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Koroni in southwestern Peloponnese |
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Koroni is located in the Messinia region of southwestern Peloponnese.
The capital of Messinia is Kalamata, which has about 72,000 inhabitants,
compared to Koroni, which has about 1,190 inhabitants. Koroni is one of
my three favorite villages in southwestern Peloponnese, the other two
being Pylos
and Kardamili.
What makes these villages extra interesting is that they are so different,
yet so similar. All three are small-scale tourist resorts, and they have
a rich Greek everyday life. In Koroni, the harbor and port promenade dominate,
in Pylos, the square dominates, and in Kardamili, the main street dominates.
The three villages are like a Kinder Egg.
The harbor and parts of the harbor promenade in Koroni.
Before I visited Koroni for the first time, I had read a lot about the village at www.kalimera.se, where one of our members often wrote posts. The member’s name is Anneli Hiltunen and she lives in Vounaria, which is just north of Koroni. Anneli is an olive farmer and sells her organic olive oil in Sweden, among other countries. The company is called Evi Meria and you can read more about it on the company’s website.
The harbor promenade in Koroni.
I was incredibly curious about Koroni after everything I had read. Anneli picked me up with her car in Pylos, where I was living at the time. When we arrived in Koroni, and I saw the wonderful harbor and the cozy harbor promenade, I exclaimed in one voice: Wow! After I left my luggage, we had a very nice lunch at one of the tavernas. After lunch, I walked around and ended up above the village, and then it was time to exclaim again in one voice: Wow! What I saw was so beautiful that my jaw dropped.
The view over Koroni made me drop my jaw. |
TRAVEL TO KORONIThe easiest way is to fly to Kalamata, which is 50 kilometers northeast of Koroni. The airport in Kalamata is located about 10 kilometers west of the center of Kalamata. The airport is small but has everything you need. There are simple restaurants in the departure hall and in the arrival hall, there is a small duty-free and it is possible to rent a car.
The approach to the airport in Kalamata.
You can also fly to Athens and take a bus, or rent a car at Athens Airport and drive, to Pylos. It is approximately 300 kilometers between Athens Airport and Koroni and the drive takes approximately 3 ½ hours, depending on traffic. TRAVEL AROUND KORONI AND SURROUNDING AREAIf you are just going to stay in Koroni, you will get around on foot, and you can do that very well because there is a lot to see and do in Koroni. But if you want to discover more of this beautiful part of the Peloponnese, which I think most people want to, there are several car rental companies in Koroni. If you fly to Kalamata, you can book a car in advance, and pick it up at the airport when you land. Very convenient. Buses and taxis are of course also available. The bus and taxi journey between Koroni and Kalamata takes just over an hour. If you prefer to drive a moped or quad bike, unfortunately there are no rental companies in Koroni.
The taxi rank in Koroni is on the left and the bus stop is on the right.
Koroni is, besides being a very nice and pleasant village, a perfect base for exploring this part of the Peloponnese. Pylos, which lies west of Koroni, is only 40 kilometers away. Along the coast between Koroni and Pylos there are many nice beaches and villages, such as Finikounda, Mavrovouni, Lampes and Methoni. Just north of Pylos there are even more beaches, including Voidokilia beach, which I think is the most beautiful beach in Greece. If you like playing golf, Costa Navarino, which is considered to be the finest golf course in Greece, is just a few kilometers north of Pylos.
Don't miss a trip to Voidokilia beach, which I think is the most beautiful beach in Greece.
Read about amazing Voidokilia beach here »
The charming village of Kardamili is located almost exactly opposite Koroni, on the other side of the Messinia Gulf, but it is 90 kilometers away and perhaps a bit far to drive for a day trip. Just north of Koroni are a few nice beaches, including Agia Triada beach (3.5 kilometers) and Peroulia beach (8 kilometers). Polylimnio waterfalls are located about 40 kilometers northeast of Koroni. Unfortunately, I have not visited the waterfall in Polylimnio, but I have at least been to Kalamaris waterfall near Gialova north of Pylos. |
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But what if I don't want to do any excursions? Is there anything to see and do in Koroni? Oh my! When I was in Koroni for the first time, I stayed in the village the whole time, and I was busy all week. I spent a lot of time at the tavernas and cafes along the harbor promenade. It's hard not to do it, because I don't know if there is a cozier and cooler harbor promenade than the one in Koroni.
Here you can sit and philosophize about life.
And I'm not alone in sitting there doing nothing over a cup of coffee or a beer. Just being. Maybe you read a book. Or you simply stare out over the sea and philosophize about life, about times gone by and times to come. Here it's easy not to fiddle with your mobile phone.
The calming view from a café on the harbor promenade.
Here it's easy to avoid fiddling with your mobile phone.
One of several cafes along the harbor promenade.
