House in Lefktro,

A medieval tower house in the Peloponnese with huge garden and amazing sea views

A medieval tower house in the Peloponnese with huge garden and amazing sea views

Photo gallery for A medieval tower house in the Peloponnese with huge garden and amazing sea views

The Manoleas tower, built in 1668
Full property: tower, annex, garden
Lower Terrace
"Paleospiti" annex
View from the tower master bedroom

Overview of A medieval tower house in the Peloponnese with huge garden and amazing sea views

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8220 sq m

Popular amenities

  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning

Check out the area

Lefktro
  • Popular LocationPantazí Beach16 min drive
  • Popular LocationStoupa Beach21 min drive
  • Popular LocationDiros Caves44 min drive
  • AirportSparta (SPJ)80 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

Master bedroom - top floor tower

1 Queen Bed

Paleospiti bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Paleospiti bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

en suite bathroom master bedroom

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Kamara bathroom

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Outdoor shower

Paleospiti bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

A medieval tower house in the Peloponnese with huge garden and amazing sea views

A medieval tower house with sweeping views over the Mediterranean. Meticulously restored with modern comforts and an eye for textures, this 3 bedroom house provides an ideal base for exploring the nearby beaches, monuments and hiking areas of southern Greece, or simply sipping ouzo and soaking up history and sunshine in the 1200 square meter garden.
In the deepest south of old Greece, the Mani Peninsula, this is the beautifully restored tower house of the Manoleas family, with original structures dating from the 1600s. It has been fully modernized while retaining its original character, and decorated with local antiques. Located on the outskirts of Thalames, once the capital of the region in the Middle Ages, now a protected monument of winding streets and crumbling Byzantine churches. The house is set in beautifully landscaped gardens with ancient olive trees. The village sits at 450 meters altitude on the slopes of the Taygetus Mountains, 10 minutes from beautiful beaches


The Mani, a corner of ancient Greece: This is a property for travelers who want more than a usual resort vacation. Beaches there are plenty, some sand and some rocky, with crystal clear water for snorkeling, and the Taygetus mountains behind them offer amazing hiking country. What is unique however is the opportunity to live in a restored piece of history, a medieval tower house in a working Greek village. The olive mill is just down the road, local honey and mountain herbs are sold in the village square, and vans selling fresh fruit and vegetables come by daily. The village has cornerstones with ancient Roman and Greek inscriptions, Byzantine churches are hidden around many corners, and ancient Sparta is just 30 km away, on the other side of the Taygetus.

Pyrgos Manoleas is our home, not a rental property. We spent many years touring Greece before finally deciding on Thalames and this property, which we bought in completely decrepit state from the Manoleas family. We spent 5 years, a huge amount of resources, effort and affection on restoring it to its original glory, bringing antique oak planks from Turkey for the floors, hand crafted tiles from Italy, hiring a German master craftsman to supervise works, and a talented Greek architect for the overall design. The garden has been carefully landscaped to provide many sitting areas with different ambiance and views for every season. The ancient olive and mulberry trees have been preserved, with Mediterranean flowering shrubs and aromatic plants rambling over old stone walls. We hope to retire there someday, and in the meantime rent it to people we consider guests, not clients.

We live and work in Italy, but our property is managed for us by our friends Yoanna and Kiriakos, who take care of the garden and house. They live in the main part of the town, just a few hundred yards away. They can supply basic provisions, however a car is recommended for ease of movement, as public transport is limited

Property manager

Alex

Languages

English, French, Italian
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Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Sea view

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking indoors, allowed on patio and garden

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 00001847270

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 500, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

West Mani

Located in West Mani, this villa is near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Ionian Sea and Pantazí Beach, while Pikoulakis Tower House Museum and Ancient Theatre are cultural highlights. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving and snorkelling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and mountain climbing.

What's nearby

  • Pantazí Beach - 16 min drive
  • Kalogria - 19 min drive
  • Stoupa Beach - 21 min drive
  • Kelefas Castle - 29 min drive
  • Diros Caves - 44 min drive

Getting around

  • Kalamata (KLX-Kalamata Intl.) - 83 min drive

Restaurants

  • Patriko - 18 min drive
  • Akrogialli Taverna - 19 min drive
  • Πεύκο - 19 min drive
  • Πάραλος - 18 min drive
  • Ammos - 20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A medieval tower house in the Peloponnese with huge garden and amazing sea views pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at A medieval tower house in the Peloponnese with huge garden and amazing sea views?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A medieval tower house in the Peloponnese with huge garden and amazing sea views?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is A medieval tower house in the Peloponnese with huge garden and amazing sea views located?

