Alagonia is a quiet village of North Messinia, twenty nine kilometer north of Kalamata. It’s built at 800 m altitude, on the western slopes of Mountain Taygetos, which is 2,407 m tall within the Peloponnesian Peninsula.
Alagonia is a very attractive village and generally place to be because it’s mountainous and offers incredible views and walks in the tree roads. Winter is cold there and maybe snowy also, but for any hunter of adventure is sure a place to visit and stay! Incredible local food and friendly inhabitants await to guide you and inform you for any activity there!
In the eighth century with the descent of Slavs in Pelloponisos, the villages of Taygetos received a significant new number of people and took Slavic names also. The village was named Sitsova and also the area of ancient Dhathalatida was renamed by the Slavs “Koutsavas”, which means “region” and the inhabitants of all the settlements that were created (Megali Anastasova, Mikri Anastasova, Sitsova, Tsarnitsa, Koutsavada, Lada and Karveli) were referred to as “Koutsavites”, name which is used informally till nowadays. From the eighth century till the thirteenth century, it belonged administratively to Messinia.
From 1-1-1999 to 31-12-2010, with the implementation of the Kapodistrias Program, it was in conjunction with the Mahalas settlement a local department of the former municipality of Kalamata. From 1-1-2011 with the Kallikratis Program, it’s a local community of Kalamata Municipality.
Alagonia nowadays is populated by around one hundred forty residents, who are engaged in agriculture, livestock and logging. In the area, primarily potatoes and secondarily olives, walnuts and alternative fruit trees are thriving.
In recent years, the “Potato Feast” has been established, that takes place once a year, particularly an early Saturday evening of September, and is a pole of attraction for several Messinians. All the village’s housewives prepare dozens of different potato-based dishes, that are served free of charge and also accompanied by local wines. The festival offers a rich artistic program with traditional dances and songs with live singers. Besides potatoes after all locals produce a big variety of healthy and clean vegetables, local products, oil and winery!
Alagonia offers all of the traditional and local tastes with exceptional quality as a result of the area’s soil which is of the best in all Messinia and also the climatic conditions that helps crops and products grow normally!
The sights of Alagonia are: the area of Pyrgiotissa, from which are found important archaeological finds that are vital to the history of the area, the temple of Agios Sozon(9th century), the church of Agios Nikolaos (15th century), the house of Patriarch Pelekasis and also the church of Ypapanti in Mahalas, with the wood-carved icon. Around one thousand meters from the village’s square (a walk you’ll be able to go only on foot) there’s a landscape with massive rocks, high planes, plenty of water and a waterfall. This is the traditional Nikas tap and the Luke location, as well on top of it.
Spring Breaks
Visitors who head to Alagonia between late March and May should expect to find cloudy skies and temperatures that can reach low levels, possibly snow and of course you will need the proper clothes in order to go sightseeing and walking. The important Easter preparations that take place this time of year, where you see locals flooding the streets for the biggest celebration of Christianity. Next day is followed by music, dancing, eating and drinking as a tradition. By avoiding the summer rush, tourists should be able to find smart deals on flights and accommodation, making Spring a good season for budget travellers to visit Alagonia.
Summer Sun
Sunscreen and shades are essential for a summer visit to Alagonia, but the temperatures will still be chilling along summertime. If you plan to visit Alagonia at this time, summer storms are always a possibility on hotter days, and can be strong enough sometimes, but in case of power cuts just carry a torch with your luggage!
Autumn and winter in Alagonia
As the temperatures drop, also do the tourist numbers, and the early Autumn is a very pleasant time to visit Alagonia. Sightseeing becomes more comfortable as the heat becomes less oppressive, so October, November and forward are good times of the year to to explore the mountains. On winter you will see snow for sure and plenty of intensive cold days, so you will need some warm clothing packed in your stuff! During the Winter, there are fewer international flights to Kalamata, but it is always possible to fly in to Athens and take the transport through the beautiful newly created highway and inside the graphic villages along the way.
To reach the village we start from Kalamata in the north direction, taking the road leading to Sparta through the location of Taygetos. In fact we are able to get there and the other way around, that is, from Sparta to Kalamata. This road (starting from Kalamata) moves almost parallel to the river Nedon. The latter originates from Taygetos, crosses a stunning gorge and finally pours into the Messinian Gulf next to the western neighborhoods of Kalamata city. Naturally, Nedon should not be confused with Neda, another river in Messinia.
At twenty three kilometer from the capital of N. Messinia we arrive at Artemisia, where we should always turn left and go up for an additional six kilometer. First we are going to pass the village of Piges (in which, of course, are situated many sources of pure mountain water) and directly after we’ll enter Alagonia.
Driving: You’ll be able to drive from Athens to Alagonia in about three hours fifteen minutes on the National Road. Its not a bad drive and you will pass some attention-grabbing countryside. After all it’s a lot more interesting for the passenger than it’s for the driver who should keep his eye on the road in order to be alert for all the crazy things Greek drivers do. However even that may be amusing and if you’re a good driver you will not have any issues. Rent a Car
By bus: Coach services are operated by KTEL between Athens, Kalamata.
The trip lasts three hours to Kalamata. Ticket value is thirty five euros one-way and fifty five euros round-trip ticket.
You don’t have to pre-book for a price ticket. You’ll pay at the terminal, before bus departure or on the bus. If you’re there half an hour before departure you must find a seat. Find a Bus
By taxi: You’ll be able to rent or hire a taxi transfer from Athens directly to Alagonia through the contact form and also you can arrange the price with the driver! This can be a simple solution if you don’t wish to drive all the way by yourself! Taxi Transfer
Alagonia is a quiet village of North Messinia, twenty nine kilometer north of Kalamata. It’s built at 800 m altitude, on the western slopes of Mountain Taygetos, which is 2,407 m tall within the Peloponnesian Peninsula.
