When thinking about visiting Greece, the first places that come to mind are usually Athens, Santorini and Mykonos. Travelers flock there for the great weather, ancient ruins and beautiful beaches.
But there’s another amazing destination in Greece that also offers stunning landscapes and a rich cultural and archaeological history… and without the crowds.
Costa Navarino, nestled along the Ionian Sea about three hours away from Athens by car and 30 minutes by air, is Greece’s best-kept secret. Conceived and created by environmentalist Captain Vassilis C. Constantakopoulos as a way of preserving and promoting the region of Messinia in southwest Peloponnese, this sustainable luxury resort destination boasts five-star hotels and resorts, luxury private residences, and four world-class golf courses, all set within the unspoiled beauty of the Mediterranean.
The weather is ideal for travelers – mild in the winter and moderate in the summer, with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. And the warmth of the locals, proud of their home’s ancient history and generations of tradition, is in keeping with the region’s philosophy of ‘Philoxenia’ or hospitality. Costa Navarino was literally designed to be shared with the rest of the world, highlighting the best this region has to offer.
WHAT TO SEE & DO
Constantakopoulos began realizing his vision in 1982 when he started acquiring the land Costa Navarino now occupies. Its sustainable practices are in keeping with the Captain’s desire to protect and preserve the area’s natural environment and wildlife, as well as its long history. 90% of the land is dedicated to indigenous and planted greenery, and great care has been taken to preserve the rich biodiversity of the area.
Peppered throughout the natural Messinian landscape are remnants of past civilizations, from the Palace of Nestor at Pylos to the 14-century monastery Andromonastiro to the Unesco World Heritage sites of Ancient Olympia – the birthplace of the Olympic Games – and the Temple of Apollo Epicurius. There’s a wealth (4500 years worth!) of history to be found in the area.
The region is also teeming with a diverse assortment of flora and fauna. Gialova Lagoon hosts a wide array of plant and animal species, including 271 species of birds, and is the only location in Europe where the African chameleon can be found. And among Costa Navarino’s magnificent stretches of beach, Dunes Beach at Navarino Dunes along the Gulf of Kyparissia is an important nesting site for the endangered and protected Caretta Caretta (loggerhead) sea turtles. Every August, visitors can observe the newborn sea turtles make their first journey from Dunes Beach to the sea.
Another fantastic beach is the omega-shaped Voidokilia Beach, considered one of the world’s best beaches. Located next to Gialova Lagoon and Nestor’s Cave, the beach offers fine, white sand and temperate, turquoise waters as well as a bit of mythical history. It is said to be the location where King Nestor welcomed Telemachus when he was searching for his father, Odysseus. And according to myth, Nestor’s Cave is where Hermes hid the cattle he stole from Apollo.
For more immersive experiences, visitors can literally get their hands dirty by olive picking and pressing, satisfy their culinary appetites with cooking classes in a village home, or if visiting in the autumn, participate in the age-old tradition of grape stomping in the local vineyards before enjoying some well-deserved glasses of wine.
WHERE TO STAY
There are currently three luxury resorts in Costa Navarino, with the fourth, the Mandarin Oriental, set to open this summer. The resorts are located in the Navarino Dunes, Navarino Waterfront and Navarino Bay areas.
Navarino Dunes
Navarino Dunes is home to two resorts – The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Navarino and the Westin Resort, Costa Navarino – as well as the Costa Navarino Residences. The area also includes the full-service Anazoe Spa, the 18-hole Dunes golf course, Mouratoglou Tennis Center, 13 choice restaurants, and an Aqua Park. Guests at both resorts have access to all of these amenities.
The Romanos is an elegant and romantic Virtuoso property, ideal for couples and honeymooners, sophisticated travelers or anyone seeking privacy and luxury. It ranks top in Greece in Condé Nast Traveler 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards for “the best resorts in the world”.
