Excursions & Beaches
Sightseeing
Daily excursions and sightseeing
Camping Gythion Bay is situated in an ideal spot for daily excursions around the area. If you love to escape for a daily trip then you might spend 3 days of your holidays at Gythion Bay to visit the region. The first day you can make the tour of Mani peninsula and visit the famous caves of DIros. The second day you can wake up early in the morning and head towards the small island Elafonnisos and in the evening drive to Monemvasia and visit the romantic castle of Monemvasia. The third day you can visit the archeological site of Mystras and the Knokionas springs in mountain Taygetos. It is also very interesting to pay a visit to the small port town of Gythion which is 5 km away from the camping. You can walk from the small island of Kranae to the ancient theater, which is still active some summer nights.
Visit Mani
The Peloponnese is the largest peninsula in the southern part of Greece still consists of a unique virgin part that can make any trip there an unforgettable experience. The breath-taking scenery of mountains, vast gorges, lively rivers, golden coastlines with endless sandy beaches, clear blue waters, traditional villages, archaeological sites, ancient monuments, and impressive attractions are the main elements of this destination.
Mani is characterized by its unspoiled “virgin” and wild scenery. Here you will meet authentic people, stone-made houses, black-dressed widows, and very short olive trees. The landscape is usually surrounded by sea and together with the stony scenery of the traditional houses it constitutes a beautiful day trip that will give you and your family unforgettable memories.
Diros Caves have been described as the most impressive limnetic caves of the whole world. It is important to visit them early in the morning because later it gets really crowded.
If you choose to visit only the caves you can use the local bus to access the caves.
Nevertheless we suggest you make the whole tour of the Mani Peninsula and wonder around the picturesque villages and meets the local people and their everyday life. In Tainaron you will be surprised by the beauty of the place and the vastness of the deep blue sea as you will be found at the southest part of coastal Europe.
The best way to see everything is to go through Areopolis and return from Kotronas. Like this you make a roundtour and you have access to more villages and beaches.
Limeni is a small port near Areopolis with amazing green-blue water. It is ideal place for snorkelling or speargun and for eating fresh fish or spaghetti with lobster.
Beaches
Selinitsa Beach - 8 Km
Take the road towards Gythio and then continue the main road towards Skala (keep the sea to your right). 3 Km outside of Gythio , turn right at the sharp turn with a Glyfada Beach sign where is there is a large parking area for your vehicle. Dimitrios shipwreck is on Selinitsa beach where you can walk across the flat rock and get inside the hull of the shipwreck. Safe for children, the beach is quite shallow and there is a bar and restaurant offering sun loungers near but not ON the beach. It is advisable to take a sun umbrella with you if you enjoy being closer to the sea. The shipwreck was abandoned in 1981 by its owners because of financial and mechanical problems of the ship. Selinitsa Beach was not its original location, but it drifted away in bad weather.
Vathy Beach - 9km
Following the road to Areopoli, you will meet a sign with a left turn leading to Vathi where you will find a 2 km lоng beach at еnd оf which is а small village.
The beach is sandy and partially сοvеred with small smoоth pebblеs. The sеa is not too deep and suitable for families with kids. In the cеnter, the bеaсh reaches up to 40 mеters wide and has a small river flowing in thе seа and оver thе sand, fοrming а small and shаllow сhannel full оf refreshing cold water. Therе is a small tаverna and a couple of beach bars with loungers on the beach and а fеw restaurants on the rоad that gοеs from the villаge tо thе main rοad.
Kamares & Ageranos Beach - 11km
Approximately 11 km from the campsite and 14 km from Areopolis, this beach is 1500 meters long, with crystal-clear waters. The surrounding area does not have many buildings and on the shore, there is a wall and a small bridge. The sandy beach with fine pebbles is ideal for families with children as the seawater gradually and smoothly deepens. Mainly with a natural beach where you can put your own equipment but a couple of beach bars also along the beach that offers loungers & umbrellas.
