NEARBY MANI EXCURSIONS
The municipality of Itylo is a huge museum.Mani has two main tourist attractions. Its castle houses and the Diros cave. There are well preserved castle houses at Itylo, Koita, Vathia, Charia, Nomia and Pirgos Dirou etc. etc. to visit.
At Kalamakia, at the entrance to the Bay of Itylo, you can visits the worldwide famous Diros Cave.
There are interesting preserved Byzantine churches among the castle houses, built between the 9th and 14th century, at Koita, the "Tourloti", at Gardenitsa the "Sotiras", at Nomia the "Taksiarchis", at Ano Boularia the Saint Stratis, at Mezapo the Vlacherna and Episkopi etc etc.
You can find splendid beaches almost everywhere to enjoy the sea.
YOU HAVE TO VISIT:
| FAMOUS DIROS CAVE: Diros cave is a splendid, breath taking and magical place. The Cave is an unusual one, in that it’s half-filled with water, a n underground river, with crystal waters is passing through, so you go through most of it by boat. The water has created through the thousands of years, wonderful stalactites and stalagmites of all sizes and shapes. Human remnants from the Neolithic times have been discovered in the caves. |
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 Boats for the visit of the cave |
 Splendid stalactites and stalagmites |
 Fine stalagmites |
 Stalactite and stalagmites complex |
| VATHIA: Is a sight worth seeing in itself with its cluster of remarkable castle houses. Full of restored castle houses. Is the most representative traditional village of Mani, an invaluable treasure of valuable cultural heritage in tracing back to the identity of Mani. Castle housess perched on the top of a hill. Narrow and weedy paths with stone-built edifices on each side. Ravines all around, the rough landscape of Mani and in the background the picturesque bays of southern Mani. |
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 Vathia |
 Vathia: the castle houses |
| AREOPOLI: Areopoli, a landscape engraved on the rocks, is a traditional town, the second-largest town in Mani. This charming town is named after Ares (city of Ares. Mars), the ancient Greek god of war. It is the seat of Itylo (Oitylo) municipality as well as Itylo province. Areopoli was not always the name of the city. Tsimova was Areopoli's first name. The war of Independence started at Areopoli, on the 17th of March 1821. Now Areopoli has grown into a flourishing town. Limeni is her port. GEROLIMENAS: Gerolimenas village is situated at the south end of Lakonia, close to Tenaro cape and at the east side of Cavo Grosso. It is believed to be built on the remains of the ancient Ippola. During ancient times the town was called “Ieros Limelas” (Sacred Harbor). Gerolimenas’ natural harbor and the incomparable view to the infinite blue and Tenaro cape, create unique pictures. The beach is ideal for swimming. It is a really enchanting beach, a pole of attraction for the lovers of swimming. |
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 Areopoli street |
 Areopoli houses |
Gerolimenas beach |
 Gerolimenas |
| PORTOKAGIO: Is the last port of eastern Mani, down to Cape Tainaro, located in a small enclosed bay. The real name, as they know and say the locals, is Psomathias (Homer Psamathefs). Pausanias and Strabo called the Ancient Evlimeni Psamathous. Graves and remains of inscriptions has been founded. TAINARO: Cape Tainaro or Tenaro, also known as Cape Matapan, is situated in Mani, Laconia.. Tainaro is the most southern point of mainland Greece and Europe. Tainaro has been an important place for thousands of years. The ancient Spartans built several temples. Tainaro was once the place where mercenaries waited to be employed. There is a lighthouse which it is now in disuse. There is a cave at the tip of Tainaro that Greek legends claim was where Hades (Adis), the god of the dead, lived. |
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 Portokagio |
 Portokagio beach |
 Cape Tainaro Lighthouse |
 The cape Tainaro |
