Nestor’s Palace: Visiting The Mycenaean Palace of Pylos
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One of the lesser-known archaeological sites in Greece, Nestor’s Palace in the ancient town of Pylos in the Peloponnese is the best preserved of all Mycenaean Palaces that have seen the light of day.
In this guide, we’re taking you on a journey across the wonders of Nestor’s Palace, this hidden gem in Western Greece that is sure to fascinate you. Here’s everything you need to know about the Palace of Nestor.
Where Is Nestor’s Palace?
Set on the hill of Epano Englianos in the region of Messenia (or Messinia) in Western Peloponnese, the Palace of Nestor is a 25-minute drive from the modern town of Pylos or a one-hour drive from Kalamata.
The nearest village is Chora where you can also visit the Archaeological Museum, which houses numerous archaeological findings from Nestor’s Palace.
Timeline of Nestor’s Palace
Before the Palace was built, the hill and its surrounding area had been inhabited continuously since the 20th century BC.
At the peak of the Mycenaean Civilization, in the 13th century BC, a great fire destroyed the buildings around the hill. Then, the King of Pylos built a palace atop Epano Englianos Hill.
The ancient town of Pylos extended to the slopes below the Palace. Moreover, royal tombs and a cemetery were found near the Palace. A century later, in the 12th century BC, a devastating fire razed down the Palace and the entire town was abandoned.
The earliest successful excavation of Nestor’s Palace took place in 1939 when archaeologists found the first Linear B clay tablets there. Excavation works resumed after World War II in 1952 and continue until today.
Why Is Nestor’s Palace Important?
The Mycenaean Palace of Pylos is important as it’s the ultimate symbol of Philoxenia. The latter is the Greek word for hospitality.
In his Odyssey, Homer praises the legendary King of Pylos for his hospitality towards Telemachus, son of Odysseus, who reached Pylos during his quest to find his father after the end of the Trojan War.
In the Iliad, Pylos played an important role in the Trojan War as the King sent ninety ships to join the other Kingdoms of Greece on their expedition against Troy.
Is Nestor’s Palace Worth Visiting?
The Palace of Pylos as we see it today dates back to the 13th century BC. It remains the best preserved Mycenaean Palace in Greece.
Compared to Mycenae, the Palace of Nestor is a lesser-known archaeological site. However, it allows you to delve into the Mycenaean Civilization in a unique way.
With over one hundred chambers, the massive two-story Palace provides valuable insight into how a Mycenaean Palace was built and organized as a political, administrative, and religious center. For all this, the Palace of Nestor is worth a visit for its historic value.
Another reason to visit this hidden gem is the Palace’s fantastic setting on the top of the hill. From its prime location, you can enjoy stunning views of the Messenian Coast and the olive groves that dot the surrounding landscape.
The Myth Behind Nestor’s Palace
Nestor was the son of Neleus, the founder of Ancient Pylos. The Kingdom of Pylos was also referred to as Sandy Pylos. When Hercules killed Neleus and his children, Nestor survived, becoming the next King of Pylos.
Nestor was also part of the Argonauts’ campaign to help Jason get the Golden Fleece in Colchis. Another Greek myth that involves Nestor is the myth of the Calydonian Boar Hunt in which Nestor was one of the heroes trying to kill the boar.
In the Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, Nestor appears as a wise elderly king. In the Iliad, he makes inspirational speeches to encourage his younger comrades during the Trojan War.
In the Odyssey, after the end of the Trojan War, Nestor returned to Pylos. He welcomed Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, with honor, when the latter arrived in Pylos, asking for information about his father’s fate.
King Nestor’s daughter, Polycaste, bathed Telemachus, a scene we can imagine taking place in the Royal Bathroom of Nestor’s Palace.
FAQs About Visiting Nestor’s Palace
How long does it take to visit Nestor’s Palace?
It takes around thirty minutes to visit the entire archaeological site. There are raised walkways that enable you to see the Palace’s floor plan from a higher level.
Is Nestor’s Palace accessible?
Yes, the Palace of Nestor is fully accessible to people with mobility issues. There is an elevator that takes you to the raised walkways.
