Magical MESSINIA- PELOPONNESE- Part Two

PELOPONNESE- Methoni- Pilos- Voidokilia beach- Polimnio waterfalls

Paw traveller- Methoni walls

On the second day of our arrival to Messinia we made an ambitious plan to visit the cities of Methoni and Pilos, the famous Voidokilia beach and Polimnio waterfalls.

We headed south to the village Nea Koroni, where we turned uphill over the village of Chromathero and the village of Kaplani which is located on the Zarnaoura mountain range.

Kaplani is a small village with a square and two churches whose surroundings are dominated by endless olive groves and vineyards.

Paw traveller

From the village of Chrani to Methoni this 30 kilometers route takes about 40 minutes along curved and not-so-great roads.

What is positive is that there is very little traffic during the day, while there is no traffic at all in the evening.

Also we were driving to Methoni using different route across the village of Kallithea, and the journey was about 6 kilometers longer and took about ten minutes more.

Kallithea is a semi-mountainous larger village which is located away from the sea, and has lots of natural water springs.

Inhabitants of this village are mainly engaged in agricultural crops. The main crops are, of course, olives and grapes.

Methoni is a picturesque coastal town that has kept its traditional architecture and walking through its streets between the trees of hibiscus is a real pleasure.

Paw traveller- Methoni beach

The town is slowly expanding towards the sea and the beautiful sandy beach on which very end you will see imposing fortress with a castle (entrance to the fortress is charged 2 euros per person).

This castle was built by Venetians in the early 13th century on the stone base and is one of the largest in the Mediterranean.

Paw traveller- Methoni fortress

The 14-arch stone bridge that connects the castle to the shoreline will delight you as well as the famous symbol of Venice, the lion of St. Mark's, which dominates on the lofty wall.

On the opposite side of the fortress is a square with few tavernas where you can enjoy in traditional Greek food (lunch for two persons costs around 30 euros).

Paw traveller- Methoni

The thing you should not miss while you are in Messinia is to come to Methoni at dusk and witness a truly unreal sunset from the fortress walls. The scene is epic, as in the paintings of Edward Munk.

We continued our journey along the sea to Pilos, a picturesque town overlooking the Ionian Sea which enchanted us with its beauty.

Paw traveller- Panorama of Pilos

The town itself is amphitheatrically builted around the beautiful square that starts right by the sea and slowly rises up with its alleys and courtyards with white stone houses with red roofs.

On the hill above Pilos there is a nice, well-preserved fortress (ticket costs 6 euros per person). Here you can walk through the walls, see museum and go down to the sea where you will find several fine tavernas on the promenade, and if you choose "O Aetos" restaurant I'm pretty sure you will be on the seventh heaven of delight with the phenomenal Greek cuisine (lunch for two costs around 45 euros).

I recommend spaghetti with shrimps in red sauce, lamb chops, Greek salad and Recina wine.

Paw traveller- Voidokilia beach

After we finished great lunch at the mentioned restaurant and some rest, we went for a swim at the famous Voidokilia beach.

Considering that this beach is world famous we expected a lot, so maybe that is why impressions were missing, and in my opinion this is not the most beautiful beach in the region as many people says.

But I must say that the beach is beautiful and interesting, especially because of its unusual omega shape, with turquoise crystal clear, shallow warm waters and very fine sand.

Paw traveller- Polimnio

After one hour we left Voidokilia behind us and continue on our route to Polimnio waterfalls, which was a real refreshment at the end of an actively spent day.

These beautiful waterfalls in Polimnio Canyon offers something really different comparing with usual beaches of Messinia.

At your very first step on the entrance you will find yourself sinking in the scene of lush greenery, glittering cascades and green ponds filled with fresh water.

While you are walking from the entrance and crossing a small path of about ten minutes and going through the dense vegetation, jumping over small wooden bridges you will find yourself in a secret paradise made of small lakes and waterfalls, surrounded by lush vegetation.

Paw traveller

For those who don't mind cold water, swimming in these lakes can be a real pleasure.

Make sure you brought adequate footwear to tour this canyon.

For us, this was a wonderful start of Greek summer holiday in its best suit, and filled with impressions we headed back to the village of Chrani where we were staying.

You can read about beaches of southwestern Messinia, city of Kalamata, olives, the beautiful town of Koroni and much more  HERE .