Exploring Greece: Hidden Treasures Around Delphi

Delphi is one of the most important ancient sites in Greece, and with good reason. Home to the famous oracle and considered the omphalos, the navel of the ancient universe, it is a place whose spiritual power you can understand and feel when you are there. Located on the northern slopes above the Corinthian Gulf, across from the Peloponnese, Delphi is quite a large site, and you should plan to dedicate at least a whole day to exploring it properly. But what many visitors don't realize is that the region surrounding Delphi is filled with its own treasures, and planning two to three nights in the area allows you to discover a part of mainland Greece that rivals any island for beauty and interest.¹

Winter is actually an excellent time to visit. Without the summer crowds or scorching sun, you can explore the ancient ruins at your own pace, soaking up the energy of this extraordinary place in relative solitude. Personally, I love visiting Delphi and spending as much time as possible there, and I always encourage my guests to do the same.

Thebes: A Stop Worth Making

If you are driving from Athens, the archaeological museum in Thebes makes an excellent first stop. This ancient city, famous in mythology as the birthplace of Dionysus and the setting for the tragedies of Oedipus, has a surprisingly rich museum that provides wonderful context for the ancient world you are about to enter at Delphi. The collection spans thousands of years and offers an intimate look at Boeotian civilization that larger museums cannot match.²

Livadeia and Kryes Piges

Continuing west from Thebes, the town of Livadeia offers a perfect coffee stop. The area called Kryes Piges (Cold Springs) is particularly lovely, where natural springs feed a series of channels and small waterfalls that run through a beautiful park-like setting. In ancient times, this was associated with the Oracle of Trophonius, and the springs were said to offer the waters of memory and forgetfulness. Today it is simply a charming spot to stretch your legs and enjoy a Greek coffee by the water before pushing on toward Delphi.³

Osios Loukas: Byzantine Brilliance

Between Livadeia and Delphi, a short detour brings you to the Byzantine Monastery of Osios Loukas, and this detour is absolutely essential. The monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in all of Greece. The golden tessera catch the light filtering through narrow windows, illuminating images of Christ, the Virgin, and the saints with a luminosity that photographs cannot capture. The main church dates to the 11th century, and the craftsmanship of its mosaics and marble decorations represents the apex of middle Byzantine art.⁴

The monastery's setting, on a hillside overlooking a valley of olive groves, adds to its contemplative beauty. Allow at least an hour here, and don't miss the crypt with its remarkable frescoes.

Arachova: The Mountain Village with Style

Just minutes from Delphi, the mountain town of Arachova clings dramatically to the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Famous throughout Greece as a winter sports destination, thanks to the nearby ski center, Arachova has a sophisticated charm that belies its small size. Stone-built houses with slate roofs line steep, narrow streets. Boutique shops sell local textiles, foristi cheese, and honey. Tavernas serve hearty mountain cuisine: slow-cooked lamb, handmade pasta, and local wine.⁵

Arachova is lively year-round but especially atmospheric in winter, when snow dusts Mount Parnassus and fireplaces burn in every restaurant. It makes an excellent base if you prefer a more vibrant evening scene than the quieter options nearby.

Galaxidi: A Seaside Gem

My personal favorite place to stay in the area is Galaxidi, a beautiful, quiet seaside village on the northern shore of the Corinthian Gulf. This former maritime powerhouse, once home to a fleet of sailing ships that traded across the Mediterranean, has preserved its neoclassical sea captains' mansions and its unhurried pace of life. The small harbor is perfect for morning coffee or evening strolls, and the handful of excellent tavernas serve fresh seafood pulled from the gulf that morning.⁶

Galaxidi's charm lies in its tranquility. Unlike more tourist-oriented coastal towns, it remains authentically Greek, a place where locals outnumber visitors and the rhythm of life follows the sea and the seasons. It is also famous for its exuberant Clean Monday flour-throwing celebration, one of the messiest and most joyful in all of Greece.

Amfissa: Olives and Authentic Cuisine

Close to Delphi, the town of Amfissa is famous throughout Greece for its exceptional olives. The Amfissa olive, a plump, dark variety cured in the traditional manner, is considered among the finest table olives in the country. Beyond olives, Amfissa offers genuinely delicious food in its traditional tavernas, the kind of home-style Greek cooking that food lovers travel to find. The town itself has an impressive medieval castle and an atmosphere untouched by mass tourism.⁷

The Drive to Nafpaktos and Beyond

The drive west from Galaxidi toward the bridge of Rio-Antirio, which connects the mainland to the Peloponnese, is absolutely gorgeous. The road hugs the coastline of the Corinthian Gulf with the mountains of the Peloponnese rising across the water. Along the way, you will pass through the historic town of Nafpaktos, where you should definitely stop for at least a quick coffee in the old Venetian harbor. This small, perfectly preserved harbor, ringed by fortifications and watched over by a hilltop castle, is one of the most photogenic spots on the mainland.⁸

Nafpaktos was the site of the famous Battle of Lepanto in 1571, one of the most decisive naval engagements in European history. The town's Venetian walls and harbor fortifications remain remarkably intact, and the climb to the upper castle rewards with panoramic views across the gulf.

If you enjoy traditional villages, mountain hiking, or river rafting, the mountainous region above Nafpaktos is spectacular. These are just a few of the treasures of mainland Greece, places that can be visited any time of year and that offer an experience far from the well-trodden island circuits. For travelers willing to explore beyond the most famous sites, this corner of Greece delivers beauty, history, and authenticity in abundance.