We are booked for this August. We have always been to Stoupa before but felt last year was just too crowded for us. Still beautiful. We hired a car last year and drove round from Stoupa and liked what we saw so decided to go to "the other side" this year.
We live near Hay on Wye

We got back from Finikounda on Sunday. Here's a report of my holiday, sorry it's a bit long, much to tell. There are also some pictures at the following link:

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/166201/index.html

We had a great time in Finikounda and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes quiet and unspoilt places. The village is relatively small and set along a long sand and shingle beach, bypassed by the main Methoni to Koroni road. The few gift shops, and tavernas (about a dozen) and a couple of tiny mini-markets are mainly centered on the one quiet sea-front road, some of the tavernas on the beach side of the road, giving them tables right next to the sand. The main supermarket (with a bakery) is behind the church, and there is another one on the other side of the main road, out of the village centre.

The place has a real village, rather than resort feel about it, with locals playing cards in bars, local children riding their bikes on the street and the old guy sat in front of his house who gave us a cheery wave and "kali spera" when we walked past for our evening meal. I believe in July and August the resort fills up with Greeks, rather than just us foreigners. Apart from Kosmar guests, we heard German and other languages and saw camper vans from Germany, Austria and Holland as there are several camp sights on nearby bays. The younger water sports guests came into the village a couple of nights but other than that the clientele were generally families and older couples.

The tavernas serve the usual Greek dishes and a few roasted a whole pig a couple of nights - though the plate of pig and chips, was not the tastiest meal we had! Our 2 favourites were "To Karavi" and "Elena's". To Karavi had tables overlooking the beach and we made a delicious meal by selecting 4 of the dishes that we were shown that "mamma" had made that day. Elena's has a wonderful position at the harbour end of the village, with beautiful views over the village and beach - we went here the most often. The food there was great with some wonderful starters and delicious stifado, meatballs and fresh fish. There was a tendency to serve everything with chips in all the tavernas but all the vegetable dishes were on the menu, so you just needed to ask and they would give you whatever you preferred. Our meals generally consisted of starters and main course (sometime with an extra vegetable dish), half a litre of house red wine, water and a Mythos for the other half and cost between 25 and 36 euros, for the 2 of us. We invariably got a free ouzo, brandy or liqueur with the bill.

We didn't see sun beds on any of the beaches we visited. There are 4 local beaches. The main village beach is a mixture of and shingle. East of that a smaller beach, where the Neilson water sports centre is based and beyond that the lovely sandy Loutsa beach. Just over the headland, west of Finikounda is the huge sandy stretch, referred to as "big beach".

The Sonia studio apartments were lovely and only opened late 2003. They were reasonably sized, with a double and single bed, they had air conditioning and even a TV. There was a full sized fridge freezer and a small cooker with 3 rings and a grill/oven. The bathroom was nicely tiled and even had a shower cubicle with sliding doors! They were spotlessly clean, linen and towels were changed mid week and they came in a couple of times to clean and empty the bins. We had a side sea-view but those at the front of the building looked right over to the beach.

The Kosmar reps, Gordon and Wendy, are a more mature husband and wife team, who live locally and are very enthusiastic about the area. Don't miss Wendy's welcome meeting, it was hilarious. We didn't need any assistance but they seemed willing and able to provide any assistance they could. Gordon also does car and bike hire from the Kosmar office on the main street.

We hired a car and visited Methoni, Koroni and Pylos, with their castles. We also walked up to the ancient Navarino castle on the headland overlooking Golden Beach and the beautiful Voidokilia bay. The furthest we ventured was to Ancient Messene, in the hills above the modern town of Messene. It is quite a big site, on the hillside below the village of Mavromati and it is still being excavated. The ancient town walls and Arcadian gate a couple of kilometers beyond the village were worth a look too.

Having never been to Greece so early in the season, we were amazed by all the wild flowers. I wished I had a book to identify some of them, but recognised wild versions of many garden flowers. The weather was mainly warm and sunny but not too hot, though we needed jackets in the evening. Friday afternoon it started to cloud up and become windy and we heard rain overnight, then Saturday it was blowing a gale and we had several heavy downpours. The wind whipped up huge waves along the coast. Then by the evening it quietened down and cleared up again and, of course, we had beautiful blue sky on the Sunday morning as we left. Then the fun began, but that's another story

Sounds lovely. Some really nice pictures you took as well. I like the one where the sea is like a mill pond!

We were in Finnikounda at the end of last September. We wanted to see unspoilt, traditional Greece and we got exactly that. Honestly, it was like going back 20 years. We stayed at the Finnikounda hotel which was lovely.
The beach was unspoilt but didn't have any loungers or parasols but the hotel had plenty to borrow which previous guests had left behind. If you want a day of comfort, take the 20 minute walk to the Neilson hotel which welcomes outside guests and the staff are very nice. At the bar you can get a nice snack and a good beer. The nightlife in Finnikounda is quiet, the bars and restaurants are superb and the restaurant with the fish cabinet outside (the name escapes me) is brilliant with special dishes which Mamma prepared that morning are gorgeous. We frequented a little bar and got very close to Theoni, who was a lovely lady. We couldn't understand a word each other was on about but she was a true inspiration.
I would certainly go back to Finnikounda because it was one of those places you felt so welcomed in and tourism was appreciated.

