Ancient Messini
Ancient Messini
Ancient Messini
5
About
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingAdmission tickets
from $14.50
All you need to step foot in the door.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Plan your visit
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
14 within 3 miles

Oinosofies Tavern Restaurant
370
423 ft$ • Mediterranean • Greek • Vegetarian Friendly

Ginger Cafe Gastro Bar
38
380 ft$ • Brew Pub • Bar • Pizza

...Tou Mariou
13
402 ft$ • Greek

To Tsipouradiko Tou Tseliou
8
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Greek

Xrisomilo
9
485 ftGreek • Healthy

Placebo Alternative Espresso Bar
6
389 ft$ • Bar • Pub • Dining bars

Kokkous Coffee
22
0.4 mi$ • French • Greek
Oinomagiremata
1
348 ft$ • Steakhouse • Mediterranean

Tabasco Mexican Cocteleria y Taberna
4
0.3 miMexican • Bar • Pub • Dining bars

To Nisi
9
526 ft$$ - $$$ • Bar • Cafe • Fast Food
Attractions
15 within 6 miles
ENGRAVING MUSEUM TAKIS KATSOULIDIS
4
0.2 miSpeciality Museums

Victoria G. Karelias Collection of Greek Traditional Costumes
127
Speciality Museums

Archaeological Museum of Messenia
217
History Museums

The Church of Agioi Apostoloi
122
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

