Koroni Castle

Koroni and Methoni were the eyes of the Republic, the Venetian pair of fortresses that watched the sea route to the East, and Koroni's castle occupies a headland above the town with walls dating from the thirteenth century onward, rebuilt repeatedly by Venetians and Ottomans. Unusually, the enclosure was never abandoned: inside the gates are the working convent of Timiou Prodromou with its gardens and chapels, private houses, olive terraces, a cemetery and the church of Agia Sofia built over an earlier basilica. Walking in feels less like visiting a ruin than entering a walled village. Below, the town's stepped lanes drop to a fishing harbour and the long sandy beach of Zaga, and the whole area is famous for its olives and oil.

What you actually see

• The living enclosure - a convent, houses and gardens inside the castle walls.
• The ramparts - Venetian and Ottoman walls above the sea.
• Agia Sofia - a church built over an early Christian basilica.
• Zaga beach - a long sandy beach below the fortress headland.

When to go

Spring and autumn for walking the walls and the town's steep lanes; summer is hot but the beaches are excellent. The convent observes quiet hours and modest dress.

Honest expectations

Because people live inside, parts of the castle are private and should be respected. There are no tickets, guides or signage. The town's lanes are steep and parking is awkward in season.

Nearby

Methoni's sea castle lies across the peninsula; Kalamata is under an hour north.