Describing Mesta’s amazingness on Chios Island is a bit challenging. Someone has to experience it for real! It is a traditional village, almost 35 kilometers from the central city. It belongs to the Mastic villages, and of course, the primary production there is Mastic.
Together with the area of Kambos and Pyrgi, the locals describe this area as the jewel of Chios. You will experience a combination of natural beauty and the unspoiled medieval atmosphere. The architecture is one of a kind and attracts many international architects and photographers to study the buildings.
To fully experience this unique village, the best thing is to park your car at the entrance of the town and walk towards the inside section. You can always choose this activity as an afternoon or early morning walk. Make sure you avoid the hours of the heat.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission.
Visiting the Medieval Village of Mesta in Chios
How to get to Mesta
You can get the bus from the Central bus stop in the town of Chios, and it will take an hour and twelve minutes to get to Mesta. Also, check the availability of the scheduled trips as depending on the season, there might be more than three buses a day.
You can take a taxi which will take you there in 35 minutes and costs between 29-35 euros. Prices change depending on the season.
Another option is to hire a car, which is probably the best thing to do if you plan to spend more than five days on the island. Again with a car, you will get to Mesta in 35 minutes, and prices vary for different car rentals.
Last but not least, there is the option of riding a bike or hiking, but be aware of the heat and the dangerous roads as there are no sidewalks.
Lastly, Mesta has its own port, and you can get a direct ferry from Piraeus (Athens) and a few other islands to get there. Remember that direct ferries from Piraeus are only five times a week, subject to change in different seasons.
History of Mesta
Mesta belongs to the group of villages in South Chios, which has been added to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, UNESCO. The village was built during the Byzantine era. It is a medieval small town with one of the island’s most beautiful castles.
It dominates a small valley and is made in a pentagonal and closed quadrangular shape. The inner streets of the castle take the form of a labyrinth, while the houses on the outside play the role of walls and are a fortification of the inner city.
Pirates usually attacked the town, and the defense against them was executed from the roofs of the houses. The urban planning of this town was designed to prevent intruders from invading the inner parts.
In 1566 the island was occupied by the Turks. It was not dependent on the capital of Chios, but it was linked directly with Istanbul. The village and some others were dedicated to the Sultan’s mother, which is why they had to form a separate administrative region.
Where to stay in Mesta
Stoes Traditional Suites is only 150 m from the city center of Mesta. The traditional suites were fully restored in 2018 under the supervision of the Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities. The suites are spacious and self-contained. Continental and a la carte breakfast are offered daily to the guests.
Lida Mary is located 200 m from the city center. Its characteristics are wooden floors and stone walls. The hotel is an escape to another era, and its rooms are in the best-preserved fortified village. Guests can enjoy a full breakfast from local producers in a nearby restaurant.
What to do near Mesta
Mesta is surrounded by more than ten virgin beaches, all within a distance of around 5 km. So, you can take a dip in one of them or even all of them. You will be amazed by the natural beauty. Two of them are Avlonia and Salagona, the water can be a bit chilly, but it is worth it on a hot summer day.
If you like adventure, you must visit Apothika Beach Scuba & Kayak, where you can choose from different activities.
You can also visit Pyrgi village, which is only 10km away, don’t forget to take your camera with you as you will want to take lots of photos of the fantastic painting on the houses.
Around 16 minutes away, you will find the Chios Mastic Museum, which showcases the history of Mastic production, from the tree’s cultivation and the process of its resin. Mastic is a unique natural product and, in 2015, was recognized as a natural medicine.
The island of Chios has a unique beauty as most of its parts are unspoiled and virgin. If you don’t want to visit the island in the very hot months, you can always take a trip during the autumn and spring seasons, where you can see the different colors of nature, especially in the spring when nature is blooming.
Planning a trip to Chios? Check my other guides:
Best things to do in Chios
Best Chios Beaches