Messenia

Verdant valleys, fertile green gorges and stunning mountain ranges form the backdrop of Messenia – arguably the most unspoilt area of mainland Greece. And yet for all its rural charm, the area is better known for its luxury resorts scattered along the spectacular Ionian coastline.

Embrace the beautiful Grecian sunshine at Voidokoilia Beach; a natural golden curve that is lined with dunes and overlooked by the ancient Navarino Castle. For a more polished affair, Costa Navarino is flawlessly superb, and its silky stretch of golden sand has a truly luxuriant feel.

If you have a spirit of adventure, there are a wealth of activities to enjoy that make the most out of Messenia’s awe-inspiring surroundings. Try rock climbing the Kardamili peninsula, hiking the Polilimnio waterfalls or sea kayaking in incredible Navarino Bay.

Uncovering Messenia’s culture

Home to Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympics, Messenia is emblematic of ancient Greece. And yet it remains a veritable melting pot of cultures, with its Sparta ruins, Venetian castles and Roman structures.

Kalamata, Messinia’s capital, is awash with ancient treasures, featuring a mesmerising Old City (Palia Poli), a 13^th-Century Byzantine castle and beautiful Ottoman architecture. Outside of the city, Ancient Messene is of particular cultural significance; a captivating complex of structures including columns, an amphitheatre and an ancient temple, dating back to ancient civilisations and built in 369BC.

Explore the untouched quality ancient Messenia