Methana, Greece Listed Among New York Times 52 Best Places for 2023

Methana, a volcanic peninsula in the Peloponnese, has been listed by The New York Times as one of the best places to visit in 2023. It was ranked thirty-ninth on a list of fifty-two destinations.

Methana is just thirty miles, or about fifty kilometers, away from Athens. It is the closest volcano to the Greek capital of Athens.

The 52 best places to visit

The New York Times unveiled its list of the “52 Places for Travelers to Visit in 2023” in January of this year. The list includes a variety of destinations across the world. At the top of the list this year is London. According to the newspaper, the coronation of King Charles III later this year will bring the busy city into international focus.

The volcanic peninsula of Methana, ranked as the thirty-ninth best place to visit according to the American daily newspaper, is not as well known to tourists as other Greek destinations. Still, it is growing in popularity thanks to new hiking and trail running routes and a variety of spas.

The volcanic peninsula of Methana

The Methana peninsula emerged from volcanic activity that occurred approximately 2,300 years ago. Today, it is dotted with more than thirty volcanos that became active approximately a million years ago.

Eruptions continued on Methana sporadically until about three hundred years ago. The last recorded eruption took place in 1700 at a submarine volcano north of Kameni Chora. There were rumors of an eruption in 1922, but these were never confirmed.

Like other areas of Greece with a volcanic past, such as Santorini, Methana’s turbulent geological history has contributed greatly to its beauty and appeal as a spa resort and hiking destination.

Touristic appeal

The foremost appeal of Methana for many tourists seeking to relax is the hot springs and spa resorts of the peninsula. The town of Methana alone has twenty-five different sulfur springs which form the lake of Vromolimni.

In the nearby town of Agios Nikolaos, travelers to the peninsula will instead find saltwater springs. According to some of the oldest medical traditions, these different springs possess healing properties relevant to a variety of ailments.

Recently, efforts have also been underway to designate new hiking and running routes across the peninsula’s volcanic peaks and craters. These trails provide not only a significant challenge to runners and hikers but also the reward of stunning views at the top.

Ascending the hill of Kameni Chora, one can observe a huge volcanic crater that not only has impressive formations of lava and rocks but also allows hikers to admire the wonderful sight of the sea and coast.

The beaches in the area are also worth a visit. Limnionas is a golden-sand beach located in the northern part of the town. It is preferred by locals and visitors due to the trees that offer shady comfort in the hottest months of the year. Agios Nikolas also boasts a beach in addition to its hot springs.

The best-known beach in the area is called Nissaki. This extensive shore is formed by the narrow strip of land that joins Methana to the Nissaki area.