Methoni, Peloponnese, Greece
There are two Methoni towns in Greece: Methoni, Pieria, Greece is in Northern Greece. Information below is about Methoni, Messinias, in Southern Greece
I last visited Methoni in March 2011 and noted the changes in the Trigono-Lamda Blog. I look forward to another trip in December when I expect even more changes to have taken place. The European Union (EU) funded a motorway network across the Peloponnesian Peninsular will hopefully take me as far as Kalamata this time and I'll then go on by local bus via Pylos to Methoni. Methoni town Centre is approached from The main Methoni-Koroni highway which branches from the Pylos-Methoni road one Kilometre from Methoni and the taxi rank close to where the bus stops should by now have been renovated.
I expect to see even more new developments built on the hills at Tapia, Foiniki and Evangelismos as well as Methoni's minor roads and back lanes on the plain between the Methoni town and the main highway while crumbling central town buildings continue to be renovated.
Through its long history, Methoni has had periods of prosperity and decline and a walk through the town takes you past Venetian wells, memorial statues and traditional stone houses. During 2010 the High Street was paved as a pedestrian area and new street lighting installed. It was a good move, in spite of the loss of the tradional quaintness. With a growing residential population, the town can sustain itself out of high season. Still, tourism brings new friends and I hope that it will have flourished this summer.
Methoni has two churches and a number of chapels. The main church is the Church of St Nicholas and on December 6th, the saint's day, the Church is decorated with bunting and services held, followed by a parade through the town. Learn More about St Nicholas Day Traditions
Hotels and other accommodation
Some hotels are open all year and are conveniently situated in the area of the town closest to the sea, castle and restaurants. Apartments to rent are now available out of town, with views of Methoni Bay.
More Information on methoni, including lists of hotels, can be found at: Messinia This Week
Some Methoni Hotels close during the winter season, however in summer you will find apartments and rooms to rent throughout Methoni, offering various grades of accommodation priced accordingly. Melina's Apartments are on the edge of the town and offer a sea view. Other apartments are further out of town, offering a quiet situation; or you can opt for town locations with balconies.
The Methoni campsite is open from May till the end of September and has a convenient sea-front location. The sea temperature is apparently about 14 degrees centigrade all year and the weather is sometimes suitable for bathing until December.
While this site may mention hotels that appear in photos, it doesn't endorse particular hotels or apartments. Sites you might like to visit are:
Trip Advisor and Greek Hotels listings
Methoni Carnival
Greek Carnival week takes place in February each year - the week leading up to Lent according to the Greek Orthodox Church calendar which differs from the Catholic calendar. "Clean Monday" - the day before Shrove Tuesday is the day that Methoni holds a special tradition called the Koutroulis Marriage. It is a colourful event reminiscent of English pantomime.
Shops
In Methoni you will find a full range of shops and services including a supermarket, hairdresser, post office, banks and boutiques. The bakeries open before 8.00 am, the shops and banks at 8.00 am, closing around 13.30. Shops re-open open from 17.00 to around 20.00 pm or later. Opening times vary, some stay open later than others. Wednesday is early closing though some shops stay open. The post office and banks only open in the morning, closing at around 13.30 hours. More commercial premises can be found on the Methoni-Foinikounta-Koroni highway where there is more space for building supplies, horticultural and D.I.Y as well as petrol stations.
Industry
Olives are still the main crop grown in the Methoni area - virtually everyone has a few, if not hundreds of trees. Increased tourist and residential accommodation supports the local economy, though 2010-11 has seen some business closures. Some families still grow some or all of their own food, make honey and keep goats and chickens, as well as having other means of income such as a shop, restaurant or rooms to rent. The local fishing industry has declined.