Daily Excursion to Southern Chios, to the Mastic Villages

Starting from the town of Chios, our first stop is Pyrgi, the largest of the medieval villages and perhaps the most interesting in terms of folklore and anonymous architecture. A stroll through its narrow alleyways, where the architecture of the houses stands out due to their pyramidal roofs called "travaka", and the murals on the exterior walls, known as "Xista".

This is a technique of scratching the plaster on the façade, creating a continuous alternating pattern in black and white. Located in the village square, you can visit the great church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary and the Church of the Holy Apostles, a perfectly preserved Byzantine monument, small replica of the monastery of Nea Moni with beautiful frescoes of the XIII century.

Optional visit to Olympon Cave, which boasts a rich and impressive array of stalactites and stalagmites, ranking it amongst the most remarkable and beautiful caves in Greece.

Our next stop is the medieval village of Mesta, which is characterised as a preserved monument and is one of the best preserved fortified settlements under Genoese rule. During your tour,
you will notice that the village has only one entrance and one exit, whilst a stroll through its snaking alleyways, beneath the arches formed by the balconies, will offer you a unique experience and a journey back to the medieval vibe of the 14th century.

Visit the village’s two most important churches: the Church of Agioi Taxiarches in the central square, and the Church of Palios Taxiarchis, with its famous wood-carved iconostasis. Free time in the main square, followed by the departure for the seaside settlement of Emporios.

The beach at Emporios, known as "Mavra Volia", is unique thanks to its jet-black pebbles, which give the sea a deep, dark colour. This unique feature is linked to the extinct Psarona volcano, the eruption of which resulted in the stretch of beach adjacent to Emporios being covered in volcanic lava.

Free time for lunch at one of the seaside tavernas, which offer a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood, generous mezze, as well as many dishes from traditional Greek cuisine.

A visit to the Mastic Museum, where you can discover the traditional know-how behind mastic cultivation and get up close to the plant at various stages of its growth.

The final stop is the village of Armolia, whose inhabitants are skilled in the making and decoration of clay items. Here you can visit the shops, where jugs, vases, bowls and decorative items are displayed and sold, typical examples of the pottery tradition, the origins of which are lost in the mists of time.
In the afternoon, return to the town of Chios.
In the afternoon, return to Chios Town.