The local area
In Messenia, at the southwestern tip of the Peloponnese, Greece reveals its original side. The region is characterized by olive cultivation, with tourism development progressing cautiously and with foresight.
Brand new are the Luxury Villas Gialova. Here, guests can spend their vacation above the village of Gialova. The view is unique: from one end of the five-kilometer-long bay with the charming town of Pylos, across the offshore islands, to the ruins of Palaiokastro fortress and the Gialova Lagoon nature reserve.
The beach is only 250 meters away. The promenade with its taverns, restaurants, cafes, small shops, and boutiques is right nearby. Shopping, dining, drinking ouzo – and definitely enjoying the Greek serenity. Or how about some sports? The nearby options range from surfing and water skiing to golfing (two 18-hole courses, 5 or 15 minutes away). Significant archaeological sites such as Ancient Messene and Olympia, historically significant places like Sparta with its archaeological museum, and impressive fortresses offer opportunities for (half-)day trips.
The Luxury Villas Gialova themselves are high-quality architect-designed houses. The villa complex, with its natural stone walls, sits on a 9,000-square-meter plot and blends organically into the landscape. Inside, understated luxury is revealed. Clean lines, generous spatial design, noble natural materials, warm tones – a sense of well-being at the highest level. Each house has its own swimming pool, captivates with charming retreats, and offers the utmost privacy. And truly spectacular sunsets.
Restaurants & Bars
Grilled fresh fish, Greek homestyle cuisine, tasty snacks, and of course, ouzo time and again: simply stroll down to the beach promenade. Here, you can enjoy Greek hospitality from prime seats.
On the small yet exquisite beach promenade of Gialova, you will find a dozen different restaurants, taverns, and cafés. Our tips are recommendations based on personal experiences and preferences. Try out the restaurants and form your own impression.
RESTAURANTS
Notre Maison is a family-run restaurant that opened in June 2020. Imagine visiting the house of friends or family. Giannis and his wife, along with their son and daughter, specialize in mushroom dishes. They personally gather the mushrooms to ensure you taste only the best. We serve fresh fish, traditional dishes, high-quality local meat, and vegetables.
Kochili Fish Restaurant offers good fish and classic Greek cuisine. The restaurant is located directly on the beach and is the closest one from Gialova Villas. Dip your feet in the sand and enjoy a small glass of Greek wine – what more could you ask for by the “SEA.”
La Cucina Italiana (super delicious, suitable for vegetarians), To Steki tou Vergou (hearty Greek dishes, grilled specialties), and excellent pizza. The restaurant is situated on the first floor. At palm-tree level, it overlooks the promenade and the sea, providing a fantastic view to be enjoyed from there.
Gialova Grill House impresses with delicious dishes at absolutely fair prices. They also offer takeaway options.
Deroko is an outstanding restaurant located in a dreamy setting right on the beach. It offers a successful blend of Greek cuisine and international influences, along with an excellent selection of wines.
SADO Sushi tales & cocktails Original Japanese cuisine in a beautiful and relaxed ambiance in the center of Gialova. In addition to classic sushi platters, creative and delicious cocktails are also served here.
Natura at Hotel Zoe invites you to embark on a culinary journey of boundless delights. Greek-Mediterranean specialties are combined with a generous dose of European and international influences. The unique ambiance allows you to take a seat at long, enchanting wooden tables while your eyes roam over the shimmering azure of the sea. You can also enjoy the day at the Beachclub.
BARS
Sugar Café Bar offers the best coffee far and wide, as well as delicious drinks and cocktails.
notiωs is located directly on the beach in Gialova. Here, you can enjoy a sundowner in cozy beach sofas or linger after dinner.
Aplo Bistro, the trendy cocktail bar, is located right next to notiωs. Here, the bartenders mix great and trendy cocktails, and on Saturdays, people gather here to enjoy the evening.
Golf courses
If you want to play golf during your vacation, make sure to contact our experienced Golf Travel Navarino expert, Petros Tourgaidies. He will provide you with top-notch advice and can also arrange access to the golf courses at special rates. Trust in his expertise and have unforgettable golf experiences in Navarino.
