Gythion is considered as the central spot of Laconia, which can be used as the starting point for a range of remarkable excursions.

1st Direction: The famous places Areopolis, Diros Caves, Gerolimenas, Vathia, Porto Cajio and then return to Alika and turn right for Lagia, Kokala, Kotrona, Areopoli and return to Gythio.

At a distance of 10 km, on the road to Areopolis, stands the ‘Fort of Passavas’, which is a castle still standing, built in 1254 by its first owner baron De Neigi and incorporates fragments of ancient Greek masonry. According to history, Turkish army during the revolution of 1821 stopped at this point, as it was impossible to beat the Greek patriots who faced the enemy from inside the castle. The name of the castle Passava comes from the French phrase, passe - avant = go further.

Going further stands the Kelefa fort, which was built by Turks in 17th century in a hill between Areopolis and Itilo, in order to control together with the Castle of Passava the south Mani. It has a pentagon design and disposes 6 towers.

Limeni, near Areopolis, is a gorgeous bay with blue green waters. The picturesque fishermen's village, unaffected by the pass of time, is one of the most beautiful villages in Mani, where you can eat fresh and tasty fish in the small taverns in front of the sea.

In Limeni stands the house of Mavromichalis family, where the revolution against Turkish regime started in 1821. It is renovated and currently houses the museum of Lineni with many interesting exhibits.
In Areopolis it is worth visiting the ancient church of Taxiarches (17th century) in the town centre.

At a distance of 37km stand the Diros Caves, one of the most famous caves in Europe, which have been firstly explored in 1949 by Ioannis and Anna Petrochilos. Diros Caves consist of three, already open to public, smaller caves. Vlyhada: Its temperature fluctuates from 16oC to 20oC.

Passages of about 5000m have been explored while its total extent is 33,400m2. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful lake Caves of the world. In its interior fossil animals have been discovered that existed 2 million years ago. Alepotripa: It is situated 200m. east of Vlyhada and was discovered in 1958.

The findings provide evidences of life in the Cave 6,000 years ago, many of which are exhibited in the "Stone Age Museum" of Diros, situated at the entrance of the Cave. The extent of the Cave is 6,500 m2, 600m2 of which consist of land with stalactites and stalagmites and the rest is covered by the water of an underground river. The average temperature of the Cave is 19oC and of the water 18oC.

Kataphyggi: It is located 500m on the left side of the road that leads to the former two Caves. It covers an area of 2,700m2 whereas the length of its passages is 700m.

At the distance of 42 km from Gythion stands Gerolimenas, a small traditional port built in front of an impressive massive rock, which enters the sea and seems as if it is cut with a huge knife and a little further Porto Kagio, a small traditional fishing port at the Southern part of the mainland of Europe, Cape Tenaron.

2nd Direction: Sparta and the Byzantine city of Mistras

Franks built the castle of Mistras in 1249 in their attempt to establish their supremacy over the Peloponnese. The Frankish prince Guillaume de Villehardouin erected the castle. He built houses, dungeons, storerooms, and courtyards. As time went by, houses were built on the hillside under the Frankish castle, and a town was born whose fate were to become the centre of civilization and the cradle of the last dynasty of the Byzantine emperors. With their imposing vaulted roofs and arcades these mansions lead up to the Palace, an architectural creation of the Palaiologues.

The most important monument you meet on the way up is the Cathedral of Agios Dimitrios. On the floor of the church is the two-headed eagle, symbol of the Palaiologos dynasty, carved into a plaque. According to tradition, this is where Constantinos stepped when he was crowned King. Next to it stands the carved throne. In 1449, Constantinos Palaiologos was crowned emperor of Byzantium and he left Mistras for Constantinople. In 1453 the Turks captured Constantinople, and a few years later, in 1460, the same fate befell Mistras. Mistras, the brilliant capital of the Despotate of the Morea, was reduced to an insignificant village. The churches into the castle of Mistras are impressive in their elegance and refinement. Frescoes are filled with bright colour and movement.

Going back to Gythion you meet Sparta, the capital of Laconia, a very nice city with neoclassic buildings, whose main road is decorated with high palm trees.

3rd Direction: Monemvasia – Elafonissos – Neapolis

At the far end of Peloponnese, on the southern east coast of the peninsula looking on to Mirtoon Sea, at a distance of 75 km form Gythion stands Monemvasia. A distinctly shaped great rock - "capsized ship" according to Greek poet Yiannis Ritsos - rising from the sea, only a few meters from the coast is often refered as the "Gibraltar of Greece". A thin strip of land links it with the Gefyra, a fishing village on the main land. It takes 15 to 20 minutes walking from Gefyra to Monemvasia. On the north side of the bay there are a few houses consisting the small village of Palea (old) Monemvasia.

A wall protects the lower town from three sides east, south and west. There are several churches around such as Panagia Chrisafitissa, Panagia Mirtidiotissa, Christos Elkomenos, Agia Sofia. A small zigzag path connects the lower town with the upper town. The Fort city of Monemvasia with the one and only gate as its name suggests (Moni=sole, Emvasia=entrance) turns a dream into reality.

Hordes of day-trippers mob the few cafes and souvenir shops nestled in grottoes of the original Byzantine dwellings, but at dusk peace returns. On top of the hillside is the church of Aghia Sophia, built in the 13th century. The paths that corkscrew down the hill reach the crystal-clear Aegean sea.

Some kilometres further someone can take a boat to pass opposite in only ten minutes to the small island of Elafonissos, famous for its beaches and fresh and cheap fish and lobster, or someone can go further to the most southern port of this promontory, Neapolis and come back to Gythion late at night, satisfied of his excursion.