Messinia Holidays

Spanning the south-western corner of Greece’s Peloponnese region, Messinia has a long list of talents to its name. For starters, it’s here that you’ll find Voidokilia beach – which is dubbed one of the most beautiful in the world. Elsewhere, you’ve got time-warped Venetian towns, crumbling castles, and teeny tavernas – all wrapped up in miles upon miles of untapped countryside.

Despite Messinia’s many draws, it’s somehow managed to stay mostly unnoticed by the tourist crowd. Holidays here, therefore, are a great chance to relax and soak up the laidback local way of life. You can hire a car and tour a tiny mountain village, where as few as five residents call the place home. Or set off on a hiking trail – ticking off waterfalls, caves and olive groves – without another tour group in sight.

Large parts of this coast used to belong to Venice, so there’s plenty of Venetian architecture to go around – particularly in Methoni and Koroni. Today, Koroni’s old castle is occupied by the Timios Prodromos Convent, though it’s still possible to visit the promontory beyond the castle and take in the views of the town. Methoni’s 15^th-century fortress – with its Turkish baths and underground passages – is also worth a daytrip.

Messinia’s geography is really varied, so there’s plenty to keep outdoorsy types busy. The clarity of the Messinian Sea makes it a fantastic spot for a bit of snorkelling or scuba diving, and many dive centres cater to those wanting to peek at underwater life. You can even explore a submerged town. The cliffs above the Proti Islet, meanwhile, lure in rock climbers from across the coast.