In Stoupa of Messinian Mani and its beaches

Messinian Mani

At the feet of Taygetos are two beautiful villages and famous tourist resorts of the Peloponnese that are the most popular destinations in the land of Messinian Mani. In Stoupa and Kardamyli, the natural relief is milder and with more greenery compared to the Laconian Mani.

These two neighbouring villages are bordered by the Messinian Gulf and have some of the most beautiful beaches of the Peloponnese that cover all tastes as they have either golden sand with shallow green waters or pebbles with a steeper bottom and rocks at their edges.

The wonderful waters of Kalogria beach, Stupa Messinia, Messinian Mani

Access instructions

The road to the Messinian Mani from Kalamata has several bends as well as steep slopes in some places, passing over the western low slopes of Taygetos.

But the landscape will compensate you completely since the view of Kalamata from above at the beginning, the green side of the mountain and the sea of the Messinian Gulf as you descend to the beaches alternate at a rapid pace, seemingly reducing the time and the kilometers you will travel to your destination.

On the beach of Stoupa, Messinian Mani

Specifically, from Kalamata Kardamyli is 36 km, Stupa 44 km, while if you come from Laconia and Gythio, the distances are 63 km and 57 km respectively.

Accommodation / Hotels
Photos from Stupa
Map of the area

The distance between Athens and Kalamata is 239 km and if you don’t want to drive you can take a plane as Kalamata has an airport which is connected to Athens and Eleftherios Venizelos.

Finally, if you have time during your stay in Messinian Mani, a visit to the unique cave of Dyros is worthwhile. It is located at a distance of 48 km from Stoupa and will take you about an hour.

Kalogria Stupa Beach, Messinian Mani

Kardamili

Kardamyli has a rich history that dates back to the time of Homer, who mentions that it was one of the cities that Agamemnon gave to Achilles in order to return to the siege of Troy, while it played an important role in the revolution of 1821.

Fonia Beach, just outside Kardamili, Messinian Mani

In the old settlement you will find old but well-preserved tower houses , while in the new settlement at the edge of the sea, there are several shops, cafes, restaurants and some bars that especially in summer are full of life. A very nice beach near Kardamili is Fonias with pebbles, high rocks on the edge and suitable for diving with a mask. Kardamili and Stoupa belong to the municipality of Lefktro.

The tourist resort of Stoupa

Stoupa is a newer settlement built behind a large and well-organized beach while the whole coastal zone has a lot of people enjoying their holidays in the taverns, cafes and in the evening in some bars. The little secret of the area is however the magnificent beach of Kalogria.

Accommodation and hotels in Stoupa and Kardamili

Although Stoupa is more developed touristically and in Kardamili you will find several solutions for your stay.

Accommodation in Stoupa

Accommodation in Kardamili

Ban on racketball in Kalogria

The beach of Kalogria became widely known throughout Greece in June 2013 when the Municipal Council of the area decided to ban racquets (or sticks) on the beach.(www.imerisia.gr).

Finally, after a few days in early July the council modified its decision somewhat by allowing rackets but with conditions. A special 14 x 7 metre area will be set aside with a protective net for bathers and from 2pm to 6pm no racquet play will be allowed at all.

Kalogria Stupa Beach, Messinian Mani

In conclusion, we should mention that the great Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis and George Zorbas , from whom he inspired his hero Alexis Zorbas , lived and met on the beach of Kalogria in 1917!

text/photos: Yannis Tsouratzis

Accommodation in Stoupa

Accommodation in Kardamili