Ypapanti Church
92
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

Kalamata Farmer's Market
58
Farmers Markets

Bouka-Mati Beach
16
2.8 miBeaches

Paralia Boukas
11
2.7 miBeaches

Museum of Military History Kalamata
41
Military Museums

Kalamata Municipal Railway Park
86
Parks
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
777 reviews
Excellent
651
Very good
107
Average
15
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Gene R J
Silver Spring, MD8,099 contributions
Apr 2022
After visiting the Archaeological Museum of Messenia in Kalamata, we drove 33 km northwest to this Hellenistic city ruins that thrived from the 3rd C BC to the 1st C AD.
After paying $11 each, we strolled 2.5 km to see the remarkable sites; Amphitheater, Agora, Treasury, Sanctuary of Asklepios, grave monuments and the Stadium.
Very pleased to see the reconstructed parts to make sense of it all, as there are many more ruins throughout.
After paying $11 each, we strolled 2.5 km to see the remarkable sites; Amphitheater, Agora, Treasury, Sanctuary of Asklepios, grave monuments and the Stadium.
Very pleased to see the reconstructed parts to make sense of it all, as there are many more ruins throughout.
Written April 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jacko V
Belgium124 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
This site is the best we have seen in Greece , and actually further.. Large site, hidden gems behind the small hills, beautiful arena, temple complexes, pillar galleries, one can imagine how this site has been in Ancient Greece times. The buildings and complexes really make this possible.
One can spend easily 3 hours there. We were early and enjoyed the site nearly only by ourselves (April). Site closes at 15h30.
Entry fee is 10 euro for an adult, EU children are free.
One can spend easily 3 hours there. We were early and enjoyed the site nearly only by ourselves (April). Site closes at 15h30.
Entry fee is 10 euro for an adult, EU children are free.
Written April 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hayley T
Swindon, UK32 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Great site to visit. Less touristy than Olympia but enjoyed it much more. Cost was €10 per adult and €5 for children. Couldn't see anywhere to buy drinks so make sure you take plenty of water as not much shade.
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Christsa2014
Athens, Greece120 contributions
Aug 2020
Despite the very high temperature (37 C), we loved our visit to the archaeological site and the museum. Many parts and buildings of the ancient city are excellently semi-restored, like the theatre, the stadium, the Asclepieion, the meat market. It is one of the best preserved Greek cities of the Hellenistic period. Congratulations to the last excavator Prof. Petros Themelis.
Very interesting exhibits in the small museum.
If you can afford, visit the site in April-May or September October. Also, prefer the south approach to the city.
Very interesting exhibits in the small museum.
If you can afford, visit the site in April-May or September October. Also, prefer the south approach to the city.
Written September 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Karina R
8 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
A delightful surprise to discover and a fascinating look at an ancient city that is very well preserved. Loads of mosaics, engravings and restored buildings and theatres that help you visualize history.
This place is better than the ruins I’ve seen anywhere else in Greece so far. There are so many to see and the signage is excellent.
This place is better than the ruins I’ve seen anywhere else in Greece so far. There are so many to see and the signage is excellent.
Written May 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ali
London, UK150 contributions
Aug 2020
This must be the best-restored and most beautiful ancient site in Greece. We hired a car for the day from Kalamata and drove - about 45 minutes - and saw it between 7 and 8pm, when the temperature was perfect and the light stunning. We had it pretty much to ourselves as there were hardly any other visitors at that time.
You gradually walk down a hillside from the old temples to the stadium, which opens out over the valley towards the sea. The green hills and rural setting make it incredibly beautiful.
You gradually walk down a hillside from the old temples to the stadium, which opens out over the valley towards the sea. The green hills and rural setting make it incredibly beautiful.
Written August 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Spiderdog
Cheshire, UK5,550 contributions
Sep 2020
This is an amazing site as you are looking at a complete city that covers a vast area.
So much to see and marvel at including one of the largest theatres of the ancient world,impressive mosaics and an almost complete stadium.
There is still ongoing work and restoration taking place so more treasures to be discovered each year.
The museum is on the road above the site and there is also the gate in the city walls which you can drive through on one approach to the site.
Allow plenty of time as there really is so much to see here.
So much to see and marvel at including one of the largest theatres of the ancient world,impressive mosaics and an almost complete stadium.
There is still ongoing work and restoration taking place so more treasures to be discovered each year.
The museum is on the road above the site and there is also the gate in the city walls which you can drive through on one approach to the site.
Allow plenty of time as there really is so much to see here.
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Babu2773
Chicago, IL877 contributions
Jun 2022
Give yourself a couple of hours to thoroughly explore this large site. Clean bathrooms are available at the entry gate and there are some shelters from the sun, or in our case, rain. Make sure to visit the small museum at the top of the road before driving down to the site.
Written June 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tom Carter