The property boasts 321 Messinian-inspired rooms with sea or golf and garden views, including their Ionian Exclusive beachfront villas. There are some connecting options, and all of the rooms offer private outdoor space – either a balcony or a private pool. The villas are situated along the Ionian coastline, offering breathtaking sea views and direct access to Dunes Beach. Ranging from one to 3 bedrooms, the villas also come with their own private patio and pool, as well as butler service and exclusive amenities.
Located next to the Romanos is The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino, one of the top family-friendly resorts in Greece with fantastic kids’ facilities and activities. It was voted best resort in Greece in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Award in “The best resorts in the world”.
With two kids’ clubs, a teen club, several pools and a 1-kilometer beach, this property is great for families and those wanting a more active experience in Greece. It offers an array of outdoor activities, including golf, tennis, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and nature excursions unique to the region. There are also indoor sports such as basketball, bowling volleyball and workout classes. Kids can take golf lessons and spend the day as a ‘young gardener’, learning about food and nature by planting seeds and gathering seasonal fruit. They can also earn a Young Archaeologist certificate by taking part in an excavation.
Like those at the Romanos, the rooms at the The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino are Messinian-inspired in design. The 445 rooms and suites also enjoy spectacular views of the Ionian Sea, the golf course or the resort’s pools and gardens. There are Family rooms & Suites with connecting options, and all of the rooms offer some type of outdoor space. Most ground floor rooms come with a private infinity pool, and the rooms on the upper floors come with a private balcony.
Navarino Waterfront
The new W Costa Navarino, the debut of W Hotels in Greece, opened in August of 2022, and is the ultimate chic and trendy, adult-friendly resort, welcoming guests 12 years of age and older. It is a place to get together and be seen, and is tailored to younger married adults, singles, and friend groups.
This resort has five dining venues, including its main restaurant Parelia, which features modern Mediterranean cuisine served in a hip beach club setting. Also on the property are the AWAY® Spa, their fully-equipped FIT gym with 25-meter outdoor lap pool, tennis courts, and the watersports hub, where guests meet for all on-water and underwater sports. Guests can also enjoy a round of golf at the 18-hole Bay Course, which is located next to the resort.
W Costa Navarino offers 246 rooms, suites and villas, all with a contemporary design aesthetic incorporating natural materials like stone and wood and decorated using earth-toned fabrics. The rooms include bay, marina or panorama views, with some rooms offering swim-up pools. The 2-bedroom suites and 3-bedroom villas come equipped with their own private infinity pool.
Navarino Bay
The Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s first property in Greece, is currently slated to open at the of June and is now accepting reservations from August 15th, 2023.
Located 15 minutes away from the W Costa Navarino, this beachfront resort offers 51 suites and 48 earth-sheltered villas, all incorporating natural materials in a contemporary design. The resulting organic beauty and serenity make it an ideal escape for those seeking privacy and relaxation.
The resort features six dining options, including its signature restaurant, Oliviera. The eatery also contains a private kitchen counter & lounge where guests can enjoy a custom-tailored menu for groups of 12-16 people, or taken part in private cooking lessons, cocktail classes, and wine or cigar tasting.
The property also houses The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, beauty salons, a fitness and wellness center where guests can receive personalized fitness experiences, and a 25-meter pool that seamlessly transitions from indoors to outdoors. Its beachfront location makes it the perfect destination for guests who enjoy water activities. The resort offers surfing, kite surfing, sailing, scuba diving & snorkeling and fishing.
The 1-bedroom suites have connecting options and all suites (both 1 and 2-bedroom) include private outdoor terraces. The 1, 2 and 3-bedroom villas all come with their own private pools and outdoor space, and there are even connecting options for the 1-bedroom Bay View and Mandarin Pool villas. And in adherence with Costa Navarino’s commitment to sustainability, all rooms feature Japanese toilets and plastic-free bathroom amenities.
HOW TO GET THERE
Visitors can fly from Athens International Airport to Kalamata International Airport in just 30 minutes, but we recommend hiring a car and driver for the 3 hour-drive because there’s lots to see and do on the way.
Or, if you’re flying from another destination in Europe, you can fly into Kalamata International Airport from most European cities.
For more information, contact us at info@journeysunparalleled.com.