Ioli's Villas | Things to do in Navarino Bay

Activities

Cosmopolitan and Serene!

Activities

Trips

Excursions

There are plenty of options for short trips and excursions. In Gialova and Pylos you may hire a car, motorbike, small boat, yacht and bicycles.

Excursions

One Day Cruises

Daily Cruises are organised by local operators to the nearby islands of Navarino Bay and Voidokilia.

Spa

Spa

Many treatments in local beauty lounges.

Sports

Sports

Sea sports such as water skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, canoeing, scuba diving. Land sports and activities such as climbing, go carting, bike trekking and hiking tours are organized by local operators.

Ship

Golf & Tennis

Golf courses and tennis courts at a small distance from the villas.

Enjoy Tranquility!

Gialova

Close by – 900 meters, in a walking distance - is the small seaside village of Gialova where there are supermarkets, bakery, restaurants, taverns, jewellery, beauty lounge, gift shops, boutiques, café bars, cocktail bars and other shops. The area is an agricultural one and you can find fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. Read more at gialova-spots.gr.
gialova-fresh-fish

Escapes

pylos-xrysi-akti
Golden beach - Divari - (4km – 00h. 05΄)
One of the finest beaches, extending from Gialova to Paleokastro. Read more at feelgreece.com.
Gialova lagoon - (4km – 00h. 05΄)
The most important wetland of Southern Greece, as well as the last southwest Balkanian stop for thousands of birds migrating to Africa. 255 bird species have been recorded (79 of those are protected), 34 reptile species, 28 mammal species, 16 fish species. Gialova is the only habitat in Europe for the rare African Chameleon. Visits to the lagoon to observe the birds are organized by the Hellenic Ornithological Society. Read more at greece.terrabook.com.
limni-gialova
messinia-voidokoilia-02
Voidokilia beach - (7km – 00h. 08΄)
Symmetrical circular bay with an opening 150 m wide. One of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean Sea surrounded by dunes and blue-green water. Read more at feelgreece.com.
Polylimnio - (18km – 00h. 22΄)
A secret paradise consisting of 7 small lakes and waterfalls surrounded by dense vegetation. Read more at mygreecemytravels.com and at peloponnese.eu.
polulimnio-messinia
kalamari-waterfall-schinolaka-messinia
Kalamari's waterfall - Schinolaka - (4km – 00h. 05΄)
Beautiful waterfall which hosts many orchid species in spring. Read more at pylos.info.
Church of Panagia - Sgrapa - (5,5km – 00h. 07΄)
The first church was built in 1381 and resettled in 1892 when the icon of Panagia was found there. Panoramic view of the area. Read more at romiosini.org.gr.
panagia-sgrapa
neda-river
Neda waterfalls - (79km – 01h. 38΄)
The Neda river flows from the Arcadian Lycaion mountain into the Bay of Kyparissia. Walking along the river (even a small part of it) promises impressive waterfalls, shaded gorges, crystal clear waters. Stone bridges, country churches and some water mills are preserved along the old passages of the river to this day. Read more at visitilia.gr.

Live the Myth!

The Islands

Sphacteria

Sphacteria
Explore Pylo's Breakwater

Rocky island, 4 km length, which encloses the western side of Navarino bay like a natural breakwater. A great number of monuments are to be found there commemorating the historical sea Battle of Navrino, namely those of the heroes Sachines, Tsamados and Anagnostaras, the Italian Philhellenist, Count Santarosa, and the French Paul Marie Bonaparte. Read more at pylos.info.

Fanari or Tsihli Mpampa
The Sea's Sculpture

A huge impressive rock of 3 hectares located at the entrance to Navarino Bay forms an imposing arched arcade sculpted by the sea. Here, there is a lighthouse and a monument dedicated to the fallen French during the sea battle of 1827. Read more at pylos.info.

Tsihli Mpampa

Mykonos

Helonaki
Battle of Navarino

A desert island in the bay of Navarino. Here can be found a monument dedicated to the English who fell during the sea Battle of Navarino. Read more at pylos.info.

All Year Destination!

Archeological Sites

The Palace of Nestor

The Palace of Nestor

It was inhabited from 13th to 11th century B.C. A museum functions here. (7 km - 00h.08΄). Read more at ancientgreecejourney.co.uk and at greece.terrabook.com.

Paleokastro

Paleokastro

Frankish castle which was built in about 1281 A.D. (7 km - 00h.08΄). Read more at pylos.info.

The castle of Methoni

The castle of Methoni

Venetian castle of 1209 A.D. One of the largest in the Mediterranean sea extending over 12 hectares. (17 km - 00h.26΄). Read more at kastra.eu and at gtp.gr.

The museum of Pylos

The museum of Pylos

Contains finds from the Neolithic period to the Hellenistic era.

