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Central Greece and Thessaly

This area of Central Greece includes the region of Thessaly, where the dramatic monasteries of Meteora are one of the main attractions. 

Meteora

It also includes the ancient site of Delphi, which was the centre of the world to the ancient Greeks and is one of the most beautiful and popular archaeological sites in the country. It's easily reached on a day trip from Athens, either by bus or on an organised tour, and its setting in the foothills of the Parnassus Mountains is breathtaking.

Delphi

Just east of Delphi is the mountain village of Arachova, and though its main street is lined with souvenir shops during the day, to catch the attention of visitors on coach trips to Delphi, outside of those it's retained its traditions and rural atmosphere. You'll get some hearty food and wine here, and if you can be here in April for the Feast of St George, you'll have an unforgettable few days.

The Oracle at Delphi

If taking the 'Sacred Way' from Athens to Delphi you pass the turning to the Monastery of Ossios Loukas (Osiou Louka), which has some of the finest mosaics in the whole country. It's definitely worth the detour. 

If you head west from Delphi you can take a road that zig-zags dramatically down to the coast and enjoy a drive along the north side of the Gulf of Corinth, which takes you from Delphi though Galaxidi and Nafpaktos to end in Missolonghi.

Galaxidi on the Gulf of Corinth in GreeceGalaxidi

North east from Athens the road leads past the city of Volos to the Pelion peninsula. The Pelion (or Pilion as it's also called) was for a long time a real Greece travel secret, an area of lovely woods, hills and beaches that the Greek holiday-makers kept for their own vacations. At last the word is getting out to overseas visitors too, but it's still very much a place for those who like the real Greece.

The Pelion Peninsula

A major highlight is seeing the monasteries at Meteora, with the nearby city of Trikala making a good base for this.

The Central Greece and Thessaly area has much more to offer than these highlights, but these alone should be enough to tempt the visitor to make the journey.

Other Central Greece and Thessaly pages

  • Arachova is a mountain town in the Parnassus Mountains of Greece and a good base for visiting the ancient archaeological site of Delphi, a 15-minute drive away.

    Arachova

    Arachova is a mountain town in the Parnassus Mountains of Greece and a good base for visiting the ancient archaeological site of Delphi, a 15-minute drive away.

  • The Bradt Guide to Northern Greece is a detailed guide to Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Macedonia, Thrace, The Pelion, The Sporades and the rest of Northern Greece.

    Northern Greece Guide

    The Bradt Guide to Northern Greece is a detailed guide to Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Macedonia, Thrace, The Pelion, The Sporades and the rest of Northern Greece.

  • Trikala is a city in Thessaly, noted for its traditional architecture with lots of things to see and a good base for visiting the monasteries of Meteora.

    Things to See in Trikala

    Trikala is a city in Thessaly, noted for its traditional architecture with lots of things to see and a good base for visiting the monasteries of Meteora.

  • The city of Volos has several museums and is a major port, and also the gateway to the charming Pelion peninsula with its traditional villages and beaches.

    Volos and Pelion

    The city of Volos has several museums and is a major port, and also the gateway to the charming Pelion peninsula with its traditional villages and beaches.

  • The Pindus Mountains range runs along the border between Epirus and Thessaly, includes two national parks and some of the highest mountain peaks in the country.

    Pindus Mountains

    The Pindus Mountains range runs along the border between Epirus and Thessaly, includes two national parks and some of the highest mountain peaks in the country.

  • The Parnassus Mountains rise behind ancient Delphi and the mountain village of Arachova, and the Parnassus National Park is one of the two oldest in Greece.

    Parnassus Mountains

    The Parnassus Mountains rise behind ancient Delphi and the mountain village of Arachova, and the Parnassus National Park is one of the two oldest in Greece.

  • Ossios Loukas is a Byzantine monastery that stands between Athens and Delphi and is the burial place of the Greek hermit, Blessed Luke.

    Ossios Loukas

    Ossios Loukas is a Byzantine monastery that stands between Athens and Delphi and is the burial place of the Greek hermit, Blessed Luke.

  • Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and is in the Mount Olympus National Park in Macedonia, with Litochoro being the best base.

    Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece

    Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and is in the Mount Olympus National Park in Macedonia, with Litochoro being the best base.

  • Visiting the monasteries of Meteora on the Plain of Thessaly, with hotels in Kalambaka and guided tours available.

    Meteora

    Visiting the monasteries of Meteora on the Plain of Thessaly, with hotels in Kalambaka and guided tours available.

  • This beautiful drive along the northern shore of the Gulf of Corinth (Korinthiakos Kolpos), goes from Delphi to Missolonghi via Galixidi and Nafpaktos.

    Gulf of Corinth Drive

    This beautiful drive along the northern shore of the Gulf of Corinth (Korinthiakos Kolpos), goes from Delphi to Missolonghi via Galixidi and Nafpaktos.

  • Visiting the ancient site of Delphi and its archaeological museum in the Parnassos Mountains of Central Greece.

    Delphi, Ancient Greek Site and Archaeological Museum

    Visiting the ancient site of Delphi and its archaeological museum in the Parnassos Mountains of Central Greece.

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