Hello fellow travelers: At the risk of repeating a very recent question about the Peloponnese . . . we are traveling to Greece in May 2027. After 4 nights in Athens we plan to rent a car and drive through Corinth and down to Kalamata. We plan to stay the first night (and next) in Kardamyli. Is it too ambitious for this first leg? We definitely want to see Corinth and Kalamata, and I know there are hairpin turns from Kalamata to Kardymyli so it will take about an hour but I don't want to arrive late in the day in Kardamyli (Note: after Kardamyli we intend to go to Menovasia and then Napfilo [2 nights each]).
Thoughts?
Posted by
3667 posts
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
Posted by
Brighton, UK
1506 posts
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.
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
4272 posts
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.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thank you all for your feedback!