Gytheion

Gytheion (Greek: Γύθειον; also spelled Gytheio or Gythion) is a town and municipal unit in Laconia, in the Peloponnese region of Greece. It is the seat of the municipal unit of Gytheio, which is part of the East Mani municipality formed under the 2011 Kallikratis reform.

The town is situated at the head of the Laconian Gulf, on the western coast of the Mani peninsula. The islet of Cranae lies just offshore and is connected to the mainland by a short causeway, making the harbor a focal point of the town.

In antiquity, Gytheion, known as Gythion, was the principal port of Laconia and a naval base for Sparta. It served as a provisioning and trading hub for the Spartan fleet, and its vicinity preserves archaeological remains from classical and Hellenistic periods.

Today Gytheio is a fishing and tourist town that serves as a gateway to the Mani region. Its harbor handles fishing vessels and small boats; a long waterfront promenade, tavernas, and shops line the seafront. Nearby attractions include Cranae and the surrounding beaches, as well as access to the villages and landscapes of the Mani.