# Swimming in Limeni bay

What to do en Mani Peninsula · Mani Peninsula

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/peloponnese/mani-peninsula/things-to-do/limeni · Revisado: 2026-11-12

- Temporada: June – October
- Para quién: Good swimmers

Swimming in deep, very clear water in the port of Areopoli, from rocks and jetties, beside Petrobey's palace. No sand, free.

What it is
Limeni is the port of Areopoli: a hamlet of stone houses built beside the water, in a bay on the west coast of central Mani, about 5 km by road from the town. The bay is the safest natural harbour on Mani's west coast, and it shows in the water: sheltered, very clear and deep almost from the shore. It is not a sandy beach. You swim from the rocks and jetties of the village, with the water quickly covering you. It is a swim for good swimmers and for mask and snorkel.
Limeni has been a declared traditional settlement since 1978 and has barely a dozen permanent residents.
What you see
Petrobey's palace. A little above the houses on the quay is the so-called palace of Petros Mavromichalis, Petrobey, the last bey of Mani, the family that dominated Areopoli and made Limeni grow from 1770. It is an elongated building, 5.5 by 17 m, with a gabled roof and its facade to the sea, and a four-storey tower at its south end. It is simple, but its size and quality set it apart from the other houses of the time.
The defences. In the bay there is a round bastion and fortified caves in the cliffs, the so-called refuges.
The monastery. At the north end are the ruins of the monastery of the Panagia Evretria or Vreti, with a building of megalithic architecture, and the church and the three-storey tower, from the first half of the 18th century.
The bay. Opposite you have Karavostasi, the port of Itylo, and the mountains falling to the Gulf of Messenia.
Getting there and parking
By car, drive down from Areopoli on the coast road towards Itylo and Kalamata: Limeni lies below, beside the water. There is little parking in the hamlet and the road is narrow: in summer, go early or park where you will not obstruct and walk. Without a car, from the Areopoli KTEL stop it is about 5 km of winding road.
Swimming and safety
The water deepens at once and there is no shallow area. If you go with small children who do not swim, a long sandy beach is better, such as Mavrovouni, beside Gytheio. Watch out for the boats in the port: swim away from the mooring area. With a ground swell, getting in and out over the rocks gets harder; choose another day.
When to go
For swimming, June to October. The bay faces west: at sunset the sun drops over the water and it is the classic time to swim and stay for dinner. Early in the morning there is more room on the rocks.
Eating and sleeping
The Limeni Village restaurant, of the tower hotel above the bay, serves home cooking. Sleeping at the Limeni Village, 4 km from Areopoli, leaves the bay beneath you. For the day, combine the swim with the old town of Areopoli and the Diros caves.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 36.6798, 22.373

## Cerca de aquí

- [Limeni Village](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/peloponnese/mani-peninsula/where-to-stay/limeni-village), a 80 m
- [Limeni Village restaurant](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/peloponnese/mani-peninsula/where-to-eat/limeni-village-restaurant), a 80 m
- [O Barba Petros taverna](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/peloponnese/mani-peninsula/where-to-eat/barba-petros), a 1.7 km
- [Areopoli old town](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/peloponnese/mani-peninsula/things-to-do/areopoli-old-town), a 1.8 km
- [Diros caves by boat](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/peloponnese/mani-peninsula/things-to-do/diros-caves), a 4.7 km
- [Gythion Bay Camping](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/peloponnese/mani-peninsula/where-to-stay/gythion-bay-camping), a 16.3 km
- [Camping Meltemi](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/peloponnese/mani-peninsula/where-to-stay/camping-meltemi), a 17.0 km
- [Meltemi campsite grill and minimarket](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/peloponnese/mani-peninsula/where-to-eat/meltemi-mini-market), a 17.0 km

## Consejos

### Mask and snorkel
The water is so clear that the best is below. Bring water shoes for the rocks too.

### Sunset at Limeni
The bay faces west. Go late, swim and stay for dinner.

### Park sensibly
The hamlet is small and the road narrow. In summer, arrive early.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Does Limeni bay have sand?
No. It is a small harbour: you swim from the rocks and jetties, and the water deepens at once.

### Is it suitable for small children?
Only if they swim well. For those who do not, a sandy beach like Mavrovouni, beside Gytheio, is better.

### What is Petrobey's palace?
The tower house of Petros Mavromichalis, the last bey of Mani, above the village: an elongated building with a four-storey tower.

Destino: [Mani Peninsula](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/peloponnese/mani-peninsula.md)