Location: Areopoli
Top Things to do in Areopoli
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Top 8 Things to do in Areopoli, Greece
Areopoli (Greek: Αρεόπολη, before 1912 also: Τσίμοβα - Tsimova), known as "Χειμαύα" (from Greek "Χειμαδιών") in the regional Maniot tongue, is a town on the Mani Peninsula, Laconia, Greece. The word Areopoli means "city of Ares", the ancient Greek god of war. It was the seat of Oitylo municipality. Areopoli was called Tsimova by the invading Slavs during the 7th century AD. The Greek War of Independence was started at Areopoli on March 17, 1821 by Petros Pierrakos, also known as Petros Mavromichalis, the last bey of Mani. Now Areopoli has grown into a flourishing town. Its tower houses, constructed with field stones, are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterize many Greek villages.
Restaurants in Areopoli
1. Diros Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 810 reviews
5000 meters of subterranean caves boat trip lasting 30 mins and 10 minute walk. One of the most beautiful lake caves in the world.
Reviewed By Yianni53 - Montreal Quebec
I've done quite a number of caves in Greece. A bit more effort could make this one exceptional. There was no English guide, and even though I understand some Greek, our guide just mumbled an a rhythmic tone. Hard to follow. What should be added is underwater lighting so we can truly experience the site. For those unfamiliar, it's starts with a boat ride and you exit on a walking path towards the shoreline.
2. Caves of Diros
Overall Ratings
4 based on 121 reviews
A large underground network of caves full of strangely shaped rock formations.
Reviewed By LucyKate - Canberra, Australia
Diros Caves are just about the most exciting and beautiful cave tour you are likely to do anywhere.
At every turn on this 25 minute boat trip you will be delighted by well lit stalactites, shawls and crystals shining from walls and ceilings.
The caves seem to go on and on but they are never boring - every new chamber offers new wonders and excitement.
But keep your head down and your eyes open - these passages are often narrow and formations come at you from every angle, often head high.
Although this location is remote, and crowds seem small, with just 8-10 people a boat, and each boat taking 25 minutes for a tour plus return, even a single coach can take an hour or 2 to clear so don't leave this until the afternoon or you will miss out. If you are here before 11 you should beat the coach tours.
If possible, check port lists for places such as Gytheion, and try to schedule your visit for a day when you won't be competing with hundreds of cruise passengers.
There are toilets, and a small shop on site selling drinks and ice creams but otherwise little to do but gaze at the sea and wait your boat, which, on our tour, took around 2 hours.
None of the guides spoke English, so, don't expect commentary other than the occasional remarks to duck your head or keep your arms in the boat (no touching allowed!) but we didn't mind - there's not much they could say other than to repeatedly point out the formations
The tour was well worth the wait and after leaving the cave the photos taken at the start of the trip were ready for purchase and reasonably priced.
3. Skoutari Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By dinstereo
This is a nice family beach with sand, so be warned :) It has a few trees so you will also need an umbrella. But the waters are very clean and the beach is really quiet!
4. Bukka Home Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By dinstereo
Best bar in Areopolis, period. It is located in the best part of the town, near the main square and the old church. Spacious, with great seats no matter where you choose to sit.
Pet friendly. Very nice service.
The only "sour" spots in the, otherwise excellent experience we had, is the trend in all Greek bars to offer strange and peculiar cocktails that cost double the price and offer half the alcohol. Take for example, the Zombie cocktail. Generally, you only need one since it is supposed to have three full shots of rum. There, it shouldn't have been more than one; we felt we were drinking more of a juice than a cocktail.
So, perhaps go for straight drinks, you'll enjoy them more.
But do go, this is a place you can't miss.
5. Shipwreck Dimitrios
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By Alessandra B - Athens, Attiki, Greece
Perfect if you like a trifle hounted atmosphere for your swim. The water is very accessible, warm to hot, so clear that carretta carrettas have their favorite nesting spots on the shore. No danger if you swim behind the wreck, but if you enter you do it at your own risck. The rust is not polluting as a reviewer wrote: the water is full of life!
Black spots: I detest noisy tavernas on the beach and turists who do'nt consider the garbage bin as an option, trashing the dunes with plastic and tins. I use to collect the garbage in plastic bags I carry with me to the garbage general, and the sorroundig tourists stearing at me with an odd glance. I BELIEVE IN GIVING THE GOOD EXAMPLE, especially if kids are around.
6. Profitis Ilias Church
Overall Ratings
4 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By ThanosFot - Athens, Greece
On the road connecting Gythio and Areopoli, just few Km before you arrive in Areopolis (Laconia, Greece) and some hundred of meters before you see the monument for Mani you might see on your left an iron door that closes the area used by the locals as scrap heap or/and pastureland for goats. Behind this door starts a difficult and narrow road that ends on the peak of the mountain above Areopolis. Once you reach the Peak with your car the magnificent view of the coasts of Southern Peloponnese and its villages will reward you. In a clear day (suggested to be there morning hours) you can see as far as Kalamata and Skala. You can watch the wild beautiful scenery, see the little chapel of Profitis Ilias and even spot/discover some ruined Castles in the nearby area. Some years ago the door leading to the peak was unlocked only for some days around 20th of July but now is unlocked more and more often. Once you have passed the gate please close it and be careful with the road.
7. La Roca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By ThomBorth - Wells-next-the-Sea. Norfolk
A tiny barrel roofed 'cave' of a bar with a charming host who speaks reasonable English. Good music and a young vibe, but they were quite happy to serve this pair of geriatrics. Highly recommended.
8. Byzantine Museum Manis
Overall Ratings
3 based on 1 reviews
The religiosity of the Μaniots The permanent exhibition in the Museum of the Pikoulakis Tower, entitled “Histories of Religious Belief in Mani”, presents and interprets ecclesiastical monuments, a dominant element in the Maniot landscape, in two thematic sections: “The Appearance and Consolidation of Christianity” and “The Church: Place of Worship-Space for Communication”.
Reviewed By ThomBorth - Wells-next-the-Sea. Norfolk
Of limited interest unless you are interested in the history of the churches of the area (which we were). A small well curated collection and worth a visit if you are in Areopoli.