Skoutari - 13km
The beach of Skoutari lies about 13 km from the camp site, on the road from Gythio to Areopolis. This 150m long beach is quite shallow to start with and has yellow fine sand and crystal-clear waters. It is ideal for children and activities like snorkeling. The beach mostly is not organized but with a couple of restaurants, one offering a selection of beach lounging seats,after the paved path from the provincial road, on the side of which there are parking facilities.
Kotronas - 20 km
Kotronas, a vivid example of traditional Mani architecture built on the bottom endpoints of Taygetos is about 20 km from the campsite following the road to Areopolis. Its small moor next to its sandy beach has various fishing boats tied to it and usually, in the morning you meet the fishermen and their catch of the day. The waters are shallow with beach loungers and umbrellas but also free space to add your own equipment. It has a few dining choices with the usual Mediterranean dishes. When visiting, keep an eye out for the church of Ypapanti, with its remarkable frescoes, along the road that crosses the village. Kotronas is connected to Skopas island by a narrow strip of land 300 meters long connected to the city of Tethronis, which belonged to the Eleftherolakonian community. On the islet, you will see ancient relics and the church of Agios Nikolaos.
Mezapos beach - 38km
A little further into Eastern Mani, Mezapos is a remote fishing village on the gulf of the Tigani peninsula definitely worth the visit if you love natural explorations. Recommended for families with children that can swim, this remote little beach has large pebbles (sea shoes recommended) and turquoise waters, formed between two tall rocks that look like they have collapsed. Swimming in the small bay leads to an exciting exploration of the nearby sea caves and diving from a small landing (look out for the meta ladder on the clif on the right . With a breath-taking view of the Tigani castle, on the way to Kato Mezapos beach you will find stone houses, ruined towers, and byzantine churches. There are no shops near the beach so make sure you have your own water and beach equipment. Snorkeling there is amazing, and a floater or pool noodles are recommended for a thrilling but safe exploration of the sea caves with kids. The wind tents to pick up after noon.
Alypa beach - 40km
With crystal-clear waters and white pebbles, if you are seeking a destination away from crowds, you will choose to visit Alypa. The shore is just 250 meters long and, in the northern part of the beach, there is a pier for small boats. Beautiful tower houses surround the tiny bay of the beach. The beach is not organized, and you definitely need a seat with you as the stones are slippery and not very comfortable but you can enjoy a meal at the picturesque tavern at the edge of the beach (only open in high season). Sea shoes are recommended if you are exploring as there are sea urchins between some rocks. Parking, as is usual in the Mani region, may not be available very near the beach, and a little bit of walking may be involved.
Sights
Kranai Island - 4 Km
Before entering Gythio on your right you will find the tiny island of Kranai, now connected by a causeway, where you can visit the beautiful Tzanetakis Tower which was built in 1829. It houses a museum, which unfortunately doesn’t open very often. Another landmark of Gythio is the lighthouse on the island built from marble, and an enchanting little white chapel dedicated to St Peter (Agios Petros) which is favored by many couples to use on their weddings due to its beautiful views of the city of Gytheio and picturesque location.. The islands other name “Marathonisi” translates to ‘fennel-island’ as the herb grows in quantities on the islet which is also covered by a pine forest and is an ideal place for beautiful photos and walks overlooking the amphitheatrically built city of Gythio with its neoclassical houses.
According to legend, when Paris of Troy abducted Helen from Sparta they spent their first night in Cranae, before returning to Troy. The name Kranai is linked to this legend, as Paris forgot his helmet (kranos in Greek) when they left in a hurry. Kranai has been characterized as an archeological site by the Ministry of Culture.
Diros Caves - 30 Km
The caves of Diros have been called “nature’s underground cathedral”, and for good reason. They are considered one of the world’s most imposing and stunningly beautiful cave complexes. The complex is vast, spreading for more than 15 kilometers, with 2800 waterways, and it is still being explored.
Make sure that when you go to the Diros Caves you carry a cardigan or a light jacket, because the temperature will drop drastically as you descend into the cavern. It is worth it though! The stalagmites and stalactites you immediately encounter are a prelude to this journey back to Prehistoric times which you are about to embark on, on foot and by boat, as you hear about the exciting new discoveries of one of the largest and most complete Neolithic burial sites in Europe, with skeletons more than 5000 years old! Tickets cost app 12€.
