Kalamata, Stoupa, Finikounda, Costa Navarino – Doufexis Travel services offer airport Transfers & Excursions to these destinations and more..
We have put together for you a some local information about each of the villages in our wonderful corner of the Peloponnese.
If you would like to get out and about to explore some of these wonderful places take a look at our excursion programme
Stoupa is about an hours journey from Kalamata, passing through the mountains en route. Over the last two decades it has emerged as the Mani’s number one resort and yet has not been ruined by over-development. It is very child friendly and has a range of all types of accommodation. Stoupa has several beaches the most popular being Kalogria and the town beach. Both are with pale golden sand and have several bars and tavernas at beach level. The water is shallow for some distance, making it safe for young children. Natural springs bring ice-cold water direct from the mountains, keeping the general sea temperature cool even in August.. In 1917 the little-known writer Nikos Kazantzakis arrived from Crete to start mining lignite from the cliffs behind. He recruited the engineer Georgos Zorbas to help – the legend was born.
South of Stoupa on the coast is the picturesque fishing village of Agios Nikolaos (still often called by its older Slavic name, Selinitsa). Life in Agios Nikolaos is centered around the harbor- a great place to sit, eat and drink while watching the boats coming and going. In the summer the road is closed to vehicles. as tavernas make use of the space to put tables and chairs right on the water’s edge. The main beach (Pantazi) is roughly a kilometre further south, about a 10-15 minute walk. Other swimming opportunities are at the smaller cove of Voulimeneas or at the natural swimming platform, known as Gnospi, which is great for snorkeling.
Kardamili is a true hub for eco-tourism and an excellent starting point for many adventures, including long treks in the verdant valleys. The area offers a myriad of activities such as walking, hiking, scuba-diving, mountain climbing and cycling in a nature-filled region that alternates between medieval towers, olive groves, medicinal herbs and a welcoming people. The area is also perfect for less strenuous holiday activities such as painting, photography, and bird-watching or sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling at the beach. Simply exploring the old town in Kardamili and its fort museum is an astounding experience that will take you back in time to Byzantine, Ottoman and Venetian ages. In the newer, yet equally quaint, stone-built town lie a number of organic shops, a local bakery, a robust mix of traditional restaurants and a hiking/cycling shop.
Kalamata is the capital of Messinia, the second biggest city in the Peloponnese after Patra and is built at the foot of Mountain Kalathi, in the heart of the Messinian Bay. Built on the site of ancient Pharai, the city takes its modern name from a miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary known as kalo mata (good eye). It was discovered in the stables of the Ottoman aga (governor), who converted to Christianity as a result of the miracles it was believed to have performed. The icon now resides inside the city’s oversized cathedral, the Church of Ypapantis. Below the kastro is the small but attractive old town, which was almost totally destroyed by the Turks during the War of Independence and rebuilt by French engineers in the 1830s
Finikounda is blessed with superb beaches. Being at the southern tip it is also the most remote, although it can be busy for the short high season period. The three golden, un-crowded beaches here are of coarse sand (with some fine shingle outcrops) and shelve into a turquoise sea. In season tavernas offer good dining choice and there are a number of small village shops, cafés and bars. Some nightlife there is, especially in peak, but for most of the year the villages are low-key and relaxed
The picturesque seaside village of Methoni with its imposing castle is located at the southwest tip of the Peloponnese. The great castle, for which Methoni is famed, was built by the Venetians and is surrounded by the sea. It is built on a rock that enters the sea and is separated from the mainland by an artificial moat. Methoni is a traditional town where you will find many taverns and restaurants with customary flavours.
Petalidi and Chrani are quiet seaside hamlets with a un-crowded beaches and memorable views across the gulf to the mountainous Mani opposite. The villages are halfway down the inner side of the fertile, rolling Messinian peninsular and are a good base from which to explore. Medieval Koroni, its vast fortifications still intact, lies some 12 kms to the south; whilst to the north a string of seaside villages
The modern city of Pylos is one of the most attractive in Greece giving those who arrive the impression that they are somewhere on an island. Built amphitheatrically between and on-top of two hills, on the southern side of the Navarino bay, this picturesque town with its 2,500 residents enchants with its beauty both the locals and visitors. Pylos is known for the famous battle of Navarino (1827) in which the victory of the allied forces was the beginning of the liberation of Greece from Turkish rule.
Situated in the Greek region of Messinia in southwest Peloponnese, The Resort of Costa Navarino is a peaceful retreat in an idyllic location. The architecture is inspired by the old Messinian mansions of the region and incorporates local stone and with modern design elements, taking in the picture-perfect view across the bay.
Gialova is a small village by the sea, north of Pylos where you can find a large organized sandy beach with various shops, taverns, coffee shops and bars along the coast In the past, the customs station of Pylos was based in Gialova, mainly exporting raisins and wine. Nowadays, the residents of Gialova work in agriculture and tourism.
Koroni is a small town at the southern end of the Messinian Bay, with picturesque houses, its waterfront and imposing castle on the edge of the peninsula its beauty is renowned. Important since the Byzantine times and fortified by the Venetians in the 13th century, Koroni along with Methoni, were two of the most important centres of Venice in the eastern Mediterranean. Once one of the richest areas of Greek history in the middle ages, nowadays Koroni is a stunning destination for those seeking to relax on one of its many beautiful beaches, eat in traditional tarvenas or explore its famous history.
