Area

The modern city of Pylos is definitely one of the most attractive coastal towns in Greece. The little town is built amphitheatrically between and on-top of two hills, on the southern side of the Navarino bay, Sphacteria Island (a huge rocky barrier 4.6 km long and rising to a height of 135 m.) protects the bay.

(Niokastro or New Castle) is built on the hill above Pylos and is considered, along with Palaiokastro, the guard of the passage of the natural port of Pylos It was built in 1573 by the Ottoman Turks who kept it under their control for more than a century.

Ancient Messini is a significant ancient city in terms of its size, form, and state of preservation, and still has much to offer. It possesses not only sanctuaries and public buildings, but also imposing fortifications, and houses and tombs. It enjoys, amongst other things, the advantage of never having been destroyed or covered by later settlements, and is located on an unspoiled inland site

These are a series of small waterfalls and pools running through a small gorge, with the largest pool and waterfall at the top, where the water is deep. You can swim in the top pool and you may see local lads diving of the cliffs.

One of the greatest natural sights in Messinia, the Lagoon of Gialova. Considered to be one of the most important wetlands in Europe, it is the southernmost stopover point for migratory birds from the Balkans to and from Africa. It is estimated that 254 species of birds find shelter there, such as herons, cormorants, kestrels, seagulls, flamingos, ospreys, imperial eagle and other wading birds. There also, if you are lucky, you may encounter a very rare species of the African chameleon.

Olympia is one of the most influential ancient Greek sanctuaries, located in western Peloponnese, in Elis. In antiquity it was famous beyond the borders of mainland Greece for hosting the Olympic Games every four years, starting in 776 BCE. The archaeological site is located within walking distance of the modern village called Ancient Olympia. The site covers an expanded area of ruins scattered among low trees, as well as the ancient stadium where the Olympics took place.

Gialova is a village on Navarino Bay about six kilometres north of Pylos. Signs of the area's former agricultural industry are evident in two abandoned wine factories (demolished in 2008 and 2016) and the stone warehouses formerly used to store raisins, carob and lemons, which were exported by boats from the jetty. Today it is a bustling and tasteful sea-front pedestrian walk-way, with restaurants, cafes, cocktail bars and retail shops to suit all desires.

The most well-preserved Mycenaean Palace in Greece is located in the area of Pylia and is Palace of Nestor, the famous king of Pylos. It is located 4 kilometers south of the village of Chora on the hill of Epano Eglianos at a distance of 14 km from Pylos. The palace was built in the 13th century BC by King Nestor, son of Neleus, who holds an important position in the Homeric epics.

Petrochori beach is located in front of the homonymous village between Voidokoilia and Romanos Beach. This is a small, organised, quiet, sandy beach, ideal for families. Ammothines, the restaurant and beach bar serves Greek cuisine dishes.

Romanos beach is located next to the homonymous village and is also known to the locals by the name Glyfadaki. Overlooking the Ionian sea, this is a wide beach that is made up of many smaller, successive, sandy beaches with crystal clear blue waters. The first section of the beach is organised with umbrellas, sun loungers, the “Kookoonari” beach bar and restaurant on the road above the beach area. A large part of the beach is not organised and therefore it is ideal for those after a more secluded and peaceful environment for their summer dips.

Next to the Gialova lagoon in the western part of Messinia, you will come across Voidokoilia Beach, the spectacular, famous and most photographed beach in Messinia. The main feature of this natural bay with the perfectly round crescent shape, fine, powder-like sand and turquoise, crystal clear waters, is its sheer natural beauty that draws in all of the region’s visitors. The beach also has historical interest. Situated on one end of the beach is Paleokastro – Pylos’ first castle – where the cave of Nestor can be found, while on the other end, the Mycenaean tomb of Nestor’s son Thrasymedes can be visited.