Travel > Stoupa

Stoupa – sleepy hollow

While Lorna takes some time out to decorate her new flat we thought we’d let you in on one of Greece’s best kept secrets – and the Ed’s fave holiday destination of the moment – Stoupa.

Nestled away down on the Mani Peninsular (the middle finger of the Peloponnese) on Greece’s now often overlooked mainland, Stoupa is a relative metropolis compared to its neighbouring villages, but if it is buzzing nightlife and dancing-til-dawn you’re after this one definitely is not for you, and if you’re a shopaholic you are also well out of luck here. Sleepy hollow always comes to mind and if you want complete relaxation, beautiful scenery, gorgeous weather, sea, sand, safe swimming for your kids and some great food, Stoupa may well be what you’ve been looking for. Don’t be fooled by the metropolis tab though, this is still very much a one road town (okay, so maybe 3 or 4, but 5 is definitely pushing it!), with 2 supermarkets, 2 bakeries and about 20 eating places spread out along the road that runs the entire length of the sweeping Stoupa bay. There is also a pharmacy or two and wait for it – yes, a cash point – a lifesaver of a very different kind, and a gym (British owned – a Manchester City supporter to boot!)



Accommodation is the usual Greek offering, simple but adequate, the majority of them self-catering studios and apartments, there is very little choice by way of hotels, but the self-catering option tends to keep the price down and either early or late season some two weeks for the price of one offers can be found.

The season coincides with the opening and closing of Kalamata military airport (definitely no photography here please unless you have a desire to see the inside of a Greek jail!) – usually from May to October. Once at Kalamata there is a hairy coach ride over the Taygetos Mountains to get to Stoupa – it takes about an hour to get there from the airport but there is some breathtaking scenery along the way – including the famous Kalamata olive groves, and once at Stoupa the mountains form an impressive backdrop for your stay. It remains fairly inaccessible during the winter although if you did happen to want to visit out of season Athens airport and a long drive or taxi is probably the only option available to you. If you are in the position to do it though you can rent long-term over the winter for relative peanuts – an apartment at Agios Nikolaos (Ag Nik for short! The next village over from Stoupa) will cost you an average of 450€ per month per apartment during the winter months.

Stoupa and the Mani Peninsular are steeped in history: the area is renowned for its courageous stance against the Turkish occupiers; it was a worker in Stoupa that Zorba the Greek was based upon; more than 200 churches Byzantine and Post-Byzantine, can be found dotted around the countryside along with impressive tower houses and dwellings – striking structures built for both defence and supremacy. You can take guided walks or find your own routes, you can take guided boat trips or find your own little sun spots from rented canoes or pedaloes; spring-time flowers are spectacular and the atmosphere of places like Olympia (a couple of hours away by car) are well worth seeing. Stoupa beach and its neighbouring Kalogria beach are both lovely sandy beaches with gentle slopes into a fantastically clear sea, perfect for kids. As with most places we visit, you might just think twice about snogging your girlfriend on the beach, but just in case you’re wondering – although the gaydar won’t be screeching all holiday, it will definitely be twitching on more than one occasion in this hospitable sleepy hollow.

For further information try: www.insidemani.gr or for Stoupa holiday deals: http://www.kosmar.co.uk & www.directholidays.co.uk