What to see and do in Greece's Mani region? Our top 10

Magne or Mani, this region in the south of the Peloponnese is often cited among the places to visit in Greece by Greek residents, yet is little known by tourists. It’s one of our favorite regions. But what to see and do in Mani ?

Located on the 3rd finger of the Peloponnese between the gulfs of Messinia and Laconia, this peninsula just 3h30 from Athens is the ideal destination for 2 or 3 days. In fact, you’ll find all our practical advice in Visit the Mani: where to go, where to stay, where to eat, etc.

You’ll find arid, mountainous landscapes, typical stone villages, charming ports, nature walks, beaches and even caves.

We tell you all about it in our top 10 must-sees and must-dos in the Mani.

1 – Visit the charming village of Areopoli

First, the village of Areopoli, which marks the entrance to the Magne peninsula. With its 1,000 inhabitants, it is the second largest village in the region after Gythio. It’s also an ideal base for a stay in the southern part of the Magne region, and a perfect starting point for a road trip starting from the west coast of the Magne to the east (1 or 2 days).

To enjoy this traditional village, it’s best to leave the car behind and stroll around on foot. From the main square, take the main Kapetan Matapa street and wander through the historic district.

Here you’ll find small squares with cafés and numerous tavernas, and lively evenings. As well as churches, including the Agioi Taksiarhes church with its 6-storey bell tower. Further afield, you can also lose yourself in the cobbled streets, decorated with magnificent bougainvilleas that adorn the stone houses.

2 – Relaxing in Limeni

Beware, you’re guaranteed to fall in love! Set in a bay, Limeni is a small coastal village, its stone-towered houses typical of the architecture of the Magne region skirting a crystal-clear sea with turquoise waters. A huge, life-size swimming pool!

Located 5 km north of Areopoli, Limeni is an ideal spot for lazing around.

It’s easy to spend hours sipping a good juice, gazing out over the magnificent bay.

However, if you want to cool off, you won’t find a sandy beach in the village: the houses built on the rocks plunge directly into the sea. But you can reach the turquoise water via stairs to take a dip and watch the fish swim by. Even without a mask, the water is so clear you can see them perfectly.

Feeling hungry? You’ll be spoilt for choice among the many tavernas, restaurants and bars along the waterfront.

3 – Diros caves in Mani

If you’re in Le Magne, don’t miss the Diros caves. The special feature of these caves is that they are underground and can be visited … by boat! An original experience that will delight young and old alike.

The tour lasts around 25 minutes, with the boat navigating the 1,500-metre-long river through 3 superb caves. The last part is on foot. The boatmen speak little English, so don’t expect a guided tour with explanations. Just enjoy this extraordinary moment and admire the stalactites and stalagmites up close.

Access to Diros Cave is regulated, so we advise you to book your tickets online a few days in advance on the Diros Cave website.

As an indication, here are the rates for summer 2022: Adults €15, reduced rate €10 for children aged 3 to 17 and over 65 (on presentation of proof of identity), free for children under 3.

Opening hours: High season 9am-5pm, Low season 8:30am-4:30pm. Further information at diros-cave.gr (in Greek and English).

4 – Discover the picturesque villages of the Mani region

The Mani region is dotted with stone villages, blending into the natural rocky landscape, with their typical architecture. These fortress-like stone houses with their square towers bear witness to the region’s tumultuous past between piracy and Ottoman occupation. Many are abandoned, like ghost towns. Some, however, have been restored as hotel accommodation in a region where tourism is still underdeveloped. Like this one, for example, located in a magnificent residence .

Go in search of the most beautiful stone towers in the villages of Nomia, and its neighbor Kitta, Tsikalia, Paliros (south of Porto Kagio), or Lagia as you head up the east coast. Not forgetting the village of
Vathia
.

Take the opportunity to admire the many Byzantine churches that dot the villages and roadsides. In fact, some of them are quite special, such as the church of Drialos and its mini-door.

5 – what to see and do in Mani : Gerolimenas

Continuing southwards, you come to the small port of Gerolimenas. Despite its deserted village feel, it remains lively thanks to the taverns and cafés that share the harbor quay. Otherwise, there’s not much to do except enjoy the small pebble beach.

All in all, it’s the ideal place to take a lunch break: enjoy saganaki prawns and fried squid with an ouzo or a cold beer, right next to the small fishing boats… Enough to recharge our batteries and continue our road trip.

6 – Guytheio and the Dimitrios shipwreck

On the east coast, there’s also the port of Guytheio. This is a particularly pleasant gateway to the Magne. You’ll be passing through if you’re coming from Mystra, for example. There are numerous taverns and characterful lodgings.

