Old Castle Navarino
Old Castle Navarino
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Old Castle Navarino and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
42 within 3 miles
Attractions
25 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
82 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
30
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
1
alenchik2013
St. Petersburg, Russia31 contributions
Jul 2021
After our successful kayaking we decided to try another activity with Explore Messinia and it was a great choice! We started at 09:30 and proceeded to the Old Castle uphill. I can tell a lot about breathtaking views we saw on our way, a great experience of dwelling into the history, sitting under thousand old olive tree where our ancestors were spending time, dreaming, chatting, laughing and singing. Getting to a highest point and admiring a unique view of Voidokilia beach! Even though there was some challenge of getting downhill, but it worth it and all family members felt proud that they did it! Nestor cave was also an unexpected experience of the unique natural sight. And as a prize diving into a crystal water of Voidokilia beach with a lunch on the seaside. Highly recommend this activity for families, a very good experience of team building for the family. And huge thanks to George for our fantastic experience!
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cropelka
Poland251 contributions
Jul 2019
The place itself is not very special - just old walls and ruins, the whole area is rather full of grass, bushes and trees. However, the views from the castle are amazing, so I think it's really worth climbing up the hill. The path from Nestor's Cave to Paleokastro might be a bit difficult at some places; getting into the castle through a hole in the walls is not very easy either. I saw a snake in the castle - a thrilling experience. A pleasant adventure altogether.
Written 9 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lindadownunder
Perth, Australia2,942 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
My husband and I walked to the old castle via the beautiful Golden Beach.
The walk takes about 45 mins and is steep and slippery in parts so wear good shoes.
The castle is nothing but old ruins but the view makes it worthwhile.
Visit Nestor's cave on your way down to Voidokilia Beach which is simply stunning.
The walk takes about 45 mins and is steep and slippery in parts so wear good shoes.
The castle is nothing but old ruins but the view makes it worthwhile.
Visit Nestor's cave on your way down to Voidokilia Beach which is simply stunning.
Written 30 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexander K
New York City, NY85 contributions
Oct 2019
Another amazing free to visit place in Greece.
Anywhere in the world one would have to pay a costly ticket in order to enter such a wonderful place with such amazing views to the Voidokilia beach and to the sun setting in the ocean
Thank you Messinia!
Thank you Greece!!!
Anywhere in the world one would have to pay a costly ticket in order to enter such a wonderful place with such amazing views to the Voidokilia beach and to the sun setting in the ocean
Thank you Messinia!
Thank you Greece!!!
Written 16 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HMDresearch
Athens, Greece50 contributions
Aug 2019
Awesome views, fresh air; this is great hike to a place full of history, myth and culture! A must-see for all the nature lovers!
Written 12 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorin C
Arcore, Italy75 contributions
Jul 2019
You may find yourself admiring the castle walls from the bellow, most famous, Voidokilia beach. The castle sits on the top of 200m rocky hill, on the northern edge of the Pylos bay, defended by sheer cliffs since classical times (remember Sfacteria battle between Sparta and Athens in the Peloponnesian war 425 BC?).
The place is not actually inside a normal archeological site, there is no fence, museum or ticket office: local authorities let vegetation overgrow the antique ruins after having declared the place "closed" because the structure is considered dangerous.
So if you are ready for a little adventure, take your camera, a sun hat, good walking shoes and start climbing!
The most adventurous path starts from the Voidokilia beach, goes up over a few sand dunes to the Nestors Cave. From this point forward the path becames very narrow and steep, in some places steel rope and hand rails are fixed into the stone to help you.
The entrance is actually a spot where old walls have fallen. Not a lot is to be seen inside as everything is almost overgrow by vegetation. You may still adventure however on the top of the walls for stunning views over the omega beach bellow, Gialova lagoon and Pylos bay!
They say another easier path should be available from Gialova…
Anyway you go don’t forget to have a refreshing bath once you get down from the hill!
The place is not actually inside a normal archeological site, there is no fence, museum or ticket office: local authorities let vegetation overgrow the antique ruins after having declared the place "closed" because the structure is considered dangerous.
So if you are ready for a little adventure, take your camera, a sun hat, good walking shoes and start climbing!
The most adventurous path starts from the Voidokilia beach, goes up over a few sand dunes to the Nestors Cave. From this point forward the path becames very narrow and steep, in some places steel rope and hand rails are fixed into the stone to help you.
The entrance is actually a spot where old walls have fallen. Not a lot is to be seen inside as everything is almost overgrow by vegetation. You may still adventure however on the top of the walls for stunning views over the omega beach bellow, Gialova lagoon and Pylos bay!
They say another easier path should be available from Gialova…
Anyway you go don’t forget to have a refreshing bath once you get down from the hill!
