FOUR COURSES, ONE STRETCH OF MESSINIAN COAST

Langer and Olazábal built courses on the same Greek coast.

Greece South West Coast golf holidays

At Costa Navarino, Bernhard Langer's Dunes runs through olive groves to the Ionian, while Olazábal's Hills and International Olympic Academy climb into the Messinian foothills. Stay at The Romanos, the Westin or the W, and play all four off one base.

4.9 from real golfers · 3 courses · from £1,055pp (≈ €1,215) (≈ $1,405) (≈ CA$1,975) (≈ AU$1,995) (≈ NZ$2,425) (≈ CHF 1,115) · ATOL-protected where flights are added

See Greece South West Coast breaks · from £1,055pp (≈ €1,215) (≈ $1,405) (≈ CA$1,975) (≈ AU$1,995) (≈ NZ$2,425) (≈ CHF 1,115) ↓ Build your trip

Greece's south-west coast is the country's quiet golf heartland, where the Ionian Sea meets the rolling hills of Messinia in the western Peloponnese. This is the home of Costa Navarino, the resort that single-handedly put Greek golf on the map, set among olive groves, sea cliffs and some of the most unspoilt coastline in the Mediterranean. It is a destination for travellers who want their golf framed by genuine landscape and a deep sense of place rather than wall-to-wall development.

The appeal is concentration with variety: a cluster of distinct championship courses and a choice of polished resorts, all within a few minutes of one another, yet each with its own character. You can play four very different layouts without ever moving hotel.

We have arranged Greece golf since 1981. Every itinerary is hand-built and hand-priced around your dates, your group and the courses you want to play.

Why play golf in Greece South West Coast

  • Four distinct championship courses at one destination, The Dunes, The Bay Course, The Hills course and the International Olympic Academy course, so a multi-day trip never repeats itself
  • A genuine Ionian setting, sea views, olive groves and Messinian hills rather than a manufactured golf estate
  • Everything within a short drive, letting you base yourself once and play widely with no daily transfers between regions
  • A choice of resort styles under one address, from the polished calm of The Romanos to the lively design-led W
  • A shoulder-season climate that rewards spring and autumn play, when the courses are at their best and the crowds are thin

The courses you’ll play

The south-west coast's golf is centred on Costa Navarino, where the courses are deliberately varied. The Dunes course plays through olive groves and along watercourses, a thinking player's layout with the sea never far away. The Bay Course is the one that lingers in the memory, perched above the Ionian with several holes set high over the water and dramatic elevation changes throughout.

Inland, The Hills course and International Olympic Academy course climb into the Messinian landscape, offering longer views, bolder contours and a different test of strategy from the coastal pair. Between them they give you four genuinely separate rounds, and we hand-pick the order and pairings to suit your group's pace and ambition.

Where you’ll stay

Costa Navarino offers a small, well-judged choice of resorts, and the right one shapes the whole trip. The Romanos is the calm, classic option, generously spaced and ideal for couples and groups who want understated comfort close to the courses.

The Westin Resort Costa Navarino is the more family-friendly anchor of the destination, with broad facilities and easy access to the golf. For something more contemporary, the W Costa Navarino brings a design-led, sociable energy, well suited to groups who want their evenings to have a little more pulse.

Because all sit within the same destination, you stay once and play across every course. We match the property to the group, then build the rest of the itinerary around it.

Best time to play golf in Greece South West Coast

Greece's south-west coast is a shoulder-season golf destination, and spring and autumn are the sweet spots. From April into June, and again from September into late October, the days are warm and settled, the courses are in fine condition and the resorts are calmer than at peak.

High summer is hot, with July and August bringing strong heat that suits early tee times and afternoons by the water more than midday rounds. Winters are mild but noticeably cooler and quieter, with shorter days and the occasional spell of rain, this is not a winter-sun destination in the way the Canaries or Morocco are.

