This traditional mountain town at 960m altitude has stone houses, wool textiles, and local cheese. Near Mount Parnassus and Delphi, it's a base for winter skiing.
You'll find Arachova on the southern side of Mount Parnassus, 950 meters above sea level. Gray stone houses climb steep hillsides, and narrow streets paved with cobblestones pass shops selling wool blankets and wooden kitchen tools. The town draws visitors for three main reasons: Delphi’s ancient ruins lie 12 kilometers east, the Parnassos Ski Centre operates 16 kilometers north, and local tavernas serve grilled pork skewers called kontosoúvli. In winter, people ski the slopes by day and gather in bars like Kentro after dark. From most points in town, you’ll see the 19th-century clock tower rising above red-tiled roofs, its face stained by decades of weather. Between April and October, many hike trails lined with fir trees or visit churches like Agios Georgios, rebuilt after Ottoman forces destroyed the original.
Ski slopes and winter activities at Parnassos
Arachova serves as the closest town to Parnassos Ski Centre, which has 36 ski runs across three connected areas: Gerontovrachos, Kelaria, and Fterolakka. The highest slopes reach 2,260 meters, with snow usually lasting from early December to mid-April. Rent skis or snowboards either in town shops or at the resort’s rental stations. Lifts run daily from 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM, though lines shorten after 2:00 PM. After skiing, try tsipouro brandy at one of the slope-side lodges or return to Arachova for grilled meats at Taverna Panagiota. Weekends between January and March get busy with visitors from Athens, so book hotels at least two weeks ahead.
Stone buildings and key historical sites
Walk through Arachova to see how builders adapted to the steep terrain. Houses made of local gray stone stack vertically along hills, connected by staircases instead of roads. Start at the main square, where the clock tower stands on a rock covered in ivy. Climb the 264-step marble staircase to Agios Georgios Church, rebuilt in 1833, where faded frescoes and views of olive groves await. Five minutes east, the Ethnographic Museum occupies a 19th-century schoolhouse displaying handlooms, embroidered vests, and tools for making cheese. Visit on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings to avoid crowds and watch artisans weave rugs on side streets like Eparhi Odos.
Meat dishes, cheeses, and local drinks
Meals here focus on hearty dishes suited to cold winters. Try kokoretsi—lamb organs wrapped in intestines and roasted over charcoal—or kontosoúvli, pork cooked on a vertical spit. Taverna To Koutouki serves both, along with Parnassos Mavroudi, a dry red wine from nearby vineyards. Order formaela cheese, which has a protected designation of origin; locals grill it until crispy or drizzle it with chestnut honey. Breakfast spots sell trahanas, a sour pasta used in soups, while bakeries make galaktoboureko custard pies with phyllo dough. Before leaving, buy jars of honey made from thyme flowers or wool rugs dyed with onion skins.
Day trips to Delphi, Itea, and hiking trails
Drive 12 kilometers east to reach Delphi, where the Temple of Apollo stands above the Pleistos Valley. Plan three hours to explore the temple ruins, ancient theater, and museum displaying the Charioteer bronze statue. For a coastal change, head 25 kilometers south to Itea’s olive groves or Galaxidi’s ship captain mansions. Hikers follow the E4 trail from Delphi to Corycian Cave, a four-hour round-trip through forests of Aleppo pine. Between ski sessions, visit Osios Loukas Monastery, 26 kilometers southeast, to see gold mosaic ceilings from the 11th century.
April festivals, Easter celebrations, and markets
Arachova’s biggest event occurs on April 23, honoring Agios Georgios with parades in traditional wool capes, fiddle music, and communal lamb roasts. If Easter falls in April, join the midnight church service followed by fireworks and feasting in the square. December brings Christmas markets selling hand-carved tree ornaments and roasted chestnuts near the clock tower. Summer visitors might catch outdoor concerts at the Cultural Centre, which also hosts exhibitions on carpet weaving and modern pottery. Check posters outside the town hall for event schedules updated weekly.
Getting to Arachova by car or bus
Drive from Athens via the Athens-Lamia National Road, taking the Livadeia exit to reach the mountain road to Arachova. The trip takes two hours without traffic, but carry snow chains between December and March. Buses leave Athens’ Liossion Station three times daily, stopping in Arachova before continuing to Delphi. No trains run directly to the town, but you can take a train to Livadeia and transfer to a bus. Once here, rent a car from agencies near the square or hire taxis to reach trailheads and ski resorts.
Hotels and guesthouses for different budgets
Choose between small guesthouses in the town center and luxury hotels with mountain views. Domotel Anemolia has two heated pools and a spa overlooking olive groves, while Aegli Hotel sits steps from bars like Anemilos. For quiet stays, consider chalets in Livadi, a pine-filled area a 10-minute walk uphill. Budget options include Arachova Inn, where simple rooms have balconies facing the ski slopes. Book at least three months ahead for stays during Easter or peak ski weekends in January-February.