Close to long sandy beaches, some resorts offer small, individual accommodations. Ideal for families, with the beach within walking distance. We liked Niriides Resort.

For the adventurous, you’ll also love discovering thewreck of Dimitrios, a ship washed up on the beach.

7 – Beaches not to be missed

If you’re looking for long, sandy beaches, you’ve come to the wrong region. However, you’ll still find a number of pleasant beaches, mainly pebbly, where you can swim in clear water. You can easily find them on Google Maps under the terms paralia (Greek for beach) or beach (English).

The beaches of the west coast of the Mani

• Chalikia beach in Mezapos: you can either swim in the pretty little natural harbor with its turquoise-blue waters or take a snorkeling tour of the Mezapos caves. Or go a little further afield on foot, and enjoy the small pebble beach of Kato Mezapos.
• Exo Kapi Beach: a small cove reached via a path from the roadside. It’s a beautiful, undeveloped beach of large pebbles and rocks, which children will love to explore with suitable slippers.
• Sarolimeni in Kirapissos: another wild beach also made up of pebbles. Bring rock shoes, umbrella and water to make the most of it.
• Marmari beach: one of the most beautiful beaches in Magne. It’s a gray-sand beach, with a free section and a section equipped with drinks and deckchair hire (between €10 and €30) run by the Marmari Paradise Resort hotel.
• Limeni: not strictly speaking a beach, but a wonderful place for a swim.

The beaches of the east coast of the Mani

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit the east coast of the Magne, but here are a few beaches with good reviews that I’d spotted:

• Kiprianos beach, a village beach with crystal-clear waters
• Marathos Beach, a family pebble beach with a small taverna
• Paralia Kokkalas Soloteri: another pebble beach in a village with a cabin and shower for rinsing off.
• Plage Allipa: a small pebble beach in a cove with a waterside taverna. A place I’d really like to try!
• Or Chalikia Vatta beach, before branching off to return to Areopoli.

8 – What to see and do in Mani : Vatheia

It’s THE must-see village that so characterizes the Magne region. Please note that there are 2 villages in this part of the Magne with the same name. I’m referring to the one furthest south, after Gérolimenas.

It’s a fortified village with its famous stone towers and small windows. Situated high up on its hill, it dominates the region, offering a lovely panoramic view. The most intriguing part is the abandoned one, which you’ll find on the right-hand side of the road as you descend towards the south of the Magne. You can stroll through this veritable ghost village, and even enter the abandoned dwellings.

On the other side of the road, you’ll find the actual village with a few restored, inhabited houses.

9 – Reaching Cape Tainaro lighthouse

To get there, park in the parking lot near the Tainaro (Tenaro or Tenare) archaeological site. The Tainaron site has been renowned since antiquity as a place of worship for the god Poseidon, king of the sea (worshipped from a cape, as at Cape Sounion). But it’s also known as one of the entrances to the realm of the dead, one of the two gates of Hades, which in mythology marked the entrance to the realm of the dead.

From the parking lot, you can first reach the grotto of Hades and its paleochristian Asomati church, built from the remains of the ancient temple of Poseidon. On the archaeological site, you’ll find the ancient Roman baths, enclosed by a wall, with a lovely, relatively well-preserved mosaic in the middle of nature. There’s also a small beach below, ideal for a swim at the end of the walk.

Then head south, and after a 45-minute walk from the parking lot, you’ll reach the Cap Tainaro lighthouse. From here, you’ll have a breathtaking view of where the Aegean and Ionian seas merge into the Mediterranean. A beautiful walk that’s well worth the detour and offers superb scenery on this southernmost tip of the Peloponnese.

Tips: Wear good shoes (avoid flip-flops), water and a hat.

After walking to Cap Tainaro lighthouse, stop for a break at Porto Kagio.

It’s a quiet little port with a few pleasure boats. Here, you can enjoy the peace and quiet of a café terrace or take a refreshing dip on the small beach. You’ll also find tavernas where you can dine practically on the water.

10 – Taste the culinary specialties of the Mani region

Finally, in Greece, each region has its own culinary specialties, and we love to try them every time. In the Magne region, we tasted, among other things:

• Maniatiki or Magne salad. There are several versions: here, sliced raw cabbage, orange and smoked pork (synglino); or potato and orange.
• Tsourti manis: spaghetti with lots of cheese (mizithra) and fried eggs with honey on top. A delight!
• or Chortopita, a pita with wild herbs and fennel

In fact, we’re so fond of Greek cuisine that we’ve devoted an article to The Mani and its cuisine, which goes into more detail about the dishes you can enjoy in this region.

^{Virginie W.}