Region Guide
Kardamili is a stone-built village situated in the second leg of Peloponnese, underneath one of the highest mountains of Greece, Taygetos (2407m). Referenced by Homer in the Iliad as one of the 7 cities offered by Agamemnon to Achilles, as a condition to rejoin the fight in the Trojan War. The location of the village offers many ancient attractions such as paths, churches, tombs etc. In modern history, it has been home for the celebrated English writer, Patrick Leigh Fermor.
We opened Lela’s Taverna in 1983 and started building Notos Hotel in 1997.
Activities (from land to sea)
Hike on the old trails of the area,
just be on the look out for signs on rocks.
Climbing on Mt. Taygetos, to see the pyramid illusion, unreal views on a clear day and Prophet Elias church (recommended with a guide).
Rent an electric mountain bike to ride on the trails around Mt. Taygetos.
Climb Vyros Gorge, one of the biggest and most breath-taking gorges of our area.
Play tennis in Stoupa, with a hitting partner, coach or with your own company in Manitennis.
Dive Code in Stoupa provides diving lessons and tours to explore the caves and sea.
Half-day sea kayak tours with ExploreMessinia.
Rent a boat to explore the remote beaches and caves our area has to offer.
Excursions (grouped in numbers)
Caves of Diros 1
Ancient cave with crystals hanging.
Yerolimenas 1
Beautiful village next to Cavo Grosso.
Vathia 1
A picturesque tower village on a hill.
Lighthouse Tainaron 1
is the southernmost point of mainland Europe.
Monemvasia 2
Medieval castle in front of the sea.
Polylimnio Waterfalls 3
Exotic landspace with small lakes formed in a gorge. Needs shoes to arrive & supplies.
Daily trips around Peloponnese in Ancient Messini & Temple of Apollo Epikourios 3, Mystras 2, Ancient Olympia 4, Mycenaes & Epidavros 5 (can be done on the way to Athens).
(from closest to furthest) Swimming
Main beach of Kardamili, mostly pebbles, partly organised & better enjoyed early in the morning.
Sandy, not organised, easy to drive, usually quiet & next to Patrick Leigh Fermor’s house.
Black thicker sand, crystal clear water, organised, but usually crowded (except low season)
Unique rocky landspace, unorganised, but hard to climb from the sea (prepare to hike a bit).
Remote & unorganised, bluest water on the cave on the right + hard to find (needs hiking shoes).
The area is full of secret beaches to explore.
Further local recommendations
Plan a visit on Patrick Leigh Fermor’s house, by appointment (on Benaki Museum website), only every Monday.
Visit the old town of Kardamili, to see the castle, museum and Dioskouroi tombs.
Bruce Chatwin’s ashes are buried by the church of Ayios Nicolaos in Chora-Exochori village.
Visit the seaside villages of Ayios Nikolaos & Trahila and mountainous villages of Petrovouni, Ayia Sofia, Exochori, Kastania & Tseria, some of them being hike-able from Kardamili.
Visit the Kalamata food market to try local products, every Wednesday and Saturday.
Try our local products, lalagia, olive oil, tomatoes, sfela and honey.
On your way from/to Athens visit Ktima Tselepos for winery tours and wine tastings.
For dinner only, the restaurant is located in the heart of Kardamili, which started back in 1983, as a traditional taverna and now serves home-cooked contemporary Greek food.
We use local ingredients and as much as we can, our production of mostly vegetables.
You may also find an elevated wine list with wines coming from Greece, more information below.
Right in front of the sea, all tables have uninterrupted views of the island of Kardamili, Meropi and the sunset.
The restaurant opens everyday 18:00-23:00, except Tuesdays.
Call +30 69 7771 6017 for a table reservation.
Our wine collection is ever growing, collecting old & rare finds mostly from the Greek vineyard.
The cellar in a cistern underneath the restaurant that dates back to the 1900s and holds about 100 labels, most coming in various vintages.
You can also find organic, orange wines & some foreign wines.
You can visit the restaurant anytime, if you wish to get a wine for you to share with someone special, while you are staying with us.
Just ask our Sommelier.
We can also organise tailor-made wine tastings in groups for people, to get introduced or to try new things, related to the Greek vineyard.
