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Peloponnese, the most hidden Greece
In the province of Messenia, on the first peninsula of the Peloponnese, there is one of the most intact regions of Greece, without mass tourism, with long sandy beaches and unforgettable villages such as Methoni, Pylos, Kuroni, Kalamata, Finikunda, Petalidi.
Some beaches recommended by Karlitalia
The beaches are golden and crystalline sand. Hidden behind the dunes is the magical beach of Voidokilia, in the shape of a Greek omega, considered among the most beautiful in Greece. The sand is white and fine, the sea calm and warm and behind it is a protected natural lagoon, where various species of birds nest. A stop at Golden Beach (Gialova) is unmissable. Gialova is also an important park for seeing specimens of African chameleons and pink flamencos. Destino Beach, on the other hand, is equipped with a bar, restaurant, lido with deckchairs and umbrellas. Finikounda is famous for its sandy coastline.
What to see and do: our suggestions
Numerous years of history have left beautiful testimonies in Messenia: palaces and tombs of the Mycenaean civilization, classical temples, Byzantine churches and medieval castles. The merit and perhaps the fortune of the region is that it is still unknown to mass tourism. It reveals the face of authentic Greece with its small and picturesque stone villages that have survived the passing of centuries, passing down from generation to generation the traditional hospitality that distinguishes the Greek people. The capital of Messenia is the lively town of Kalamata, famous for the production of the olives of the same name.
Methoni is a beautiful Venetian fortified citadel, on whose tip the Ottoman tower and its stone bridge emerge from the sea, built after the Turkish conquest of the Peloponnese. It is undoubtedly a surreal vision that remains imprinted in the memory, together with the tranquility and simplicity of its inhabitants. Methoni is fronted by a small archipelago of 3 uninhabited islands: Venetiko, Schiza and Sapienza, parts of the Natura 2000 park. They have intact Mediterranean scrub and are inhabited only by wild goats, partridges, pheasants, quails, wild boars. From Methoni northwards we find the picturesque Pilos arranged like an amphitheater in front of the island of Sfakteria, in whose bay of Navarino in 1827 the Anglo-French fleet defeated the Turkish-Egyptian one. The fortress which is located on the promontory at the northern end of the bay - reachable in 30 minutes via a path - will leave you amazed by the panorama of the Ionian Sea and what is considered the most beautiful beach in Greece, Voidolikia, in the shape of a Greek omega ( in the Kyparissia area). A modern and wonderful, very exclusive golf course considered among the best in the world has recently arisen between Pilos and Methoni. Finikounda, renowned location for lovers of windsurfing and long stretches of golden sand.
Furthermore, in the Messinia area:
- the castle of Methoni.
- The archaeological site of Olympia (2.5 hours from Methoni).
- The archaeological site of Sparta (2 hours from Methoni).
- Koroni (30 min from Methoni), founded by the Venetians, is famous for its ancient castle (now partly occupied by a convent), and for the large fleet of small fishing boats, among the most numerous in Greece.
- Polymimni Waterfalls, near the town of Kazerma (on the road between Kalamata and Pylos).
- Pylos and the large bay of Navarino.
- Ancient Messinia, archaeological site about 20km from Kalamata. The excavations are still ongoing, the stadium surrounded by the colonnade and with the temple in the center is almost at the same level as the one in Olympia.
- Sapienza Island, to be discovered with a boat ride, perhaps with a fisherman available to accompany you.
- Nestor's Palace and Nestor's Museum. They are located in the village of Chora (cirac 1 hour from Methoni).
Where it is located and how to reach Messinia
Where it is found: Messenia is the south-west Ionian coast of the Peloponnese. The Peloponnese is a historical region in southern Greece that forms a peninsula between the Ionian Sea and the Aegean Sea.
How big it is: Artificially detached from Greece by the Corinth Canal and then in 2004 by the Rion-Antirion bridge, the Peloponnese has a surface area of approximately 21,400 square kilometres. Costa Navarino, jewel of Greece, is located in the Greek region of Messenia in the southwestern Pelopponese. Methoni, the southern offshoot, is a municipality of around 2600 inhabitants.
By plane:
Scheduled flights via Athens connecting to Kalamata International Airport and direct low cost flights from Bergamo to Kalamata. Exit the airport and turn right (direction Pylos), continue to Pylos (about 50 km), cross the entire town of Pylos towards Methoni for about 10 kilometres.
On boat:
From the Port of Patras. As soon as you get off the ship, turn right, heading south and follow the signs to Pyrgos.
Take the New National Road highway (keep the sea always on the right), cross the villages of Pyrgos (90 km), Zacharo (130 km). Rejoin the main road and continue towards Kiparissia (170 km), Filiatra (190 km); in this area the highway ends and continue along the provincial road for the remaining 70 km. Passing through the villages of Gargaliani, Hora and the beautiful Pylos you arrive in Methoni after about 10 km.
More information, useful advice and curiosities in the travel documents that will be sent before departure.