Is there a parking space at Nestor’s Palace?
Yes, there is ample parking space near the entrance of Nestor’s Palace.
Are there any toilets or other facilities at Nestor’s Palace?
There are toilets, a lovely café, a shop, and a visitors’ center with information about the Palace of Pylos.
Are there any restaurants near the archaeological site?
The nearest village is Chora where you can find a few options for lunch. Alternatively, the seaside village of Gialova is perfect for a delicious meal by the sea.
What is the best time to visit Nestor’s Palace?
Thanks to the new protective shelter over Nestor’s Palace, the entire visitors’ route along the raised walkways is safe from rain and the scorching sun, making it an all-year-round site. Also, as a lesser-known archaeological site, it’s unlikely to be packed with crowds any time of the year.
Was Nestor a real person?
No, there’s no evidence that Nestor was the real King of Pylos. Homer’s King Nestor alongside other heroes were mythological characters. However, the myth of Nestor was so influential that the actual Palace of Ancient Pylos was named after him.
What To See in Nestor’s Palace – Walking Route
We love archaeological sites in Greece but, sadly, not all of them are easy to navigate. First of all, there isn’t always a clear route to follow. Moreover, not all areas have informative signs and, when they do, sometimes these signs use difficult terminology.
Also, on-site maps often include monuments or points of interest that are no longer visible – because they’re either destroyed or covered by the modern city.
This section is meant to help you navigate any ancient site in Greece by providing a tested-by-us walking route of the most important monuments that you can actually see – rather than just imagine.
Furthermore, we replace the original scientific terms (here in brackets) with simple translations in English when necessary and provide context in cases where informative signs are scarce or non-existent.
The Palace complex consists of four main buildings: the Southwestern Building, the Central Building, the Northeastern Building, and the Wine Magazine. Several other smaller buildings are part of the palatial complex as well.
The visitors’ route comprises walkways around the Central Building. You can see what’s left of the rest of the complex from a distance.
Entrance (Propylon)
The visitors’ route starts from the south side of the Palace where the main entrance, known as Propylon, used to be. You can see a small platform for the guard who probably kept an eye on the adjacent Archive room, too.
The large central courtyard next to Propylon leads to the Throne Room.
Archives
If you’re wondering how archaeologists know all these things about the Palace of Nestor, the answer is in the two rooms on the left of the main entrance.
In there, the Palace’s Archives were kept with records of products, materials, taxes, debts, and other invaluable information for the proper administration of the Palace.
The eight hundred clay tablets found in those rooms were written in Linear B, the advanced writing system of the Mycenaean period.
Ancient Canteen
Walking along the west side of the Palace, you’ll see a small room with a clay bench. Back in the day, this area would be full of visitors waiting patiently, sometimes for hours, for their turn to meet the King.
Right next to the waiting room, the Canteen was where they’d be offered a cup of wine to make the long wait a bit more bearable. You can still see the remains of those drinking cups.
Throne Room
Situated on the north side of the Palace, the impressive Throne Room is one of the best things to see at Nestor’s Palace. The Throne Room was the most important room in the Mycenaean Palace. From here, the King (Anax) ruled the ancient city of Pylos.
Around the large circular hearth in the middle of the Throne Room, the King received prominent visitors from other Mycenaean kingdoms. Political and commercial decisions were made in this large room, accompanied by the necessary offerings to the Olympian Gods.
Pantries
Spotted on the west side of the Throne Room, the Pantry Rooms were filled with wine cups. Around three thousand broken cups were found in just one of these rooms. This is a clear indication of how often massive feasts were organized in the Palace.
Olive Oil Storerooms
Situated on the north side of the Throne Room, these storage rooms contained jars carved in clay benches. These were used to store olive oil.
Similar to modern-day Greece, the olive oil industry was key to the city’s prosperity back then. The olive oil was transported in big jars across the Mediterranean. It was used for medicine, bathing, and rituals.
Wine Storeroom (Wine Magazine)
North of the Palace, you can see the ruins of an independent building. This was identified as a wine cellar because of the large jars of wine found there.
