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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.

British writer Patrick Leigh Fermor lived in nearby Kalamitsi Bay for several decades until his death in 2011. Fermor wrote Mani, which is considered by many to be the definitive book on the region.

The surrounding mountain villages have wonderful nooks and crannies to explore, with ancient churches and excellent tavernas.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Kardamyli.

  • House

    Patrick Leigh Fermor House

    Larger-than-life Patrick Leigh Fermor (1915–2011), a Hellenophile and marvellously engaging writer, lived just outside Kardamyli for much of his later life with his wife, Joan. A scholar and soldier (involved in the Cretan resistance during WWII), he is known among other things for his marvellous travel book on the Mani. His stunning home is open to visitors by appointment three times a week, though this drops to once a week from June to August, when it becomes holiday accommodation.

  • Museum

    Old Town Kardamyli

    Old Town Kardamyli consists of a fortified settlement with a handsome 18th-century church, plus restored tower, oil press and three-storey building. There are good information panels with explanations in English on traditional Maniot life. Follow the signs on the western edge of Kardamyli opposite the two supermarkets.