Cape Tenaro - 60 Km
Cape Tenaro is located at the end of Mani. It is also known as Cape Matapan and is the southernmost point of mainland Greece and the whole of the Balkan Peninsula. Cape Tenaro has always been important throughout history. Myth has it that the gates of the underworld could be found there, in a small cave that was considered the entrance to the kingdom of the god Hades. Walk on foot from the small chapel of Aghion Asomaton, down the path that leads to the cave that would grant you entrance to the underworld and through which Heracles passed to get Cerberus. Continue to find the remains of an ancient Roman settlement, and then the Akrotenaro lighthouse, the point where the Aegean Sea meets the Ionian Sea! The walk is easy, atmospheric, and very picturesque, perfect for inspiration of all kinds.
Mystras - 50km
Closer to Sparta, you will find Mystras, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and “the wonder of Morea”. Mystras is a castle town built in the 11th century AD. During Byzantine times, Mystras was always one of the most important cities of the empire, and towards its later era, it became second only to Constantinople itself. As a castle town, Mystras is surrounded by fortifications and a wall, with an imposing palace at the top of the hill, now in ruins. There are many famous Byzantine churches, including Aghios Dimitrios, where the Emperor Constantinos Palaiologos was crowned. Several have beautiful frescoes you must experience. You can find dining options in the old castle town or in the new Mystras village right below it. Tickets cost app 12€ .
Monemvasia - 70 km
Monemvasia is a beautiful castle town in the southeastern side of the Peloponnese. Monemvasia is an extremely well-preserved medieval castle town that is still fully inhabited, and quite popular with Greeks at winter!
Monemvasia’s name means “only one pathway” and it is an allusion to the way it was built. Like with all castle towns in the area, it is a fortified city. It was carved out of a huge sea rock which shielded the town from view from the mainland to avoid attacks, leaving only one way to access it.
Monemvasia is extremely picturesque, with beautiful stone mansions, romantic winding stone paths and great Byzantine churches. It a wonderful place to visit all year round. Monemvasia’s beaches are clean, beautiful, and calm. You will enjoy good food, and a great combination of the mountain and the seaside.
Vathia
Vathia is the most imposing outcrop of a landscape and is famous for its uniqueness. Visitors enjoying the charm of the Mani landscape from Areopolis, can travel among towers, old churches, traditional settlements and the playfulness of the sea and the dry mountains. At one of the many bends in the road, Vathia is revealed, built in a prominent position like an acropolis on the top of the hill. The towers, the houses, the churches, the lion’s nest of some 150 buildings, the alleys and the rouges are all built to fit on the small plateau of the summit, overlooking the shapely coast on one side and the dry, rugged mountains on the other.
Vathia has occupied this peak for centuries. Historical sources speak of it from the middle of the 16th century. The present settlement was formed on the hill mainly after the 18th century, flourished in the 19th century and began to decline from the beginning of the 20th century. In the 19th century the settlement had about 300 inhabitants, whose occupations included basic cereal cultivation, animal husbandry, hunting and piracy.
At the end of the 19th century they turned to olive growing and four olive groves were set up in the settlement. In the first decades of the century, the inhabitants began to flee to the cities and in 1979 only 11 inhabitants remained in the traditional settlement, mostly lonely old women, living a difficult life, cut off and deprived of everything, surrounded by ruins, abandonment, and memories. Electricity arrived there in 1980.
Vathia was practically an abandoned settlement. But tourism had already knocked on the door of the “Mesa villages” of Mani and the EOT brought the settlement back to life by restoring and converting many buildings into guesthouses, with absolute respect for their traditional face. Thus, Vathia is not just a beautiful painting, which the visitor can only enjoy visually, but can also live it. Visitors can ask for a room in the reception area which is one of the old, preserved olive mills, stay in one of the nine restored towers-hostels, enjoy the wonderful view, have a meal or a coffee, walk in the alleys and break all contact with the bustling modern world.
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