At the south-western end of Chios, on a small valley, stands one of the most beautiful and best-preserved castles of Chios, and perhaps of whole Greece: Mesta! Αlmost untouched by the centuries, is the best-preserved medieval fortified village!

Mesta is in the southern part of Chios in the region of the Mastihohoria, the Mastic Villages, where mastic is produced, 35 km southwest of the town of Chios. At a very short distance is the quiet harbor of Mesta to which there is a twice-weekly boat service to and from Psara and Lavrio (near Athens). This service has lower fares than the daily service from Piraeus, which calls at the port of Chios.

Apart from that, the harbor of Mesta is a good destination for those seeking fresh fish and ouzo at one of its quaint little taverns.