Written 7 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David T
Oxfordshire, UK25 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
We started our walk up to Palekastro from the end of Golden Beach, the climb starts off gently but gradually gets steeper and trickier the nearer to the castle you get. overall it took around 30 minutes to the top.
The actual castle is mainly ruins, however well worth the effort for the views of Voidokilia Beach, Gialova Lagoon and beyond.
We made our descent on the opposite side taking in Nestor's cave on route. this way down is more difficult and care needs to be taken.
After a swim at the stunning Voidokilia Beach we made our way back to Golden Beach via a footpath that follows the edge of the lagoon.
Take a camera, sun hat, water and good walking shoes. Recommended.
The actual castle is mainly ruins, however well worth the effort for the views of Voidokilia Beach, Gialova Lagoon and beyond.
We made our descent on the opposite side taking in Nestor's cave on route. this way down is more difficult and care needs to be taken.
After a swim at the stunning Voidokilia Beach we made our way back to Golden Beach via a footpath that follows the edge of the lagoon.
Take a camera, sun hat, water and good walking shoes. Recommended.
Written 6 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moose065
oxford112 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We walked up through the dunes of Voidokilia Beach, past Nestor’s cave and than up to the castle. The walk is very pretty with spring flowers and there are some stunning views. The climb is a bit tricky but nothing a reasonably fit person couldn’t manage.
Our intention had been to walk through the castle and to go down the more gentle path round the other side where our car was parked.
There is no clear route through the castle and we got hopelessly lost and disorientated. Once inside the castle it’s easy to lose your point of reference and it’s very overgrown with thorns and you have to feel your way over loose rocks. We also came across what would have probably been part of the castles defences in the form of a very deep, vertically sided trough that was not designed to get out of should you fall.
We only stumbled on the way out by pure accident. It’s really not obvious.
The 35 minwalk down to our car was a big relief.
Did I mention the snakes?????
It certainly was an adventure.
Our intention had been to walk through the castle and to go down the more gentle path round the other side where our car was parked.
There is no clear route through the castle and we got hopelessly lost and disorientated. Once inside the castle it’s easy to lose your point of reference and it’s very overgrown with thorns and you have to feel your way over loose rocks. We also came across what would have probably been part of the castles defences in the form of a very deep, vertically sided trough that was not designed to get out of should you fall.
We only stumbled on the way out by pure accident. It’s really not obvious.
The 35 minwalk down to our car was a big relief.
Did I mention the snakes?????
It certainly was an adventure.
Written 12 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin F
Nelson Bay, New South Wales, Australia304 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
We arrived into Ormos Navarinou (the bay on which Pylos sits) by boat and and anchored up in the north end just off the beach. We took the dinghy ashore and followed the path up to the Paleokastro (old castle). You can also drive to the parking lot and walk from there if coming by road. It is a good hike up to the castle and takes about 30 minutes of steady walking - it would be best to use closed solid shoes (eg. running shoes) as the path is strewn with rocks and rubble and is very uneven. Plus there are possible snakes and insects that would be a problem if walking in sandals or thongs.
The castle/fortress is not in a great state but our guide book pointed out a few things which we could see. The main reason for visiting this castle would be to get the exercise and the amazing views in all directions. There is a path through the northern part of the wall (we didn't go down that way) which leads to Nestor's Cave (we climbed to the cave from the beach at the bay just north of the castle) and down to Ormos Voidokhilia a beautiful crescent-shaped bay and beach. It looks rather steep and treacherous but I guess it can be done. There are tons of pieces of pottery strewn along the path and my husband and I had fun searching for rims and handles and wondering about their origins.
The castle/fortress is not in a great state but our guide book pointed out a few things which we could see. The main reason for visiting this castle would be to get the exercise and the amazing views in all directions. There is a path through the northern part of the wall (we didn't go down that way) which leads to Nestor's Cave (we climbed to the cave from the beach at the bay just north of the castle) and down to Ormos Voidokhilia a beautiful crescent-shaped bay and beach. It looks rather steep and treacherous but I guess it can be done. There are tons of pieces of pottery strewn along the path and my husband and I had fun searching for rims and handles and wondering about their origins.
Written 15 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DIMITRIOS P
Thessaloniki, Greece47 contributions
Jul 2022
It was an unforgettable experience, worthing the effort to climb up the hill. At the middle of the climbing path you meet a great cave, special place for the first panoramic shots to Voidokoilia bay. When at the top, you stay speechless of the beauty of the open sea, Navarino bay, Sfaktiria isle and Yalova lagoon.
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Airport exclusive: extra 20% off beauty
Sponsored by Armani Beauty, YLS & Lancôme
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing