Everything you need to know about Pylos in Greece

Pylos in Greece is a small town in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese region. It was formerly and historically known as Navarino.  It was previously the capital of the now abolished Pylia province. The town of Pylos has been inhabited since the beginning of the final division of the Stone age, almost about 12,000 years ago.

Since the 2011 reform in Greece, Pylos has been the seat of the new municipality of Pylos-Nestor. Pylos has become an important shipping center. It has garnered significant tourist attraction over the recent years. This has been the result of the exploitation of its tremendous coastline. According to the population census conducted in 2011, the total population of the municipality of Pylos-Nestor is just under 22,000 individuals. Whereas the municipal unit of Pylos itself has around 5,300 inhabitants.  

There are several reasons why one should pay a visit to Pylos and in this post, we will delve into the chief reasons amongst them.

Close Contact with Nature

Many major travel guide magazines around the world have listed Pylos as the place to visit next. There is a great deal of merit in this assertion. The Gialova Lagoon which is a brackish body of water is one of the places that is going to leave the visitors spellbound. The lagoon is also the only active European inhabitant of the African chameleon. The lagoon is also a stop for more than 250 migrating bird species. 

Pylos Greece

Landscapes in Pylos

There are dozens of worth viewing landscapes spread across Pylos and many of them offer the onlooker an experience of a lifetime. The western limestone ridge is a breathtakingly beautiful place to hang around.

The cave of Nestor which is just south of the bay of voidokilia is another nice place to visit. The Nestor’s palace is a very well-preserved historical site. This palace is located in the prime spot of the Messinian land. This palace besides provides a breath-taking view of the Navarino Bay. There are two castles of magnificent splendor near Pylos namely Palaiokastro and Niokastro. Both of these were built in the 16th century by the Ottomans. Niokastro in particular is one the best-preserved castles in the entire of Greece.

The archaeological museum of Pylos is located in this castle and the castle is also home to the exhibitions by the Ephorate of underwater antiquities. One of the grandest buildings which the tourists can explore is the mansion where the 20th-century Olympic champion Kostas Tsiklitrias lived. Currently, it is the home of French historian and journalist Rene Puaux’s collection of paintings and other such items. 

Voidokilia beach in Pylos Greece

Beaches in Pylos

The Voidokilia beach which is in very close proximity to the above mentioned Gialova Lagoon is another very popular attraction. Between the lagoon and the Navarino Bay is located another picturesque beach by the name of Golden beach also known as Divari. This beach has a total length of four kilometers. Pleasure can be sought from the fine sand, the turquoise waters, and a beach bar at one of its ends. Petrochori is another fine beach which is located about 16 kilometers to the north of Pylos.

Hospitable Locals

The residents of Pylos are very well behaved and they sure know how to welcome and treat foreign visitors. Five-star accommodation is readily available. There are numerous options for high-quality food and since Greece is a country with a heavy emphasis on sports several award-winning golf courses are also present. Chiefly traditional activities are another way of experiencing the local life at its best. 

Water Attractions in Pylos

The residents of Pylos are very keen to enjoy their water sports and foreigners can also have a dip at it. Scuba diving is the best way to explore the vast sea life that lives beneath the waters of the bay of Navarino. A whole different world unexplored by the mainstream lies in wait beneath the waves.

Shipwrecks from as long ago as the Roman and Byzantine eras as well as the 20th century can be seen underwater. The tanker Irene’s Serenade which sunk in 1980 is still visible. To teach the basic know-how of diving, various diving schools are present in the areas such as the Ionian dive center in Marathopoli. Tourists must take a dip in the enchanting water of Polylimnio, which is a beautiful network of waterfalls and lakes. 

Pylos Greece

Weather in Pylos, what to expect?

The average temperatures in Pylos vary considerably. The hottest months of the year are from July to September. The warmest times are generally from mid to late August which sees the temperature ranging from about 30-degree centigrade during the day to about 22-degree centigrade at night. There are some cold weeks in the winter but even with keeping that in mind, the temperatures are mostly pleasant throughout the year. A low chance of precipitation persists throughout the entirety of the year. 

When is the best time to visit Pylos?

The busiest and most crowded month for tourism in Pylos or anywhere in Greece for that matter is June, June is closely followed by February and July as the busiest month for tourism.

During these months the prices for accommodation as well as travel will be the most expensive, though if one can plan ahead and purchase well in advance than the cost can be mitigated. Very few tourists are seen during the month of November and that is because of the colder weather. Visiting during this month will be lighter on the pockets but not every experience can be enjoyed as a lot of the main attractions especially those related to water will be closed. If one wishes the weather to be ideal and also doesn’t want to lose out experience-wise than the best time slot to visit Pylos is from mid-March to mid-June. A period stretching from the mid of September to the first week of December is also pretty favorable.

All in all, for those residing in Europe at least, Pylos has become a must-visit destination. Owing to its superb mixture of historical architecture and modern-day life, one will surely have the time of their life if they do indeed visit Pylos.