BEACHES – NATURE – SIGHTSEEING

• Beaches

When it comes to swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, there are many options.

Very close to ESPERIDES, you will find a great number of clean and wonderful beaches, awarded with a “Blue Flag” by the EU! 

Langouvardos

A lovely, sandy beach. Special characteristics: shallow waters, green surrounding environment (pine trees, bushes), with canteen service. From October until April, Langouvardos beach is also the ideal place for surf. Many surfers around Europe visit this beach throughout all this period. (Distance: 2km)

Voidokilia

A wonderful bay beach, with sand dunes and blue–green waters. It’s considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches of Europe. Voidokilia (meaning: ox belly), is both famous not only for its unique shape of the bay but also its location within the lagoon! Those characteristics make the waters shallow and warm. Even when strong winds blow in the area, Voidokilia is always calm, without waves.    

Furthermore, the Paleokastro castle, which was built by the Francs in the 13th century, is situated on the top of the hill. Getting to Voidokilia takes less than 30 minutes. (Distance: 17km).

Golden Coast (Mati)

One of the longest sandy beaches in Greece and also a breeding place of the rare marine turtles “caretta-caretta”! The beach offers the opportunity to many summer sport activities such as: (windsurfing, canoeing, kiting and jet-skiing). Canteen services are available, too. (Distance: 9km).

Agia Sotira

It is adjacent to Mati beach. Ideal for fishing and scuba diving! You can visit the local restaurant with a great view. (Distance: 8km).

Barla



A combination of sandy and rocky beach! Crystal clear waters and suitable for scuba diving. (Distance: 4km)

Vromoneri

Small, picturesque creek. Popular for its unique thermal baths with healing properties. (Distance: 7km).

Some other great beaches within the region are Petrochori and Chrisi Ammos beach.

Moving to the southern part of Messinia, you'll pass by the gorgeous beaches of Romanos, Gialova, Methoni, Koroni and Finikounda.        

• Nature

Indeed worth visiting is Gialova. A village surrounded by aromatic lemon, orange and olive trees, it is located directly at the famous bay of Navarino. (Distance: 19km)

The lagoon of Gialova or Divari, a Natura 2000 characterized, site of major ecological importance, is the most well-known water biotope of Southern Greece and a precious stopover for migratory birds (gray herons, flamingos, pelicans, king eagles and others). It is the only location in Europe where the African chameleon is found. Bird-watching and eco-tour can be quite interesting activities. (Distance: 16km)

In the wider region of Marathopolis, one can come along some magnificent landscapes, such as the waterfalls of Neda, Polilimnio and Valta. These places are ideal for trekking.

• Sightseeing

Of archaeological significance are the sites at Ancient Olympia, home of the 1st Olympic Games held in 776 B.C., the Nestor Palace and the Archaeological Museum at Chora, the temple of Epikourios Apollon, the vaulted graves at Tragana and Chora, the castles in Pylos (Niokastron), Methoni, Koroni and the Ancient Messene.

• Going back to the Mythological Existence of the Esperides…

According to Greek mythology, the Esperides (greek:Εσπερίδες) were nymphs who tended a blissful garden found in the extremities of the West, where Atlas held, with his shoulders the uranium dome or, alternatively, in the Arcadian Mountains. In this garden grew the tree with the golden apples which Gaia had given, as a present, to Hera for her wedding to Zeus. The garden was guarded by Ladon, a snake with a hundred heads. The only one who succeeded in obtaining some of the apples was Hercules, who tricked Atlas to get them from Ladon. Thus Hercules completed the eleventh of his Twelve Labors.
(Source: Greek Encyclopedia “Domi", volume 9, publication 2004).

The Esperides (Εσπερίδες) were:
Aegli (Αίγλη),
Arethousa (Αρέθουσα),
Erythia (Ερύθεια),
Estia (Εστία),
Hesperia (Εσπερία)