FREE| Explore Western Messinia
FREE| Explore Western Messinia
Konstantinos Kiskiras
Are you planning your next summer vacation in Messinia in order to enjoy a beautiful, unspoiled and relaxed destination with amazing beaches? Here you can find a guide covering the most beautiful and interest places of the area through the eyes of a local.
Messinia is located in the southwest part of Peloponnese and you can access it either by landing in the international airport of Kalamata, capital of Messinia or in Athens and then driving south around 3 hours.
This guide is focused on the west part of Messinia and covers the main beauties of the region. It has more than 20 locations to visit within the area like beaches, beach bars, restaurants and historical sites. I would like to mention that in order to be able to visit these places and in general to explore the area, you will need a car. This guide can be used from couples, group of friends and a family!
You can scroll the list or open it as an interactive map, so you can easily access it through your phone while you are walking around. You can use it as a first inspiration of your trip.
This is a lively guide, so I will keep updating it and it will automatically update for you as well!
I hope you will enjoy your stay in the area!
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Beaches
Voidokilia Beach
@konstantinoskiskiras
Voidokoilia is one of the most popular beaches of Messinia and it's considered one of the most beautiful of the Meditteranean Sea. The beach has a circular shape that reminds the belly of a cow (and this is what the name means).
Useful info: The beach is part of Natura 2000 protected area so there are no beach bars or organized sunbeds. You can take your umbrella, your chairs and you can enjoy this amazing sea. Make sure that you will take your water, coffee or something to eat beforehand since there is no canteen in the beach.
Tip: Walk a bit further from the main entrance to avoid the majority of the people and enjoy a relaxed dive
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Divari White Beach
@konstantinoskiskiras
My favorite beach of the area with lots of childhood memories. The beach is covered in fine sand and the water is crystal clear turquoise. The beach is a long stretch so it never gets crowded .
Tip. If you are a good swimmer, you can swim over to Sfaktiria island and enjoy a private beach there! (be aware of the currents)
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Romanos Beach
@konstantinoskiskiras
The beach of Romanos is located next to Romanos village in Western Messinia. It is a long beach with fine sand overlooking the Ionian Sea.
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Παραλία Λούτσα
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Finikounta beach is located right in front of the village and has several fish taverns and cafes. The waters are shallow and warm which make it ideal for families with small children.
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Παραλία Μεθώνης
@konstantinoskiskiras
Methoni beach has a great view of the Burtzi Castle and it's ideal for a family because of the shallow and warm waters. Above the beach, you can find cafes and small taverns.
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Lagouvardos
@konstantinoskiskiras
Lagouvardos is an amazing sandy beach and one of the biggest beaches in the area with several trees in the background. The sunset is very beautiful, so make sure that you will stay till late to watch it! If you like SUP or surf, there is a place where you can rent the equipment! But be careful, the sea can be a bit rough if it’s too windy though!
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Beach Bars
KOA beach bar
@konstantinoskiskiras
The beach has golden coarse sand – like fine pebbles – and the waters are ideal for children. The sunbeds and the beach bar in general are very neat and the prices are reasonable. There is a swimming pool on the upper level of the beach bar.
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Kookoonari Beach Bar
@konstantinoskiskiras
Kookoonari Beach bar is an all day beach bar that you enjoy your dive, a coffee, lunch and even dinner! The bar has 2 places one with the umbrellas & sunbeds and the upper one with the restaurant.
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Ammothines Restaurant
@konstantinoskiskiras
Ammothines Beach Bar and Restaurant is located in the Romanos beach. The bar has 2 levels, one lower with umbrellas and sunbeds and the upper one with the tables and the restaurant. You can spend the whole day there. It's totally recommended for families.
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Restaurants
Eliá
@konstantinoskiskiras
Elia is a nice restaurant next to the beach on the main pedestrian street of Gialova. It offers a selection of meat and fish dishes. Ask for the tuna steak and you will not regret it!
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Spitiko Concept
@konstantinoskiskiras
Spitiko is located on the main pedestrian street of Gialova and offers Greek and Cypriotic meat and fish dishes. My favourite dishes are grilled fish and cypriot pita bread with "seftalies".
