Mesta

Mesta is a village on the Greek island of Chios.

Understand
Built as a fort to ward off raiding pirates, the village has been remarkably preserved. The narrow maze-like streets are surrounded by thick walls, and towers on surrounding hills could be used to signal the appearance of raiders. The current church of the Archangels towers over the village, and has a remarkable history and beautiful iconography. The old church of the archangels (Taxiarchis) has a carved-wood icon stand that is well-preserved and can be visited (ask for someone to bring the key from the town square).

Get in
The village is served numerous times daily by municipal bus (KTEL/ΚΤΕΛ) from the main city (Hora) of the island.

Do
Apart from the village itself, the surrounding area has many great beaches.
 * Agia Dinami (about 6 km from Mesta, near the medieval village of Olimpi) – white sand.
 * – pebble beaches within a rocky setting.
 * Apothika – a black pebble beach with clear waters.
 * – twin beaches with white pebbles
 * – black sand

Mesta beaches are ideal for relaxation, swimming, fishing and scuba diving.

Go next

 * (Black Pebbles beach)- One of the most popular beaches on Chios Island.