Sterea Hellas - Central Greece

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Regions of Greece : Sterea Hellas (Central Greece)

 

VIOTIA prefecture

Viotia, the inestimable treasure of Central Greece, prevails in dignity, among innumerable other magnificent regions of the gifted country of Greece. The non-identical prefecture of Viotia, located in the heart of Central Greece, borders with Attica on the east, Fhiotida and Fokida on the west, the Evoikos gulf on the north and the Corinthian gulf on the south. The prefecture of Viotia covers a wide area and has 134.100 inhabitants.

Your exploratory traveling through the pure natural beauty, the untamed land and the untrodden sites, as well as your wandering through the traditional and picturesque towns, villages and settlements that are interspersed all over the magnificent landscape, shall definitely impress you. The exquisite natural beauties and the human creations compose the irresistible appeal and the incomparable individuality of the prefecture of Viotia.

Livadia, the cosmic capital, shall be your starting point for an interesting journey among the very promising prefecture of Viotia. Thiva, Tanagra, Heronia, Aliartos, Distomo are a few of the settlements that are worth visiting in order to admire the sheer beauty and the archaeological value of the whole prefecture. However, the unrivaled center of attraction that the prefecture of Viotia has to present is the renowned settlement of Arahova.

Arahova is a mountainous hamlet famous for its weavings and the production of wine. Built at the foot of the mountain Parnassus, Arahova is a very scenic settlement full of narrow uphill alleys, stone built houses and a spectacular view to the lowland. Arahova is also considered to be one of the most ideal resorts for your winter vacations due to the fact that it is located at a close distance to Parnassus and has direct access to the most organized ski center of the greater region.

Combining both mountainous and seaside settlements, the prefecture of Viotia is an ideal destination for incarnating the summer or the winter vacations that you have always been dreaming about. The synthesis of grandeur that the impeccable prefecture of Viotia offers to every visitor shall definitely captivate you sight, your heart and your soul.

Prefecture of Fokida

The prefecture of Fokida stands in the center of Sterea Hellas (Central Greece) and at the south part it meets with the Corinthian Gulf. It is an almost entirely mountainous area with Mt. Giona reaching a height of 2,510 meters and the ending of the mountain chain Parnassos to the east, creating a heavenly place for hikers, mountaineers, skiers and all nature lovers.

In the largest of the few valleys of Fokida, stands the town of Amphissa, the capital of the prefecture. A beautiful town, 200 km from Athens, among vast olive plantations with breathtaking views of Mt. Elatos.

While Amphissa is situated in the vicinity of mountains, many other small but important towns have sprung out by the coast of Fokida. Communities such as Galaxidi with a great cultural and historical importance offering to the visitor the traditional side of Fokida, with its picturesque little harbour, the characteristic regional architecture seen in old mansions and the navy museum exhibiting the old tradition of building ships and boats.

A few km in the bay we meet Itea, the most important port in the area, presenting a high attraction for tourists with many beautiful beaches, such as Kirra and the majestic views of the green mountains meeting the waters of the Corinthian Gulf.

A special place in the prefecture of Fokida holds the ancient town of Delphi, thought of by the ancients Greeks as the center of the world. Today, it stills proves this title as it attracts many visitors from all over the world due to the historical remains and the beauty of the majestic view of the mountains and the sea underneath. The area is surrounded by ancient monuments and ruins of the oracle, the theater, the remains of the «treasures», the sacred spring Kastalia and the archaeological museum.

Other villages and small towns around Fokida is Aghia Efthimia, Eptalofos, Artotina, Gravia, Lidoriki, Desfina and Eratini.

Fokida has much more to offer. A wide range of elements that reflect the years that have passed, creating a proud history without changing the charm of the genuine Greek tradition.

Lamia (220 km. from Athens), a bustling commercial city and capital of the prefecture, is built up the southwest, pine-covered slopes of Mt. Othris near the Sperhios River.

Kamena Vourla, to the north, is a popular sparesort, renowned for its therapeutic waters and dry, healthy climate. The coastal towns of the area, Aghios Konstantinos, Arkitsa – linked by ferry with Edipsos on Evia – as well as the lovely beaches of Aspronerio, Aghios Serafim and Aghios Nikolaos are pleasant places to spend a holiday especially for those who like swimming and dining on fresh fish.

There if a magnificent beach at Livanates, which also has an old church, Aghios Theodoroscheese (similar to ricotta).

Further west of Atalanti one can visit Elatia and Tithorea, wooded areas of archaeological interest, as well as Amfiklia, one of the starting points for going up to the Parnassos ski center.

