Ferry to Mesta

As there are no current sailings on this route we cannot show ferry schedules at this present time.

There are no current operators on this route.

Travelers typically arrive at Chios Island's main port in Chios Town, from where Mesta is accessible by a 35-minute drive southwest. Regular public buses connect the main port to Mesta several times daily, with the journey showcasing the island's rugged landscape and mastic villages. Taxis are readily available at the ferry terminal for more direct transport, costing approximately €40-50 one-way. If renting a car, which is recommended for exploring the broader island, free parking is available at the village entrance, as the interior streets are too narrow for vehicles. The well-maintained road network makes navigation straightforward, with clear signage leading to this medieval marvel.

Tucked away in the southern part of Chios Island, Mesta stands as one of Greece's most remarkably preserved medieval villages. With its stone-built houses, narrow archways, and labyrinthine streets designed to confuse pirates, this fortified settlement offers a genuine step back in time. Arriving by ferry to Mesta opens the door to an authentic Greek experience where traditional life continues much as it has for centuries, surrounded by the famous mastic trees that have sustained the local economy for generations.

Late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) offer the perfect balance of warm, sunny days and comfortable temperatures for exploring Mesta's stone streets without the summer crowds. July and August bring hot weather with temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C (86°F), though the village's thick stone walls provide natural cooling. Winter visits (November-March) reveal a quieter, more authentic side of village life, though some tavernas may operate on reduced hours. The Holy Week before Greek Orthodox Easter transforms Mesta with candlelit processions and traditional celebrations, while August 15th marks the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with vibrant local festivities. Ferry services to Chios operate year-round but increase in frequency during the summer tourist season.

Mesta serves as an excellent base for exploring Chios Island's diverse attractions by ferry and local transport. The nearby port of Limenas provides connections to Psara Island, just a 45-minute ferry ride away, where pristine beaches and the historic monastery of Agios Nikolaos await. From Chios Town's main port, travelers can reach the cosmopolitan island of Lesvos in approximately 3 hours, experiencing its renowned olive groves and ouzo distilleries. Day trips to the Turkish coast are possible, with ferries to Çeşme taking just 30 minutes, offering a fascinating cross-cultural experience. The southern Aegean islands of Samos and Ikaria can also be reached via connecting ferries, making Mesta an ideal starting point for an island-hopping adventure through the Eastern Aegean.

Lose yourself in Mesta's medieval maze of narrow, arched alleyways that once protected villagers from pirate raids, eventually leading to the central square where the Byzantine church of Taxiarchis showcases remarkable 14th-century frescoes. Visit a traditional mastic farm to learn how the precious 'tears' of mastic resin, found only in southern Chios, are harvested and processed into everything from chewing gum to culinary delights. Savor authentic Chian cuisine at family-run tavernas, where mastichato (mastic-flavored lamb) and local cheeses like mastelo pair perfectly with souma, the potent local spirit. Just a short drive away, Mavra Volia Beach offers striking black pebbles against turquoise waters, while the nearby medieval villages of Olympi and Pyrgi display intricate geometric designs scratched into building facades using a technique called 'xysta'.

Mesta's unique defensive architecture features houses built directly against each other, creating an unbroken outer wall with just one main entrance that could be sealed during pirate attacks, a medieval security system that protected the valuable mastic trade. The village's intricate network of tunnels beneath the streets allegedly allowed residents to escape during sieges, with some passages rumored to lead all the way to the coast. Christopher Columbus is said to have visited Chios and possibly Mesta before his famous voyages, with some historians suggesting the island's nautical expertise influenced his navigation techniques. The mastic trees surrounding Mesta produce a resin so valuable it was worth its weight in gold during Ottoman times, earning the area protection as the personal property of the Sultan's mother.