Navarino – The Bay and Area of Pylos
Navarino Bay on an October Afternoon
The main entrance to the Navarino bay is in the south between Tsichli-Baba and Pylos. In the north of Sfaktiria is the Sykia Strait.
In the northern center of the bay is the flat island Chelonisi or Chelonaki.
In the northwest of the bay lies Gialova Lagune. On its west is Pylos Paliokasto. North of it is the famous omega shaped Voidokilia Beach.
In 1827, an important historical naval battle during the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829) took place in Navarino Bay.
About Navarino Bay
Topography
The Navarino Bay is located in the southwest of Messinia, with the town of Pylos on its south. The bay is sheltered in the west by the the rocky island Sfaktiria and in the southwest by the rocky islet Tsichli-Baba from the Ionian Sea. In the east it is bordered by the curvy coast of Messinia.
The main entrance is in the south between Pylos (Niokastro) and Tsichli-Baba, but there also is the northern entrance of Sykis Strait.
The bay is ca. 5 km long and 3.8 km wide, main direction north-north-west.
- Sfaktiria Island: ca. 4.5 km long north-south oriented rocky island, building the natural western border of Navarino bay towards the ionean sea. It
- rocky islet Tsichli-Baba: south of Sfaktiria Island, together with Pylos Niokastro flanking the main entrance to the Navarion Bay from the Ionian Sea
- In the northern center of the bay is the flat islet Chelonisi or Chelonaki
- Sykia Strait: northern small entrance to the bay,
- Gialova Lagoon and its southern dune. A nature reserve
- Hill of Paliokastro
- Voidokilia Beach
Locations / settlements of Pylos over history:
Pylos has a long known history. It Pylos is already mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad. In the region also earlier settlements known.
- Pylos – Town,
founded 1830 outside of Niokastro, in the south of Navarino Bay
in the Kallikratis Reform 2010, Pylos got the administrational seat of the municipality Dimos Pylos-Nestoros; also former Dimos Koroni was integrated.
Dimos Pylos-Nestoros (Kallikratis) Map - Niokastro Pylos – Sightseeing;
Fortress, 1572/3 – 1830 - Paliokastro Fortress
- Ancient Pylos or Nestor’s Palace is in the northeast, away from the coast and takes about 15 km from Navarino Bay towards Chora.
- Pylos has been inhabited since Neolithic times.
more to Explore and Know in Pylos & Navarino Area
last revised: 31. March 2026
published: 11. March 2026
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