Petros Tourgaidies: +30 697 530 30 35
Messenia will become a hotspot for golf enthusiasts in the coming years. A total of six 18-hole courses are planned, all of which will be accessible within an hour’s drive. There are already four excellent golf courses that are unrivaled in Greece. One of these courses is located just a five-minute drive from the Gialova Villas, while the other is reachable in just 15 minutes. Additional golf facilities are currently being planned to expand the offerings.
THE OLYMPIC COURSE – The new golf course in Costa Navarino overlooks the Ionian Sea coast, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the historic Bay of Navarino. Some holes are situated right along the cliffs. With approximately 60 bunkers, this course provides a challenge for golfers of all skill levels.
18 holes, par 72, 6366 yards
THE HILLS COURSE – Designed by José María Olazábal, the new golf course in Costa Navarino is located on a plateau above the Bay Course, resulting in a slightly hilly design. The fairways are surrounded by trees, and compared to its neighboring course, this one is slightly shorter.
18 holes, par 72, 5742 yards
THE DUNES COURSE – Fast and challenging, the Dunes Course starts right at the hotel. Bernhard Langer ensured length and difficult greens. Many greens are slightly elevated and practically all of them are well-defended by bunkers. Particularly spectacular is hole 2, where you play parallel to the hotel towards the sea.
18 holes, par 71, 6018 yards
THE BAY COURSE – The course is dominated by olive trees and offers views of the Ionian Sea. There is plenty of variety between holes along the beach, through canyons, and among the olive trees. On 14 tees of the Bay Course, you’ll have a view of the deep blue sea. The new clubhouse is one of the most modern in Europe.
18 holes, par 71, 5422 yards
Water sports
Many guests enjoy taking a refreshing plunge into the sea before breakfast and swimming in the glassy waters in the morning. By late morning, the winds usually pick up, making it the perfect time for surfing. However, we also have other activities to choose from. How about these options, for example?
WATERSPORTS
WINDSURFING & KITESURFING
Right on our doorstep is a mecca for surfers: with minimal waves due to the nearby island of Sphacteria and plenty of Beaufort. Wind and kitesurfers share this territory.
WATERSKIING & WAKEBOARDING
The conditions in the bay of Gialova are excellent, thanks again to Sphacteria. And of course, it’s best to go in the morning before the winds pick up. Guests can enjoy waterskiing and wakeboarding with top-professional trainers at Golden Beach (a 25-minute beach walk or a few minutes by car). Guests can also go kayaking and try various other fun water sports activities there.
DIVING
Diving is available year-round in Messenia, with the best conditions in the summer months, offering 30 meters of visibility and an average water temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. In Pylos, there is a PADI diving school where beginners can get certified, and advanced divers can embark on truly unique excursions. Explore steep walls (up to 60 meters), intact reefs, sea turtles, and rays.
Beaches
Prefer natural and secluded beaches or ones with bars, restaurants, and beach chair rentals? Around the Luxury Villas Gialova, there are numerous dream beaches. Allow us to share our top three personal favorites with you.
GOLDEN BEACH
Just a few minutes from the houses, the five-kilometer-long Golden Beach begins, featuring secluded sections, especially towards the back, and three beach bars (some with beach chair rentals). These bars are set up for the summer season and disappear from the landscape after the season ends.
VOIDOKILIA BEACH
The most popular photo motif in all of Messenia is Voidokilia Beach, also known as the Bay of the Ox. It boasts turquoise shimmering water, expansive sand dunes, and a bay shaped like a perfect omega. There is plenty of sand but no bar, and due to its popularity, it can get quite crowded during the peak season. However, it’s almost obligatory to take a quick look. It’s only a 15-minute drive away.
PETROCHORI BEACH
Our recommendation for scorching hot days is Petrochori Beach. The west side offers fresh winds and wonderful waves, while the east side is calmer and more suitable for children. It pleases everyone, especially with the free beach chairs provided you order from Ammothines (restaurant and beach bars). This beloved spot is also just 15 minutes away
Historical tips
In the picturesque bay of Gialova, like almost everywhere in Greece, history was made. This is where the Battle of Sphacteria took place in 425 BC, in which Athens fought against Sparta and ultimately lost during the Peloponnesian War. Additionally, the historic Battle of Navarino, which marked a milestone in Greece’s independence from the Ottoman Empire, occurred in this bay in 1827. The bay of Gialova holds significant historical events that are closely tied to the history of Greece.
