Best things to do in Mesi in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Mesi is an inland village in the Rethymno region of Crete, 4.2 km south-east of the coast at Pigianos Kambos. Rethymno city lies west of the village, and the resorts of Rethymno Bay fill the ground between Mesi and the sea. Four gorges lie within 7 km, and the monastery of Arsani stands 3.5 km north.
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Mesi. The village keeps a taverna of its own 100 m from the centre and 9 more places to eat within 3.5 km, which makes it a workable base for people who want the Rethymno beaches without staying on them.
Things to do in and around Mesi
Six outings lie within about 10 km of the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Visit the Arsani monastery. The monastery stands 3.5 km north, between the village and the coast, and Arsaniou is the nearest of the sights around Mesi.
- Hike the Prasses Gorge. The gorge 4.7 km west, also called the Prassano, starts south of Prasses village and gives a three-hour walk through enormous rocks and some hard passages. Prasses opens only from mid-June to mid-October, because it doubles as the overflow channel for the Potami dam.
- Walk the Arkadi Gorge. The 4.5 km route 5.1 km south-east starts just north of Arkadi Monastery and takes about 2 hours along the eastern bank of a green rocky ravine, and Arkadi ends near Pikris where the Gypofarago gorge joins it. There is no entrance fee and no water on the trail.
- Swim at Skaleta. The beachfront 5.2 km north runs 3 km east and closes the Bay of Rethymno, and Skaleta covers Sfakaki and Stavromenos as well, each about 1 km from the next.
- See the potters at Margarites. The village 9.6 km east is the pottery centre of this part of Crete, with Venetian roots reaching back to the 16th century, and Margarites sits near the ancient town of Eleftherna.
- Spend a day in Rethymno. The regional capital west of the village is the preserved Renaissance city of Crete, and Rethymno holds the Loggia, the Neratze and Veli Pasha mosques and the church of Agios Frangiskos inside a working modern town.
About the village and its setting
Mesi is a small inland village in the Rethymno region, set in the farmland behind Rethymno Bay. The coast road and its resorts run 4 km to 6 km north-west, the hills start immediately west and south, and the village itself holds one taverna, with a scatter of others in the settlements around.
Gorges fill the hills west and south. Prasses is the long one at 4.7 km west, running down through the rocky hills of Gargana with plane trees along the streambed, and its water finishes in the Platania suburb east of Rethymno. Arkadi, 5.1 km south-east, is the moderate one and pairs with the monastery above it. Kaminolakkos lies 6.3 km south-west and Mili 7 km west. Neighbouring villages add their own draws: Maroulas 2.9 km west, Kapsaliana 3.4 km east and Pigi, whose fields gave Pigianos Kambos its name.
Beaches near Mesi
Mesi has no beach of its own, and the 4 nearest lie between 4.2 km and 5.8 km north-west along Rethymno Bay. One continuous strip of sand runs about 13 km east from Rethymno harbour to Skaleta, and the beaches below are sections of it rather than separate coves.
- Pigianos Kambos lies 4.2 km north-west, also called Pigi beach, 8 km east of Rethymno. The name means “plain of Pigi”, after the fields that belong to Pigi village inland. It is less developed than Adelianos Kambos next door and quieter than the beaches nearer the city.
- Adelianos Kambos sits 4.7 km north-west, also called Adele Beach, 6 km east of Rethymno. The sandy stretch of the Rethymno Gulf starts here and carries on to Skaleta. The suburb grew out of the vegetable fields of Adele village, and local buses run to it from the city centre.
- Skaleta is 5.2 km north, beginning 11 km east of Rethymno and running 3 km east. Sfakaki comes first, Stavromenos follows 1 km on, and Skaleta itself closes the gulf where the sand narrows and fades.
- Platanes closes the list 5.8 km north-west, in front of the Pervolia, Missiria and Platanias suburbs. Shallow light-blue water, sunbeds and lifeguards in season, and a shore that loggerhead sea turtles use for nesting.
Where to eat in Mesi
Eating in Mesi starts 100 m from the centre and spreads through the villages around, with 9 more places within 3.5 km. Tavernas make up most of the list, and one of them works from a biofarm.
- Kastro Mesi Tavern is the taverna in the village, 100 m from the centre.
- Taverna Zorbas stands 1.9 km north-west, at Pigi.
- Taverna Faragi lies 2.3 km east.
- Taverna-Biofarm Armos works a biofarm 2.6 km west.
- Taverna Mylopetra is 2.9 km west, at Maroulas.
- Elaia Restaurant sits 3.4 km east, at Kapsaliana.
Getting to Mesi
Reach Mesi by turning inland from the coast road along Rethymno Bay, at Pigianos Kambos 4.2 km north-west or at Skaleta 5.2 km north. Rethymno lies west of the village and Margarites 9.6 km east, and Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport.
A car suits this village. The beaches lie 4 km to 6 km away and the gorges up to 7 km, on minor roads between the farmland villages.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Mesi in Crete?
Mesi lies inland in the Rethymno region of Crete, 4.2 km south-east of Pigianos Kambos on Rethymno Bay. Rethymno city stands west of the village and Margarites 9.6 km east.
Does Mesi have a beach?
Mesi is inland and has no beach, but 4 lie within 5.8 km. Pigianos Kambos, 4.2 km north-west, is the nearest, and all 4 are sections of the single sandy strip that runs about 13 km from Rethymno harbour east to Skaleta.
Which airport is nearest to Mesi?
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Mesi. The village sits in the Rethymno region, and the approach runs along the north coast and then inland from Rethymno Bay.
Can you walk a gorge from Mesi?
Four gorges lie within 7 km of Mesi. Prasses, 4.7 km west, takes about 3 hours and opens only between mid-June and mid-October. Arkadi, 5.1 km south-east, is a moderate 2-hour walk. Kaminolakkos is 6.3 km south-west and Mili 7 km west.
What is Mesi close to?
Mesi is closest to the Rethymno Bay resorts, 4 km to 6 km north-west. Arkadi Monastery lies south-east above its gorge, the Arsani monastery 3.5 km north, and the pottery village of Margarites 9.6 km east.
Where Mesi is
Best things to do in Mesi in 2024 is located at Mési. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
