Welcome to Kardamyli
It’s easy to see why Kardamyli was one of the seven cities offered to Achilles by Agamemnon. This tiny village has one of the prettiest settings in the Peloponnese, nestled between the blue waters of the Messinian Gulf and the Taÿgetos Mountains. The Vyros Gorge, which emerges just north of town, runs to the foot of Mt Profitis Ilias (2407m), the highest peak of the Taÿgetos. Today the gorge and surrounding areas are very popular with hikers.
Top experiences in Kardamyli
Amazing hotels and hostels
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Kardamyli activities
Sea Kayaking in Stoupa and Kardamili
Our trip starts from the old harbor of Kardamyli, the place we meet. At the beginning of the activity we attend a brief but comprehensive introduction to the basics of sea kayaking. We get our kayaks and begin to enjoy an excursion where each little cove hides a special surprise such as hidden caves, cliffs with spectacular formations and unique beaches with sand or pebbles such as the well hidden beach of Foneas with the white pebbles and the sandy beach of Delfinia. Weather and time permitting we head to Stoupa and the beach of Kalogria with its fine golden sand and turquoise waters. The beach of Kalogria is known as the beach of Zorbas, as this was the place where writer Nikos Kazantzakis met his hero of his book Zorba the Greek. Halfway we make a relaxing stop for swimming, snorkeling and a picnic a picnic with freshly baked bread organic, garden-grown fruits and vegetables, homemade olive oil, and cheese.
Hiking the Spartan Trail
Day 1 – Arrive in SpartaArrival day. Get any flight arriving to Kalamata or Athens airports. Meet your guide at the airport for a drive to your hotel in the town of Mystras a suberb of Sparta. Group meeting and briefing about the next days followed by a dinner together.Accommodation: Hotel in MystrasMeals: DinnerDay 2 – The Byzantine Town of MystrasMorning meeting with your guide at your hotel’s lobby. Our first hiking day starts from the overwhelming castle town of Mystras built during the Byzantine period.Trail distance: 12 kilometersAscend:800 meters,Time: 6 hours. Rating: Easy to moderateAccommodation: Family owned guesthouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunchbox, DinnerDay 3 – Hiking the E4 TrailAfter breakfast, we fill our flasks with fresh water from the fountains of Anavriti and start our ascent heading to the mountain refuge that will accommodate us for tonight. Trail distance: 15 kilometersAscend: 1200 metersTime: 7 hours. Rating: Easy to moderateAccommodation: Mountain RefugeMeals: Breakfast, Lunchbox, DinnerDay 4 - Hiking at the SummitAfter breakfast we start a difficult and ultimately rewarding hike to the highest peak of the mountain at 2407 meters. Our summit is rewarded with spectacular views of the mountain range,into the Spartan valley of Evrotas and to the Mediterranean Sea.Trail distance: 12 kilometersAscend: 1100 metersTime: 8 hours. Rating: ModerateAccommodation: Mountain HutMeals: Breakfast, Lunchbox, DinnerDay 5 – Hiking the Royal Trail A region so remote that conquerors through time left it alone. This part of the trail was frequently used by ancient Spartans as an access route to the sea. It passes through Vasiliki (Royal) forest where an amazing diversity is found with Pinus Negra, the black pine tree dominating this ancient forest.Trail distance: 19 kilometersDescend: 1150 metersTime: 8 hours. Rating: ModerateAccommodation: Family Owned HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunchbox, DinnerDay 6 – Departure Awake and energize with a breakfast overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Our last day is a relaxing day where either we can take time to swim and explore the town of Kardamyli. Your trip ends about noon either catching a transfer to the airport or extend your travels.Meals: Breakfast
Mythical Peloponnese
HIGHLIGHTS • Go hiking around Lousios river in Arcadia • Visit Dimitsana’s historic Open Air Water Power Museum • Discover the charming and flourishing seaside town of Kardamyli in Mani • Hike through Viros gorge in Mani or to Mount Taygetos summit (2407m.) • Paddle out on your sea-kayaks around the stunning landscapes of Mani • Go swimming to the pristine beaches of western Mani • Visit the stunning Diros cave • Walk to the lighthouse of Cape Tenaro the southernmost point of mainland Europe Day 01Meet your tour leader at Athens International airport and hop into our van traveling to lush Arcadia, through Dimitsana village where we will visit the unique Open Air Water-Power Museum. Enjoy dinner in picturesque Stemnitsa village, perched on the lush hillside of Mt Mainalon, where you can unwind as you choose for the rest of the day. Overnight: Stemnitsa Day 02After breakfast, we will walk towards the impressive Prodromos Monastery, one of the oldest in Arcadia, where we will see 10th Century murals and enjoy stunning views and luxuriant vegetation around the breathtaking Lousios river. Our journey continues to Kardamyli, which oozes quaintly old-fashioned traditional charm, with landmarks such as antique monasteries and medieval tower houses beneath towering Mt Taygetos. Overnight: KardamyliDay 03After breakfast, set off on a hike of the Viros gorge, in the heart of Messinian Mani. Descending from the foot of Mt Profitis Ilias and disgorging itself into the sea at Kardamili, Viros is known as an area of unparalleled beauty. The hike concludes in ancient Kardamyli. OPTIONAL HIKE: MOUNT TAYGETOS SUMMIT: For the experienced hikers the summit of stunning Mount. Taygetos – Prophitis Elias – at 2407m. awaits!Overnight: KardamyliDay 04Today we will take an amazing half-day sea kayak tour around the stunning landscapes of Mani peninsula. Paddle to secret spots such as hidden caves and experience diving in hot water pools. Continue paddling to a beautiful sandy beach and take a swim break followed by a refreshing fruit snack prepared on the spot by our guides. Overnight: KardamyliDay 05Road trip day today! Visit the magnificent Diros cave on a half hour boat ride along the underground lake, explore Vathia village to see its impressive towers, churches, and houses built during the 16th century and walk the trails of Cape Tenaro the stunningly scenic, southernmost point of mainland Europe. Overnight: KardamyliDay 06All too soon it’s time to pack your bags and be transported to the airport for your journey back home or to your next destination.
Full Day Botanical Tour In Mani, Peloponnese
The route will be a circular one starting from Kardamyli with a two and a half hour trek up the Virou Gorge to see some of the unusual chasmophyte plants. You will be all the time by a profesional biologist that knows the area and the species like the back of his hand. From the gorge you will climb up to the ridge and walk along a track to the church of Agia Sofia for a lunch break.From there the walk becomes easier with a descent into a shady gorge near the village of Petrovouni and then a walk through olive groves on the way to Proastio village. Along this part of the walk you will pass through an area nicknamed ‘Orchid alley’ for its profusion of orchid species.Once you reach Proastio you will descend on a steep kalderimi (a cobblestone-paved road) to the coastal road and walk back the short distance into Kardamyli via Kalamitsi, passing what used to be Patrick Leigh Fermor’s house.Once we are back in Kardamyli you can have a cold beer and relax talking about the activity and learning local tips.