Voidokilia Beach

Voidokilia is the famous omega-shaped beach of Messinia, a near-perfect semicircle of pale sand cupping turquoise water beside the Gialova Lagoon.

About Voidokilia Beach

Voidokilia is one of the most recognisable beaches in Greece, a near-perfect horseshoe of pale sand that closes around a shallow bay of luminous turquoise water on the Ionian coast of Messinia. The beach takes its name from the Greek word for 'ox belly', which is exactly what its outline resembles from the hills above. Behind the dunes lies the Gialova Lagoon, a protected wetland that is one of the most important bird habitats in the country, so the walk in crosses a landscape of salt marsh, reeds and migratory birds before the sand appears. The water is shallow, calm and warm, and because the bay faces south-east it is sheltered from the prevailing winds that can roughen the open coast. Above the beach, the ruins of Palaiokastro and the cave associated with Nestor look down on the bay, and a short climb to the castle gives the classic overhead view of the omega shape. Voidokilia sits inside a Natura 2000 protected area, so there are no permanent buildings, sunbed concessions are limited and the beach keeps a wild, unspoilt character even in high summer. The sand is fine and pale, the sea is clear enough to see the bottom far out, and the whole place has the feel of a natural amphitheatre rather than a resort beach.