Marathonisi Islet


According to mythology, tranquil, pine-shaded Marathonisi, connected to Gythio by a thin causeway, is ancient Cranae, where Paris (prince of Troy) and Helen (wife of Menelaus of Sparta) consummated the affair that sparked the Trojan War. A small 18th-century tower sits in the centre of the island; it houses the Mani Museum. We've yet to see it open, but we live in hope.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Shadow Theatre Museum

0.51 MILES

This beautiful little studio-museum-shop is run by personable local artist Giorgos Hassanakos. The small upstairs gallery pays homage to traditional…

2. Folkloric Museum

0.64 MILES

It may be compact, but this museum does a wonderful job of bringing to life the past residents of Gythio and the surrounding Mani. Themed rooms exhibit…

3. Church of Taxiarches

12.39 MILES

On the southern side of Plateia 17 Martiou is this 18th-century church. Its picturesque five-storey bell tower marks it as the most important of Areopoli…

4. Church of Agios Ioannis

12.4 MILES

The Church of Agios Ioannis, built by the Mavromichalis family on a tiny square west of the main square, contains a series of well-preserved frescoes…

5. Pikoulakis Tower House Museum

12.41 MILES

Housed in a restored tower, this museum displays exquisite Byzantine pieces from Mani churches. These include a 12th-century marble templon (chancel…

6. Diros Caves

13.35 MILES

These extraordinary flooded caves, inhabited since Neolithic times, lie 11km south of Areopoli and are signposted near the village of Pyrgos Dirou. The…

7. Tigani

18.52 MILES

This spectacular peninsula juts out of the Mani coast like an upside-down saucepan and, indeed, its Greek name means 'frying pan'. The high point of…

8. Kalogria

18.71 MILES

Pretty sandy beach north of the main beach in Stoupa. The water is beautiful and clear; sunbeds clog up the shore in summer.