Arvanitsa Park

Arvanitsa is not a village; it is a forest and a recreational area, well known, among other things, for the Forest Music Festival held every summer in its lush green landscapes. It is a three-day music event organized by the Hellenic Mountaineering Association of Kyriaki since 2012, featuring notable figures from the artistic scene in its program. At Arvanitsa, nature exists in perfect harmony!

If you are looking for a calm and safe environment for a family getaway, this is certainly your next destination. An endless green clearing where people relax in the sun, set up picnics, enjoy sports activities, and children have fun at the playground. Within the fir forest, there are dirt paths ideal for short or longer hikes.

In front of the fir forest lies the café-restaurant Arvanitsa, where wooden picnic tables are filled with homemade delicacies and grilled dishes. Plenty of space for children to run and play, comfort for the whole family to eat, rest, and enjoy moments of tranquility. What more could one ask for?

Delphi

Delphi (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) attracts a large number of Greek and international visitors throughout the year. The town of Delphi lies at an altitude of 570 meters and was built next to the archaeological site, overlooking the olive grove of Amfissa. Due to its location, it has experienced significant tourism development.

It features numerous landmarks, such as the Temple of Apollo, the Delphi Archaeological Museum, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Ancient Theatre of Delphi, the Tholos of Athena Pronaia, and the Castalian Spring. Hiking enthusiasts can follow the ancient pilgrims’ path from Kirra to Delphi.

Skiing at the Parnassos Ski Center, paragliding, mountain and road cycling are just some of the activities you can enjoy. Before leaving, be sure to take with you Amfissa olive oil and olives, produced in the officially designated Traditional Olive Grove of Amfissa, the largest continuous olive grove in Greece. Folk art items, ceramics, olive oil, Amfissa olives, and various other local products can be found in the town’s shops.

                                                

Monastery of Hosios Loukas

It is one of the most important monuments of Byzantine art and architecture and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Its construction was completed after the saint’s death, in 953 AD, by the monks. The Church of the Panagia, the oldest in the complex, is the only one known to have been built in mainland Greece during the 10th century.

The Katholikon, built to house the relics of the saint, is the largest church of the complex and is located south of the Church of the Panagia. It belongs to the architectural type of the cross-in-square octagonal church, where the dome is supported by eight piers instead of the four found in the standard cross-in-square church.

There is evidence that the monastery was renowned throughout Byzantium for its luxurious decoration, which covered every surface. Sculpture, gold and silver vessels, wall paintings and mosaics, icons, chandeliers, silk curtains, and altar textiles — all of which can be admired in this remarkable creation.

Arachova

Arachova is built on a slope of Mount Parnassus that ends in a gorge, at the bottom of which flows the Plistos River. It has an average altitude of 950 meters. Heavy snowfall is common with northwestern winds, often even within the town itself.

Built in 1860 as the bell tower of the Metropolitan Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, the famous clock of Arachova did not withstand the earthquake of 1870 and collapsed. It was rebuilt at the end of the 19th century and has since taken its current form. The rock on which it stands is called Tyrias and was once used as a natural refrigerator for storing cheese, while during the Occupation locals hid various items there.

The imposing Church of Saint George was built in 1833, as indicated by a carved plaque in the sanctuary. It is a cross-roofed, three-aisled basilica with a dome. Its courtyard is decorated with carved plaques featuring patterns inspired by traditional Arachova textiles, crafted by local artisans.

Lakka Square, the paved central square of Arachova with its many shops, along with the Arachova Folklore Museum next to the clock rock, are sure to impress. Activities in Arachova are endless: skiing and snowboarding at the famous ski resort, snowmobile rides, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and snowshoeing.

                                                

Krya Springs Park

Magical, lush flowing waters at the foothills of Mount Helicon, with views of the imposing castle, nestled among steep cliffs on the hill of Prophet Elias. The Byzantine Castle of Livadeia, with its impressive walls and three rectangular towers, is truly captivating.

You will admire the statue of Erkynas (the nymph Erkynas, friend of Persephone, daughter of Demeter) set within the water, the impressive watermills, as well as the traditional restaurants of the area, serving the famous Livadeia souvlaki.

Orchomenos

A small town in the region of Boeotia, formed by the union of two neighboring villages, Petromagoula and Skripou. It is crossed by the Melas River (Mavropotamos). Orchomenos features several attractions connected to its rich history.

The most important sights include its archaeological site with the Treasury of Minyas and the ancient theatre, the Byzantine Church of Panagia of Skripou, the castle, and the Springs of the Charites. The tholos tomb of Orchomenos is one of the most significant tholos tombs of the Mycenaean period. The Theatre of Orchomenos was built in the 4th century BC, and musical contests were held there in honor of the Charites, Zeus, and Dionysus.

                                                

Oracle of Trophonius

The Oracle of Trophonius was an important oracle of antiquity, dedicated to the hero, seer, and god Trophonius, located in the area of Livadeia. It is an underground, kiln-shaped structure, preserved up to ground level, in the area of the springs of the Erkynas River, today’s Krya.

The structure has a floor diameter of 1.90 meters, while its height reaches approximately 3.5 meters. The modern visitor no longer gets lost in the underground passages of the Oracle of Trophonius, but in the unique beauty of the landscape, where the Erkynas River gives life to centuries-old plane trees, whose roots, like elaborate works of a master sculptor, stand out among the rich flowing waters.