Petalidi Holidays

Plato may well have had Petalidi in mind when he wrote, 'Every heart sings a song'. A former fishing village, Petalidi's set beside a small harbour on the southern coast of Greece's Messinia region. The town's natural side's responsible for its shift into a must-see spot, with beaches and beautiful scenery by the bucketload.

Petalidi's beach is a pebbled expanse, with a line of trees providing welcome shade from the summer heat. There are no noisy bars or tourist traps here, just a small café. The smooth stones give way to soft sand once you splash through crystal blue water.

For an adventurous trek followed by a cooling swim, take a 30-minute drive to the Polylimnio Gorge trails. The hiking paths here lead to 15 different lakes. A little further afield, Methoni's worth the detour for its 13th-century Venetian castle and bridge – complete with 14 arches.

Petalidi may have grown out of its fishing village origins, but the boats are still here, delivering fresh seafood daily. Tuck in to sardines and other local specialities in one of Petalidi's traditional tavernas, or pick a spot on Chrani Beach. You can stock up on other Peloponnesian staples at the weekly market.