Gythio is located in the southern part of the Peloponnese and is bathed by the laconic bay. It is only 250 km from Athens and about three hours by car.
Gythio is an island destination in mainland Greece.
Gythio is a seaside town built amphitheatrically on Mount Larysion or Koumaros. Its island characteristics is the main element that stands out when you visit it, with many neoclassical buildings such as the town hall of Gythio and the Cultural Center being the most important. Rich in history but few are the remnants of the glorious past of the area as in 375 AD. a strong earthquake and tidal wave destroyed the ancient city with most of it now being on the seabed. Despite this, the historical data that have been saved are a huge cultural heritage with the Ancient Theater of Gythio being just a sample of the greatness of the ancient city.
Walking around the picturesque Gythio
A walk along the coastal road with a view at the port and the fishing boats will take the visitor back to another era – a route that highlights the beauty and the character of Gythio. At the end of the road, the island of Kranai or Marathonisi is found. It is an island at the outskirts of the town, where rumor has it that Paris and Helen of Troy, also known as Helen of Sparta, spent their first night together. Saint Peter, a small church, is the first to encounter while entering the island of Kranai. At this point, exactly by the sea, you can enjoy Gythio from an opposite perspective. Moving to the inside, you will meet the traditional tower of Tzanetakis – Grigorakis, in the heart of the island. The tower today houses the Historical and Ethnological Museum of Mani. Finally, at the end of the road, the marble lighthouse which was built in 1873 and is one of the the oldest of its kind that is still in operation, dominates.