West of Lamia there is one of the most historical towns of Central Greece, Ipati. Built on the slopes of Mt. Oiti, where the homonymous national Forest, among oak arid plane trees and cypresses. The spot offers also a panoramic view to the sea.

Well known for its thermal springs is the village of Platystomo (34 km west of Lamia). North of Lamia, on the way to Domokos, which is a historic town with a fine view over Thessaly valley, a side road leads to the ruins of ancient Melitaea; not far from here is built the Byzantine Monastery of the Holy Trinily (Aghia Triada).

The small island of Etoliko lies 13 km. northwest of Messolongi and is connected to the mainland by an arched stone bridge. From a distance its view is fascinating to the eye of the visitor.

Some 50 km northwest of Messolonghi the summer resort of Astakos, a picturesque market town, overlooks the gulf of the same name. Its extended unspoilt beaches with fine white sand and the sea of every shade of blue at Aghios Yorgis, Asprogiali and Vela make the area perfect for quiet, carefree holidays.

Boats leave Astakos daily for Cephalonia and Ithaca. Another sight worth seeing in the region is the monastery of the Profitis Ilias (15th c.) near the village bearing the name of Karaiskakis, where the illustrious Revolutionary used to have his headquarters.

Still following the coast, the road leads to Mitikas, a village built at the end of the gulf of the same name. From here you can find a little boat to take you across to Kalamos and Kastos, small islands with marvellous beaches. Just a hop from Mitikas are the interesing ruins of the ancient city of Alizea, and there is a very pretty beach at Paliomagaza. A few kilometers north of Mitikas you come to Paleros, a fishing village with another lovely beach.

After Paleros the coastal road that winds up at Aktion loops inland before reaching Vonitsa, a pretty seaside and very green town at the entrance to the Amvrakikos gulf, built atop the foundations of ancient Anaktorion. At “Aghios Petros” there are ruins of ancient temples and walls, while on the hill above a ruined medieval castle stands sentinel near the chapel of Divine Wisdom (12th c.) fashioned like a Byzantine fortress.

Continuing west, 15 km. on the road one comes to Aktion, renowned in history as the site of the great naval battle between Octavian and Marc Antony. Here lies the famous “Channel of Cleopatra”, the area through which the fleet belonging to the celebrated queen of Egypt was anchored prior to its defeat at Aktion. Here can also be seen the ruins of a Venetian citadel and an archaeological site. East of Vonitsa, the road passes near Thirio, which has a fine archaeological museum, before reaching Amfilohia.

The buildings of Amfilohia cover the slopes of two hills, providing a panoramic view towards the end of the gulf towards Arta. Amfilohian Argos lies 10 km. further north.

Nearby beaches for bathing and fishing exist at Sparto, Ai Yorgi and Bouka, where the old monastery of Aghios Nikolaos is located. Further north, at Menidi you can feast on all manner of seafood at its waterfront ouzeri and tavernas.

South of Amfilohia, on the national road towards Agrinio, we suggest you make a little detour and go to Katouna, on the shores of lake Amvrakia to admire its fabulous view.

Agrinio (35 km. north of Messolonghi) is an important tobacco – producing center with good facilities for tourists.

On the coast road that unites Fokida with Etoloakarnania you arrive at Nafpaktos, the prefecture’s third largest town, famous for the battle that took place off its shores in 1571. This market town with its atractive Venetian castle and circular walled harbour will delight even the most demanding visitors. The well-preserved citadel, with its series of ramparts winding up to the top of the hill, is one of the most beautiful in Greece.

All along this coast the sea is crystal clear. At Psani and Gribava, where the plane trees grow down to the water’s edge, the scenery is idyllic, while at Hiliadou (11 km. to the east) the shore is just right for swimming.

The mountains near the town are the most thickly wooded with spruce and firs in all Greece; of a rare beauty, they are worth visiting in summer and winter alike. Platanas, known for its forest which contains dozens of species of trees, Arahova, Perkos, Dorvitsia, Simos, Ano Hora, Terpsithea, Elatou, Hrissovo and Ambelakiotissa – tiny villages in the woods 700 to 1000 meters above sea level – will beguile you with their primitive beauty.

You can get here by intercity bus from Athens (via Rion-Antirion). Buses stop in Messolongi, Etoliko, Amfilohia, Vonitsa, Nafpaktos, Astakos, Mitikas.

By plane also from Athens to Aktion. Distance between Aktion and Agrinion, 96 km. Aktion to Messolongi, 120 km.