The capital of Messinia is Kalamata. The area is hilly with several sandy beaches and many picturesque villages with mostly Venetian fortresses.
The main attractions of Messinia are:
The main attractions of Messinia are:
- Old Kardamili (near to Kardamili): starting point for a walk through the Viros gorge.
- Messinian: old ancient city of Messene.
- Polilimnio: ravine with lakes and waterfalls surrounded by beautiful countryside.
- Pylos: the Neokastro at the west of Pylos town and nearby the Palace of Nestor from the Mycenaean period. This site is protected by a surge of sail / canvas.
- Gialova: cozy village on the Bay of Navarino.
- Voidokilia Beach: this is a popular and beautiful fine sandy beach. The bay has the shape of the Greek letter omega (Ω) and is surrounded with a strip of dunes. Behind the dunes lies the Gialova Lagoon, an important bird area.
- Koroni: a friendly village with a 13th century Venetian fortress.
- Methoni: this town was once one of the most important Venetian bases in the Peloponnese, as can be seen in the huge fortress. Until 1828 all the inhabitants still lived within the walls on a flat piece of land that juts out into the sea. From the tip of the fortress you come to a rocky islet on which an octagonal defence tower stands.