Standing on a rocky outcrop on Greece's Peloponnese coast, I gaze down at a beach so perfectly curved it looks almost unreal. The golden arc of Voidokilia Beach, set against the shimmering blues of Navarino Bay and Messinia's rolling olive groves, is a scene straight out of a storybook. And fittingly so. Its name, meaning "ox belly," can be traced back to Greek mythology. According to ancient lore, Hermes — the mischievous god of messengers, thieves, and travelers — once stole a herd of oxen from his brother Apollo and hid them in a cave above the fine white sand. To make amends, he gave Apollo a lyre crafted from the shell of a loggerhead sea turtle, a species that still nests on these shores.
Centuries later, Voidokilia remains a place of legend — only now, it's also a sanctuary for nature lovers. Often called "Omega Beach" due to its shape (and, as my guide jokes, "because it's easier for tourists to pronounce"), it's one of the many protected natural wonders near Costa Navarino, a resort destination that's now a model for sustainable luxury tourism.
In 2024, Greece welcomed a record-breaking 40.7 million visitors, a 12.8% jump from the previous year, marking an all-time high for the country’s tourism sector. As more travelers look to escape the crowds on popular islands and avoid contributing to overtourism, the mainland is attracting attention. And Costa Navarino, on the Peloponnese peninsula at its southern tip, is its shining star, with a beguiling blend of luxury resorts, quiet beaches, championship golf courses, farm-to-table dining, and easy access to adventures like rock climbing and mountain biking.
The vision for Costa Navarino was born in the mid-1980s when Vassilis Constantakopoulos, a self-made shipping tycoon from Messinia, set out to regenerate his homeland. He quietly began acquiring land with an ambitious, long-term plan: to create a sustainable destination that would honor the region's heritage while fostering economic growth for local communities. His dream took shape in 2010 with the launch of Navarino Dunes, the destination’s first major development. It introduced two luxury hotels — The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, and The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino — alongside Greece's first signature golf course, The Dunes Course.
Over the years, Costa Navarino has blossomed into a destination that's now home to Greece's first Mandarin Oriental, a cutting-edge tennis center, three additional golf courses, and more than 40 restaurants and bars nestled across its verdant 2,471-acre landscape. The majority of staff is local, and eco initiatives — from being plastic-free to using grass on fairways that requires less water — are prioritized. Boasting Europe's largest olive tree transplanting program, the terrain is carpeted with more than 7,000 olive trees, plus over a million native shrubs and trees of different species to enhance the region's biodiversity.
From idyllic hikes to five-star indulgences, here's your guide to experiencing the best of Costa Navarino.
What to Do
Costa Navarino is an active traveler's paradise, boasting four 18-hole golf courses, the Mouratoglou Tennis Center with 12 courts, and wellness programming across its four resorts. When you're ready for a change of scenery, head to Navarino Agora, the destination's cultural hub for events, exhibitions, shopping, dining, and more. Whether you're joining a silk dyeing workshop with a local artist, catching a movie at the open-air cinema, or browsing artisan wares at the Benaki Museum Shop, there's plenty to keep you occupied.
Adventure seekers can join a guided tour or rent bikes at Navarino Outdoors to explore the region. Pedal past olive groves, challenge yourself on mountain trails, or head to the UNESCO-protected Gialova Lagoon, an important stopover for hundreds of migratory birds, including elegant pink flamingos. Just beyond the lagoon, the Kalamaris Waterfall's 32-foot-tall cascade offers a refreshing escape from the heat. Guided hikes to the Old Navarino Fortress and King Nestor's Cave, visits to the medieval Methoni and Koroni castles, and day trips to the Archaeological Site of Olympia (about a 1.5-hour drive away) can also be booked.
The coast is dotted with several islets that are easily accessible by boat. Sfaktiria, just offshore from the Mandarin Oriental, offers towering cliffs that are perfect for rappelling adventures. Meanwhile, Sapienza is home to a 19th-century lighthouse, wild goats, and shipwrecks that attract divers and snorkelers.