Archaeological Museum of Chora

Archaeological Museum of Chora

It includes fine exhibits of: The finds from the Mycenean Palace of Nestor. Pottery and small finds coming from cemeteries of the Mycenean period (1600-1100 B.C.). (15 km - 00h.18΄). Read more at greece.terrabook.com.

The castle of Koroni

The castle of Koroni

Sixth or seventh century A.D. The most elegant example of Venetian fortified architecture and one of the few castles where houses and temples are preserved in its interior. (44 km - 00h.59΄). Read more at kastra.eu and at greece.terrabook.com.

Ancient Messini - Ithomi

Ancient Messini - Ithomi

Eighth century B.C. Very important archaeological site with the remains of temples, houses, surrounding walls, public buildings which are well preserved. A museum functions here. (56 km - 1h.10΄). Read more at ancientmessene.gr.

Niokastro

The Castle of Pylos or Niokastro

It was built in 1573 A.D. by the Turks, then it passed to the Venetians and was restored in 1829 by the French Marshal Maison. The head office of the Underwater Archaeology Center is located here. (6 km - 00h.09΄). Read more at pylos.info.

Unique Nature!

One-Day Excursions

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The temple of Apollo Epikourios - (105 km - 2h. 11΄)
One of the most important and imposing temples of antiquity. The building was erected in the second half of the fifth century B.C. and it is believed to be the work of Iktinos, the architect of the Parthenon. It is the only known temple of antiquity which combines three architectural orders. Read more at whc.unesco.org.
Ancient Olympia - (105 km - 2h. 07΄)
The most important religious and athletic centre in ancient Greece. Its fame rests upon the Olympic games during the classical period. Here, the great sculptor Pheidias crafted the gigantic chryselephantine statue of Zeus, listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia is one of the most important museums in Greece with many precious exhibits. Read more at whc.unesco.org.
Ruins in Ancient Olympia
mystras
Mystras - (105 km - 2h. 18΄)
The history of the ruined Byzantine town of Peloponnese begins from the middle of the 13th century when the Franks accomplished the conquest of the Peloponnese. Mystras is a precious source of the historical knowledge, the art and the civilization of the two last centuries of Byzantium. Read more at whc.unesco.org.
Epidauros - (250 km - 3h. 55΄)
Its fame comes mainly from the Asclepieion, the most celebrated healing centre of the Classical World, which, among other buildings, includes the Theatre. It was designed by Polykleitos the Younger in the 4th century B.C. It seats up to 13 000 people and is marveled at for its exceptional acoustics. It is still used for performances today. Read more at ancient.eu.
epidavros
mycenae
Mycenae - (186 km - 3h. 08΄)
The centre of the Mycenaean civilization from about 1600 B.C. to about 1100 B.C. In 1874 Heinrich Schliemann undertook a complete excavation. He found the ancient burial vaults with their royal skeletons and spectacular funereal artifacts made of gold. The site has been well- preserved and the admiration of visitors is aroused by the massive ruins of the Cyclopaean walls as well as the many vaulted tombs. Read more at whc.unesco.org.
Nafplio - (186 km - 3h. 08΄)
The first capital city of Greece from 1829 to 1834, when Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of the state of newly-liberated Greece after the Greek War of Independence, made it the first official capital city of Greece in 1829. After his assassination in 1831 and until 1834, Nafplio remained the capital city of the new Kingdom of Greece, at which time King Otto decided to move the capital city to Athens. The city continues to be adorned with all the traditional elements, untouched by time. Read more at nafplio.gr.
nafplio
taygetos
Taygetos - (100 km - 2h. 00΄)
The highest (altitude 2400 m) and most interesting mountain, not only in Messinia but throughout the Peloponnese. Forests of firs, pines, black pines, rare indigenous plants, sheer cliffs, ridges and old cobbled paths between the settlements compose a centre of attraction for climbers and hikers. Read more at mountainsgreece.com.
Mani - Diros caves - (136 km - 2h. 47΄)
A particularly mountainous and inaccessible terrain which forms the peninsula between the Laconian and Messinian Gulf as a continuation of the Taygetos mountain range. Cliffs that rise sheerly from the beaches, the famous towers of Mani (pyrgospita), Frankish castles, Byzantine churches with distinctive religious paintings are significant tourist attractions. Neolithic remains have been found in many caves along the Mani coasts. Diros stalactite and stalagmite caves, total length of 6000 m, are partly underwater and visitors tour them in gondola boats. Read more at lonelyplanet.com.
diros-caves
monemvasia
Monemvassia - (194 km - 3h. 57΄)
One of the most wonderful castle cities of Greece, Monemvassia still retains its traditional colour today. Read more at monemvasia.gr.