Stoupa

Welcome to my Stoupa homepage. I have loads of links on this page which should be helpful if you want to get the best out of the area. There’s more links at the very bottom of this page too.

An introduction:

Stoupa is about an hour south of Kalamata on the edge of the Taygetos Mountains. You will most likely fly in to Kalamata International airport unless you fly to Athens. You could also consider driving to Stoupa from the UK, we did that in 2024 and it was a great experience. I have written about our journey to and from Stoupa, click HERE for more info.

Stoupa is an excellent place to relax or to explore The Mani and beyond if you hire a car. In the summer it is busy due to the abundance of package holidays that are available. Despite this, Stoupa maintains a charm. It copes with the crowds well as it is served by several beaches, plenty of tavernas. excellent bakeries and a couple of supermarkets. In the early and late summer the place is beautifully tranquil.

The main road bypasses Stoupa which is a good thing but the roads into Stoupa are quite narrow and it can sometimes be a bit of a squeeze if it’s busy with traffic. You may have to walk to your accommodation from the main road as coaches cannot make it through the narrow roads.

For more info of what to see and do in Stoupa, where to eat, beaches and more, click on the following links–

Things to see and do in Stoupa

Beaches

Wining and Dining

Getting there

If your transfers from the airport to Stoupa are included in your package then you are all sortified, although waiting in the coach for everyone to board is never fun with a swim or a cold pint of beer beckoning. We always hire a car from Napoleon [see below] and someone will meet you at the airport [with the car]. Another option is to get a bus [never done that] or book a taxi- Taxistoupa are reliable, family run and friendly. The road to Stoupa from Kalamata is a bit bendy at times as it hugs the coast but its a wonderful drive with lovely views even if you get stuck behind a slow lorry.

Car Hire

There are two main Car hire companies in Stoupa- Napoleon Car Hire which is tucked away in the south of Stoupa and Mani Cars which is more visible as it is faces the main beach. I use Napoleon and they have been brilliant but I have heard good reports on Mani Cars too. For more info on driving in the Peloponnese click HERE.

Grunty Tip–The petrol stations near Stoupa are really expensive. It’s much cheaper to top up near Kalamata, the petrol station just north of Kambos is a good one as are the ones in Areopoli.

Parking

Parking in Stoupa can be a bit of a challenge in peak season but there’s normally some spaces in the side roads if you perservere. Another option is to park in the south of Stoupa near the church, there’s a sign for it by the school. There are a couple of car parks near Kalogria Beach which charge by the hour, but I have never used them. Street parking is not allowed on the road running along Stoupa’s main beach.

No car ?

You don’t need a car to enjoy Stoupa. The town isn’t large and it’s very walkable. I like to have the car to get to interesting and out of the way places in the Peloponnese but there are other options if you want to get out and about. You could book a taxi to take you to Ag Nig or Kardamyli or take an excursion offered by Doufexis Travel who are based in Stoupa. They also have timetables for local buses.

Money

Stoupa does have a couple of cashpoints, one on the main prom and one by Perasma Taverna not far from Kalolgria. There is also a cashpoint at Kritikos supermarket on the main road. Most establishments take card payments but cash is always appreciated. A tip is also appropriate if you feel you have had good service.

Supermarkets and bakeries

There are two large, well stocked [and air conditioned] supermarkets on the main road on the northern and southern edges of town. The supermarket to north is unpronouncable [and unreadable] to us British peeps so it’s easier to call it Morrisons. Over the road from Morrisons is the local pharmacy. If you need something out of hours they have a vending machine outside well stocked with condoms and lube as well as other essentials.

The supermarket chain Kritikos that has now taken over Katerina’s in the south does not pose the same problem. There is still a Katerina‘s in the centre of Stoupa by the beach which is a little more expensive but is pretty well stocked with essentials. Just outside of Stoupa is a small Deli called Ta Maniatika, it’s on the main road between Stoupa and Ag Nik and is worth a visit if you have your own transport. There is a sign for it on the main road but it’s still easy to miss if you blink.

Fancy a spinach pie, baguette for a picnic or perhaps a cakey? There are several quality bakeries in Stoupa. There are also a couple of patisseries on the main prom too. We like the bakery close to the main road as you leave the town to the south. Kritikos also has a decent bakery in store. [You won’t go hungry!].

*The bakery in the south of Stoupa [near Kritikos]*

Spring Water

Most hotels and apartments will tell you that the tap water in Stoupa is not drinkable and it may not be ideal if you have a sensitive tummy due to its high mineral content. I have never had a problem though- cast iron tummy!

Bottled water is very cheap from the supermarkets but perhaps the best option is to fill your own bottles from the taps that are dotted around the town as these are fed directly from the mountain streams. It will probably be warm so pop it in your fridge and it will be lovely the next day. The map above of Stoupa is a bit old [it’s a Thomas Cook/Manos one] but does show where to find the taps. (If you biggun the map you can clearly see where the spring water taps are positioned).

Accommodation

There’s a large choice of places to stay to fit most budgets, from camping and self catering apartments to villas and plush hotels if you look on Tripadvisor or Airbnb. Some of these are the other side of the main bypass road so you will have a ten minute walk into Stoupa itself.

We have stayed at the family run Theoxenia Apartments on numerous occasions. It has a lovely pool and is well located. The rooms are simply furnished and spacious. It’s located on the small quiet road that leads to Liastres Restaurant and Enigma Bar. We also love Hotel Aphrodite. It is not far from Kritikos supermarket and the main road and is a lovely and peaceful place to stay.