Take a ferry to Mesta on the Greek Island of Chios and enjoy a few days in this beautiful medieval treasure that is a part of the famous mastic villages!
The small but amazing village of Mesta that has been preserved as a monument, is located 35 kilometers south west of the town of Chios and is part of the area called Masic Villages ( Mastihochoria). This well preserved village is a unique blend of natural beautiful landscapes and of an unspoiled medieval architecture and the jewel of the island of Chios.
The village was built in the 12th century as a castle with one house next to each other, forming a fortified wall protecting the village, during the Byzantine period. The entire village has a characteristic quadrilateral shape and an arrangement that looks like a labyrinth with dominating arches and narrow paved stress and alleys. The houses that are located at the outer edges of Mesta do not have windows looking towards the outer part of the village as they served the role of a defense wall. The architecture of the village is one of a kind and attracts hundreds of international architects that study the buildings and thousands of photographers and tourists from all over the world.
The beautiful mansions all around the village testify that its inhabitants were wealthy as Mesta used to be and still is a basic producer of the famous mastic. Mesta and the other mastic villages have been added to the representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of Unesco.
Book in advance your ferry tickets to Mesta and get ready to travel back in time to the Middle Ages as the village is one of the most well preserved medieval monuments and still has an unspoiled medieval atmosphere.
How to get to Mesta by ferry
The village of Mesta can be easily reached by the main port of Athens, Piraeus and from the island of Mytilini in the north Aegean. However, there is a ferry connecting the main port of the island of Chios with a few islands of the Cyclades like Ikaria, Mykonos, Syros, Samos and a ferry route from the port of Thessaloniki (located in Northern Greece). The distance from the port to the village is only 39 kilometers ( approximately a 50 minutes drive). Almost every ferry route from the mainland and the other islands of the Aegean is active throughout the year.
- Piraeus to Mesta: there is one sailing per week and the duration of the trip is approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes with a conventional ferry that offers many accommodation options (deck seats, airtype seats or cabins) and a garage for those that want to bring their car with them
- Mytilini to Mesta: with one weekly sailing with a conventional ferry you can travel from the island of Mytilini directly to the port of Mesta within 4 hours and 20 minutes
Mesta ferry port
The Ferry Port of Mesta is the second busiest port of the island and is located on the southwest coast of the island, serving as a getaway to the amazing medieval town of Mesta. The distance between the port and the center of the town is only 3 kilometers. The port is relatively small and there are no parking lots but there is a coffee shop and a few restaurants nearby. During the summer months the port can get really busy so we suggest you arrive at least one hour before your scheduled departure time.
Transportation in Mesta
As the port is really close to the town you can easily reach the port either on foot or by car.
Bus
There is a public bus service running from the main town to Mesta and the port of Mesta.
For more information please contact : + 30 2271 027507.
Taxi
For an easiest and more convenient transfer to your destination you can also book a taxi.
For more information please contact +30 2271 200 112 or visit taxis in Mesta.
Holidays in Mesta, Chios
The village is located in a small valley in the area called Mastihochoria and it was built as a fortress for protection against the frequent attacks by the Turks and the pirates. The outer walls of the village have adjoining parapets with small towers and gates at a few points and in the center of the village a defense tower, like an Acropolis, was built as a refuge for the inhabitants in case of attack. The village is an attraction for tourists because of its special architecture which is enriched with wall art and because of the astonishing beauty of the wider area.
Get ready to discover Mesta and let us help you organize your to-do list!
- Take a walk through the only open space of the village, the heart of Mesta, the square named Livadi
- Go for scuba diving or snorkeling as the island is one of the best places in Europe for such activities
- Visit the Museum of Masticha, built in a location surrounded by Chios Mastiha trees and discover the whole history and tradition of mastic
- Admire the beautiful iconography of the Church of the Archangels Towers over the village
- Visit Nea Moni Chiou which is the most important medieval monument protected by Unesco
- If you visit the village during the first day of the orthodox fasting before Easter, you will be able to see the traditional custom of Agas where a peculiar law cart is reenacted during which everyone visiting the village’s square on that day can be judged. In this way locals make fun, with a great sense of humor, of the way that Turks served justice during their reign
Hotels & accommodations in Mesta
All of the accommodation types in Mesta are located in beautiful medieval buildings and mansions that will satisfy every customer and its needs. Either you are looking for luxury and modern equipment or a traditional apartment with the characteristic element of stone made arches there are many options available.
Please find below some of the best rated hotels and accommodation in Mesta:
- Lida Mary
- Mesta Mastic
- Schinos Apartments
- Stoes Traditional Suites
- Medieval Castle
- Byzantine Home
- Karampela Despina
Mesta beaches
Like the rest of the beaches on Chios , the beaches around the town of Mesta are famous for its blue clean waters and the beautiful natural landscapes that surround them. The village is surrounded by at least ten virgin beaches all within a small distance.
Please find below a list with the best rated beaches of Mesta:
- Avlonia: a small, partly organized beach with a few sunbeds and umbrellas and a snack bar. Famous for its cold waters, ideal for a warm summer day
- Salagona: a 150 long, unorganized beach with transparent deep green blue waters and a sandy beach with small pebbles
- Apothika: the beach of Apothika is an ideal place for total isolation with crystal clear turquoise waters. A quiet clean bay surrounded by rock hills and lush vegetation
