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

Outdoor dining
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior
Point of interest
Outdoor dining
10.0
Outstanding(29 Reviews)

Villa in Messenia

8 guests · 4 bedrooms · 4 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Air conditioner and more

About this villa rental

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

Amenities

Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
TV
Garden

Map of Messenia

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Reviews

10.0
Outstanding(29 Reviews)
Summary of reviews
Beautiful and peaceful property with stunning views, meticulously restored house and gardens, modern comforts, and friendly caretakers. Highly recommend for a serene Greek village experience.
From real guest reviews summarized by AI
10.0
Aug 2022
Beautiful peaceful place. Lovely
10.0
Aug 2020
Fabulous Maniot House
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.
10.0
Aug 2020
A wonderful stay
A wonderful stay
Two weeks of utter bliss: the house, the view, the garden, the sunsets and shooting stars, reading in the hammock, the village - not to mention the local taverna and lovely Cristina, the vegetable truck and the man who sells oregano on the side of the road. We discovered fantastic beaches - Kalamitsi, Trachila and Foneas being firm favourites - as well as hilltop villages. More than anything else we were able to switch off from the current worries of our fragile world, and enjoy the beauty and simplicity of life in an authentic Greek village. Highly recommend.
10.0
Aug 2019
Tremendous Tower House in a Tantalizing Location
Tremendous Tower House in a Tantalizing Location
Fabulous property in a wonderful setting, with a great local taverna and close to some lovely beaches.
10.0
Jul 2019
Exceptionally beautiful home in unspoilt village.
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.
10.0
Aug 2018
We - family of four with two teenagers - stayed for almost 2 weeks in Thalames. The house (tower) was in perfect condition, the view awesome. Our daughters stayed in a separate building, enjoying their privacy and double beds (for each!). Spending a day in the garden (instead of going to the sea) was a real pleasure, it is sunny and also provides shadow during the hot July hours. The nearby taverna was always a safe bet at any time of the day. As in the header - a place to return to.
10.0
Jul 2018
Wonderful place to chill out, do ‘not a lot’, and generally have a great relaxing time.
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.
10.0
Nov 2017
Opening the blue door to the property we felt like entering a hidden paradise. Never before we spent such a perfect holiday, due to many aspects: first of all the wonderful Pyrgos, restored with taste and carefulness, the bedroom on the second floor with a 270 degree view, our favorite place on the smaller court under the trees following the sun from the east rising behind the Mount Nikon to the stunning sunsets in the west. Thalames has a fantastic tavern "O Platanos" with a friendly stuff where we used to take a coffee and to have our dinner quite often... The olive oil from the mill just in front of the tavern (taste the one with orange too!) is just delicious. We had some lovely hiking tours in the region and discovered little beaches, our favourite one ist Foneas. To sum it up, the owners created really a wonderful place where you will regenerate and get inspired just by the peaceful landscape and people around you. Thank you so much for three unforgettable weeks!

FAQs

How much does this villa cost compared to others in Messenia?

The average price for a rental in Messenia is $124 per night. This rental is $152 above the average.

Is parking included with this villa?

Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at A medieval tower house in the Peloponnese with huge garden and amazing sea views. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this villa?

We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this villa. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.

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

Unfortunately, this villa is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"

What amenities are available at A medieval tower house in the Peloponnese with huge garden and amazing sea views?

We found 9 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, and parking.

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