Greece is a land that is famous for many things. From the land that gave us the Olympics, a history and culture back thousands of years, mouth-watering gastronomy, breathtaking landscapes and beaches and endless blue skies, there are so many things to recommend about a holiday to Greece.
But while many of its attractions revolve around the past, the country has also been busy looking to the future and creating a new chapter in its varied history – in the unlikely world of golf.
What started out as the ambitious vision of one man is now a glorious reality, and Costa Navarino fully deserves its growing reputation as one of the world’s premier modern golf developments, and Europe’s most exciting golf destination.
The lifelong dream of ship owner and keen environmentalist Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos to create a sustainable tourism destination in his home region of Messinia, the destination was unveiled to the golfing world in 2010 and has quickly risen to become a headline name in golf travel.
CHECK OUT – NCG Top 100s: European Resorts list
As well as being named as the ‘World’s Best Golf Venue’ at last year’s World Golf Awards, Costa Navarino has also claimed the coveted No.1 ranking in the last two editions of NCG’s list of the ‘Top 100 Resorts in Continental Europe’.
It is, however, far more than a resort – it is a destination with a choice of four signature 18-hole golf courses, four five-star luxury hotels and private residences, not to mention the array of sports, leisure, gastronomic and cultural experiences available. Add everything up, and It’s easy to see why golfers have headed in increasing numbers to Greece’s southwest Peloponnese to see for themselves what all the fuss is about.
At the heart of Costa Navarino are its four signature courses – The Dunes Course, The Bay Course and the two layouts at Navarino Hills, the International Olympic Academy Golf Course and The Hills Course, both of which were designed by two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal.
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Situated across a maximum distance of 13km, each golf course at Costa Navarino offers a different and enjoyable challenge. Built using the best sustainable practices and GEO certified, all are equally memorable in their own right – from the technical demands of The Dunes Course and dramatic backdrops of The Bay Course to the challenges set by the two layouts at Navarino Hills – which opened in 2022 and are perched high above the historic bay of Navarino.
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, a watersports centre offering a wide range of water sports such as windsurf, waterski, as well as kayaks and SUPs, the NBA Basketball School which covers on-court training, skill development and basketball education for all skill levels and the great outdoors through cycling and hiking.
There’s plenty to keep you busy, then, and the accommodation offering is just as impressive, with guests having a choice of four five-star hotels. The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort is ideal for couples seeking a distinctive luxury holiday, The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino is the perfect choice for families while the adult-friendly W Costa Navarino is ideal for those seeking a chilled and relaxing holiday in a vibrant, chic beachfront setting.
Finally, there is the Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, where guests can enjoy the ultra-luxury experience, while the nearby Navarino Agora is open to guests and locals and is a hub of gastronomy and shopping, alongside cultural events which showcase the region’s heritage.
Costa Navarino has also expanded its Villa Rentals Collection in the last 12 months with exclusive properties in the
beachfront Sea Dunes neighborhood available to book, while the destination will be more accessible than ever in 2026.
Costa Navarino truly has all bases covered but don’t take our word for it. Take a trip for yourself, it’s a decision you won’t regret.
How to get to Costa Navarino…
In addition to existing routes to Kalamata Airport (45 minutes away) from London (British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2, Ryanair), Bristol (Jet2) and Manchester (EasyJet), there will be a new Jet2 Edinburgh flight operating from May to October, while the same airline has announced that it will be running extended schedules from Manchester and Stansted next year from the start of April until the end of October.
NCG Top 100s Rankings
With four courses, an abundance of accommodation, and all in a glorious location on the Peloponnese, it is no surprise that Costa Navarino proudly stands atop the NCG Top 100s: European Resorts list…
RELATED – NCG Top 100s: Costa Navarino
RELATED – NCG Top 100s: European Resorts
VISIT THEM – Costa Navarino’s website
Now have your say
Have you been fortunate enough to play at Costa Navarino, the best golfing resort on the continent? How did you find the four courses on the site? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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