Driving through Peloponnese - Seeking feedback on itinerary

I think it depends a bit on what you mean by seeing Cornith and Kalamata. Do you seeing the Corinth Canal or Ancient Corinth? The Corinth Canal is definitely worth stopping to see but will not take too long. Ancient Corinth obviously will take longer, although it is hard for me to estimate having not been there.

I haven’t been to Kalamata either but we made a deliberate decision not to visit, given all the other things there are to see in the Peloponese. In contrast, we just ran out of time to see Anncient Cornith. I would argue that you are better off skipping it and continuing onto Kardamyli.

The toll road to Kalamata is easy to drive. The last bit to Kardamyli is more challenging but not as bad as the Mani Pennisula.

I think two nights in Kardamyli is good, especially if you arrive in the afternoon not evening. But I would spend one night not two in Monemvasia. We enjoyed Monemvasia a lot but saw everything there was to see arriving about 3 pm and departing about 11 am. I would instead add that night to Nafplio as there many day trips you can take from there. You also could stop at Mystras on the way to Nafplio, which was a favorite of our group.

Here is my trip report from a visit this past May in case it is helpful.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-a-wonderful-15-day-trip-to-peloponnese-greece

Kalamata is a nice enough provincial town to overnight and get a good meal - I’d recommend the Pharae Palace for the former and the Kryso Alati to eat - but there isn’t really much to see there. I’d consider staying at Mystra on the way down. An incredible site and a nice little village for a meal and an overnight.

I agree with the previous poster that one night in Monemvasia is enough. It’s spectacular and well worth seeing but fairly small.

Have a great time.

I agree with the previous answers, Monemvasia doesn't require 2 nights. In 1/2 day, you will have seen it all. Monemvasia emptied of its inhabitants in the 19th century after the War of Independence, nowadays only a handful of people remain, most of whom work in tourism. Apart from them, you'll only run into tourists, most of whom stay for just a few hours. You might as well spend that precious second night elsewhere. (Personally, I wouldn't even stay the night)

Try to leave Kardamyli early and you'll be in Monemvasia in time for lunch and to check in. Once you've spent the afternoon and evening in Monemvasia, there's nothing left to do except spend the night and be ready to head to Nafplio.

From Monemvasia to Nafplio, you can either go via Mystras, as Alan suggests, or take the coastal road via Leonidio. Excluding breaks and stops, the driving time is about the same.

The road from Kalamata to Kardamyli is indeed quite winding and often picturesque. If you get stuck behind a truck, you won't have many opportunities to overtake. Either way, there's no need to rush.

Thank you all for your feedback!

I am a bit late on this thread but I agree that one night in Monemvasia is sufficient. You walk through the gate at the town walls and you find yourself back in time.
The hotels there are period rooms spread out over the old town area within the village walls. Our room still had a gun port at the front door.
One of our Greek friends said when we stay in Monemvasa it makes you feel romantic.

Just a tip, the road up to the gate is fairly steep and there are lots of tourists parked cars on the roadway. It can be hard to find a parking space.
We stopped at the turn around at the gate and unloaded our bags and went to the hotel office just inside the walls. My wife checked in and I drove the car back down the hill until I found a parking space, then I walked back up to the entrance. Later in the afternoon when the day trippers had left I walked back to the car and parked it close to the gate.

The first 56 images in this album are of Monemvasia.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157711323535897/

I could use some help planning an approximate 2 day / 2 night trip to outside Athens. We’ll be picking up a car around noon from the Athens port on a Monday and the original plan was to drive to Nafplio for a 2- night stay. But our flight changed and we need to be at the airport Wednesday morning by 8am.

That seems like we’d be putting a lot of pressure on ourselves to get from Nafplio to the airport by 8am.

Any suggestions on a nice area where we can stay close enough to explore Nafplio for a day and a half but also not so far from the Athens airport?

I thought of Corinth but most people seem to think it’s not worth the stop…

There is nowhere really worth visiting between Piraeus and Corinth, for about half the journey the area is largely industrialized.

So, you don't heading west towards Nafplio here are a few suggestions outside of Athens (less than a 1-hour drive from Athens airport, while avoiding entering the city of Athens), depending on your interests:

Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

https://www.hh.gr/en/destinations/sounion/

The lesser-known Archaeological Site of Brauron in Vavrona (40 km east of Athens)

https://madainproject.com/archaeological_site_of_brauron

Lavrio, located between the two, could be a place to stay for the night. It's Greece's 3rd largest port for ferries and leisure boating.

Here is what an itinerary, a kind of loop around the airpor,t might look like:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/izT3N9dQvvkDQhdM6

The Athens Riviera on the way between Piraeus and Cape Sounion is not particularly interesting (even less so outside of summer) and is heavily urbanized in places. Popular seaside & beach spots are likely to be almost deserted after mid-October anyway.

Closer to Athens, but still to the east, you will find the peaceful Kaisariani Monastery (best to visit in the morning). Note that it is closed on Tuesdays.

https://www.hh.gr/en/destinations/kaisariani-monastery/

Thank you JuLui
I missed this earlier

I will look into these options

I really appreciate your input!