Peloponese, 2012. Town Information

Pylos. “Marina”. No facilities. Raft up inside outer quay, or alongside where there’s space. Bottom has many moorings laid. Or anchor off outside. Alongside town quay (outside harbour) is possible, but bumpy when the northerlies are blowing. Winds often drop at night.

Very attractive square with good range of shops, cafes, banks.. Great place to sit in the evening and watch the local families gather for a gossip. Good supermarket 1km up hill. Small “Atlantic” supermarket on square. Bakeries and butchers up hill to east of square. Payment to enter Castle - Museum and good views. We don’t go to Pylos to eat; restaurants are limited, but ouzeri on west side of harbour is good for a range of small fried dishes and salads. Yialova

Anchor off as close as you dare to the quay. Shelves gently. Rather a lot of grass bottom. Quay only has 1m.

Small tastefully developed holiday resort converted from a raisin packing factory. Lovely shaded beach – as much a garden as a beach.. 4 to 8 tavernas ranged along front, depending on season, plus some bars and cafes. Limited shopping. Golf courses nearby! Going rapidly up market.

Tiny museum run by Kostas Balafoutis showing furniture, furnishings, clothes and tools from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Ask anyone where it is. He’ll open up for you. He’ll probably take you on to his curio shop and hope you buy some of his sweetmeats or other goodies. If not, ask if you can make a small contribution to the museum’s upkeep. He was an Archbishop Makarios rebel against the Brits in Cyprus. I was in Cyprus too – chasing them around from a Hunter jet!

Long inland walk to a waterfall is a possibility for hikers. Methoni Anchor off.

Good shopping well inland; bank, butchers, bakers, Carrefour express excellent value. Several tavernas and cafes. Nice sunset café on hill top – take windproof gear! Watch for the Green flash if the sky is clear. Small taverna with character to east of town, a little inland.

Interesting to walk around town side roads looking at the gardens. Castle walk is a “must” – as much to appreciate the wild flowers and insect life as seeing the castle remains. Pleasant Plateia – town square – but being close to the beach it’s a long way from the town centre. First café on right as you enter the square has free WiFi. Square tavernas are nothing special

Hippo???? Bar, on right as you climb to the castle entrance, has very good value draft beer and free WiFi. Finikounda Anchor off in 3m to 5m on hard sand, or go end on the outside of the quay. Bows to is best, since there are rocks at the base of the quay, and it’s possible to tuck the bow between the rocks to step ashore. About 8 boats are usually parked on the quay over peak season. Alongside the inside of the quay is also possible, rafted up. Free power and water.

Small fishing and farming village, popular with Greek tourists, Dutch and German campers for its beaches, bars and tavernas. ATM, small supermarket, butchers, bakers, fruit & veg. 5 to 8 eating places, from ranging from cheap fast food to good quality Greek at Eleni’s taverna (€35 for two, fish soup, seafood spaghetti or Tsipoura fish all good). Value for money is To Steki, in a back street, grills plus some good oven cooked vegetable dishes. Often €20 for two. Range of bars from pricy to good value. Our favourite is Gardenia, sticky cakes galore and draft beer, good value.

Visit the church and graveyard at the top of the hilly ridge. Marvel at the longevity of the locals – those who survive youth, that is. Many 100 plus, especially in the ossuary, where the bones go after five years or so. JimB’s place is 700m east of the village centre – over the steep hill. Or go round the flat main road.