The stretch of coast between Pylos and Pyrgos is defined by its beaches , which are on a different scale to those elsewhere in the Peloponnese, or indeed anywhere else in Greece - fine sands, long enough (and undeveloped enough) to satisfy the most jaded Australian or Californian. Their relative anonymity is something of a mystery, though one accounted for in part by poor communications. For those without transport this entails slow and patient progress along the main "coast" road, which for much of the way runs two to five kilometres inland, and a walk from road junction to beach.

 

Heading north from the Bay of Voïdhokiliá, near the turning inland to Korifássi and Nestor's Palace, you can take a paved road, flanked by orange and olive orchards. This keeps close to the sea for most of the way to Kyparissía, allowing access to isolated beaches and villages.

If you're travelling to Olympia by train from this coast (once the Pyrgos-Olympia service is reinstated), you can save the detour to Pyrgos (not an exhilarating town) by getting a connection at Alfiós, a tiny station at the junction of the Olympia line and as bucolic a halt as any on the network (but not to be confused with next stop Alfioúsa station). Alfiós is eleven minutes down the line from Pyrgos, and 25 from Olympia.