Messinia holidays

Messinia’s white-sand coves and coastal cliff formations keep the waterfront interesting. Greenery-topped mountains and Ionian Sea panoramas are sure to fill your camera roll, too.

At Almyros Beach, watersports are all the rage. It’s about six kilometres from Kalamata, and it’s kitted out with windsurfing centres, Mediterranean beach bars, water-skiing points and family friendly facilities like showers and deck chairs.

Messinia’s Voidokilia Beach is a circular bay that’s perfect for sunbathing. You can spot the nearby Gialova Lagoon Dunes and Nestor’s Palace archaeological site from the sand. The water’s an almost impossible shade of aqua, and if you want to stretch your legs, you can look up the 45-minute Old Navarino Castle trek.

Kalamata’s gourmet products range from world-famous Kalamata olives to Mediterranean pomegranates and balsamic cream delicacies. You can pick some up for yourself at the Papadimitriou food specialty shop – it’s a must when you’re a foodie in Messinia.

One thing Messinia’s known for is handmade leather craftsmanship. Head to the Sandalia Sti Stoa boutique, for example, and you can buy traditional Greek footwear that’s all about style and comfort. There’s plenty in the way of shopping in Kalamata’s historical centre, too.

Messinia’s silk scarf industry is thriving – Peloponnese artisanal textiles are trademark souvenirs from the area. You can shop for your own in Gkonos Silk Fabrics, which has specialised in traditional Kalamata kerchiefs since 1985.

If you’re after chic venues and city centre evening ambience, Kalamata’s nightlife scenes more than fit the bill. Fairy lights and lanterns set the tone, and Bocca’s cocktail menu makes it one of the top places for drinks in Messinia.

Messinia gets lively in the evenings, especially over the summer. You can expect live music events, front-row sunset views and a rotation of DJs in many Kyparissia beach clubs. Peloponnese beach parties are often on the cards, too.

Messinia’s traditional pastries are second to none. If you have a sweet tooth, you must try diples – these honey-drenched dough bites are popular for Greek wedding sweets. They’re sometimes coated in walnuts, and they’re one of the most popular Peloponnese bakery specialities.

In Messinia, Navarino Bay dining always hits the mark. You have some local Peloponnese fish tavernas serving the latest catch with Pylos Harbour views. And on the topic of seafood, Elia Restaurant is a hit with locals and tourists alike.

If you fancy a chilled sweet treat on your trip to Messinia, Kayak ice-cream boutique’s a winning pick. Its menu features artisanal frozen yoghurt and Ferroro Rocher flavour scoops, all with 100% Greek ingredients.

If you’re laying out a picnic blanket in Messinia, your feast will be made all the better with a few of Kalamata’s artisanal pies. The Liopita bakery whips up fresh daily bakes and Greek savory pastries. We’d recommend trying the galatopita milk pie.

Kalamata’s olive oil is nicknamed ‘liquid gold’, as it was so high in value in ancient times, and its exceptional quality makes it a staple in most meals in Messinia. It’s made from the distinctive Kalamata olives – they’re large in size and shaped like almonds, and they’re often used in salads and pasta sauces.