Combining historic charm, natural beauty and island flair, Koroni has unforgettable experiences to offer you.
An elegant little town with the turquoise sea at its feet and an iconic castle adorning it, beaches that have nothing to envy of those on the islands, heartfelt hospitality and authentic flavors. All this and much more you will find in Koroni, the picturesque small town of Messinia, at the southwestern tip of the Peloponnese. And if you go once, you will surely go again.
Blending nature and tradition, calm and fun, Koroni offers the whole "package" for an unforgettable time, whether you choose it for a short summer escape or for a longer holiday. It has hotels and apartments with every comfort, a variety of shops, nightlife by the waves and tavernas serving delicious food with an emphasis on local products.
Like being on an island
It will take you about three and a half hours from Athens and one hour from Kalamata to reach Koroni. You won’t board a boat, yet you’ll feel as if you’re on an island. The settlement is very picturesque, built amphitheatrically, with houses above the sea and the imposing castle at its crown. The narrow, uphill, whitewashed lanes, the homes with flower-filled courtyards, the well-preserved mansions with red-tiled roofs and the quaint harbor, full of fishing boats and sailboats, compose a unique tableau of island beauty.
In the center of Koroni, Agios Dimitrios Square, where the church of the same name (a basilica in the Heptanese style dating to 1864) dominates, welcomes the town’s visitors. From there, the streets will lead you to the harbor and the seafront promenade where Koroni’s heart beats.
Locals and visitors take their stroll and enjoy their coffee, food and drinks with views of the blue. At the end of the promenade, follow the cobbled lanes that lead to the path beneath the castle and enjoy a lovely walk by the sea.
A history lesson
Koroni is built on the southwestern part of the Messenian Gulf, on the site where the ancient city of Asine once stood. In Byzantine times Koroni is mentioned as a small yet powerful city with a strong castle, while at the same time it stood at the crossroads of influences, conflicts and political currents vying for dominance in the area between East and West. The 300 years of Venetian rule are Koroni’s golden age, as it became a commercial and maritime center. It is no coincidence that Koroni and neighboring Methoni were called "The Eyes of Venice".
The legendary castle
The famed castle of Koroni, standing proudly above the lovely town, was built by the Venetians at the end of the 13th century on the ruins of a Byzantine fortress. Its strategic position, at the highest point of the peninsula, made it ideal for overseeing the entire area. The imposing castle is an excellent example of Venetian fortification, with massive gates, underground passages, sturdy walls and square towers.
Indeed, Koroni’s castle continues to be inhabited even today. Take a walk along its cobbled paths to see the ruins of the Church of Agia Sophia and the visitable Old Calendarist women’s monastery of Timios Prodromos, and to enjoy the enchanting views over Koroni and the Messenian Gulf.
Don’t miss visiting the church of Panagia Eleistria, patron saint of Koroni, which stands next to the castle walls. According to tradition, at this spot in 1897 the icon of the Virgin was found after a vision by an elderly woman from Koroni. Around the church there is a well-tended garden with trees and a magnificent view towards the endless Zaga beach.
Koroni’s Uncle
Have you ever wondered what the phrase "He has an uncle in Koroni" means? The most prevalent version of its origin is this: During Ottoman rule, a Pasha of Tripolitsa was the nephew of the Bey of Koroni. The Pasha of Tripolitsa settled many affairs of people from Koroni when letters of introduction arrived from his uncle from Koroni.
Local gastronomy
Koroni is one of the 7 UNESCO Emblematic Communities for the protection, preservation and promotion of the Mediterranean Diet. In 2010 the Mediterranean Diet was recognized as an element of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Seven Mediterranean countries (Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus and Greece) have selected corresponding cities as "emblematic communities" of the Mediterranean Diet. From Greece’s side, the choice of Koroni is anything but random, as the area harmoniously combines the triad local food products - tradition - history.
In Koroni you will taste dishes that capture all the deliciousness of the products of Messinia’s land. Koroni, like the wider area, is famed for its agricultural products, led by the exceptional-quality olive oil and the Koroneiki olive. In the city’s restaurants and tavernas you will enjoy rich stews, fresh seafood, as well as spit-roasted and grilled meats cooked with mastery. If you happen upon a local festival, it’s worth trying the delicious gourounopoula.
A stroll in traditional Vasilitsi
If you’re in the mood for a stroll in a traditional village, then it’s worth discovering the picturesque Vasilitsi. It is a semi-mountainous settlement that stretches to the sea, 7 km southwest of Koroni. Here you will walk among traditional stone houses, see the beautiful Church of Agios Vasileios (built in 1938 and based on the plans of the Church of the Ypapanti in Kalamata) and sample good traditional food. The village’s attractions include the nearby beaches, such as Ammoudi with its enormous cave, Kalamaki, Agia Triada, Agios Nikolaos, Kryoneri with the drinking water that bubbles up from the sand, and other beaches of the wider area south of Koroni.
The village is believed to have existed during the Byzantine era and is mentioned in various sources, at least from the time of Venetian rule, under the name Vasilitsi. It is a village with a rich history, from which three important figures originate: Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos (the first Orthodox Greek missionary in Africa), the internationally distinguished lawyer Georgios Bizos (defender of human rights in South Africa, as counsel to Nelson Mandela and other comrades in the struggle against the racist apartheid regime), as well as Lieutenant General Vasileios Marantos.
The enchanting beaches
The area’s beaches cater to every taste. Very popular is Zaga, which lies right beneath Koroni’s castle. It’s the beach preferred by the locals. The golden sand begins at the southern foothills of the castleand stretches for several kilometers to the west. Along its length there are tavernas, rented rooms and beach bars.
Its western extension is called Memi and is equally beautiful, with golden sand and crystal-clear waters. It is one of the beaches of southern Peloponnese where Caretta caretta turtles come every year after May to lay their eggs.
Other beaches worth visiting are the organized Peroulia and the unorganized Ammoudi, Kalamaki, Agia Triada, Agios Nikolaos and Kryoneri. The latter, in fact, is one of the area’s unique beaches, as crystal-clear drinking water springs from the sand!
Nearby excursions
Using Koroni as a base you can make short and long excursions to discover the wider area. A few kilometers west of Koroni you will encounter Finikounda, a seaside resort with quaint houses, seafront tavernas and sandy beaches ideal for family holidays. If you’re in the mood to drive further, you can visit Methoni and Pylos with their famed castles, cosmopolitan Gialova and the famous Voidokilia beach.
