain if you wish to.
Mountains
There is a super collection of villages and tavernas up in the mountains. Some have amazing views over the coast and others are tucked away among the pine trees.
Greek Dancing in Pigi
An enchanting village with tiny roads- you may wish to park up and explore on foot! The only taverna has wonderful views and special Greek dancing nights.
2407 Mountain Activities
Based in Stoupa, this company offers a wide range of activities such as hiking, biking, mountaineering and bouldering.
Stoupa | https://www.2407m.com/ | +30 27210 79168
Concerts at Mani Sonnenlink
This guest house hosts regular concerts at their open air amphitheatre in the mountains.
Pirgos | http://www.mani-sonnenlink.com/ | +30 27210 78077
Beaches
The Mani has a coastline of hidden coves and beaches, some rocky, some pebbly, some with sand. The long beach at Santova has beach bars and full-moon parties in the summer months- ideal for those needing a break from the tranquility or parents.
The beach at Kardamili, with its dramatic backdrop of mountains, is great for swimming, reading and siesta after a long lunch at one of the many tavernas that look onto the beach. If you want to discover hidden beaches across the Messinian Gulf, a boat trip with a picnic is a perfect day out.
Pantazi beach is a favourite spot for a secluded swim and lunch at a very local taverna. Kalamitsi is equally quiet with fine shingle stones and a wide bay. Foneas is a small cove with a taverna open in high summer. It can get very busy at weekends. Delphinia is a larger sand beach with a cafe. You can park up by the road and walk down.
A full range of water sports is available at the beaches of Kalamata and Santova. There’s hang-gliding from Ano Verga, scuba diving and snorkelling from Kardamili and Stoupa.
Please call first to check restaurants and museums are open, and check the relevant government guidance before travelling.
No responsibilty can be accepted by Scott Williams for any issues that may arise as a result of the enclosed recommendations and information.