COSTA NAVARINO
World-class golf and accommodation await in this tranquil part of Greece
Take a short 45-minute drive west from Kalamata International Airport in Greece’s south-west Peloponnese and you will come across the magnificent bay of Navarino.
Small and deep, the bay holds a special place in Greek history as it was here, in 1827, that a decisive battle was fought that consolidated the country’s independence, with the combined fleets of France, Britain and Russia destroying the Turco-egyptian fleet.
Nearly 200 years later, the bay forms the majestic backdrop for Costa Navarino – one of the world’s flagship new golf destinations. Costa Navarino has certainly come a long way since it was unveiled to the golfing world in 2010.
Fulfilling the dream of ship owner and keen environmentalist Captain Vassilis
Constantakopoulos to create a sustainable tourism destination in his home region of Messinia, the destination now has everything golfers could wish for at its four 5-star resorts and world-class golf courses. There are more than 40 gastronomy venues, state-of-the-art sports facilities, world-class spa centres and a wealth of experiences to engage with the region’s culture, history and nature.
The sustainably-driven Costa Navarino was named the ‘World’s Best Golf Venue’ at the 2023 World Golf Awards and ranked top in Today’s Golfer’s 2022 Top 100 Continental Golf Resorts ranking – evidence of its worldclass offering. It launched its 2024 golf season on February 18.
Golfers and guests can enjoy more experiences than ever this year, and getting to the destination from the UK has never been easier. Easyjet will fly direct to Kalamata three times a week from April to October. British Airways have four direct flights a week from May until October, while Jet2 and Ryanair have direct flights from Birmingham, London Stansted and Manchester from May until November.
There are four signature 18-hole courses to enjoy: The Dunes Course, The Bay Course and the two options at Navarino Hills: The Hills Course and the world’s first International Olympic Academy Golf Course, which were designed by two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal and opened in February 2022.
In addition, professionals and amateurs can participate in various prestigious golf
tournaments and events, including the popular Aegean Messinia Pro-am, on November 18-24.
Guests can choose from an array of hospitality offerings. This year marks the first full season for the ultra luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, which joins W Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort. This will also be the first full season for Navarino Agora, the bustling, vibrant marketplace, which is open to guests and locals.
The four golf courses, situated within a maximum 13km, each offer a different challenge and have been built using the best sustainable practices. The Dunes and The Bay courses recently also achieved GEO Certified® status from the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, making Costa Navarino the first multi-course destination in the Eastern Mediterranean to receive the honour.
The first layout to open and measuring 6,018m, the par-71 Bernhard Langer and Egd-designed Dunes course offers spectacular sea and river views and incorporates links-style features in areas closest to the sea, while occasionally venturing into olive and fruit groves.
Surrounded by olive groves and overlooking the historic bay of Navarino, the par-71, 5,422m Bay Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr and meanders through three distinct settings – seaside, canyon and grove – to provide striking contrasts. Golfers can also enjoy the awardwinning, earth-sheltered Bay Clubhouse, which blends seamlessly into the natural landscape.
Launched in partnership with the International Olympic Academy and the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the par-72 International Olympic Academy Golf Course is routed around the western part of the Navarino Hills area. Measuring 6,366m, more than half its holes play along the ridge overlooking the historic bay of Navarino and the Ionian Sea, providing spectacular views. Precision over length is definitely the best option on several holes, with trouble lurking for those long hitters who are too aggressive off the tee and stray offline.
Also designed by Olazabal, the Hills Course offers a scenic golf journey through nature, along the way passing old olive trees and stunning ravines that carve deep into the Kinigou hills. Measuring 6,280m in length, the par-72 course offers a good balance and variety, while myriad strategic options await, providing a excellent test for creativity and course management.
Away from golf, there is an abundance of facilities and activities to enjoy, including 17 state-of-the-art courts at the Mouratoglou Tennis Centre, where guests can choose from tennis, padel and pickleball at the first facility of its kind outside France. The new watersports centre offers a wide range of water sports such as windsurfing, waterskiing, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. The NBA Basketball School provides on-court training, skill development and basketball education for all skill levels, while guests can hike or cycle through the great outdoors.
Costa Navarino is also an upcoming residential destination, offering a collection of luxury villas for private ownership. Standing only a few metres from the beach or nestled among verdant olive groves, Navarino Residences are much more than just a residential proposition, they are a way of life.
For those seeking to live the Costa Navarino Residences experience, a range of villas will soon become available to rent, with residents enjoying access to resort services. www.costanavarino.com