Gythion Ferry

Gythion Guide

Gythion Ferry Port

Found upon a hilly peninsula in the south of Greece, on the shores of the vast Laconian Gulf, is the historic city of Gythion. Once the site of a major seaport in the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta, the town is now a vibrant seafront community characterised by its tangle of winding roads, tiers of pastel-coloured houses, and the wealth of cafes, bars and seafood restaurants that pepper the plazas and the promenade. Much of Gythion is built upon the pine-studded foothills that rise from the coast to Mount Koumaros to the west. At the bottom of these hills, along the edge of town, is the sparkling ultramarine waters of the Mediterranean bay. It’s a sweeping view best sampled from the rocky outcrop of Cranae island connected to Gythion’s coastline. The port of Gythion is found in the humming heart of town, on a section of the coast that overlooks an inlet of the gulf sheltered by a long pier. At the foot of this pier, where small yachts bob upon the gently lapping swell of the shallows, is the local ferry terminal. This small facility consists of little more than a departure point nestled between a cluster of alfresco restaurants. There are no dedicated passenger amenities at the terminal meaning that food, drink and other supplies can only be purchased in town before departure. Much of the south Peloponnese region that encompasses Gythion is comprised of rural land fed by very few major road routes. The town’s nearest roadway is the E039 which snakes north through the verdant countryside towards the city of Sparta under 30-miles away, a route that is regularly traversed by public buses leaving from stops near the harbour. A number of ferry services operate from the port on a limited schedule throughout the week. Lane Sea Lines offers three different routes south along the Mediterranean Sea to the small islands of Kythira and Antikythira as well as to the port-town of Kissamos on the larger island of Crete.