For the ideal balance of weather, condition and atmosphere, we steer most golfers towards the spring and autumn windows and book early, as the best dates move quickly.

A sense of Greece South West Coast

History & heritage

This corner of the Peloponnese is steeped in history that long predates the golf. Nearby Pylos and the Bay of Navarino carry layers of ancient and more recent significance, and the wider Messinia region is dotted with archaeological sites, Venetian fortresses and old harbour towns that reward an afternoon away from the course.

The pace here is unhurried and distinctly Greek: family-run tavernas, working olive groves and a coastline that has stayed largely free of mass tourism. It gives a golf trip real texture, a sense that you are somewhere with deep roots rather than a resort bubble. We can fold a guided visit or a quiet exploring day into any itinerary for those who want it.

Food & wine

Messinia is one of Greece's great larders, and the local cooking leans on what grows around the courses, olive oil from the surrounding groves, sun-ripened tomatoes, fresh seafood from the Ionian and herbs from the hills. Expect honest, generous tavernas alongside the more refined dining within the resorts.

The region also has a quietly serious wine culture, with Peloponnesian vineyards producing characterful local bottles that pair naturally with the food. After a round, a long table by the water with grilled fish, mezze and a cold local white is the south-west coast at its best. We are happy to point you to the dining that suits each evening, from resort restaurants to the simple places locals favour.

Beyond the fairways

There is plenty to fill the non-golf hours. The beaches along this stretch of the Ionian are among Greece's finest, and the warm, clear water invites swimming, sailing and quiet days on the sand. Walking and cycling routes thread through the olive groves and hills behind the coast.

History sits close at hand, with Pylos, the Bay of Navarino and the wider archaeological landscape of Messinia all within easy reach for a half-day excursion. The resorts add spa facilities and family activities, so non-golfing partners and children are well looked after. We can build rest days, excursions and downtime into the schedule so the trip works for everyone in the party.

Getting around & exploring

The south-west coast is easy to navigate because so much is concentrated around Costa Navarino. The courses and resorts sit close together, so day-to-day movement is minimal once you have arrived and the daily logistics stay simple.

A hire car is the most flexible way to explore the wider Messinia region, the harbour towns, beaches and historical sites, at your own pace. For those who would rather not drive, we can arrange private transfers and chauffeured excursions instead. We handle the ground arrangements as part of the itinerary, so the practical side is taken care of before you arrive.

Getting there

The closest gateway to the south-west coast is Kalamata Airport, the most convenient arrival point for Costa Navarino, with Athens a further option for those combining the trip with the capital or arriving on different routes.

Flights are arranged separately as an ATOL-protected add-on, never bundled into the package, so you keep full flexibility over carriers, departure airports and routing. We will advise on the best gateway and timings for your dates and group, and we arrange your private transfers from the airport to the resort so the journey from landing to first tee is seamless.

Good to know

  • Ground-only specialists since 1981. We hand-build every itinerary; flights are a separate ATOL-protected add-on, never included
  • Best played in spring and autumn for ideal weather and quieter courses; summers are hot, winters mild but cooler and not winter-sun
  • One base, four courses, The Dunes, The Bay, The Hills and the International Olympic Academy course are all within easy reach of each other
  • Choose your resort to suit the group, The Romanos for calm, the Westin for families, the W for design-led energy
  • Kalamata is the nearest airport; we arrange private transfers as part of the trip
  • Book early for peak spring and autumn dates, the best windows fill quickly
  • We are not ABTA; our trips are arranged under our own long-standing trade credentials, with flights ATOL-protected when you add them

