Methoni

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Methoni

Methoni is a small charming village in the southwestern Peloponnese. It boasts some great beaches and has everything you need for a relaxing gateway. There is plenty of sunshine, gorgeous scenery, local charm and lots of ancient history to uncover. It also remains relatively untouched by tourism, so you will get a true authentic Greek experience. There are plenty of places to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat in local family run tavernas as well as many accommodation options to choose from. Methoni has been listed as a traditional settlement since 1950 as it preserves the architectural features of the southern Peloponnese, during the past century.

History

It is historically proven that the town was already inhabited since the years of the Trojan War, or maybe earlier. Methoni has been identified as the city of Pedasus by Pausanias and was the last of the seven cities that Agamemnon offered to Achilles in order to subdue his rage. The town gained its independence from the Spartans in 369 BC and flourished during the Byzantine years. Its remarkable harbor, was one of the most important due to its location on the route from Venice to Eastern markets. By the time of the outbreak of the Greek War of Independence in 1821, the citadel was inhabited by Turks but outside the walls, the region was populated almost exclusively by Greeks. When the Greek revolution broke out, the town was put under siege with no success. The town remained in Ottoman hands throughout the conflict. It was surrendered to the French on 8 October 1828 and in 1833 the French turned over its control to the newly established Kingdom of Greece.

The castle of Methoni is one of the most important fortifications in Greece and the town’s main attraction. It occupies the whole area of the cape and the southwestern coast to the small islet that has also been fortified with an octagonal tower and is protected by the sea on its three sides. The castle was built in 1209 by the Venetians and stretches across approximately 93 acres. A large moat separates it from the mainland, while the stone bridge with the many arches, leads to the impressive main gate, which gives access to the extensive archeological site. There are similar castles in Pylos and Koroni but none of these are as imposing as this one. Apart from the great historical value, the Castle of Methoni is famous for its breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and Oinousses islands. Through its history, Methoni was an important citadel for many empires. Remnants of these historic eras are still visible throughout the town. Today the town has expanded next to the castle and has a small population but the number increases during the summer.

Why Methoni

Surrounded by a natural landscape of incomparable beauty, green mountains and blue beaches, Methoni is one of the most popular destinations in southern Greece. The islands Sapientza, Schiza, and Santa Marina – known as the Oinousses group of islands - give excellent shelter to Methoni and can all be reached by boat. They also protect the long beach that stretches along the bay. The lovely sandy beach has clear blue water and spectacular views of the castle on the right and the island of Sapientza across. After visiting the castle, walk in the little town and discover beautiful corners, in picturesque cobbled streets full of neoclassical mansions, flowered balconies and squares with palm trees. Enjoy the rich local cuisine through a wide variety of dishes made by quality and pure local products and buy local traditional products such as lalagia, virgin olive oil and olives. The popular town of Pylos is only a 20-minute drive away, whilst Koroni is further afield but both are worth a visit.

The best time to visit Methoni is from April to the end of October. Combine your visit with a visit to Gialova Lagoon and the famous beach of Voidokoilia. Methoni is 292 km from Athens and you can reach it via the Athens – Tripoli – Kalamata motorway. Take the exit to Messini and then the road to Pylos.