Old Navarino Fortress — Attraction in Municipality of Pylos and Nestor

Offers beautiful views of the area from the surrounding (crumbling) walls of the castle, but not that easy to get to...

However it's not so straightforward getting here. You need go get to the very end of the dirt road by car, and then you will be greeted with a sign saying due to decaying nature of the ruins, the castle is closed; a hike to the castle says 45min (this is actually the time it takes to get there and back to the base). Apparently this sign has been there for a while. You can still go ahead and hike to the castle - the path is a bit on the overgrown side, partially blocked by tall grasses.

Once you get to the castle, only one side of the view is easily accessible from the entrance. The most famous view - looking down to Voidokilia Beach - is on the far side which is hard to get to if you approached it on the main path via Google (to see the beach side - go up the steeper path from the beach; this is NOT the same path as Google Maps leads you on when you Google directions here!). Be careful whilst on the old castle walls as it is not well maintained and you can see sections have...

Walked up to the ruins from the gentle slope, Gialova beach side. Failed to notice the little sign saying that the castle is closed "due to serious danger". (Why then have the whole path open one might ask...) Walking up was easy and the views down from the fort are really nice. However, the descent down from there is not pleasant at all. I was genuinely very scared, the rocks are very steep and slippery. I was afraid of slipping and at minimum breaking my bones to be honest. You must hold very tightly onto the trees and make sure you place your feet firmly on the right cavities on the rocks. The lagoon and the beach below are stunning. There is a path back from there that runs by the side of the rocks, but currently there are No Entry signs stating a rock slide danger. All in all, a better signage should be in place to warn about the steep and dangerous climb down and basic maintenance should be done, especially if this place is still being advertised...

This castle has been in action since antiquity, as can be seen by some of the visible foundations of the towers of the south wall. Much of what can be seen today is a restoration project under the Frankish nobleman Nicholas II de Saint-Omer, who built upon the original ancient Greek framework, which remains encased beneath the overstructures. Byzantine sections are also visible. The abundance of Mycenean sites in the region and the obvious advantages of the location suggest even earlier beginnings that only a systematic excavation could possibly reveal. The somewhat lengthy route to get to it is very well worth it. Though ravaged by time, the walls and the towers still stand tall, offering an impressive in their own as well as marvelous views in every direction. If experienced enough to walk along mountainous paths at dusk, do enjoy a sunset from the western curtain wall. It will be...