427 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Wow. Standing in the arena and imaging the crowd... and this is not a film stage set.. this is where it actually happened, only some 2,5 millennia ago. One can easily spent several hours exploring. The archeological excavation alone is lasting almost 200 years already.
Written October 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tonyc32
Tonyc32321 contributions
Oct 2020
Went here last week as part of a trip to all of the ancient sites in the Peloponneso region.
This was our favourite by far. First we were the ONLY tourists there but....given the time of year and COVID it was understandable.
This site is a lot bigger than you think and is amazing. Defo worth a visit.
This was our favourite by far. First we were the ONLY tourists there but....given the time of year and COVID it was understandable.
This site is a lot bigger than you think and is amazing. Defo worth a visit.
Written October 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Excursion10223012733
Santa Venera, Malta
is it possible to get to the top of Mt Ithomi by a normal car? thanks
Scribbler58
Chippenham, UK58 contributions
Can you take your dog with you to walk around the site?
AngelosS16
Athens, Greece184 contributions
Hi, I don't think there should be an issue provided you inform somebody or atleast in the worst case scenario keep your dog on a leash.
miss905
Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain7 contributions
How can you reach there by bus? (from pylos or gialova)
GreeceGuideEfi
Thessaloniki, Greece154 contributions
KTEL LOCAL BUSES
Kalamata – Ancient Messini (not on the weekends)
Hour Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
09:00 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
14:00 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
OR
Pylos – Gargaliani (village near ancient Messene and then by taxi on walking), not on Sundays
Hour Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
08:45 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
11:00 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
✔
13:15 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
16:45 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Look for all info at ktelmessinias website
Please note that ancient Messini is not where modern Messini is. No need to buy tickets online. It can be done in the bus station or on the bus to the drivers
Lorena P
2 contributions
Ci sono orari di apertura e chiusura?
STEFANIA C
Siena147 contributions
SI. Sono gli stessi di tutti i siti archeologici e storici statali: da aprile ad ottobre 08:00 - 20:00, da novembre a marzo 09:00 - 16:00. Potete trovare maggiori informazioni sul sito di “Ancient Messene”. Buona visita, merita davvero!
Virginie R
43 contributions
Bonjour, On est d'accord on parle bien de Messini qui est proche de l'aéroport (15min) ?? Car j'ai vu une autre ville qui s'appelle Messéne, mais plus haut, vers Moni Voulkanou.
Merci pour votre aide, si vous avez des liens pour les horaires et tarifs, n'hésitez pas ;)
Merci
Virginie
CilouG
Bordeaux, France190 contributions
Bonjour
Messini est près de l'aéroport de Kalamata. Mais le site de l'ancienne Messine se trouve à Ithomi, un peu plus au nord. Le tarif est de 12 euro (mais c'est le même prix à Epidaure ou Mécènes). J'espère vous avoir aidé. Cordialement. Cécile
Da silva B
Montauban, France5 contributions
Bonjour,
Pouvez vous me donner les horaires de visite du site.
Nous y serons mi septembre.
Merci pour les réponse
Mumi27
Normandie - France132 contributions
Bonjour,
A ma connaissance 8h-20h, sauf le lundi 13h-20h
Profitez :)
Mumi
christine B
Charleroi, Belgium11 contributions
Bonjour ! Nous irons dans le Péloponnèse en septembre prochain. Vaut-il mieux faire Kalamata, Messène, Koroni, Pylos ou alors Pylos, Marathopoli et Messene ? Merci pour votre réponse. Cordialement. Christine.
Is there a Guided Tour available at the Ancient Messini site? If so, how much does it cost & how long does it take? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!
milkyshafe
Chichester, UK40 contributions
Hi when we went there dos not seem to be a guided tour, at the entrance where you pay for entry they have very detailed guid book for the site and this give you a route to walk with all the relevant details.
It may be worth looking locally as there are companies I believe that do day trips and these might include a guide.
It's a great place to visit if you can go to ancient Sparta as well its a lot smaller and more ruinous but we enjoyed this and ancient Olympia.
Hope this helps
KatomeriKaf
Sheffield, UK5,164 contributions
hello! hoping to visit Ancient Messini soon and seem to be getting conficting info about what days the site is open. do you know if they are shut on a particular day? also rough price please.
thanks
Josefin K
4 contributions
The entrance fee is 12 euros for adults
eventhorizon
plymouth93 contributions
HI
Ancient messini Ruins
Do you know what the opening times of the site are please? I looked at Google earth and it shows a locked gate! Is there a car park?
Any info greatly appreciated thanks
Allan
Alan N
Reading, UK76 contributions
Yes there is a car park (its free) but I don't recall much shade so the car may get very hot.
The web site cited in the previous response has this informaiton under the museum...
Opening hours:
Museum: 8:00 - 20:00 daily
Site : 8:00 - 20:00 daily
Entrance fee full reduced
Museum 2 euro 1 euro
Site 4 euro 2 euro
Museum and site 5 euro 3 euro
Tel.: ++302724051201
Frequently Asked Questions about Ancient Messini
- Ancient Messini admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $14.53, while a popular guided tour starts around $229.75 per person. See all 20 Ancient Messini tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- Ancient Messini can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 20 Ancient Messini tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Ancient Messini:
- (0.28 mi) Hotel Drosia
- (0.50 mi) Kleopatra Inn
- (0.33 mi) Messini Hotel
- (0.10 mi) Traditional house in Messini
- (3.13 mi) Neilson Buca Beachclub
- Restaurants near Ancient Messini:
- (0.08 mi) Oinosofies Tavern Restaurant
- (0.07 mi) Ginger Cafe Gastro Bar
- (0.08 mi) ...Tou Mariou
- (0.09 mi) Xrisomilo
- (0.07 mi) Placebo Alternative Espresso Bar