The Mastic Villages of Chios, known as the Mastichochoria, are a cluster of medieval settlements in the island’s south, renowned for cultivating mastic—a resin from small trees that are unique to the region.
Characterised by narrow alleys, fortified architecture, and distinctive patterned facades (especially in Pyrgi), these villages were built to protect against invading pirates in medieval times. Villages like Mesta and Olympi have preserved their original layout and charm, offering a glimpse into centuries-old traditions.
The cultivation of mastic is UNESCO-listed and protected as a PDO product, and remains central to the local identity, economy, and culture of the island.
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When to visit Chios Island, Greece
The best times to visit Greece are April-June and September-October. The weather is mild, and most places have few crowds. High season is late June to early September, and prices will reflect that, as will the crowds, the number of cruise ships, and accommodation availability.
Summer is still great, especially for beach time and in some of the lesser known spots. The water is warm, there are blue skies every day, and there is a fun holiday atmosphere. Chios has a number of stunning beaches, making it a great place to be in summer when lazy lunches and dips in the sea are daily events.
Best beach and swimming weather: June to September
Best sightseeing weather: March to June and September-November
How to get to Chios, Greece
Chios is an island in the Northern Aegean sea only 7 kilometres from Turkey. It is the 5th largest of the Greek Islands and there are several ways to get to it.
Flying to Chios
There is a domestic airport on Chios known as Omiros which is serviced by the national carrier Aegean/Olympic airlines as well as Skyexpress. Connections are mostly to Athens but there are also flights to Thessaloniki and Rhodes as well as Samos and Lemnos in summer.
Ferry from Athens
The Ferry from Athens is usually run by Blue Star and takes around 8 hours so best book a cabin and get a good nights sleep. It then goes on to Lesvos, which takes another 3 hours.
Ferry from Lesvos to Chios
There are usually one or two ferries per day sailing between Lesvos and Chios. The trip takes around 3 hours.
Ferry from Cesme, Turkey to Chios
There are ferries connecting Chios to Athens (Piraeus & Lavrio), Kavala, Lesvos, Limnos, Samos, Ikaria and Cesme in Turkey. There are also ferries to the other islands of the Regional Unit of Chios, Oinousses and Psara.
The ferry from Cesme takes around 30 minutes, and there are usually several running each day.
Further reading: Ferry FAQs
What is Mastica?
The Mastic tree (aka Skinos) is an evergreen shrub that thrives in arid, stony and dry soil.
It lives for more than 100 years and grows slowly, with full growth achieved around 50 years old. In the 5th year it starts producing a sap, or resin, often referred to as ‘tears of Chios’, which is harvested for a wide variety of traditional and modern uses, valued for its flavour, aromatic properties, and medicinal qualities.
Mastic is one of the world’s oldest forms of chewing gum, and it is used today to flavour ice creams and sweets, pastries and breads, and is especially consumed as a liqueur, often offered all over Greece, not just on Chios.
There are around 1.5 million mastic trees on Chios, most of which are located in the southern part of the island — in Mastihohoria (Mastic Villages).
As the tapping/harvesting process is very labour-intensive, not all 1.5 million trees are actively tapped each year. On average:
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Around 300–400 tonnes of mastic resin are produced annually.
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There are about 5,000 active growers, all members of the Chios Mastic Growers Association (CMGA), which oversees production, quality control, and exports.
Masticha has Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, and Chios is the only place in the world where this occurs.
Note* When visiting the villages, we highly recommend visiting the Mastic Museum.
Located near Pyrgi this is an impressive cultural institution dedicated to the unique tradition of mastic cultivation. Mastic, the aromatic resin from the Pistacia lentiscus Chia tree, is exclusively produced in southern Chios, making it a product of significant cultural and economic importance to the region.
Mastic Museum Highlights
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Exhibitions: The museum offers a comprehensive look into the history and process of mastic cultivation. Visitors can explore traditional techniques, the evolution of processing methods, and the role of mastic in the local economy. Interactive displays, multimedia applications, and original machinery provide an immersive experience.
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Architecture: Designed by KIZIS STUDIO, the museum’s architecture harmoniously blends with the surrounding landscape. The building features two parallel wings constructed with materials like steel, wood, natural stone, and concrete, and is partially embedded into the hillside to minimise visual impact.
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Outdoor Experience: An outdoor exhibition area allows visitors to walk through a mastic tree grove, offering a tangible connection to the subject matter. This setting provides insight into the natural environment where mastic trees thrive.
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Cultural Significance: The traditional knowledge of mastic cultivation in Chios has been recognised by UNESCO, being inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014.
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Location: Rachi Site (Tepeki), Pyrgi, 82102 Chios, Greece.
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Opening Hours:
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March 1 – October 15: Daily (except tuesday) 10:00 to 18:00
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October 16 – February 28: Daily (except Tuesday) 10:00 to 17:00
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Closed on Tuesdays and January 1, Good Friday (until 12pm), July 22, August 15 and 25th and 26 of December.
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Admission:
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General admission: €4
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Reduced ticket: €2
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For more details, you can visit the official website: Chios Mastic Museum.
The Mastic Villages (Mastichorias)
The mastic villages are located in the south of the island, in the interior. There are sixteen in total, some being tiny hamlets and others quite sizable.
Pyrgi
Pyrgi is the largest and most visually distinctive of the mastic villages.
Located approximately 24 km from Chios Town it has a permanent population of around 1,000 residents and is unique in all of Greece due to its stunning geometric facade decorations known as “xysta.” These monochrome patterns—black and white designs etched into the plaster—adorn nearly every building and reflect a tradition dating back to the Genoese era.
The village is built in a dense and defensive pattern, much like Mesta and Olympi, but the sheer scale and the artistry of the facades make Pyrgi a true open-air museum of folk architecture. It is a much photographed and Instagrammed destination.
