Kalo Nero Holidays

Kalo Nero means 'good water' in Greek, and with a generous helping of pretty coastline and waterfalls, the place lives up to the name. The village's stretch of Messinian sand and rainbow-hued pebbles looks out to sea from mainland Greece's south-west coast. Sharp-eyed visitors may spot the resident loggerhead turtles who build their nests along the Peloponnesian shore.

Kalo Nero's a hotspot of Greek olive oil production. Small cold-press mills dot the surrounding landscape, and the Giannopoulos Olive Oil Factory's open for tours just a five-minute drive from Kalo Nero. Tavernas along the seafront drizzle the golden liquid over authentic Greek seafood dishes for an appreciative, and often local, clientele.

Toss a stone in this neck of the woods and you'll probably hit an ancient ruin. From the iconic Temple of Zeus at Olympia – the setting for the first Olympic Games – to the remains of the Venetian Republic in Kalamata, Kalo Nero promises a fascinating trip back in time.

From demanding hikes to easy strolls, the countryside surrounding Kalo Nero has plenty to offer. There's a scenic walk up to Kyparissia Castle, just a 10-minute drive down the road. The Neda Waterfalls are a 45-minute drive followed by a 20-minute walk, but an exhilarating dip in crystal-clear waters is ample reward.