Pylos & Gialova

Two neighbouring destinations on Navarino Bay, offering two very different atmospheres: historic and picturesque Pylos, and the more cosmopolitan seaside setting of Gialova.

Pylos

Choose Pylos if you prefer a traditional small town with history and local life around you. Built amphitheatrically above Navarino Bay, its streets descend towards the waterfront and the central Three Admirals’ Square, shaded by enormous old plane trees and surrounded by cafés and restaurants.

The town’s most important landmark is Niokastro, the large fortress overlooking the entrance to Navarino Bay. A visit is worthwhile not only for the castle itself and the views across the bay towards Sphacteria, but also for the museums and exhibitions housed within its walls. The Archaeological Museum of Pylos presents finds from the wider region, while other parts of the fortress contain exhibitions dedicated to underwater archaeology.

Pylos is the better choice if you are attracted by history, traditional town atmosphere and the feeling of staying in a real Messinian town rather than a purpose-built holiday destination.

Gialova

Choose Gialova if you prefer a smaller but more tourism-oriented seaside setting. Much of its atmosphere revolves around the waterfront, where restaurants, cafés and bars look across Navarino Bay towards Pylos and Sphacteria.

Gialova is also closer to some of the area’s best-known natural attractions. The protected Gialova Lagoon lies just outside the village and forms part of an important Natura 2000 wetland, while the famous horseshoe-shaped Voidokilia Beach is only a short distance further north.

The choice between Pylos and Gialova therefore depends less on what you want to visit — since the two are close to each other — and more on the atmosphere you want to return to at the end of the day.

Start with Pylos itself. Walk around Three Admirals’ Square and the waterfront before visiting Niokastro, where the castle, museums and elevated position provide both an introduction to the history of the area and impressive views across Navarino Bay and Sphacteria.

Across the bay lies the long, narrow island of Sphacteria, which forms a natural barrier between Navarino Bay and the open Ionian Sea. The island is closely connected with the long history of the bay, from the famous Battle of Sphacteria in ancient times to the Battle of Navarino in 1827.

From the heights of Niokastro, Navarino Bay opens out towards Sphacteria and the Ionian Sea. The elevated position of the castle offers a very different perspective of the landscape, revealing how the long island shelters the bay from the open sea. It is also one of the best places around Pylos to appreciate the natural geography that has shaped the area’s history.

Around Gialova, nature becomes the main attraction. The Gialova Lagoon is an important wetland and a stopover for many species of migratory birds. Nearby Voidokilia is instantly recognisable by its almost perfect semicircular shape and remains largely undeveloped because of the protected landscape surrounding it.

Pylos and Gialova make an excellent base for exploring the wider region. To the south, Methoni and its spectacular seaside castle are within easy reach, with Finikoynta and the beaches of the southwestern coast further on.