Messinia is well-known, apart from olive oil, for its coastline. The beaches of Messinia cover all tastes with their variety. For swimming you can choose beaches even in Kalamata, but you can also search for beaches either towards the Messinian Mani or towards Koroni, Methoni and Pylos. Ellines.com team chose 10 beaches that you should visit.
See the top 10:
1.Voidokilia
This is one of the most photographed sandy beaches in Greece and is often included in lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It owes its name to the semicircle it forms, which resembles an ox belly. Its crystal clear, turquoise waters and white dunes with fine powdery sand make for a spectacular landscape.
2. Foneas
It is the most favorite of the lesser known beaches of West Mani, as it is well “hidden” at the end of a path, among the trees. Foneas beach is also the end of the well-known Foneas Gorge or the gorge of Nupantis, which starts to form from the Monastery of Vaidenitsa and ends after about 8 km on the crystal clear beach.
3.Golden Coast
Golden Beach (Divari) is located in Western Messinia, next to Gialova and opposite Pylos. It is a beach of incredible natural beauty, overlooking the bay of Navarino, behind which is the lagoon of Gialova. The beach of Divario has a total length of about 4 km, starting from Yalova and ending in a small beautiful beach from which the path to Voidokilia and the path to Paliokastro start.
4.Kalogria – Stoupa
Kalogria in Stoupa, one of the most famous beaches, the busiest and the most organized beach in Western Mani. It is ascended with turquoise transparent waters. Nikos Kazantzakis lived for two years (1917-1918) on the beach of Kalogria with the legendary hero of his novel “The Life and State of Alexis Zorbas”. At the northern end of the beach is the house where he lived with Zorba, while at the southern end, very close to the sandy beach, there is the “Kazantzakis cave”, where he found refuge to read and write. The cave can be visited today either by swimming or by boat.
5.Peroulia
The dreamy golden beach of Peroulia, which belongs to the village of Vounaria, just a few kilometers from Koroni. One of the purest and most hidden sandy beaches of Messinia, to which one has to ask the locals to gain access.
6.Lagouvardos
A golden beach stretching over a distance of two kilometers and located one kilometer from the famous fishing village of Marathoupolis, where there the visitor can enjoy fresh seafood, local delicacies, coffee and drinks and an unforgettable view of the island “First” with the most enchanting sunset.
7.Katafygi
Wild and imposing landscape with Taygetos reaching the sea, natural stone “sunbeds” and seclusion. Ideal for young people and/or nature and adventure lovers – access from the trail is not easy (10 minutes from the parking lot),
8.Kalamaki
Kalamaki beach is pebbled and sandy and covered with trees and greenery on its northern side. Its waters are turquoise and crystal clear. The trademark of Kalamaki beach, however, is the rusty boat that has been moored in its shallows and is an attraction for tourists.
9.Finikounda
In the centre of Finikounda you will find the village beach, which is almost always crowded. Beautiful sand and wonderful waters are the reason why people prefer it. The beach is located next to the centre of the village, so there are plenty of cafes and taverns to sit in front of the sea.
10.Elaia – Kyparissia
Kyparissia has, among other things, a variety of wonderful beaches that satisfy all tastes. Elaia beach is worth a visit.