Situated near the beach, this villa is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Ionian Sea and within 9 miles (15 km) of Pantazí Beach and Stoupa Beach. Kalogria and Delfina are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 29 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 29 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jessica K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place . Amazing views!
Beautiful peaceful place. Lovely
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cressida B., London

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous Maniot House
Pyrgos Manoleas is a beautiful house in an excellent location. Being at the bottom of the village means you have an unrestricted view of sea and mountains. The house and gardens have been meticulously restored, but have all the modern comforts - good beds, quiet a/c, hot water on tap etc. It’s great to be up the hill away from the heat and the crowds ( it’s been particularly crowded this year in this area ). We would love to come back another time - thanks Alex - and Kiriakos too.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kathy A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tremendous Tower House in a Tantalizing Location
Fabulous property in a wonderful setting, with a great local taverna and close to some lovely beaches.

10/10 Excellent

Rowan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exceptionally beautiful home in unspoilt village.
Sublime. The property is two dwellings one of which is a tower house particular to this region. The houses and gardens have been beautifully and thoughtfully renovated . The use of stone and wood within and outside the property, the stone walls. the outside shower , trees and vine are all perfectly placed. There is a hammock in an olive grove below a vine that I lay in for hours looking out to sea from. The views from all the windows and the lower terrace are exceptional of mountains, olive groves and the sea ( possibly the best seaview of anywhere I have stayed). Everything about this property was heavenly, well cared for and designed for comfort and an aesthetic joy. The caretakers and the owner were wonderfully friendly and helpful. The property is situated down at the end of a little lane , very short way from parking and the village square where we would wander up and eat some evenings at a exceptional taverna. Or you could walk into the countryside which was completely peaceful and unspoilt. Mostly, we loved to stay at the property because it is so idyllic. It is a drive to beaches, but not far, the nearest maybe 15 mins drive. The whole area is not over touristy and people are so friendly and warm. We had a wonderful time.

10/10 Excellent

Jean W.

Wonderful place to chill out, do ‘not a lot’, and generally have a great relaxing time.
When you are in the garden, life is tranquil and relaxing, with wonderful views, sufficient sunny and shady areas (plus associated loungers & comfy chairs) to suit all needs, plus a superb hammock in which to have that essential ‘afternoon nap’. The house is well equipped with good quality kit from air conditioning, to kitchen hardware, to multiple showers, to beds, etc. For those in need of their internet kick, the WiFi is good for emails, newspapers, FaceTime, etc, with reasonable access well into the garden. The welcome & support offered by Kiriakos & Yoanna is exceptional, with a good balance between ‘being around’ and ‘leaving you alone’. The local (5-10mins walk) taverna provides good food, drink, & occasional music, for locals as well as visitors; be aware that portion sizes are large and prices low! A 20 to 30 minutes drive north gives you access to several lovely beaches with warm, clear water, some form of taverna, & car parking. Go 15 minutes south, in your car, and you’ll find a bakery, which will tempt you with its very affordable and wonderful breads, pastries, pizzas, etc.; an experience not to be missed. Finally, Alex is very welcoming plus helpful, providing lots of good information as standard plus is quick to reply to any specific queries.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2018

About the host

Hosted by Alex

Host profile image
We are a French-American couple who both work in humanitarian and development aid, currently with the United Nations, so our lifestyle is quite nomadic. We've lived in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Congo and a few other countries in between. We are currently Rome based.

Why they chose this property

I've been visiting Greece regularly since the 80's, and we decided to buy a property in 2003. After 2 years of house hunting across Crete, Kythira and the Mani we decided on the Thalames-Platsa-Langada area of the Exo-Mani as the best mixture of proximity to beautiful coastline, breathing space outside the crowd, longer sea views, and being a few degrees cooler in the summer. The unique fortress architecture of the Mani was also a big draw, but finding a pyrgos-spiti (tower house) to restore was not easy as they rarely come up for sale. Thalames was our first choice due to friends, amazing location, and special conservation status.

What makes this property unique

While there are many beautiful properties for rent in Greece, there are few restored antique properties, for the simple fact that it is very expensive and time consuming to restore them. Pyrgos Manoleas is the real thing, with the main structure dated to 1686, and the 'newest' part to the mid 1800s, located on the outskirts of a town already described by Pausanias 1900 years ago. Thalames is a working Greek village, where you can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional town, just ten minutes' drive from amazing beaches and coastal resorts.

Languages:

English, French, Italian
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