The beautiful beaches around Ancient Messene are a must-see. Located close to the archaeological site, they offer golden fine sand and crystal clear turquoise waters.
Located in the eastern part of Messinia, Stoupa Beach is one of the busiest beaches in Western Mani. Its cosmopolitan feel is accentuated by numerous beach bars and pulsating DJ sets.
Kalogrias Beach
With beautiful golden sand and crystal clear waters, Kalogrias Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Sithonia. This narrow, yet quite long beach offers a smooth entry into the water, making it perfect for families with young children. It is also one of the best places to enjoy swimming and snorkeling. The soft sand on the shore is a real playground for the creativity of young builders.
The beach is surrounded by tall emerald pines, providing shade for sunbeds and complementing the picturesque coastline with their vivid greenery. A couple of taverns and bars are found along the beach, offering delicious Greek food and drinks.
Located about 40 km from Kalamata and 6.5 from Kardamili, Kalogrias Beach is the most famous and organized beach in West Mani. Its white sand and blue waters are renewed by underwater springs of Taygetos. The beach is also known as the place where Nikos Kazantzakis lived with his wife Zorbas and where you can still find the house he used to live in.
Peroulia Beach
With its pristine waters and fine sandy shore, Peroulia Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Messenian. It’s a must-visit when traveling to the south of Peloponnese, especially if you want to relax on the beach without being smothered by crowds.
A short detour from the road Kalamata – Koroni leads you to this gorgeous little beach. This lovely spot has a picturesque coastline and crystal clear waters, which can be admired from the hill that overlooks the beach.
Another stunning beach to visit in Messenian is Valtaki, located near the city of Gytheio. This Blue Flag beach is a popular spot for swimming and has plenty of beach services, like sunbeds and umbrellas, nearby. It’s also a loggerhead sea turtle nesting site, so make sure to keep an eye out for these endangered creatures!
Voidokilia Beach
Voidokilia Beach, with its perfect compass-like curve and interplay of turquoise and blue sea and white fine sand, is one of the most famous beaches in Greece. Its horseshoe shape has rightly propelled it into Instagram royalty, but this stunning beach is more than just a beauty queen. Located next to Gialova Lagoon, it is part of the Natura 2000 network for protected biotopes and offers an exotic paradise in which to swim, sunbathe, or work up a sweat hiking to the Tomb of Nestor at Paleokastro.
A day trip to this breathtaking beach can easily be combined with a tour of the region’s historic castles and picturesque villages. South Messenia is also home to the stunning Navagio Beach (also known as Shipwreck Beach) where the skeletal remains of a shipwreck are still splayed across its pristine shoreline.
Mikra Mantineia Beach
With the backdrop of mountains and azure seas, Messinia’s beaches are picture-perfect. Capture these stunning landscapes and more on a photography tour led by an expert photojournalist. Follow along the region’s sandy coast and visit picturesque villages, preserved seaside castles, and more.
Located near the popular seaside resort village of Finikouda, Mikra Mantineia Beach is one of the best beaches in Messinia. Its shallow turquoise waters and soft golden sand earned it Blue Flag status, and there are plenty of facilities to enjoy. The beach is also family-friendly, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby.
This huge beach in western Messinia is often busy but rarely feels crowded, thanks to its fine golden sand and calm clear waters. It’s also a favorite spot for windsurfers, and the shore is lined with trees offering natural shade. It’s also home to loggerhead sea turtles, which makes it even more appealing.