Doable Mani Drive?

Posted by RC (Fort Myers, FL) on 09/23/20 12:47 PM

Is below doable in a day?
Was planning to stop for the night about half-way, but looking to add a day in Peloponnese for either in 3rd night in Nafpoli or side trip to Mystros.
Starting 8am at Karavostasi (Xili) (staying here as I can’t find anything in Monemvasia) to, Dimitros shipwreck, Kotronas, Kokkala, Lagia, Tenaro Lighthouse, Vathia, Diros Caves, Areopoli, Kardamyli for the night
Google maps states 133 miles and 4:37 time to drive.
Taking time for in Pyrgos for Diros caves (about an hour if no wait) and the rest is just moseying through.
I could cut some stops, but that won’t change

Thank you in advance for your kind input.

Posted by Badger

Uppsala, Sweden

09/23/20 01:29 PM

6970 posts

I'm not familiar with the area, but if Google maps says it is a 4:37 drive, it is probably 5-6 hours in reality.

Posted by stanbr

Nanaimo, BC, Canada

09/23/20 02:39 PM

1441 posts

It is doable however there are some great places to stop and visit on the way. On our first visit to Peloponnese we departed Nafplio in the early morning and arrived in Monemvassia at 6 in the evening. There were just too many great places to stop. I think you might want to add an extra day and plan to spend some time in these places. We have never had a reservation in Monemvassia we have just done a walk up and found a hotel within minutes of arrival.

Kardamyli is deep in the middle of a mountain range. The road is very narrow and is used by trucks and buses. It will take you way longer to do that section of the drive than you think.

While you are in Nafplio you might want to take a day and visit Corinth. It has Ancient Corinth the great fortress at Acrocorinth and Ancient Nemia. thats a full day trip.
Here is your proposed trip.
Nafplio https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632094108982

Corinth Area. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157711755443483
Peloponnese, Mani and Monemvassia. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157711323535897
Peloponnese Battle Castles https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157645468134284

Posted by Suki

09/23/20 10:02 PM

11569 posts

When we planned our trip to Greece we used a Greek travel agency to help us. The best advice the agent gave us was that it takes more time to drive in the Peloponnesean Peninsula than you think it will as it is mountainous, with winding roads. We drove on some scary roads with hairpin turns. So adjust the time it may take you. Internet maps don’t always tell you the correct conditions.
Greece is very mountainous and also very near the sea at all times.