Why You Need to Visit Kardamyli

Last Updated on November 9, 2020

Almost one year ago, on September 27th, 2019, JC took me on the most amazing trip to Kardamyli, Greece. Not only did he keep the entire trip a surprise, but he also pulled off the biggest surprise of all — he proposed! It was a picture-perfect engagement in the most beautiful setting. Read below to find out all the reasons why the hidden gem of Kardamyli should be on your travel bucket list. And who knows, maybe it could also be the perfect place to pop the question? It worked for JC, after all 😉

It was the filming location of ‘Before Midnight’

Kardamyli in the film 'Before Midnight' — *Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) in Kardamyli in the film ‘Before Midnight’*

The ‘Before’ series of films follows characters Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) as they fall in love in Vienna (‘Before Sunrise’), reunite in Paris nine years later (‘Before Sunset’) and finally, another nine years later with two children (‘Before Midnight’), vacation in Kardamyli, Greece. JC and I had watched the first two films together in Milan. We finally watched the third film ‘Before Midnight’ together on location in Kardamyli after he proposed. If you are a fan of the films, you will enjoy visiting all the spots Jesse and Celine went to in the film, such as the Patrick Leigh Fermor House.

You can visit the home of British author Patrick Leah Fermor in Kardamyli

British author Patrick Leah Fermor and his wife donated their vacation home in Kardamyli to the Benaki Museum in 1996. The house is open to visitors (although closed now due to Corona). You can buy tickets online on their website here. The home was featured in the film ‘Before Midnight’ and you can have fun, as we did, reenacting all the scenes from the film as you wander the grounds.

Patrick Leigh Fermor House, Kardamyli, Greece

Enjoy crystal clear water

The water in Kardamyli is crystal clear since they are rock beaches and not sand. Be sure to bring water shoes for the rocks! The weather at the end of September was still perfect beach weather at 29 Celsius or 84 Fahrenheit. Our favorite beach was Foneas Beach, which is a bit hidden. You need a car to get there. At the end of September we had the place practically to ourselves.

Feast on delicious Greek food in Kardamyli

I LOVE greek food, which is another one of the reasons Kardamyli was a perfect choice for our engagement. From greek yogurt and feta cheese to all the mouth watering fresh seafood, eating well is easy in Kardamyli. By far, our FAVORITE restaurant in Kardamyli that we kept coming back to was Elies Restaurant. The outdoor garden seating is lovely, as is the eggplant mousakka, greek salad and fried calamari.

Take a hike to Agia Sofia

Kardamyli is not just beaches and delicious greek food. You can also take various treks up the hills behind the town. We trekked up to Kardamyli old town and then continued on to the Agia Sofia church. Once you reach the church you can enjoy spectacular views of Kardamyli from above.

Enjoy the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets

I really believe the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets are in Greece. We enjoyed the most beautiful sunrises from the balcony of our Airbnb. Its location 10 minutes uphill from the town meant the most spectacular views over all of Kardamyli.