In Greece, this little-known destination has just been voted Europe’s best seaside resort – and it’s much less crowded than Santorini

On the west coast of the Peloponnese, in Greece, there is a still-secret address that captures the hearts of travellers lucky enough to venture there: Costa Navarino, crowned Europe’s leading beach destination at the World Travel Awards 2025. The Ionian Sea stretching out as far as the eye can see, olive groves, turquoise coves and golden light: everything seems designed to slow down time.

Crowned Europe’s leading beach destination at the World Travel Awards 2025, Costa Navarino, in south-western Greece, is an exceptional spot on the Greek coast.

Created in the early 2000s by Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos, a trailblazer in sustainable tourism, Costa Navarino combines elegance, nature and authentic hospitality. Far away from overcrowded resorts, it embodies a calmer art of travel: one in which every detail – the scent of the pine trees, the song of the cicadas, the setting sun reflecting on Voidokilia Beach – is an invitation to slow down, contemplate and feel.

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Seaside, hills and easy-going life in Greece

The paths wind through olive groves, the fields turn golden at dusk, and the sea unfolds in endless shades. Just a stone’s throw from the historic town of Pylos, Costa Navarino has transformed this secret region into a leading destination, without ever robbing it of its authenticity.

Between the verdant golf courses, the hotels overlooking the sea and trips to the Polilimnio waterfalls, this extraordinary place cultivates a discreet, almost meditative beauty: that of a Greece still faithful to its roots. Travellers come here in search of a quiet luxury of light, space and unspoilt nature.

Luxury, nature and mindful holiday-making

What sets Costa Navarino apart is its vision of luxury: respectful, harmonious and resolutely forward-looking. The architecture emulates the contours of the land, the buildings blend into the landscape and century-old olive trees stand by the infinity pools.

Solar energy powers several of the infrastructures, rational water management limits the environmental impact and partnerships with local producers promote the wonders of Messinia.

Crowned Europe’s Leading Beach Destination of 2025, the region has become something of a symbol: an Ionian Sea that is not just beautiful, but also inspires a different kind of travel experience – easy-going, mindful, but still infinitely Greek.