In the province of Messenia, on the first peninsula of the Peloponnese, there is one of the most intact regions of Greece, without mass tourism, with long sandy beaches and unforgettable villages such as Methoni, Pylos, Kuroni, Kalamata, Finikunda, Petalidi.
Some beaches recommended by Karlitalia
The beaches are golden and crystalline sand. Hidden behind the dunes is the magical beach of Voidokilia, in the shape of a Greek omega, considered among the most beautiful in Greece. The sand is white and fine, the sea calm and warm and behind it is a protected natural lagoon, where various species of birds nest. A stop at Golden Beach (Gialova) is unmissable. Gialova is also an important park for seeing specimens of African chameleons and pink flamencos. Destino Beach, on the other hand, is equipped with a bar, restaurant, lido with deckchairs and umbrellas. Finikounda is famous for its sandy coastline.
What to see and do: our suggestions
Numerous years of history have left beautiful testimonies in Messenia: palaces and tombs of the Mycenaean civilization, classical temples, Byzantine churches and medieval castles. The merit and perhaps the fortune of the region is that it is still unknown to mass tourism. It reveals the face of authentic Greece with its small and picturesque stone villages that have survived the passing of centuries, passing down from generation to generation the traditional hospitality that distinguishes the Greek people. The capital of Messenia is the lively town of Kalamata, famous for the production of the olives of the same name.
Methoni is a beautiful Venetian fortified citadel, on whose tip the Ottoman tower and its stone bridge emerge from the sea, built after the Turkish conquest of the Peloponnese. It is undoubtedly a surreal vision that remains imprinted in the memory, together with the tranquility and simplicity of its inhabitants. Methoni is fronted by a small archipelago of 3 uninhabited islands: Venetiko, Schiza and Sapienza, parts of the Natura 2000 park. They have intact Mediterranean scrub and are inhabited only by wild goats, partridges, pheasants, quails, wild boars. From Methoni northwards we find the picturesque Pilos arranged like an amphitheater in front of the island of Sfakteria, in whose bay of Navarino in 1827 the Anglo-French fleet defeated the Turkish-Egyptian one. The fortress which is located on the promontory at the northern end of the bay - reachable in 30 minutes via a path - will leave you amazed by the panorama of the Ionian Sea and what is considered the most beautiful beach in Greece, Voidolikia, in the shape of a Greek omega ( in the Kyparissia area). A modern and wonderful, very exclusive golf course considered among the best in the world has recently arisen between Pilos and Methoni. Finikounda, renowned location for lovers of windsurfing and long stretches of golden sand.
Furthermore, in the Messinia area:
- the castle of Methoni.
- The archaeological site of Olympia (2.5 hours from Methoni).
- The archaeological site of Sparta (2 hours from Methoni).
- Koroni (30 min from Methoni), founded by the Venetians, is famous for its ancient castle (now partly occupied by a convent), and for the large fleet of small fishing boats, among the most numerous in Greece.
- Polymimni Waterfalls, near the town of Kazerma (on the road between Kalamata and Pylos).
- Pylos and the large bay of Navarino.
- Ancient Messinia, archaeological site about 20km from Kalamata. The excavations are still ongoing, the stadium surrounded by the colonnade and with the temple in the center is almost at the same level as the one in Olympia.
- Sapienza Island, to be discovered with a boat ride, perhaps with a fisherman available to accompany you.
- Nestor's Palace and Nestor's Museum. They are located in the village of Chora (cirac 1 hour from Methoni).
Where it is located and how to reach Messinia
Where it is found: Messenia is the south-west Ionian coast of the Peloponnese. The Peloponnese is a historical region in southern Greece that forms a peninsula between the Ionian Sea and the Aegean Sea.
How big it is: Artificially detached from Greece by the Corinth Canal and then in 2004 by the Rion-Antirion bridge, the Peloponnese has a surface area of approximately 21,400 square kilometres. Costa Navarino, jewel of Greece, is located in the Greek region of Messenia in the southwestern Pelopponese. Methoni, the southern offshoot, is a municipality of around 2600 inhabitants.
By plane:
Scheduled flights via Athens connecting to Kalamata International Airport and direct low cost flights from Bergamo to Kalamata. Exit the airport and turn right (direction Pylos), continue to Pylos (about 50 km), cross the entire town of Pylos towards Methoni for about 10 kilometres.
On boat:
From the Port of Patras. As soon as you get off the ship, turn right, heading south and follow the signs to Pyrgos.
Take the New National Road highway (keep the sea always on the right), cross the villages of Pyrgos (90 km), Zacharo (130 km). Rejoin the main road and continue towards Kiparissia (170 km), Filiatra (190 km); in this area the highway ends and continue along the provincial road for the remaining 70 km. Passing through the villages of Gargaliani, Hora and the beautiful Pylos you arrive in Methoni after about 10 km.
More information, useful advice and curiosities in the travel documents that will be sent before departure.