The courses you’ll play in Greece South West Coast

The Hills & International Olympic Academy Courses, Costa Navarino — Greece South West Coast golfChampionship pedigreeThe Hills & International Olympic Academy Courses, Costa NavarinoDesigned by Jose Maria OlazabalPlayed on tailored stay & play breaksDiscover this course & breaks →The Bay Course, Costa Navarino — Greece South West Coast golfChampionship pedigreeThe Bay Course, Costa NavarinoDesigned by Robert Trent Jones JrPlayed on tailored stay & play breaksDiscover this course & breaks →The Dunes Course, Costa Navarino — Greece South West Coast golfChampionship pedigreeThe Dunes Course, Costa NavarinoDesigned by Bernhard Langer, European Golf DesignPlayed on tailored stay & play breaksDiscover this course & breaks →

Golf resorts — stay & play on-site

The Romanos, Costa Navarino — Greece South West Coast golfThe Romanos, Costa NavarinoCosta Navarino, The Dunes course · Costa Navarino, The Bay Coursefrom£1,095 (≈ €1,265) (≈ $1,455) (≈ CA$2,055) (≈ AU$2,075) (≈ NZ$2,515) (≈ CHF 1,155)per personDiscover this course & breaks →W Costa Navarino, Greece — Greece South West Coast golfW Costa Navarino, GreeceCosta Navarino, The Bay Course · The Hills course and International Olympic Academy course, Costa Navarinofrom£1,075 (≈ €1,235) (≈ $1,435) (≈ CA$2,015) (≈ AU$2,035) (≈ NZ$2,475) (≈ CHF 1,135)per personDiscover this course & breaks →Westin Resort Costa Navarino, Greece — Greece South West Coast golfWestin Resort Costa Navarino, GreeceCosta Navarino, The Dunes course · Costa Navarino, The Bay Coursefrom£1,055 (≈ €1,215) (≈ $1,405) (≈ CA$1,975) (≈ AU$1,995) (≈ NZ$2,425) (≈ CHF 1,115)per personDiscover this course & breaks →

Ready to play Greece South West Coast?

Tell us your dates and group — we’ll build a tailored itinerary and hand-priced quote, usually within 15 minutes.

Plan my Greece South West Coast trip →Talk to a specialist · 01277 284284

ATOL & PTS protected · Tailor-made since 1981

Frequently asked questions

Golf holidays in Greece South West Coast — answers to the questions our golfers ask most.

How do I know which hotel will suit me in Greece?

Costa Navarino offers a choice of exceptional accommodation within its 3,500-acre estate in the Peloponnese. The Westin Costa Navarino suits those who prefer a lively resort atmosphere with multiple restaurants and bars. The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, offers a more exclusive, tranquil experience. Both are world-class properties with direct access to the golf courses. We'll discuss your preference for atmosphere, service style and budget to ensure you're in the right property for your holiday.

Do I need a hirecar in Greece?

A hire car is not essential for golf at Costa Navarino — the resort operates a free shuttle between its hotels and all four golf courses on the estate. However, the wider Peloponnese is one of Greece's most historically rich regions, with ancient Olympia, the fortress of Mystras and the dramatic Mani peninsula all within driving distance. If you want to explore beyond the resort, a hire car or private excursions greatly enhance your visit. We can arrange both as part of your package.

Are buggies available in Greece?

A shared buggy is included in every Costa Navarino golf package, on all four courses. The terrain has some elevation — particularly on the Bay and Dunes — so most golfers are glad to have one. Prefer a buggy each rather than share? Just say, and we will quote it.

Is Costa Navarino a good resort for golf groups?

Costa Navarino is a popular choice  for small groups and there are great discounts if you want to bring your own teaching pro.

Are flights included?

Our golf holidays are arranged ground-only — hotel, golf and transfers. You can add flights through us, and those flights are ATOL protected as part of your booking.

How do golf holidays with Golf Planet Holidays work?

Every trip is tailor-made. Tell us your group, dates and the destinations you fancy, and we build a personal itinerary — hotel, golf and transfers — around them. There are no fixed packages to squeeze into; we shape the whole break to suit how your group likes to play.

Still have a question? Ask our golf travel team — a free, no-obligation quote, no call centre.

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