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The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino
@konstantinoskiskiras
Costa Navarino is a luxurious resort with a worldwide reputation in the south-western Messinia. It manages to combine luxury and tradition, as well as natural beauty. Staying there is a unique experience but definitely outside the budget of this guide but I have a tip for you. Inside the hotel there are several restaurants that everyone can visited with a reservation. Since you enter the resort you can freely walk around and then enjoy your dinner. It's a special experience but I would suggest in any case to check the prices and make a reservation before!
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Elena
@konstantinoskiskiras
A very nice seafood tavern, overlooking the Foinikounta Beach. You should really try their specialty, the sardines! Really amazing.
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Pastries
Krinos Bakery
@konstantinoskiskiras
An amazing pastry shop in the main square of Pylos. I recommend that you should try a local desert called galaktompoureko (custard filled pastry). You can combine it with a greek coffee and you will not be disappointed!
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Bars
Notiws Cocktail Bar
@konstantinoskiskiras
Notiws is a cocktail bar literally on the beach of Gialova with a great view of the Navarino bay. You can enjoy your cocktail in a very relaxed atmosphere and overlook the sky with the stars and the fullmoon (if you re lucky). Totally recommended for couples!
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SADO Sushi tales & cocktails
@konstantinoskiskiras
SADO is a cocktail bar in Gialova with a nice setup to enjoy your drinks and sushi!
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Landmarks
Polylimnio Waterfalls
@konstantinoskiskiras
Polylimnio Waterfalls is a complex of many lakes that due to the uneven terrain, creates lakes and waterfalls. You can walk on the specially designed path between the trees and on wooden bridges and experience the beautiful landscape around. After your walk, you can dive to several of these lakes. Make sure that you have sneakers with you since some areas can be slippery. Be careful and enjoy!
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Bourtzi of Methoni Castle
@konstantinoskiskiras
Methoni castle is a 13th-century Venetian fort by the sea that ends on the fortified islet of Bourtzi, a two-story octagonal building from the 1500s. I recommend to visit it around sunset so you can enjoy a beautiful orange sunset above Ionian Sea.
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Main Towns in the area
Pilos
@konstantinoskiskiras
Pilos city is the biggest city in West Messinia. Around the port you can see some beautiful neoclassical mansions. In a short distance from the old port, you can find the central square of Pylos. Cafes are placing their tables in the main square under the shadow and in the coolness of the sycamore trees. From the square you can go up to New Castle and enjoy the view of the Ionian Sea.
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Gialova
@konstantinoskiskiras
Gialova is a pretty fish village in the north side of the Navarino bay. It's a perfect place for relaxed vacation which you can use as a base for day trips around. A lot of cafes and restaurants can be found on the pedestrian street next to to the beach! Totally recommended.
Tip. There is a big parking next to the entrance of the village.
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Methoni
@konstantinoskiskiras
Methoni is a town in the south of Pilos where you can overlook the Sapientza island. It's a very nice city to walk around and the most beautiful highlight is of course the castle!
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Foinikounta
@konstantinoskiskiras
Foinikounta is a small fish village with a nice beach and some cafes and taverns. Good place for a day trip if you have some extra time!
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If you haven't finalized your trip yet, you can have a look at the accommodation below.
Visit Kalamata, the Capital of Messinia
Are you planning to visit Kalamata either during summer for your vacation next to the sea or during winter as a city trip? Don't worry, here you can find a guide covering the most beautiful and interest places of the city through the eyes of a local.
It can save you searching time and guarantees you an amazing experience.
This guide has more than 30 easily accessible locations to visit within the city like beach bars, cafes, restaurants, museums and historical sites. Excursions around Kalamata in a driving distance less than an hour can be also found here. The guide can be used from couples, group of friends or even a family!
You can scroll the list or open it as an interactive map, so you can easily access it through your phone while you are walking around. You can use it as a first inspiration of your trip.
This is a lively guide, so I will keep updating it and it will automatically update for you as well!
Enjoy your time in a city with over 200 days of sunshine per year!
Families • Groups • Couples • 50+ • Budget • Foodie • Wellness • Nature • Beach • Coffee
Free
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Konstantinos Kiskiras
Hi, I am Kostas from Greece and the last 8 years I live in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. I am working as a civil engineer and my passion is to travel and explore new destinations during my free time.
My guides are based on a low to medium budget and mainly on short trips since I don't have unlimited vacation time. They are focused on maximizing the experience during your stay so you can choose what is more interesting or affordable for you.
Have a look and be ready to enjoy and explore some of the most amazing spots in each destination.
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