It sure looks lovely, doesn't it? |
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But what if I don't want to sit and stare at a café along the harbor promenade? Then I think you should discover the rest of the village, because Koroni is so much more than the harbor promenade, which is only a small part of the village. Above the harbor promenade are the non-touristy parts of Koroni, where Greek everyday life dominates. I don't mean that the part of Koroni that is located by the water is touristy in the usual sense, like Rhodes Town. Because it is absolutely not. The small boat port is an unequivocal example of a lively Greek fishing port.
Koroni is so much more than the harbor promenade. Koroni Castle on the left and Zaga beach at the top.
In the back streets there are supermarkets and nice taverns.
Of course, there are tavernas and cafes in upper Koroni, at least in the back streets closest to the harbor promenade. But the further up the village you go, the more lively Greek it becomes. Here there are shops that mainly target the villagers, here are also bakeries, hairdressers, churches and other things that belong to a Greek village. If you continue even further up, you will come to Koroni Castle, which you can read about further down, and to the super nice beach Zaga beach, which you can also read about further down.
Another of the back streets of Koroni.
A colorful shop that sells everything between heaven and earth.
Agios Dimitriou church is one of the churches in upper Koroni.
Cozy alleys in upper Koroni.
An fishing woman repairs her nets in the least touristy parts of Koroni.
If you go right here you will come to Koroni Castle and Zaga beach. |
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Choosing a taverna is not easy. All the ones I have eaten at have been good so I can't recommend any in particular. No matter where you choose to eat, I can (almost) guarantee that you will be satisfied. Most people choose one of the restaurants along the harbor promenade, but there are also cozy tavernas in the back streets. If you like fresh fish and seafood, there are several fish restaurants to choose from. If you want to have a drink after dinner, I can recommend the cozy bars along the harbor promenade.
The harbor promenade is lined with restaurants, cafes and bars.
Fish restaurant on the harbor promenade.
Fishing boat that brings fresh fish and seafood.
Meditative view from a taverna along the harbor promenade.
One of the many cozy tavernas along the harbor promenade.
A perfect way to end the evening is to have a drink at one of the cool bars. |
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Koroni is known for being a very cultural village. Kardamili is known for its jazz festival, but that's nothing compared to what happens in Koroni. During the Koroni Festival, there are photo exhibitions, art exhibitions, rock concerts, classical concerts and performances by small and large choirs. Absolutely amazing for such a small village. Read more on their website. I don't know if Koroni is known for its sunsets and sunrises, or if it even has anything to do with culture, but I know that they are incredibly beautiful.
Rehearsal in Koroni Castle for a classical concert.
The sunset in Koroni.
The sunrise in Koroni. It almost looks like an infinity swimming pool. |
BEACHES IN KORONIThere are two beaches in Koroni, one in the village itself and one just outside. Almost everyone who lives in Koroni chooses to sunbathe and swim at Zaga beach, which is about 1 kilometer from the harbor promenade in Koroni, a little further if you go via Koroni Castle. Artaki beach, which is located in Koroni, is quite okay, but it is not a beach you can spend whole days on. But for a swim it is fine. The advantage of the village beach is that it is close to home and close to the nice harbor promenade. There are no sunbeds or umbrellas to rent here.
The beach in Koroni seen from the harbor promenade.
Artaki beach in Koroni is very beautiful.
The far part of Artaki beach consists of sand.
Zaga beach is a full 3 kilometers long, so if you feel like jogging on the beach, you have something to bite into. The beach consists of sand mixed with pebbles. Sunbeds and parasols are available for rent. There are also tamarisk trees that provide much-needed shade. Above the beach there are taverns, hotels and family pensions. The beach actually has two names, the first part is called Zaga and the second part further away is called Memi beach.
The beaches of Zaga and Memi on the other side of Koroni.
Read about Zaga and Memi beach here » |
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And then there was the thing about Koroni Castle that I have mentioned several times in the text above. Koroni Castle is located just east of Koroni itself and is the area's most interesting attraction. The fortress is very old and began to be built as early as the 7th century AD. Koroni Castle is the best preserved of all the castles I have visited in Greece. Not only that, a few families still live here, and the fact that people live in Greek castles is unusual. Not unique, but unusual. Inside the walls there is also a nunnery where a group of nuns live. I can highly recommend a visit to this fantastic fortress.
Part of the mighty Koroni Castle.
View of Koroni from the main entrance to Koroni Castle.
Read about Koroni Castle above Koroni here »
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HOTELS IN KORONIThere are hotels and family-run pensions in Koroni itself, just outside the village and at Zaga beach. Personally, I prefer to stay near the harbor promenade. If you want to be close to the beach, choose to stay at Zaga beach. Next time I travel to Koroni, I will probably choose to stay at Pelagia Apartments which looks very nice.
Book Pelagia Apartments here »Book Sofotel here »Book Hotel Diana here »Book other hotelsl in Koroni here » |
WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT MISS WHEN YOU ARE IN KORONI |
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© 2007-2026 | Janne Eklund | Kalispera and Kalimera. |
