Itilo is located 80km south of Sparti. It is considered one of the most beautiful and graphic towns of Mani. It is near to Limeni bay, at 240m. altimeter. Itilo is a really big temptation for the visitor.
It took its name after Argio Itilo son of Amfianakta. To Omiros is refered as one of Achaias towns which were governed by Menelaos.
Eastern of Itilo, in the ambit of Githio the mountain Saggias expands, while at the north, rises the south foot of Taigetos Mountain.
Although the half region of Itilo is hilly, the region of the beaches is flat and you can enjoy all the wild beauty around.
Itilo distinguishes for its graphic and unique landscapes. You will love the tasteful local food and the warm hospitality of the residents. One more of the characteristics that visitors adore is that there are located 67 traditional settlements which are made of stone.
Visit the archaeological beauties of Itilo such as: the castles of the area, the Byzantine and Post- Byzantine churches with the amazing hagiographies, the impressive towers, and the romantic paths which are made of stone.
You should also visit the churches of Saint George, of Metamorfosis Sotiros, The Assumption and the Dekoulou abbey.
Itilo has a variety of interesting speleological and scientific sights. You will be amazed from the rich natural decor that the caves have. Thousands of visitors every year visit the caves of Dirou which are located at this area.
The unique flora and fauna as well as the smells of the thyme and the sage will impress you.
At Itilo you will enjoy your swim and the sun at the beautiful beaches with sand or with pebble. It is a magic place that worths to visit.
Areopoli 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. 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.
Areopoli is situated near the west coast of the Mani Peninsula, 1.5 km from its port Limeni. It is 20 km southwest of Gytheio. There is lively open air market in the main square each Saturday, with a lot of local producers present.
Diros Cave, Nature’s Underground Cathedral (ticket entrance fee €13).
The spectacular cave complex of Diros in the Peloponnese offers visitors the opportunity to travel back to the Neolithic era and even further.
It is not just the drop in temperature that gives you the chills as you descend underground to start the 40-minute boat tour of Vlychada, the biggest cave of the Diros complex. It is the beautiful and dramatic formations of stalactites and stalagmites, formed millions of years ago, when the sea, located just a few meters away, started to rise and formed the lake we see today. It is the excitement of not knowing what can be hiding in the darkness beyond the illuminated 1.5k route, and the realization of the sheer size of this underground miracle of nature: a series of vast caverns stretching 15k into the rock, with 2,800 waterways – and this is only what we know of so far.
Visit of churches admission free. Water, hat and sunglasses, loose clothing and comfortable shoes needed.