Methoni Greece
Frequently Asked Questions
By tender. Ships anchor in the bay and land passengers right beside the village and the fortress, much as Venetian galleys once set down pilgrims bound for the Holy Land.
Yes, the fortified site is open to independent visits. You enter across a fourteen-arch stone bridge over the moat, then the plateau opens out, vast and silent: Turkish baths, a Byzantine church, a granite column and the coats of arms of Venice.
Allow a good two hours to cover it without rushing. The whole promontory is ringed by walls and once held a complete town, with streets, churches and cisterns.
The octagonal tower on its islet at the far end of the site, built after 1500 and used in turn as fort, prison and lighthouse. A paved causeway leads out from the sea gate, and the view takes in the ramparts, the bay and the island of Sapientza.
The fortress and the Bourtzi fill most of the morning, then the modern village and its long sandy beach at the foot of the walls take over. Waterfront tables serve grilled fish, Messenian olive oil and garden tomatoes.
Yes, a long sandy beach runs along the foot of the walls, steps from the landing. Swimming in front of the old stones is one of the simple pleasures of this call.
Closed shoes and water. Shade is scarce on the fortified plateau, the ground is stone and dry grass, and the wind almost never stops.
Yes, Pylos lies about twelve kilometres away, overlooking Navarino Bay where the naval battle of 1827 sealed Greek independence. The excursion rounds out the day nicely for history lovers.
No, and that is its charm. No queues, no sound-and-light show: an oversized fortress given back to the wind and the grass, a village of taverns, and the feeling of having a piece of Venetian history to yourself.
The euro and Greek, with English understood in the village taverns and shops. Bring cash: the town is small and not every place takes cards.
