Our summer vacation this year took us to the heart of Lakonian Mani. While I had visited the area many years ago, my journey had stopped at the picturesque Limeni. This time, we decided to give the entire “leg” of the southern Peloponnese a proper chance and spend our holidays exploring its rugged coastline and historic villages.
We chose to stay at the beautiful Alika Resort in the village of Alika. It’s a stunning, entirely stone-built hotel with a great pool, and our room was a gorgeous attic space. The location was perfect—about a 10-minute drive from Gerolimenas, meaning we were anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour away from all the spectacular beaches the region has to offer.
Day 1: Turquoise Waters and Stone Alleys
We kicked off our first day at Almyros Beach, a recommendation from our hotel. The beach is incredible, featuring thick pebbles, striking turquoise waters, and a large cave. The only downside is that the cave gets crowded very early in the day. As a general rule in Mani, finding natural shade on these wilder beaches is quite a challenge!
In the evening, we visited Areopoli. The town was buzzing with life, full of people strolling through the beautiful stone-paved alleys, packed with charming spots for food and drinks.
Day 2: Beach Hopping and Sunsets
Day two started at Kyparissos Beach, an even wilder and more beautiful spot. With absolutely no shade available, we enjoyed the crystal-clear waters for about an hour and a half before heading to Gerolimenas. This small, scenic village with its quaint little port and shops was the perfect place to grab a cocktail and take another refreshing dip.
In the late afternoon, we drove to Gyalia, a tiny beach that starts with sand and ends in pebbles. It’s an absolutely magical spot to visit as the sun goes down.
Day 3: Hiking to the Edge of the World
Our third day was all about reaching Cape Tenaro and its famous lighthouse. You drive down to the tiny Tenaro Beach and from there, you start the hike. The trail is very accessible and easy—taking about 45 minutes to reach the lighthouse and 30–35 minutes to return. Let me tell you, the lighthouse is so much more impressive in person than in the photos; it’s an absolute must-see.
On our way back, we cooled off with a quick swim at Tenaro Beach and then headed to Marmari. Marmari is the only fully organized, sandy beach we came across. We relaxed at the Marmari Paradise Beach Bar, enjoyed some homemade lemonade, and went for a swim. To wrap up the day, we visited Porto Kagio.
We skipped swimming there because we were starving, which led us to Ippocambos restaurant. I have to give a special shoutout to this place: it was by far the most outstanding dining experience of our entire trip. The seafood was incredibly fresh, the prices were reasonable, and the politeness and service were unmatched. Later that night, we returned to Areopoli for an evening stroll and enjoyed some fantastic cocktails at Manitari Bar.
Day 4: The Most Beautiful Beach & The Journey Home
For our final day, we saved the best for last: Alypa Beach. In my opinion, it is the most beautiful beach in the area. It shares the wild characteristic of the other beaches, but it has very smooth, accessible rocks where you can easily lay your towel and dive right in. The huge plus? It actually has plenty of shaded spots! Before hitting the road back to Patras, we made a final stop in Limeni for a farewell coffee by the water.
Final Thoughts
Overall, our experience in Lakonian Mani was amazing, and it is highly likely we will return. The only negatives were the generally mediocre food experiences (with the bright exception of Ippocambos) and the slightly melancholic sight of so many beautiful, traditional stone-tower villages looking abandoned and forgotten. Still, the wild beauty of Mani is something you simply have to experience.