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Holidays to Pylos, Gialova and Methoni

Overview

Introduction

Pylos • Gialova • Methoni

Transfer time 60 minutes

Pylos is an historic and stylish small town at the top of the Messinian peninsular on its western side. It has one of the best natural harbours in Greece – Navarino Bay, site of the famous Turkish defeat in 1827. Some 16 kms to the north is Homeric Nestor’s Palace, artefacts from which can be viewed in the impressive new Pylos museum.

Pylos, 52 km south west of Kalamata airport is an extremely attractive amphitheatrical town of 3,000 people with a long history dating from Neolithic times and an important kingdom in the Greek Mycenaean era. Also known by its Italian name Navarino, the town is the main harbour on the Bay of Navarino. This is a busy town with cafes, tavernas and restaurants galore. The Franks built the first defensive castle and were followed by the Venetians and then ultimately the Ottomans who built the ‘new’ castle and held the town until 1827.

In October 1827, the Turkish/Egyptian fleet of 68 ships including 3 ships of the line was cornered in the bay by 24 British, Russian and French ships including 11 ships of the line under the command of Admiral Sir Edward Codrington. Three quarters of the Turkish/Egyptian fleet were sunk and most of the others were run aground. The defeat was so complete that Turkey was forced to retreat from Greece, the battle being the final step in securing independence for Greece from the Turks and the last significant sea battle using wooden ships.

The town is proud of its history and its part in the war of independence.

Pylos is a good base from which to visit the archaeological sites of The Palace of Nestor and Ancient Messini and also the bird rich wetlands of Gialova.

The seaside hamlet of Gialova is just 6 kms to the north and known for its fine sandy beaches – the best is superb Voidokilia, just a 10-15 minute drive away. For such a small place Gialova has a wide choice of tavernas and a number of quite smart cafe/beach bars as well as a mini-market and a bicycle hire shop (bike is a good way to get around as the area is largely flat). The whole area is now a nature reserve noted for its bird life and unique species of chameleon.

The neighbouring small town of Methoni at the southwestern tip is dominated by its impressive fortress stretching into the sea. Evidence of past visitors includes the remnants of a Venetian cathedral and a Turkish bath within the castle walls.

The pretty town sheltering behind possesses a delightfully lazy Greek air and a long sandy beach shelving very gently into a warm sheltered sea. In season there is a good choice of tavernas, including the well known Klimataria where you dine under vines in the courtyard of a neo-classical house. We also like the very traditional Sapienza Taverna just up a short track from the beach, which has been there for many years and still run by the same (now elderly) ladies - you will not find better traditional Greek cooking than this!

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Useful information

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020 8568 4499

We open today at 9:15 AM

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Kellie Longhawn
Kellie Longhawn
Best time to go
  • JAN
  • FEB
  • MAR
  • APR
  • MAY
  • JUN
  • JUL
  • AUG
  • SEP
  • OCT
  • NOV
  • DEC
Time Difference

GMT + 2 hours

Currency

Euro

Language

Greek

Average flight times

3 hours 40 Minutes

  • Average temperature

    Average rainfall

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  • FEB
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  • JUN
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  • AUG
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Note: Map is for guidance purposes only.
Claire Kalatzis

Talk to our Greece expert

Claire Kalatzis
Claire Kalatzis

Claire joined us in 2005 after having spent 6 years in Lesbos running her own business teaching English, where she married a Greek. The economic crisis in Greece forced them to return to the UK. Alongside day to day reservations, Claire is also mother goose to our 30 or so overseas representatives in Greece and works very closely with Graeme, our overseas manager in Greece, to arrange for their interviewing and training. Understandably she loves Alonissos.

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Pylos, Greece

Pylos and Gialova and Methoni

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We promise that a member of our specialist reservation teams will reply personally to your holiday enquiry before 5.30pm if received before 12.00pm (Monday to Friday). Enquiries received after 12.00pm will be replied to within 24-hours (excluding Sundays).

If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.

Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.

  • Greece: 020 8758 4758
  • Cyprus: 020 8758 4759
  • Portugal, the Azores, Spain, Italy, Sicily and Scandinavia: 020 8758 4722
  • Latin America: 020 8758 4774
  • Marketing: 020 8758 4731

Required Information

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Thank you for your enquiry. A member of our specialist reservation teams will be in touch shortly.

If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.

Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.

  • Greece: 020 8758 4758
  • Cyprus: 020 8758 4759
  • Portugal, the Azores, Italy, Sicily and Scandinavia: 020 8758 4722
  • Latin America: 020 8758 4774

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