Apart from the numerous beaches you can choose to swim(Aghios Nikolaos, Velika beach, Bouka, Analipsi, to name a few) the main reason to visit Messini is the Archeological site. Mentioned by Pausanias (ancient traveller) ,this place was a megalopolis during the Hellenistic times and was the cultural center of Messinia for 700 years.Admire the fortification of the ancient city, the Arcadian gate and its eight Towers, the acropolis, the ancient sanctuary,the theatre, the agora, the stadium, the heroon, the houses and the Byzantine settlement. Additaments in the space were made up to 1923, which means that it was inhabited and full of life. At the hilltop of Ithomi lies the monastery of Voulkanos. You can also visit the castle of princess Isabeau on the acropolis of Messinia, built by Geoffrey Vilehardouin during the 13th century. It consists of two enceinties, forming two defense lines, from one side using the fortification of the slope and on the other an innerfort. In Ancient Messini were mainly found sculptures, coins and ceramics from the Neolithic to Hellinistic and Byzantine era.