Peloponnese, Greece · Europe
Messíni is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Thouría, 15km from Polylimnio Waterfalls.
Messíni is in Peloponnese, Greece, with about 6,800 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Thouría, about 5 km away.
Messini (Greek: Μεσσήνη, before 1867: Νησί Nisi) is a municipal unit (dimotiki enotita) and the seat town (edra) of the municipality (dimos) of Messini within the regional unit (perifereiaki enotita) of Messenia in the region (perifereia) of Peloponnese, one of 13 regions into which Greece has been divided. BeforeRead more
2011 the same hierarchy prevailed, according to Law 2539 of 1997, the Kapodistrias Plan, except that Messenia was a nomos and the Municipal unit was a locality (topiko diamerisma). The dimos existed under both laws, but not with the same constituents.
Messini (modern pronunciation) is not to be confused with its ancient namesake, Messene, located 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) to the north in the shadow of Mount Ithome. Ancient Messene is an equally large but abandoned site of ruins partially occupied by the small village of Mavrommati.
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Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Messíni.
Within an hour or so of Messíni: Polylimnio Waterfalls (15 km), Ancient Messene (16 km), Langada Pass (28 km), Mystras (32 km).
The nearest famous roads are Langada Pass.
Messíni is in Peloponnese, Greece, about 5 km from Thouría.
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Places within a drive of Messíni. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Essential numbers in Greece
Tourist police (English-speaking): 171.
Full driving guide for Greece8 notable places within an hour's drive.
waterfall
A hidden gorge in Messenia holding a chain of some 15 waterfalls and jade swimming lakes with names like Kadi and Mavrolimna, linked by ladders and footpaths. Park above Kalochori-Haravgi village and descend into the ravine.
15 km · about 30 min drive
ancient ruins
One of Greece's most complete and least-crowded ancient cities: a vast 4th-century-BC site with an intact stadium, theatre, agora and the massive Arcadian Gate, spread below the village of Mavromati.
16 km · about 30 min drive
mountain pass
Legendary mountain road between Sparta and Kalamata, carving through the Langada Gorge over the Taygetus range: hairpins, sheer drops and some of the finest driving scenery in the Peloponnese.
28 km · about 30 min drive
ancient ruins
A spectacular fortified Byzantine ghost city on a steep hillside near Sparta, with churches containing precious medieval frescoes.
32 km · about 35 min drive
beach
A near-perfect Omega-shaped sandy bay in Messinia, ringed by dunes and a ruined castle above.
33 km · about 40 min drive
castle
A sprawling Venetian sea-fortress juts into the water on a causeway at the Peloponnese's tip.
37 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
A wild, remote region of the southern Peloponnese with tower houses, Byzantine churches, and the mythical entrance to Hades at Cape Tainaron.
48 km · about 55 min drive
photogenic
The old harbour of Areopoli: a handful of stone houses and tavernas set directly on water so clear the fishing boats appear to float in air. Sea turtles cruise the shallows; the Mavromichalis clan tower still guards the bay.
53 km · about 60 min drive
April to October
Other places to explore near Messíni.
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