At the South-West tip of The Peloponnese, Homer referred to Methoni, as ‘rich in vines’. Tradition has it that the name was coined because the donkeys (onoi) carrying the wine got drunk (methoun) from the aroma. The light and delicious local wines are still served by the jug at every taverna along with home-grown vegetables, fruits and of course Kalamata olives and oil. Methoni castle stands as a reminder that this sleepy village was not always so; coveted by the Venetians since the early c.12th as a strategic trading post between Venice and The Holy Lands, when they took Methoni in 1125 they spent several hundred years building and improving the castle, towers, fortifications and houses of the Venetian lords within, as well as a Byzantine church, a deep moat on the land side and huge sea-gate. It’s well worth spending a day exploring.

Methoni is bordered by a 2km long sandy 'Blue Flag' beach with very safe shallows, a C.13th Venetian castle to explore and has great restaurants, cafes, and shops, everything you need for a perfect holiday.  The beach, shops, restaurants and castle are all close by within easy walking distance. A car is not required.