Page Title

Finikounda can be found in the prefecture of Messinia, at the most southwesterly point of the Peloponnese
(approximately 60 kms from Kalamata and 280 kms from Athens). It is a small traditional fishing village and people come
here to experience the Greece they remember from 20 years ago - even the Greek people come here for their holidays.

Spend your day doing as much or as little as you like, there is no rush. Take time to enjoy the hospitality of the local
people, make friends and enjoy their company as much as they enjoy yours. Spend your evenings relaxing in one of
the beach side tavernas, enjoying traditional Greek food and local wine.

The local beaches of sand and shingle don’t even get full in peak season…heaven!

Village facilities include an ATM machine, pharmacy, mini market, a slightly larger supermarket (tucked behind the
church with its own bakery and produce department) and a further supermarket across the main road. There are
around 14 tavernas for you to sample - if you have time why not try them all!, a couple of bars, coffee shops and of
course the obligatory cake shop!

Further afield you will find plenty of places to visit. Take the local bus or a taxi to Methoni, Pylos or Koroni, all filled with
history. Between them there are four castles to explore. Methoni Castle dates from the 13th century and is huge. At
Pylos you will find Navarino Bay, the site of the battle that brought about independence for Greece from the Turks.
There are two castles here. Koroni is a very pretty town, again with its own castle, which, along with the one at
Methoni was known as the 'Eyes of Venice' as they were used to look for possible enemies approaching by sea
During the Venetian occupation of Greece.

There are boat trips available from Finikounda, Pylos and Koroni ad it is possible to rent a small motor boat in Pylos to
explore the bay and the islands enclosed there. Voidikilia (Ox belly because of its shape) is a spectacular, almost fully
enclosed circular beach with very shallow water. Just beside there is the Divari lagoon, home to hundreds of species
of birds.

Bus travel is not really 'tourist friendly' with buses being quite infrequent from Finikounda and Methoni and also starting
very early. Taxis are a good way to explore and the fares are quite reasonable-even better when there are four
passengers, so its a good idea for couples to team up for a day out.

Many, many people who visit Finikounda for the first time find themselves drawn back year after year. Finikounda has a
hard to describe feeling of contentment that people fall in love with. A large number of visitors have made good friends
while here, with the locals and other travellers and arrange to visit at the same time each year to meet up. It really is.......

THE FRIENDLIEST PLACE ON EARTH!