Alagonia is a very attractive village and generally place to be because it’s mountainous and offers incredible views and walks in the tree roads. Winter is cold there and maybe snowy also, but for any hunter of adventure is sure a place to visit and stay! Incredible local food and friendly inhabitants await to guide you and inform you for any activity there!
In the eighth century with the descent of Slavs in Pelloponisos, the villages of Taygetos received a significant new number of people and took Slavic names also. The village was named Sitsova and also the area of ancient Dhathalatida was renamed by the Slavs “Koutsavas”, which means “region” and the inhabitants of all the settlements that were created (Megali Anastasova, Mikri Anastasova, Sitsova, Tsarnitsa, Koutsavada, Lada and Karveli) were referred to as “Koutsavites”, name which is used informally till nowadays. From the eighth century till the thirteenth century, it belonged administratively to Messinia.
From 1-1-1999 to 31-12-2010, with the implementation of the Kapodistrias Program, it was in conjunction with the Mahalas settlement a local department of the former municipality of Kalamata. From 1-1-2011 with the Kallikratis Program, it’s a local community of Kalamata Municipality.
Alagonia nowadays is populated by around one hundred forty residents, who are engaged in agriculture, livestock and logging. In the area, primarily potatoes and secondarily olives, walnuts and alternative fruit trees are thriving.
In recent years, the “Potato Feast” has been established, that takes place once a year, particularly an early Saturday evening of September, and is a pole of attraction for several Messinians. All the village’s housewives prepare dozens of different potato-based dishes, that are served free of charge and also accompanied by local wines. The festival offers a rich artistic program with traditional dances and songs with live singers. Besides potatoes after all locals produce a big variety of healthy and clean vegetables, local products, oil and winery!
Alagonia offers all of the traditional and local tastes with exceptional quality as a result of the area’s soil which is of the best in all Messinia and also the climatic conditions that helps crops and products grow normally!
The sights of Alagonia are: the area of Pyrgiotissa, from which are found important archaeological finds that are vital to the history of the area, the temple of Agios Sozon(9th century), the church of Agios Nikolaos (15th century), the house of Patriarch Pelekasis and also the church of Ypapanti in Mahalas, with the wood-carved icon. Around one thousand meters from the village’s square (a walk you’ll be able to go only on foot) there’s a landscape with massive rocks, high planes, plenty of water and a waterfall. This is the traditional Nikas tap and the Luke location, as well on top of it.
Spring Breaks
Visitors who head to Alagonia between late March and May should expect to find cloudy skies and temperatures that can reach low levels, possibly snow and of course you will need the proper clothes in order to go sightseeing and walking. The important Easter preparations that take place this time of year, where you see locals flooding the streets for the biggest celebration of Christianity. Next day is followed by music, dancing, eating and drinking as a tradition. By avoiding the summer rush, tourists should be able to find smart deals on flights and accommodation, making Spring a good season for budget travellers to visit Alagonia.
Summer Sun
Sunscreen and shades are essential for a summer visit to Alagonia, but the temperatures will still be chilling along summertime. If you plan to visit Alagonia at this time, summer storms are always a possibility on hotter days, and can be strong enough sometimes, but in case of power cuts just carry a torch with your luggage!
Autumn and winter in Alagonia
As the temperatures drop, also do the tourist numbers, and the early Autumn is a very pleasant time to visit Alagonia. Sightseeing becomes more comfortable as the heat becomes less oppressive, so October, November and forward are good times of the year to to explore the mountains. On winter you will see snow for sure and plenty of intensive cold days, so you will need some warm clothing packed in your stuff! During the Winter, there are fewer international flights to Kalamata, but it is always possible to fly in to Athens and take the transport through the beautiful newly created highway and inside the graphic villages along the way.
To reach the village we start from Kalamata in the north direction, taking the road leading to Sparta through the location of Taygetos. In fact we are able to get there and the other way around, that is, from Sparta to Kalamata. This road (starting from Kalamata) moves almost parallel to the river Nedon. The latter originates from Taygetos, crosses a stunning gorge and finally pours into the Messinian Gulf next to the western neighborhoods of Kalamata city. Naturally, Nedon should not be confused with Neda, another river in Messinia.
At twenty three kilometer from the capital of N. Messinia we arrive at Artemisia, where we should always turn left and go up for an additional six kilometer. First we are going to pass the village of Piges (in which, of course, are situated many sources of pure mountain water) and directly after we’ll enter Alagonia.
Driving: You’ll be able to drive from Athens to Alagonia in about three hours fifteen minutes on the National Road. Its not a bad drive and you will pass some attention-grabbing countryside. After all it’s a lot more interesting for the passenger than it’s for the driver who should keep his eye on the road in order to be alert for all the crazy things Greek drivers do. However even that may be amusing and if you’re a good driver you will not have any issues. Rent a Car
By bus: Coach services are operated by KTEL between Athens, Kalamata.
The trip lasts three hours to Kalamata. Ticket value is thirty five euros one-way and fifty five euros round-trip ticket.
You don’t have to pre-book for a price ticket. You’ll pay at the terminal, before bus departure or on the bus. If you’re there half an hour before departure you must find a seat. Find a Bus
By taxi: You’ll be able to rent or hire a taxi transfer from Athens directly to Alagonia through the contact form and also you can arrange the price with the driver! This can be a simple solution if you don’t wish to drive all the way by yourself! Taxi Transfer
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