We have we have 12 days in the Peloponnese peninsula and are thinking about the following itinerary. I’d appreciate any comments.
2 nights in Athens
2 nights in Hydra
3 nights in Nafplio
2/3 nights in Mani/monemvasia
2 nights in Stemitsa
1 night at Athens airport.
We know it’s a lot of mountain driving, but do these stops make sense.
What time are your inbound and outbound flights? Just wondering if you could adjust to avoid the split stay in Athens. We drove to Nafplio on arrival, but of course don't do that if it would not be safe for you to do so.
Without listing what you want to see in each place, it is hard to evaluate, but just big picture-wise, I would eliminate Hydra (just does not grab me, plus why spend time on ferries and such when you have all that coastline right there?)
The consensus about Monemvasia (I skipped it) seems to be that it's pretty but you don't need a lot of time to see it. I would pick a different Mani base.
I absolutely adored the Stemnitsa area. We are big hikers but we also enjoyed visiting the monastery and the area is just lovely.
I would consider trying to include Mystras if you can swing it. good luck!
Thanks for your comments. We thought about going directly to Napfolio, but we want 2 days in Athens without a car so we thought we would go to Athens directly when we arrive by public transport then take the boat to hydra and then pick up a car in Ermioni. From there go to Napfolio for three nights, then maybe base ourselves in Mani, do a day trip to monemvista, maybe base ourselves in Aeropolis. Then on to Stemitsa We are hikers, but in our 70’s so we have slowed down some. Does this make sense
Sounds fine to me, as long as you have scoped out the rental aspect. It seems like different-location drop offs are sometimes slightly less routine than in other countries, but that is just an impression, not a certainty!
One more question, staying in Mani, would you recommend Aeropolis or Lemini. Is three days too much for this area. Thanks again
One thing to consider is spending just two nights somewhere means probably 1 1/2 days as there's a lot involved with moving each time including packing/unpacking, settling in, not to mention driving time.
Nafplio is a wonderful town and the entire Argolis Peninsula is filled with just about anything one would want for the Peloponnese without the long driving time to various areas. You could spend your entire time for the Peloponnese there as a base.
The Mani is spectacular but driving time is very slow not because the roads are bad but due to the terrain: mountains with switchbacks, hair pin turns, constant stopping for photo ops, etc.
If the Mani is a must then I would split time between Nafplio and one location in the Mani. Areopolis is lovely and may work but I stayed in Gythio which is a lovely sea side town with enough services to keep you happy. You can do a day trip to Monemvasia but it's not worth an overnight stay in my opinion.
Eight days is only a drop in the bucket for the Peloponnese as it's a huge area so try to avoid to much time driving to get from point A to point B.
We actually have 13 days. We are leaning towards staying in monemvasia for a night because it is on the way to The rest of mani. Most people don’t seem to recommend staying there. Is 3 nights in mani too long. What are the things to see
Does the 13 days include 3 in Athens & 2 in Hydra?
If so they are not part of the Peloponnese.
Nafplio (3 nights), Mani (2/3 nights), Stemitsa (2 nights) are in the Peloponnese and according to your original post that amounts to 7-8 in the Peloponnese.
If you are interested in reading a trip report with photos for the Peloponnese including the Mani check the link below. Click on a photo to get a caption (not all photos have captions)
Yes, that is correct.
2 nights in Athens and 2 nights in Hydra, so that leaves 8 days in Mani and Stemnista
And Napfolio is included in the remaining days after Athens and Hydra
Stemnitsa. Definitely off the beaten track of most tourists to Greece. It is a stop on the Menalon trail. The end of the first days hike through the Louisis Gorge. So if you like hiking. We are in our 70s. Did the whole Menalon trail. Six days.
It is a nice town. Perched on a ridge. Lots of views.
Google Menalon trail for info.
