By Nikos Petridis · Greece & Cyprus Property Editor
The Navarino Bay area of the Peloponnese — known to history as the site of the 1827 naval battle that secured Greek independence — has been transformed over the past 15 years by the Temes private real estate company's Costa Navarino project. Today, the development spans 1,000 hectares, has four hotels (two operating, two in pipeline), five golf courses, and a residential programme that has attracted buyers from over 40 countries. It is among the largest private real estate investments in Greek history.
Developer: Temes S.A.
Temes S.A. is a private Greek company founded by the Konstantakopoulos family — one of Greece's leading shipping dynasties. The family's long investment horizon (15+ years of development with no external debt, according to company statements) and their commitment to the Messinia region's economic development have given Costa Navarino a stability rare among large-scale resort developments anywhere in Europe.
The project's sustainability credentials are genuine: Costa Navarino operates the largest desalination plant in southern Greece, has planted over 200,000 native trees and shrubs, runs an extensive olive oil and honey production operation, and has won multiple European sustainability awards. These are not marketing exercises — they underpin the resort's operating model and have attracted a sophisticated buyer demographic willing to pay premium prices.
Unit Types and Pricing
- Golf Villas (2–3 bed) — From €680,000, on the Bay Course or the Dunes Course (designed by Robert Trent Jones II).
- Seafront Residences (3–4 bed) — €1.4–€2.8 million with private gardens stepping down to the bay.
- Estate Homes (4–6 bed) — €3–€7 million, the development's largest private compounds.
- Navarino Dunes Villas — Residences within the Navarino Dunes hotel complex, fully managed by the W Hotels operating team.
Greek Golden Visa: Greece's Golden Visa remains one of Europe's most straightforward residence-by-investment programmes. Property purchases of €800,000 (increased in 2024 for Attica and select areas; €400,000 in qualifying zones including parts of the Peloponnese) qualify buyers for permanent Greek residency, valid as long as the property is held. The residence does not require minimum stays and extends to immediate family members.
Amenities and Destination Appeal
The operational amenities span two hotel properties (The Romanos and Westin Costa Navarino) and include five golf courses, multiple pools, 14 restaurants, a thalassotherapy spa, a tennis academy, and a comprehensive water sports programme from Voidokilia Beach — one of the Ionian's most photographed beaches. The Messinia region itself offers exceptional natural and cultural resources: ancient Pylos, the Nestor's Palace archaeological site, and a coastline that remains relatively undeveloped compared to the Cyclades.
Kalamata International Airport (KLX) is 50 minutes away with direct connections from Athens, London, Amsterdam, Germany, and Scandinavia. An expansion of KLX's runway to accommodate wide-body jets is underway, expected to add transatlantic services from 2027.
Verdict: The benchmark of integrated resort development in Greece. Temes' investment depth and the Golden Visa programme make this the most compelling residential proposition in the Greek mainland market.