Coastal walking in historical Mani

Day by day itinerary

Day 1: Arrival  

We welcome you to Kalamata, a lovely seaside city in the southern part of Peloponnese. You can travel there by public transportation, car rental or you can request a private transfer from us (for an extra charge).   On this first day you get to relax after your flight, get ready for your walking holiday and explore Kalamata.  Wander through the cobblestoned streets of its historic center, visit the archaeological museum that features artifacts from the whole region of Messinia and dip in the crystal-clear water of its beach. Since you are in the area, don’t miss the chance to taste the famous Kalamata olives. Overnight Kalamata.  

Day 2: Transfer to Sotirgiannika. Hike from Sotirgiannika to Kardamyli (16.6km/ +344m)  

After a good breakfast, get ready for your hiking adventure to begin! In the morning, we will transfer you to Sotirgiannika, from where the first hiking trail starts!  

Through olive groves, follow the ancient cobbled kalderimi, a mule path, while enjoying panoramic views of the Messenian Gulf and Taygetos foothills to Kardamyli.   Kardamyli, the picturesque seaside village on the Mani peninsula will be our base for the next 3 days. The traditional stone houses, the Byzantine churches and the breathtaking nature of pristine waters create a place that looks like a postcard. Overnight Kardamyli.  

Day 3: Transfer to Exochori. Hike Vyros gorge-Tseria-Kardamyli. (12.9km/+390m) 

Today, be prepared to discover the captivating beauty of Vyros Gorge. After being transferred to the village of Exochori, your hike along the Vyros Gorge begins.  It is the second largest gorge in mountain Taygetus and in ancient times it used to be called the “Royal Road” as it connected Sparta with its port, Kardamyli. Also, in the 1980s, the villagers from Exochori were only  able to get to Tseria, by following its paths. 

You will wonder through green countryside covered with pines, cedars, cypresses and black pines. If you would like, you can also take a small detour to see the Sotiros Monastery which was built in the 14th century and was renovated in 1807. Overnight Kardamyli. 

Day 4: Hike to Proastio and Foneas beach round tour. (15.6km/+524m), Option for shorter route without Foneas beach. (13.5km/+486m)  

This day is dedicated to the crystal-clear waters of the Messinian Gulf. Our hike starts from the traditional village of Proastio. It is one of the region’s oldest and most important post-Byzantine villages. There you will get the chance to admire about 200 old buildings with unique characteristics, such as the arched houses made of ashlar (from local quarries) as well as forty Byzantine and Post-Byzantine churches with excellent frescoes. One of the highlights is the byzantine church of Agios Nikolaos and its bell tower (17.5 metres high), which dates to the 18th century. Crossing the Foneas gorge, (the villagers called it “Nupanti” because in the old days, meetings and marriage arrangements took place there), you will end up in Foneas beach. Dip in its crystal-clear blue-green waters, swimming around the distinctive, colossal rock, that divides the beach in two.  Overnight Kardamyli. 

Day 5: Transfer to Platsa. Hike Platsa-Lagadas. Transfer Lagadas to Areopoli (12.2km/+553m), Option for shorter route:Transfer to Milia village. Hike to Panagia Giatrissa monastery and back. Transfer from Milia to Areopoli. (8.6km/+586m)  

Getting deeper and deeper into Mani’s culture and region, and deciding to follow the main hiking tour, you will get transferred to the traditional village of Platsa. Platsa, according to the myth used to be part of the ancient city of Pephnos, Tydareos’ kingdom (father of Beautiful Helen of Troy). While you are there, don’t forget to visit the church of Agia Paraskevi, built in 1412.  Following the old, cobbled mule paths, called kalderimia you will end up in Lagadas village. After that you will be transferred to Areopoli, your base for the next 3 days.  

Areopoli, having been named by the Greek god of war Ares, is a picturesque traditional town in the region of Laconia, at the southern part of Peloponnese. The start of Greek revolution against Ottomans took place here by the powerful Mavromichalis clan. Walking around in its stone-built square, pay a visit to the church of Taxiarches (Archangels) and admire its 18th century frescoes.  Overnight Areopoli 

Day 6: Roundtour to Oitilo. (16.7km/+396m), Option for shorter route  to Neo Oitilo without climbing to Oitilo. (10.4km/+146m) 

Having Areopoli, as your base, you will enjoy a circular route to Oitilo, a historical village of Laconian Mani. Oitilo got its name from the legendary Hero from Argos Oitilos, son of Amfianaktas and according to Homer Agamemnon offered Oitilo to Achilles as a gift for his participation in the Trojan expedition. Its cobbled streets and the signature Mani architecture with the stone houses will surely make you fall in love with it.  

If you wish to relax a little bit today, you can opt for the shorter route to Neo Oitilo. There you get the chance to enjoy fresh fish at the numerous restaurants by the sea. Overnight Areopoli 

Day 7: Roundtour to Diros Caves. (15.1km/+402m), Option for shorter route from Diros Caves to Xepapadianika and back to Areopoli (9.1km/+287m)    

At the end of your hiking route, Diros Caves a hidden secret beneath the surface of the earth, awaits you to explore it. It is located on the west coast of the Laconian Peninsula, in Diros Bay and it is a natural miracle beyond imagination, as it consists of white stalactites and stalagmites, impressive waterfalls and glittering crystals that adorn every corner. This incomparable spectacle will surely take your breath away! Overnight Areopoli.  

Day 8: Departure.  

After a good breakfast, you will take your luggage and get ready for your way back to the airport. We can arrange a transfer to Kalamata or Athens airport (for an extra charge). If you wish, you can add some more days in this trip and you can choose to visit Nafplio or Mycenae, the archaeological site if your flight schedule allows (at an extra charge). We the Greeks don’t like to say goodbye. Instead, we prefer to say «είς το επανιδείν» (eis to epanidin) which means that we hope to see you again sometime!