Why go to Costa Navarino, the beachfront resorts in Messinia, on the West coast of Greece’s Peloponnese? Together with mild birdsong, aromatic ocean breezes zhuzhed with jasmine, rosemary, and lavender, and infinite olive groves, you’ll discover castles, native wine, and deep-rooted hospitality. You possibly can go to King Nestor’s Cave, at attractive Voidokilia Seaside, a sheltered crescent only a quick bike journey from Navarino Dunes, the place Telemachus was made welcome in Homer’s Odyssey.
All of this magnificence and historical past lives only a 3.5-hour scenic drive from Athens, and solely 45 minutes from Kalamata, a vibrant shore city with a busy worldwide airport.
Costa Navarino Historical past
Messinia’s coastal location affords infinite pure magnificence together with centuries of mythology and navy historical past. Go to the Palace of Nestor, an extremely well-preserved Mycenaean palace advanced from the thirteenth century BC, within the hills close to Pylos, and the New Fortress of Pylos, which affords sweeping views of the Navarino Bay it was constructed to guard in 1573. Don’t miss exploring the early thirteenth century Methoni Fortress constructed by the Venetians and the Bourtzi islet, a jail from the Turkish occupation.
Greek literature specialists declare that Messinia was a cease on Telemachus’s journey in Homer’s Odyssey. Filmmaker Christopher Nolan agrees, and filmed scenes for his upcoming epic model of the story at Methoni Fortress and Voidokilia Seaside in March 2025. Fantasy or reality, a swim at beautiful Voidokilia, often known as Oxbelly or Omega Seaside for its crescent form, shouldn’t be missed.
Costa Navarino Motels
Costa Navarino is made up of 4 5-star resort motels on Messinia’s Ionian coast, plus 4 signature golf programs, a tennis middle, an NBA basketball middle, and a shopping mall, the Navarino Agora. I used to be hosted on the Romanos Resort, a serene and plush grownup resort straight on the ocean, and adjoining to the family-friendly Westin Resort.
My room regarded out onto a really inexperienced golf course and the ocean past in direction of the setting solar. Many rooms have non-public swimming pools, however I used to be delighted with my giant, snug terrace.
On the Romanos Anazoe Spa, I indulged in a enjoyable Messinian Salt & Honey Scrub, which included fragrant native herbs and made me really feel as highly effective as Athena after battle. Their in depth checklist of therapies and services consists of hydrotherapy and Peleponnese olive oil therapies.
The distances throughout these resorts may be huge, however the property appears like a Greek village, and a golf cart is at all times only a fast name away to whisk you to your subsequent enjoyable exercise sooner than you’ll be able to say “Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos” (the self-made Messinian transport magnate and environmentalist who based Costa Navarino).
The W Lodge at Navarino Bay would make an excellent choice for younger and solo vacationers with its seashore membership vibe, luxe, design-forward lodging, and packed roster of occasions like stay music, wellness programming, DJ units, cocktail festivals, and chef barbecues on the seashore all summer time lengthy. There’s even a boutique on web site that rents trip trend for fashionable stays.
Consuming and Ingesting in Costa Navarino
Breakfast every day at Pero featured dappled daylight, freshly squeezed Peleponnese orange juice and an impressive buffet of native delicacies together with Greek cheeses (like Sfela, the area’s feta) and sheep yogurt, Messinian pastries (attempt the honey drizzled fried dough referred to as diples) and breads (the sesame bagel-like koulouri and the crunchy loops referred to as lalangia are significantly scrumptious), and, in fact, eggs and coffees to order.
I additionally dined onsite at Flame, the steakhouse that resides within the Dunes Golf Membership, and Paráfrasi by CTC, an enthralling and intimate spot that gives Michelin-starred Chef Alexandros Tsiotinis takes on Messinian classics. My favourite meal on the Romanos was lunch at Barbouni, proper on the seashore, together with a vibrant assortment of 5 meze spreads, crispy fried calamari, and an incredible seabass filet with native greens braised in olive oil and an artichoke and orange salad.
On my closing evening on this Ionian paradise, I had dinner at Parelia on the W Lodge, only a 15 minute shuttle journey away. I ate charred skewers of octopus “souvlaki”, a large heirloom tomato salad, and a stunning bowl of linguine with native shellfish whereas the waves lapped within the foreground.
For extra conventional native fare, head to the close by city of Gialova the place you’ll be able to dine proper on the bay, or to the central sq. of Pylos to eat meze, drink ouzo or tsipouro and folks watch.
I adored the approachable Messinian wines from Navarino Vineyards, an natural vineyard run by the Costa Navarino vacation spot. Their 1827 Rosé of syrah stored me comfortable poolside and as an aperitivo, and the person eating places supplied many different Greek wines to attempt–search for malagouzia (a aromatic white) and agiorgitiko (a chic fruity crimson). I realized a ton in regards to the area’s grape varieties at a tasting at Cellier, the wine store on the Agora. You too can go to wineries, like Panagiotopoulos, for excursions and tasting close by.
Different Enjoyable Issues to Do in Costa Navarino
- Take a day journey to the archaeological web site at Historic Olympia, a Unesco World Heritage Website, about 90 minutes north of Costa Navarino, to see the birthplace of the Olympic Video games.
- Drive into the mountains to discover Historic Messene, one other vital archaeological park that tells the story of each day life within the historical metropolis.
- Expertise the olive harvest throughout October and November, or find out about olive oil by tasting Messina’s best, made with native koroneiki olives, with the professionals.
- E book an genuine village cooking class the place Messinian girls educate their household recipes.
- Spend a day in Kalamata. Select a Wednesday or Saturday so you’ll be able to store on the farmer’s market, then wander the streets to seek out museums, cafes and the historic middle.
- Get pleasure from a Greek summer time custom–see a film underneath the celebrities within the Danaos Open Air Cinema at Navarino Agora.
- Choose a sport or 5. Play tennis, basketball, soccer, and golf. Bike, climb, and hike. Kayak, kitesurf, wakeboard, and waterski.
I needed I had a month discovering the Peloponnese with Costa Navarino as my tremendous snug Greek residence base. I can’t wait to return.
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