I read a review on here yesterday re the hotel Finnikounda but now cant seem to find it any where.
Did anyone else read it if so do you know where it is- I know this is a strange thing to ask
Also has anyone else stayed in this hotel Do they have sunbeds and umbrellas you can borrow for the beach?
Does anyone know what the temperatures are in July

The temperatures in July should be into the 90s but there is a breeze which tends to keep things cooler according to friends of ours who are regular visitors. The beach is stoney and some form of lounger is required.

I have read there are a few beaches which most are sandy and I have also seen photos is it only the large beach that has stones on

I reviewed my recent trip there on here, it has now slipped to page 2, this is a link to it. I have a link to some pictures of the beaches too:

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=33162

The main beach is a mixture of sand and shingle, "big beach", over the headland, west of the village, was long and sandy, we didn't see any sunbeds at all but were there 1st week of the season. The Finikounda Hotel is near the church and only 2 minutes from the beach - nowhere in Finikounda is far from anywhere else. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Thanks for that I am really looking forward to Finnikounda I dont think I have seen a bad review yet.
Any more info- would be fantastic more photos too would be good or am I being greedy now! x

All you folks who are booked for Finikounda, particularly those who have'nt visited before, are in for a lovely surprise. We have just returned after two weeks holiday and had a very enjoyable chill out time. I could'nt really fault it, going early in the season I was a bit concerned that a lot of places may not be open but the majority were. Lots of excellent Tavernas, we tried most but as usual had a favourite, Elena's was very good and the situation made it special, also the second beachside Taverna from the other end (name escapes me) was very good and we ended up having complimentary drinks, and yoghurt and honey. Our accommodation which was'nt featured in the Kosmar Brochure, Sirius Studios was very good, clean and convenient to everthing, (there are'nt any bowls for cereal, or as usual a kettle) they are right opposite the church, (bells are very loud, only usually Sundays, unless of course there is a wedding, christening or funeral, which there was when we were there!!) but the outfits were beautiful, and we felt priviledged to see it. At the back of the Studios is a very large supermarket and bakery selling everything. All in all it was one of those perfect holidays, flight was good and on time, staff were polite and helpful evens the meal was good, so don't be put off by the bad report, it does'nt happen every time. Wishing you a wonderful holiday in Finikounda

Sounds great, cant wait til August

I have only seen one bad report but now cannot wait to go thanks to everyone who has given such good reports made me feel so much more at ease about going somewhere new.

I have heard that topless sunbathig is frowned upon in Finnikounda is this true!

Hi to anyone who is thinking of going to Finikounda. We were there in June 2004 and enjoyed so much we are returning this year (today in fact) for 2 weeks. If you visit my photosite you may find the pictures of Finikounda interesting. http://grahamsmith.photosite.com/finikounda/

The Smiths & Browns, what have you done!!! The world and his wife will be flocking to Finikounda - how could anybody resist now that they have seen your wonderful photographs!!

I have checked out the various package holiday options (thinking that we would like to visit again this year - only to find everything fully booked)
I was quite proud of myself for submitting a (very long) and detailed account of the resort and our holiday (see page one) only to find we have
created a monster!! Only joking - its nice to see everyone has enjoyed themselves as much as we did and Fini is now on the map - so to speak. Lets hope it retains its charm (for a good while yet anyway) everyone who has returned seems to be as impressed as we were. I had better get on line quick and book for 2006 now there are lots of others who have discovered this little gem.

Happy holidays

Are ALL of the beaches in walking distance or would you advise hiring a car!

Hey I have heard that Princess Diana loved Finnikounda anyone else heard this is it true etc

Have just returned from 2 excellent weeks in Finikounda. We have visited many places in Greece and Finikounda ranks the best for traditional Greece. The accommodation is generally comfortable and the food from the family tavernas is delicious and good value. We stayed at Sonias Apartments which is honestly the highest standard of accommodation we have experienced in rural Greece and visited virtually all the tavernas and fish restaurants. We highly recommend Antoni's Taverna behind the church. The very friendly Greek family that run this are a treat to meet. If there is something that you would like that does not appear on the menu, just ask and if it is not provided there and then it will be available the next day. This happened to us when we enquired about a local dish of smoked pork with eggs and tomatoes, and the availablity of goat and rabbit. The food comes mainly from Antoni's farm and garden and is all freshly and beautifully cooked by his lovely wife. You will virtually have a free starter of 2 dishes before you look at the menu, on Mondays and Tuesdays the local wine is free, and every evening ends with a plate of fruit of one sort or another. The quantity, quality and value are exceptional. Enjoy!

We have booked Finikounda for next May (Sonia Studios) and although we have been to Stoupa twice (and loved it), we have never been to 'the other side'. We love walking and I know we will probably miss the mountains of Stoupa, but does anyone know if there are walking possibilities in Finkounda? Are there any published walks or maps available or do we just strike off on our own and hope for the best? Any info on the surrounding countryside and walking possibilities would be appreciated.