Sir T Residence in Floka Messinia

EXPLORE

Messinia is an original destination that you adore on first sight.

Almost endless olive groves that produce the world-famous Kalamata olive oil, golden beaches with a view to the Ionian Sea, beautiful small cities with rich cultural heritage, historical sites that will take you back to another era, natural landscapes such as waterfalls and small lakes, sea sports and alternative activities, state of the art spa facilities and some of the best golf courses of Europe are just a few of the things that you will experience here.

Voidokilia beach

It is considered as one of the most photographed beaches due to its characteristic shape, its turquoise waters and its almost white sand. Voidokilia beach is divided from the lagoon of Gialova, with its rich fauna and flore, with a small part of land. As a protected Natura area, there are no organised facilities and activities preserving its original character.

Scuba-diving

At Marathopolis, you can find a well organised diving center that will guide you to some of the best diving sites of the region. Popular destinations such as Proti island, Sphacteria island and the special diving sites of Pylos where you can explore the wrecks of ancient merchant ships from the Roman, Byzantine and Medieval times as well as the wrecks from the famous Navarino battle.

Golf courses at Costa Navarino

The great hotel complex of Costa Navarino is steadily raising its profile as a prime, sustainable destination in the Mediterranean by additionally offering a world-class golf experience on the first two signature golf courses in Greece. Its credentials are impressive: two 18-hole signature courses in idyllic settings. With everything from shoes and buggies to full sets of golf clubs available for hire, golfers can select an amazing golf package for their golf breaks in Greece.

Spa facilities at Costa Navarino

The 4,000m² Anazoe Spa features a full range of specialty spa treatments based on health and beauty practices of ancient Greece which make full use of the region’s exclusive natural and revitalizing ingredients, as well as an extensive range of luxury spa products from around the globe.

Pylos

A beautiful small town amphitheatrically built overviewing the homonymous golf. Pylos took its current form after the naval battle of Navarino, the famous battle where the fleets of Britain, France and Russia fought against the Turkish-Egyptian fleet and their victory helped the independency of the newly established Greek State. Some of the most emblematic sightseeing of Pylos are the two castles Paleokastro built by the Franks on the 13th century A.D and the Niokastro built by the Ottomans around on the 16th century which is one of the most well-preserved castles of Greece.

The ancient palace of Nestor

Nestor was a hero of Ancient Greece and king of Pylos. He participated at the Argonaut campaign together with Jason, he fought again the Centaurs and he fought against the Trojans during the Trojan war. Nestor was greatly respected by all the kings during the Trojan war due to his wisdom. The archaeological site is the best-preserved Mycenaean palace that has been discovered in Greece. It is situated on a privileged location that can supervise a wide area of land and sea.

Kyparissia

A charming town with a picturesque small port and fish restaurants that serve freshly caught fish and sea food next to the waves. The Castle of Arkadia or Castle of the Giants, due to the large rocks that were used for its building, offers a spectacular view. The old city with its traditional stone mansions and its stone-built alleys as well as the abandoned railway station, the last one of the Peloponnesus line offers plenty of photo shooting scenes.

Polylimnio

A small green paradise, scattered by small lakes and waterfalls awaits you in Polylimnio. An amazing spectacle of fifteen consecutive lakes, where the waters of nearby rivers end, and dozens of small waterfalls will certainly tempt you to dive in. Although the waters are cold, the feeling is unique. At Lake Kadi, you can also enjoy a natural massage if you approach the point where the water of the waterfall falls (from a height of more than 20 meters!) while right next to it, you will see the escalator that will lead you to the first point of diving. The whole area is ideal for trekking with a three kilometres long path. Don’t forget to bring with you: rubber soled shoes, hat and a light snack and drinks as there is no canteen nearby.

Methoni

Located at the south of Pylos and across the island of Sapientza lies Methoni. Methoni was built on a strategic point, especially popular during the Middle Ages, when pilgrims heading to the Holy Land stopped here. Its landmark is the famous 13th century Venetian castle, built by the sea, which is one of the most important fortification works ever done in Greece. The entrance of the castle is on its north side while a large moat separates it from the land. An impressive stone bridge with 14 arches is built between them! The castle has lots of buildings to visit and ends on the fortified islet of Bourtzi, a two-storey building with octagon shape. It is especially beautiful at dusk as it is bathed in orange light.

Finikounta

The original name of the village was “Taverna”, a name given from the fishermen who approached the village to rest while enjoying good wine at its fish taverns. Its official name of the village was established in 1930. Finikounta offers a variety of wonderful beaches for every taste from extensive sandy beaches to pebble beaches, from cosmopolitan but also isolated and quiet. Here you will have the opportunity to enjoy the sun, the sea and indulge in water sports activities.

Archaeological site of Ancient Messini

A great archaeological park, covering an area of 350-400 acres, where the visitor will require at least 3 hours to wander around. Ancient Messini, was built in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese at the foot of Mount Ithomi and is one of the most well-preserved cities in the ancient world. Within the park, you will be able to explore the beautifully preserved ancient theater, one of the largest in the ancient world, the well-preserved fortifications, the Church with the characteristic colored mosaics, the Asclepieion, the Sanctuary of Artemis with its transparent roof, the ornate Fountain of Arsinoe and the huge Stadium that will leave you speechless, the Agora that covers an area of 35 acres, the imposing Propylon, the Vouleftirion, the columns with resolutions of Messinian judges and the Roman villas with mosaic floors

Kalamata

The capital city of Messinia region has something for everyone. A historic aristocratic center full of cobbled alleys and neoclassical mansions, a seafront with beaches, a marina where boats moor, a commercial port, a castle ideal for exploration and intense nightlife with numerous bars, cafes and clubs that promise you fun and relaxation. Kalamata and the surrounding area of Mani played an important role in the Revolution of 1821, the successful war of independence waged by Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire that led to the modern Greek state. Kolokotronis, Nikitaras, Papaflessas, Petrobeis Mavromichalis and other chieftains entered the city as liberators on the 23rd of March 1821. At the church of Apostles, after the end of the doxology the Revolution of 1821 began.

Koroni

Amphitheatrically built, Koroni’s small town has been important since the Byzantine times. Its imposing castle on the edge of the peninsula, built by the Venetians has been a major battlefield where Greeks, Turks, Venetians and French fought in order to acquire or maintain control of the city with its strategically important geographical position over the centuries. The settlement of Koroni with the two-storeys traditional houses with tiled roofs, the picturesque port with the old manors, cafes and taverns and the beautiful beached around it give an island style feeling.

The waterfalls of Neda

Neda was the nymph to whom Rea entrusted her son Zeus in order to save him from the rage of Saturn who was eating his children so that no one could later challenge his sovereignty. The river of Neda originates from Mount Lycaeus of Arcadia (1420 meters altitude) and flows after a course of 32 kilometers in the Ionian Sea and the Gulf of Kyparissia. It crosses a fairytale gorge adorned with waterfalls and tall trees that will keep you shaded all the time towards the narrowest parts of the gorge. You may also visit Stomio, provided that you are properly organised, a large dark tunnel in which the river is “lost” as it passes through.

Local gastronomy

We left for the end, the intangible cultural heritage of Messinia which is its food diet. Its olives and olive oil, its figs, its raisins, its wines, its cheeses are among many others famous local products related to the richness of Messinian gastronomy. We invite you to visit the Virtual Museum of Messinian Nutrition (www.messiniandiet.gr), designed and implemented by the “Captain Vassilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos” Foundation. You will find useful information about the products and local recipes that you will taste during your vacation, traditional cultivating tools and the impressive history of Messinian products.