The historic settlement of Areopoli keeps the traditional character of Mani alive.
Stone houses, imposing towers that transport you through time, landscapes of wild beauty and crystal-clear seas. Whatever the season you find yourself in Mani, this land has many fascinating stories to tell and countless magical corners to captivate you.
One hour south of Sparta and 25 km from Gytheio, you will encounter Areopoli, a place with a long history and one of Mani’s most alluring corners in the prefecture of Laconia. The entire old fortified settlement, with its atmospheric cobbled lanes, stone buildings, towers and old churches, has been listed as protected, preserving Mani’s traditional character.
Stroll through atmospheric Areopoli
Historic Areopoli (which until 1836 was called Tsimova), homeland of the famed Mavromichalis family, played a very important role during the Greek War of Independence in 1821. In the village square, on March 17, 1821, the flag of the Revolution was raised.
Despite its tourist development, Areopoli retains its traditional character intact. Starting your stroll from central Athanaton Square, dominated by the statue of Petrobey Mavromichalis, wander the cobbled lanes of the listed settlement that feels like a movie set: grey stone, imposing towers (notably those of Kapetanakos, Barelakos and Pikoulakis) and stone-built churches, such as the Church of the Archangels with its impressive belfry and the double church of the Virgin Mary and St. Charalambos with frescoes from 1869, will sweep you into a journey through time. The main narrow lane is lined with meze eateries, tavernas and bars that fill with people at night.
Accommodation
- Kastro Maini is a stone-built boutique hotel, crafted with care in line with the area’s traditional architecture and perfectly in harmony with the surroundings.
- TheTrapelahotel offers 12 especially tasteful rooms with a pleasant touch of traditional charm and discreet luxury.
- At the entrance to Areopoli, you will findAchelatis Guest Houses, astone-built traditional guesthouse that will make you feel right at home
- Nestled within the enchanting landscape, the boutique hotel Bassa Maina Villas & Suites impresses with its refined aesthetic, its unique sea views, and the high level of service it offers.
Food
- A visit to Mavromichalaiko for home-style cooking is a must. The kitchen is based on local products and ingredients, as well as the homemade way of cooking by the mother of Petros, the current owner.
- At Barba Petros, the oldest taverna in Areopoli(since 1926), you will find classic stews as well as more inventive recipes.
- The meze eatery O Poulosis one of the most bustling and convivial hangouts in Areopoli. Here you will enjoy delicious dishes of seasonal vegetables and traditional Maniot meze.
Nearby excursions
Areopoli is ideal as a base for excursions in the wider area. Descending from Areopoli towards the sea, Limeni emerges, set in a small cove with crystal-clear waters that reach the very houses, enchanting visitors with its beauty. The seat and port of the Mavromichalis family, Limeni today is one of the most picturesque seaside settlements in Greece.
A little further north lies Oitylo, another beautiful traditional settlement with stone tower houses. Karavostasi and Neo Oitylo are its ports. Make a stop at the famous Diros Caves and continue south to reach the seaside Gerolimenas with its turquoise waters. At the southern tip of the Mani peninsula stands the much-photographed Vatheia, its stone tower houses clinging to a slope. The final stop on a tour of Mani, the southernmost tip of mainland Europe: Cape Tainaro, where, according to mythology, the gate to Hades was located.
