Messinia Greece

Alluring beaches and majestic landscapes compose an impressive picture

Peaceful nature, warm climate, verdant landscapes, fertile regions, sea with extended sandy beaches, Venetian castles and traditional villages compose the exceptional allurement of the prefecture of Messinia. During summertime or during wintertime, the prefecture of Messinia is always enchanting.

The prefecture of Messinia is  part of the geographical district of Peloponnese and is located at the south-western part of the greater region. It borders with Laconia in the east, Arcadia and Elia in the north, as well as the Ionian Sea and the Messiniakos gulf. The prefecture of Messinia has 167.000 inhabitants.

The capital and port of the prefecture is the town of Kalamata, one of the most modern towns of the country, with parks, fine street planning, broad roads, hotel accommodation and excellently developed educational and artistic activity.

Wandering around the prefecture of Messinia you will realize that this region was gifted by nature and history.

Messinia Greece Hotels

The prefecture of Messinia pulses with innumerable magnificent settlements that you should visit in order to admire nature and the history of this area. Kyparissia and Methoni, two superb coastal hamlets, Gargaliani and Meligalas, two agricultural and commercial centers, Pylos, a traditional and historical settlement that resembles an island, Koroni, a scenic coastal hamlet that resembles the cycladic settlements, Finikounda, a fisher village that has evolved into a popular resort and Kardamyli, a picturesque coastal village, are few of the most renowned resorts of the prefecture of Messinia.

Τhere you can find various hotels offering rooms, studios and apartments for all tastes and budgets, ranging from five-star hotels to traditional pensions. Whichever hotel you book at, you are guaranteed excellent services by a welcoming staff.

Messinia Greece Beaches

The beaches in Messinia can be paralleled with little tropical paradises, which spellbind tourists with their turquoise waters and beautiful shores, both sandy and pebbly. The locations where you can enjoy your swim are innumerable, but the most renowned Messinia beaches are the very long beach of Kalamata, Almiros, Mikri Mantineia, Santova and Delfinia beach in Kardamili, Stoupa and Kalogria beach in Stoupa. The region of Messini offers an extended coastline full of beautiful sandy beaches and great facilities, while in Koroni and Methoni you will find magic beaches, such as Peroulia, Zagga, Kalamaki and Foinikounta that you will adore. It is worth visiting the beaches of Pylos like Gialova and Voidokilia, which are two of the most popular beaches in Messinia.

If you have a boat you can visit Proti, Sapientza, Shiza, Agia Mariani and Venetiko, which are beautiful and secluded islets, with peaceful, turquoise waters.

Messinia Greece Nightlife & Events

The prefecture of Messinia is famed for its vibrant nightlife and plethora of dining options, since it is a place that pulses with tourists from all over the world, all year round. All around the prefecture you will find a wide range of entertainment venues for all tastes, such as bars and nightclubs, while seaside resorts throb with lovely seaside cafés, taverns and restaurants serving from light snacks to delicious meat and fish dishes that you will adore.

There is a considerable number of festivals and other cultural or religious events taking place in Messinia yearly. In Kalamata, visitors can attend the “Saitopolemos” event (dart-war), which dates back to the years of the Turkish occupation in Greece and takes place on Easter Sunday. During summertime, cultural events are held in Kalamata, as well as in Gargaliani, such as “Agapinia” in honor of the Macedonian soldier Tellos Agras, while in Kyparissia, apart from the “Cultural Summer” festival, there is an 8-day festival, mid-September, where you may attend interesting plays, concerts and visit various exhibitions.

Messinia Greece Sightseeing

While in Messinia Greece you can get acquainted with interesting sights and charming attractions that will give you the chance to gain some more knowledge about this bewitching place. At the town of Kalamata you will admire the castle, the old town, the churches and the monasteries, the libraries, the public theater, the picture gallery, the neoclassical buildings, the monument of the fighters of 1821, the tobacco factory of Karelia, as well as the archaeological and cultural museums, which are some of the most interesting sites of the town.

The whole of the area seems to be an open-air museum with innumerable sites, such as the remains of Apollo’s Sanctuary in Agios Andreas, the archaeological site in Ancient Messini, the ancient town of Filiatra and the Mycenaean Palace in Hora Trifilias. As castles and fortresses abound in Messinia and most of them are very well-preserved, pay a visit at the remains of the Middle Ages castle in Androusa, the castle and the Bourtzi fortress in Methoni, the castles Paleokastro and Niokastro in Pylos, as well as the Frank castle remains in Stoupa.

We suggest that you get a map of Messinia Greece that will help you spot all the wonderful attractions offered in this worthwhile area.

Messinia Greece Weather & Climate

The prefecture of Messinia displays temperate climate making the place unique for all-year round vacations. The average yearly temperature ranges from 18oC to 21oC on the mainland, while at the seaside areas the average yearly temperature exceeds 20oC, and even during wintertime temperatures are rather high due to the winds blowing inwards from the sea. In the summer, the weather is warm and dry, while rainfalls are only a late winter phenomenon. All in all, the weather in Messinia will contribute to your spending a pleasant vacation with lots of outdoor activities.

How to Reach Messinia Greece

You can have access to Messinia Greece by car. Kalamata, the capital of Messinia, is 238 km far from Athens and can be reached via the National Highway following the route Athens - Corinth - Tripolis - Megalopolis. There are also frequent departures of intercity buses to Kalamata and train departures from Piraeus Station. If you are to travel to Messinia by plane, there are charter flights from “Eleftherios Venizelos” Athens Airport and other European airports. For your transportation around the Messinia prefecture you may opt for hiring a car or a motorbike in one of the local car rental agencies.