Things to See in Pyrgi
Pyrgi is a visual feast. Start by walking the main streets to admire the famous “xysta” facades—each building tells its own story through motifs of flowers, people, birds, and geometric shapes.
The Church of Agioi Apostoloi, dating back to the 13th century, is a small Byzantine gem in the heart of the village, built to resemble the larger churches of Constantinople.
Pyrgi also serves as a gateway to nearby beaches like Emporios and Mavra Volia, the latter known for its striking black volcanic pebbles.
Pyrgos Accommodation
Pyrgi offers a variety of accommodations suitable for both short and extended stays.
The Pounti is a small, very charming, traditional 3 star hotel with home made breakfasts, warm hospitality and a rooftop terrace.
Skinos Rooms & Apartment offers self-catering facilities perfect for families or longer stays. Several guesthouses also collaborate with local guides to offer walking tours and mastic-themed experiences.
Mesta
Mesta is a beautifully preserved medieval village located 35 km southwest of Chios Town. Built during the Byzantine period and further developed under Genoese occupation in the 14th century, Mesta is a true architectural gem.
The village was designed for defence, with stone houses built closely together to form a protective wall, effectively turning the town itself into a fortress. Its narrow, winding alleys form a pentagon-shaped plan that was intended to confuse invaders.
Mesta remains one of the best-preserved medieval settlements in Greece, and its small population of 350 people helps preserve its authentic charm.
Things to See in Metsa
Wandering through Mesta feels like stepping back in time. Visitors can explore the cobbled lanes, arched passageways, and inner courtyards that define the village’s layout.
The Church of Taxiarchis, one of the largest on the island, dominates the central square and is worth visiting for its impressive architecture and religious art. A walk up to the Tower of Koulouka offers panoramic views and insight into the village’s defensive strategy.
Not far from the village, Limenas beach is a great place for a swim and a cold drink by the sea. In summer, Mesta hosts several traditional festivals with music, dance, and mastic-based sweets.
Places to Stay
Mesta offers several charming accommodation options, most of which are housed in restored stone buildings that maintain the medieval aesthetic. Lida Mary is a boutique guesthouse, offers beautifully styled rooms that blend history with comfort as does nearby Mesta Magic.
Olympi
Olympi is a small medieval village located around 30 km southwest of Chios Town. It was established in the 13th century during the Genoese rule, much like Mesta, and shares a similar defensive architecture.
The village was designed with a single entrance (Kato Porta) and fortified perimeter, ideal for protecting its residents from pirate invasions. Olympi’s population today is modest, estimated at fewer than 150 permanent residents, which makes it a tranquil destination and a perfect example of how medieval heritage continues to shape modern village life in southern Chios.
Things to See
The main attraction in Olympi is the central tower, a 20-metre-high structure that once served as a lookout and now houses a small restaurant. Walking through the narrow lanes you will again admire the beautiful stone homes and small churches such as Agia Paraskevi, which contains impressive frescoes.
Outside the village is Olympi Cave (Sykia), a natural wonder with dazzling stalactite and stalagmite formations. Visitors can also enjoy scenic walks through the surrounding countryside, where mastic trees grow abundantly, and traditional farming practices are still in use.
Places to Stay
Olympi only has a limited selection of places to stay. Many visitors stay in nearby Mesta or Pyrgi and take short trips to the village.
Olympus is a small villa newly renovated in a traditional building and can sleep four, or nearby Vlychos Lodge has affordable one and two bedrooms apartments.
For a more boutique experience To Petrino is located on the village outskirts, and are charming stone-built apartments with views of the surrounding hills.
Other Mastic Villages
Vessa
Roughly 19 km from Chios Town, Vessa is a charming medieval settlement tucked within a green valley of mastic trees. It features classic defensive architecture with its tightly built stone homes and narrow laneways. The atmosphere is serene and untouched, ideal for those seeking an authentic village experience. There are a few traditional stays, such as Traditional Rooms Vessa, where visitors can enjoy rustic hospitality and a slower pace of life.
Elata
Perched on a hillside around 22 km from the main town, Elata offers sweeping sea views and a peaceful, less-touristy environment. While modest in size, it has a fortress and several quaint chapels scattered through the village.
Elata is great for those who enjoy exploring quiet, historic places off the beaten path, though overnight stays are limited.
Lithi
Lithi lies just outside the core mastic-growing zone and offers a mix of inland village life and seaside relaxation. Its small residential centre gives way to Lithi Beach, a favourite among locals for its calm waters and fresh seafood tavernas.
It’s a great spot to unwind after touring the inland villages, with its coastal charm providing a refreshing contrast.
Armolia
Positioned at the gateway to the Mastic region, Armolia is best known for its artisanal pottery rather than fortified structures. Though it has some historic features like the church of Agios Dimitrios, its true appeal lies in the local ceramic workshops.
Visitors can browse handcrafted wares and enjoy simple meals at local tavernas, making it a pleasant stop on a mastic trail.
Kalamoti
As one of the larger and more populated mastic villages, Kalamoti serves as a hub for local agriculture and mastic harvesting. While it doesn’t retain a strong medieval feel, it has a scattering of heritage buildings and old churches.
Its proximity to Komi Beach makes it a practical base for those wanting to combine inland exploration with time by the water. A handful of guesthouses and eateries cater to visitors.
Kini and Patrika
These two lesser-known villages are small, peaceful, and full of charm. Kini is set on a hill and offers panoramic views, while Patrika is known for its colourful touches and characterful alleyways.
Though not major tourist destinations, they are lovely for a quiet walk, some scenic photos, and a glimpse into everyday life in southern Chios. Accommodation and tourist services here are minimal.
Vessa
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