Koroni
Koroni is a small town in the Messenia region of Peloponnese, Greece.
Understand
[edit]
Koroni is a picturesque village, built on a hill right above the Messinian gulf. It has an imposing Venetian castle (partly ruined of course), a harbor well sheltered from all but Northerlies which is home to a number of fishing boats.
Waterfront restaurants/tavernas provide a wide-ranging selection of mouth-watering dishes. The area is renowned for its olive oil, fresh fish, sandy beaches (one of which is a turtle nesting site).
This is a mainland town with many characteristics of an 'island' village / town. Summer (late July and early August) is VERY busy, hot and dry. It would be wise to pre-book accommodation, Spring can be very warm but with some showers - flowers are wonderful in late March through April and into early May.
After 15th August Assumption of Mary Feast, Koroni begins to calm down. September is a wonderful month (though it might rain), the sea is still very warm.
Get in
[edit]By bus
[edit]Bus connection (KTEL) to Kalamata, about 1 hour.
By plane
[edit]By plane from Athens Int'l Eleftherios Venizelos with Aegean Airlines [2]. There are also seasonal flights from Irakleio, Crete (Sky Express) Nuremberg (Oslo (Scandinavian Airlines [4], LON-Gatwick and Manchester (Fly Hellas), Amsterdam (Transavia), Prague (SmartWings), Moscow-Domodedovo (Aegean Airlines).
Get around
[edit]Why not try by foot? Particularly in the cooler seasons the flora and fauna are amazing, Spring is a splash of riotous colour, orchids abound, bird life is everywhere.
Rent Moto (motorbike)
Car rental
Taxi
See
[edit]Locally
[edit]Venetian Castle, turtle nests/hatching in summer, sandy beaches aplenty...Zaga, Memi, Agios Triada, Peroulia.
Nearby
[edit]Ancient Messini
Do
[edit]Rent sailboards / catamarans / canoes - windsurfing lessons - Memi beach
- Zagga beach. A great, long sandy beach with good shallow water. Largely undeveloped apart from one beachside cafe, which offers loungers and umbrella for €6, and a cluster of cheaper umbrellas for €5 (cheaper but no access to the toilets). On the other side of the headland to the harbor and waterfront restaurants etc. Follow the signs off the main road entering town. There's a bit of parking for cars / mopeds, but not lots, and it's a long walk down, but it's worth it.
Buy
[edit]Sunday - street market, local products (fruit, vegetable, honey, cheese, olive oil, olives (Kalamata type))
The usual tourist shops, jeweler Alexandros who hand crafts - can produce pieces to your request (as well as changing your watch battery).
2 banks - National Bank of Greece and Agricultural Bank. Working hours Monday-Thursday 0800-1430, Friday 0800-1400. Both have ATM's.
- Sipsas supermarket, on the main road into town is a good plac to stock up on most things you'll need. There's a bigger selection here than in town.
- Kiari wine and deli. A well informed wine shop offering a lot of choices on Greek bottled wine. Also selling own production koroneiki extra virgin olive oil produced by them and officially bottled, together with many Greek delicacies.
Eat
[edit]A very wide range of restaurants along the waterfront serving local dishes, also pizza style food available, but don't miss the back street options where prices can be a bit 'keener'.
- Bogris (opposite the school). offers good wholesome food at reasonable rates.
Drink
[edit]
Sleep
[edit]A huge choice of apartments, either in town or a little out of the mad rush, many within easy walking distance of beaches like Zaga, Memi and Agios Triadas.
Budget
[edit]- 1 Tsapi Camping, Tsapi Beach, ☏ +30 27250 51521, +30 27250 51503. C class campsite
- 2 Koroni Camping, ☏ +30 27250 22119, +30 6984 631118 (Mobile), fax: +30 27250 22884, info@koronicamping.com. C class campsite. Operating period: All year
- Akritas Residences, ☏ +30 27230 51438, +30 6973-490953 (Mobile), fax: +30 27230 24429. Furnished apartments. Operating period: Apr - Oct
- Xenios Zeus, ☏ +30 27250 22509, +30 6974 047580 (Mobile), fax: +30 27250 22570. Rooms to let
- De La Plage Hotel, ☏ +30 27250 22401, fax: +30 27250 22508, info@delaplage.gr. 2-star hotel. Operating period: Apr - Oct
- 3 Diana Hotel, ☏ +30 27250 22312, +30 6974 903678 (Mobile), fax: +30 27250 22312, info@dianahotel-koroni.gr. 1-star hotel
- 4 Sipsas Villas, ☏ +30 27250 22312, +30 27250 22134, +30 6974 903678 (Mobile), fax: +30 27250 22312, info@sipsas-villas.gr. Furnished apartments Operating period: All year
- 5 Zagamilos Hotel, ☏ +30 27250 29027, +30 27250 22448, +30 27250 22385, fax: +30 27250 29028, info@zagamiloshotel.gr. 2-star hotel. 500 Meters from the beach. 32 A/C double rooms. Internet access, TV, sea view with balcony. Parking, restaurant, bar. Operating period: Apr - Sept.
- 6 Kombi Beach Apartments (Peroulia village), ☏ +30 27250 25765, +30 6977-331686 (Mobile), fax: +30 27250 41354, info@kombi-beach.gr.
- 7 Peroulia Beach Villas (Peroulia village), ☏ +30 27250 41777, +30 27250 41498, +30 6946 287878 (Mobile), info@peroulia-beach.gr.
Mid-range
[edit]- 8 Colonides Beach Hotel (Vounaria village), ☏ +30 27250 41200, +30 6946-287878 (Mobile), info@colonides.gr. 3-star hotel
- 9 Sofotel, ☏ +30 698 292 8443. Some pretty great gulf views here, some rooms with balconies. Breakfast available (surcharge). $81.
Splurge
[edit]- 10 Camvillia Resort (Vounaria village), ☏ +30 2725 042131. 5-star hotel
- Colonides Beach Hotel, Main Street, Vounaria. Have a swim in the pool overlooking the Messenian Gulf, then enjoy a snack bar and breakfast in the morning. +30 2725 041200.
Connect
[edit]Post Office (ELTA)
Buy a telephone card - Ya card for cheap telephone calls to abroad and long distance in Greece.