The picturesque fishing village of Exo Mani (Messenian Mani) is 3.5 kilometres from Stoupa and 49 kilometres from Kalamata. In the past, the village was called Selinitsa, which means little Selini (Moon) or little Helen. In fact, according to mythology, it was Agios Nikolaos Beach where Paris grabbed Helen the Beautiful. According to another version, the name of the village comes from the Slavic word "selo", meaning "village" ("selinitsa"-"small village").
Agios Nikolaos is a relatively new village that was first inhabited during 1830-1840. Its inhabitants were exclusively engaged in fishing and trade, exchanging the fish for other products in the neighbouring villages since their village was built right next to the beach, in one of the few flat areas of the municipality. In recent decades, Agios Nikolaos has developed tourism with infrastructure for the hospitality and entertainment of tourists during the summer months.
At the village entrance, the Gerakaris Artillery dominates, built by the leader of the Hittes (Group X) in Mani, Stavros Gerakaris. The church of Agios Myron, as well as the church of Agios Nikolaos - Ascension of Christ, from where the village got its name, are also worth visiting. To the west of Agios Nikolaos, the 5-metre-high lighthouse dominates the area.
The stone mansions of the village preserve the traditional Mani style. At the same time, the Ministry of Culture has classified the building owned by doctor Grigorios Skalkeas as a historical monument. It is an important building monument of the history of the architecture of the place.
Finally, visitors can enjoy swimming at the small Pantazi beach (Malsova), which consists of fine sand and is located next to the mouth of the Pamisos River (also known as the Milia River). Ancient Pefnos is situated on the spot, while the islet of the same name where, according to mythology, the Dioscuri-Castor and Polydeukis- were born is opposite the area.