Queen’s Quarters (Queen’s Megaron)
In Mycenaean Palaces, the Queen lived in her private apartments.
Situated in the southeast corner of the Palace, the Queen’s ground-floor apartments consisted of a small court, a hall with a circular hearth (similar to the one in the Throne Room but smaller), some small secondary rooms, and, of course, the Royal Bathroom.
The latter is home to a stunning ancient bathtub that dates back to the 13th century BC, the indisputable highlight of Nestor’s Palace. A small step in front of the clay bath made access to the water easier.
At the corner, you can see big jars (Pithoi) built on a high bench. These big jars were filled with water and aromatic bathing oils. In the jars and the bathtub, cups were found. These were used to pour water and oil for a proper royal bath.
Vaulted Tomb (Tholos Tomb)
Outside the archaeological site, near the parking space, a sign leads to a Tholos Tomb. This vaulted tomb was used as the burial place for royals. The royal tomb at Nestor’s Palace isn’t as impressive as the ones you’ll see if you visit Mycenae, but it’s still worth having a look.
Nestor’s Palace Opening Hours
During the winter period:
November 1st to March 31st: 8.30 AM to 3.30 PM
During the summer period:
April 1st to August 31st: 8 AM to 8 PM
September 1st to September 15th: 8 AM to 7.30 PM
September 16th to September 30th: 8 AM to 7 PM
October 1st to October 15th: 8 AM to 6.30 PM
October 16th to October 31st: 8 AM to 6 PM
Every Tuesday and on January 1st, March 25th, May 1st, Greek Easter Sunday, December 25th, and December 26th, the Archaeological Site of Nestor’s Palace is closed.
Nestor’s Palace Entrance Fees
The full ticket price is 6 EUR. From November 1st to March 31st, the ticket costs 3 EUR instead.
If you plan to explore Messenia, consider buying the combined ticket that costs 15 EUR and is valid for three days.
Apart from Nestor’s Palace, this combined ticket includes the Archaeological Museum in Chora Village, the Archaeological Museum of Messenia in Kalamata, the Museum of Mourtzinos in Kardamyli, Kalamata Castle, the Castle of Methoni and the Castle of Pylos.
Entrance is free on the following days: March 6th, April 18th, May 18th, the last weekend of September, October 28th, and the first Sunday of each month from November to March.
How To Get To Nestor’s Palace
The only way to get to the Palace of Nestor is by car. Make sure you add this archaeological site to your itinerary if you plan to explore the Peloponnese on a road trip.
Where To Stay Near The Palace of Nestor
One of the best places to stay near Nestor’s Palace is Costa Navarino, a sustainable 5-star resort. Alternatively, the seaside town of Pylos is home to several comfy hotels, restaurants, and cafés for a memorable stay in Messenia.
Things To Do Near Nestor’s Palace
If you’re wondering where all the Palace’s Linear B tablets and other precious finds are now, visit the nearby Archaeological Museum of Chora.
In the wider area of Nestor’s Palace, you can also visit Voidokilia Beach, a wonder of nature and one of the best beaches in mainland Greece. Navarino Bay is also ideal for a kayaking tour to explore the natural beauty of Messenia in an adventurous way.
Modern Pylos is perfect for a stroll around its picturesque streets. Apart from gorgeous Pylos, the region of Messenia is home to a few other quaint seaside towns crowned by imposing medieval castles, such as Methoni and Koroni.
The second-largest city in the Peloponesse, nearby Kalamata boasts several amazing things to do. On your way to Kalamata, we recommend visiting the archaeological site of Ancient Messene, the most well-preserved city in Ancient Greece.
Last but not least, consider joining an olive oil tour in a dreamy olive grove to taste the premium-quality Kalamata olive oil and learn everything about its production.
No matter its small size, the Palace of Nestor is among the best-preserved Mycenaean Palaces and one of our favorite ancient sites in Greece. We hope this guide to Nestor’s Palace inspires you to add this off-the-beaten-path Greek archaeological site to your itinerary.
If you’re visiting Greece soon, join our Facebook group for more ideas about the best archaeological sites to visit in our home country.