PYLOS – THE LARGEST CITY IN WESTERN MESSENIA
The city of Pylos, formerly known as Navarino, now serves as the economic center of Western Messenia. The name of the bay where the city is located still derives from its historical name. The Bay of Navarino gained great prominence in 1827 through a naval battle involving sailing ships, in which the Allies from England, France, and Russia defeated the Turkish occupiers and helped the region gain independence from the Ottoman Empire. In Pylos, visitors have the opportunity to visit Neo Kastro, an exceptionally well-preserved fortress from the 16th century that played a significant role in the naval battle. From there, one can enjoy breathtaking views of the bay. Archaeology enthusiasts can visit the excavation site of the extensive Palace of Nestor from the Mycenaean period, located north of Pylos.
PALACE OF NESTOR
About 20 minutes away from the Gialova Villas lies the Palace of Nestor. It is the remains of a large Mycenaean palace and administrative building from the Late Helladic period. The palace is an important archaeological site that attracts visitors. Notable attractions include the sacrificial hearth and the so-called “bathroom,” where according to legend, Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, was bathed and anointed by Polycastris. The Palace of Nestor gets its name from the legendary King Nestor, who ruled over “sandy Pylos” according to Homer and his Iliad. The mythological accounts of historical events make the palace a place of great mythological significance.
PALAIOKASTRO
At the end of Golden Beach, on a rock 200 meters above the sea, stands Palaiokastro (the old castle). The ruins of a 13th-century fortress were once the perfect spot to spot enemy fleets. Today, it is simply one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the region.
NEOKASTRO
On the opposite side of Navarino Bay, above Pylos, sits Neokastro (the new castle). It was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century and impresses visitors with its well-preserved structure and modern museum.
ANCIENT MESSINI
It takes about an hour’s drive from the Gialova Villas to Ancient Messini, which the ancient Greeks considered the most beautiful city in the southwest Peloponnese. The archaeological site dates back 2,000 years.
OLYMPIA & SPARTA
The famous celebrities of ancient times can also be reached in about two hours: ancient Olympia, as well as Sparta with its significant Archaeological Museum.
Shopping
The selection of fresh fruits and vegetables is enormous. Furthermore, there is also an abundance of other daily necessities that you can find on-site or in close proximity.
In Gialova itself, there are numerous small shops and stores. However, if you are planning a larger shopping trip, you will find two supermarkets in Pylos with a wider range of products. There are also various vegetable vendors, bakeries, fish shops, and even household and electrical goods. The picturesque coastal town with its marina offers a pleasant shopping experience for self-catering. After shopping, you can treat yourself to a well-deserved first drink at one of the small cafes or directly on the lively main square.
SHOPPING OPTIONS:
SUPERMARKETS IN GIALOVA:
For any forgotten items (smaller purchases)
Gialova’s shop&go
EO Kiparissias Pilou, Gialova 240 01, Greece
Located in Gialova, suitable for smaller purchases, very nice owner, very helpful.
Martin’s Gialova
Gialova 240 01, Greece
Keep going further in Gialova and the shop will be on the right after the right turn.
For smaller purchases!
Umami Deli & Bio (Here you can find many vegetarian and vegan products)
Káto, Gialova 240 01, Greece
SUPERMARKETS IN PYLOS:
AB Vasilopoulos food market
EO Pilou Methonis, Pylos 240 01, Greece
Supermarket (in the market square in Pylos)
Grigoriou Episkopou Methonis 17, Pylos 240 01, Greece
In the market square, there is also an excellent fruit and vegetable shop next to Martha’s pharmacy and some good bakeries.
SUPERMARKETS IN KALAMATA / NEAR THE AIRPORT:
LIDL (great for larger shopping)
EO Pilou Kalamatas 1st km, Messini 242 00, Greece
Sklavenitis (Greek supermarket, across from LIDL)
Anagnostara, Messini 242 00, Greece
PHARMACY IN PYLOS:
Martha Mpogiatzi (in the market square)
Pylos 240 01, Greece
PHARMACY (in the market square) Periklis Tsarpalas
Trion Navarchon, Pylos 240 01, Greece