Githio is Laconia’s historical harbour. A beautiful green slope touches the sea and here, at the junction, clusters of houses survey the sunrise in an amphitheater-like formation. The ruins of the ancient city and the ancient theatre still exist today.
It is worthwhile to visit the Historical Ethnological Museum of Mani, located in the Tzannetakis tower in Kranai, the small island next to the harbour. Also, just a few kilometres after Gythio to the West, the Frankish castle of Passavas stands on an elevation.
Gythio is a city that prospered under the Lacedemonians. Today it constitutes one of the more touristic centres of Southern Peloponnese. Gythio is the crossroad of Sparti, Areopolis, Skala and communicates by sea with the island of Kythera. There are regular ship routes which connect Gythio with Kythera, AntiKythera and Hania, Crete. The city and its suburbs harbour modern touristic facilities such as hotels, restaurants, ouzo shops and cafes. Fresh fish and seafood delicacies such as octopus are the best way to enjoy your time on the bay. Located next to Gythio, Mavrovouni has a gorgeous beach suitable for swimming and sea sports.
For many years now, the shores of the Laconian gulf are visited by our favourite turtles Caretta - Caretta. This is where they hatch, and return yearly to lay their eggs. The non-governmental organization of environmental importance, “Archelon” (http://www.archelon.gr) is active in sea turtle protection and involved in several other projects concerning the Laconian coasts.