Where to Stay
For those seeking tranquility and exclusivity, Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, which debuted in 2023, offers a design-forward retreat with an 82-foot infinity pool, a private beach club, five dining venues overseen by acclaimed chef Bertrand Valegeas, and an award-winning spa with olive oil-infused treatments, a hydrotherapy circuit, hammam, and a bay-view lap pool. The landscaping here is so meticulous that the hotel almost blends into the hillside. Each of the 99 suites and villas overlooks Navarino Bay, but the standout accommodations are the pool villas, which are carved into the earth and camouflaged by vegetation.
For families, The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, offers spacious beachfront villas and suites and rich cultural programming like traditional Messinian cooking classes, astronomy nights, and guided "philosophy walks" led by university professors. Meanwhile, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino features an aqua park, a sports camp, and outdoor adventures for all ages.
W Costa Navarino is the destination's only adults-only resort, offering lively beach parties, adrenaline-pumping watersports, and chic multi-bedroom villas that are ideal for groups of friends.
Those looking for a home-away-from-home experience can opt for Costa Navarino's luxury villa rentals, set among olive groves or on the beachfront overlooking the Ionian Sea.
Where to Eat
Costa Navarino offers over 40 dining venues celebrating the region's bounty. At Oliviera, panoramic bay views are paired with standout Greek dishes like sea bass with avgolemono (lemon-egg sauce), smoked eggplant risotto, and fresh dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with herbed rice). This year, a new collaboration with Michelin-starred CTC restaurant in Athens and acclaimed Chef Alexandros Tsiotinis will introduce Paráfrasi by CTC at Navarino Dunes. Meanwhile, Navarino Agora provides a bustling, village-like atmosphere with restaurants showcasing diverse flavors, from Peruvian cuisine at Guacana to Lebanese delights at Berytus.
Numerous tavernas in the nearby village of Gialova offer a taste of local flavors. Grab a sea-view table at Elia for grilled octopus, talagani cheese drizzled with grape preserves, and melt-in-your-mouth moussaka.
When to Go
Most hotels open from mid-April to late October. Summer months (July and August) bring peak crowds and sizzling temperatures, while May and September offer a more relaxed atmosphere with mild weather that's perfect for hiking and biking. For a deeper cultural experience, visit in the fall and winter during the olive harvest (October to January), when local villages come alive with traditional festivities. For a well-rounded experience, late September to mid-October hits the sweet spot. The sea is still warm enough for swimming, the weather is ideal for outdoor adventures, the summer crowds have thinned, and there are plenty of cultural events to plan a trip around.
How to Get There
Costa Navarino is a 3.5-hour drive from Athens or a 45-minute drive from Kalamata International Airport. Direct flights from major European cities like Paris, London, and Frankfurt make it easily accessible.
Combine With
Costa Navarino pairs well with a cultural city break in Athens or an island-hopping adventure through Crete, Santorini, and Paros, as well as the fabulous under-the-radar island of Spetses (check out the Poseidonion Grand Hotel Spetses while you're there). Direct flights from Kalamata to Heraklion in Crete make it convenient to get to the islands.
To stay closer to the Peloponnese coast, there's the nearby island of Elafonisos, which is said to have some of the longest sandy beaches in Greece and is often considered the most "Caribbean-like." For a more authentic, uncrowded Greek island experience, visit the slow-paced island of Kythira. Opposite the southeastern tip of the peninsula, it's a window into what Greece was like before mass tourism, offering unspoiled beauty, traditional villages, and Venetian castles.
Fun Facts
- The Bay of Navarino was the site of one of Europe's most important naval battles in 1827, marking the decline of Ottoman rule in Greece.
- Voidokilia Beach is believed to be the setting in Homer's Odyssey where Telemachus (son of Odysseus) met King Nestor, who used the beach as a port during the ancient period.
- The Peloponnese is famed for its olive oil production and antioxidant-rich koroneiki olives.
- Gialova Lagoon is the only place in Europe where the elusive African chameleon lives and breeds.