Kalavrita and History

Kalavrita is located on Mount Helmos in the region of Achaia, 190 km from Athens. It is a historical village both for the actions took place there during the Greek war of independence, as well as for its modern history. Kalavrita was one of the regions of Greece that experienced nazi German retaliation in the harshest way during the Occupation (Massacre of Kalavryta December 13, 1943). 

Sightseeing in Kalavrita area

See the google earth map  route we made for you. As for the top attractions of the area we stand out…

Museum of the Kalavryta Holocaust

The Museum of the Kalavryta Holocaust is located in the primary school. It is a symbolic building for the inhabitants of the city as they met and suffered the brutality of the Nazi atrocity. You certainly have to visit it, for details visit the official website of this historical museum.

Place of sacrifice of Kalavryta

Within walking distance from the city, just 500 meters, on the hill Kapi, is the spot at which all the men from 14 years old were led by the Germans, where they were executed. Today there is a great cross reminiscent of the Kalavrita massacre.

Kalavrita Ski Resort

There are a total of eight (8) lifts and fourteen (14) slopes that include all difficulty levels, total length 25 km. You can also enjoy your coffee in the ski chalet.

The ski resort started operating in 1988

Cave of the lakes

The Cave of the Lakes is considered unique in the world, since it has 13 successive scaled lakes. The exploited length of the cave is 500 m while its total length is 1,980 m. You will enter the cave from an artificial tunnel that leads directly to the second floor from a total of three. The crossing of the ponds is made by raised artificial bridges. For opening hours check here.

Petimeza Tower

Between Kalavrita and the cave of the lakes you will find the famous Tower of Petimeza. The tower is located in an elevated position in Kato Lousous and is maintained in good condition. It is one of the oldest towers of the mountainous Peloponnese (17th century) and is a characteristic example of fortified housing

Holy Monastery of Agia Lavra

Historical monastery, where the banner of the Revolution of 1821 was raised. It was built in the 10th century and in 1585 it was destroyed, when the decline of the monastery began. Successive disasters followed and in the early 19th century it was rebuilt.

How to get there – odontotos rack railway

The easiest way to get there is by car, because this will help you visiting the places around the village. Another way is by Odontotos train. Using odontotos train is a unique experience, and not unfairly it has become a tourist attraction. The train starts from Diakopto and the route is trully unique. It lasts about an hour and crosses the gorge of Vouraikos, passes through the village of Zachlorou and ends in Kalavryta. The 22 km/h journey takes place at a speed ranging from 30 to 40 km/h on the single line and from 6 to 15 km/h on the barbed track. The railway network is serrated in the places where due to the morphology of the ground there are large slopes. For ticket info and train timetable press here.

Where to Stay?

Although the region of Kalavrita is close to Athens and you could come for just one day but… we think that is better to spend more days in Kalavrita village. We stayed two nights in the center of the village. You will find a lot of traditional hostels and picturesque houses to stay in, depending on your preferences. 

Things to do in Kalavrita – activities

You will find a lot of activites around the kalavrita village!!! … skiing, hiking and of course the odontotos train are some of them. We recommend the descent of the Gorge of Vouraikos. It is a route along the path that follows exactly the jagged! A really great route, regardless of whether you are a hiking enthusiast.

Where to eat

The food is unique, traditional and you will definitely enjoy it whatever your choice. We stood out and recommend: 

• The tavern “Romanzo” in Zachlorou
• “Peri orekseos” in Kalavrita
• The tavern “Varvitsiotis” in Kalavrita

Mountainous Arcadia is one of the nice destinations that you can visit, all year round. If you want more ideas for destinations near Athens visit our blog post for city breaks close to Athens.

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1. Oreini Arcadia

Thinking about getting out and experiencing the great outdoors? the surrounding nature of Oreini Arcadia has the perfect solution for you! Its picturesque villages are among the most beautiful architectural examples of Greek craftmanship. Walk the main street of  Vitina with its traditional shops, where you can fetch the famous fir honey and drink coffee in the central square. Passing the “Path of Love”, will be direct you in Elati, then visit the “village of Letters” Dimitsana, the famous Museum of Water Power, beautiful mansions and the Philosopher’s Monastery while you and will fall in love with the picturesque Stemnitsa.  The traditional greek food is great  and for trekking lovers there are beautiful routes that lead to the river Lucio, as well as many small villages waiting to be discovered (Greek, Karytaina etc.)

Accessibility: about two hours time from Athens.

Arachova is one of the most picturesque parts of Greece, with excellent services that find ideal extensions to tradition. You can walk through the main path, which is full of small traditional shops (do not forget to buy formaela!). Drink your coffee in one of the haunts of Lakka Square. Do not hesitate to take the 264 steps that lead you to the church of Saint George! And if you want an extra … escape,  Agoriani is waiting for you at 25 miles away.

Accessibility: about two hours time from Athens.

3. Kalavrita

Kalavrita is one of the most beautiful winter resorts in Greece at an affordable price! Take a walk through dozens of shops at the main street and go sightseeing (Municipal Museum of the Holocaust, Place of Sacrifice, Holy Monastery of Great Cave, the famous Monastery of Agia Lavra and the Cave of Lakes in the village castle! For the romantic ones there is an hourly “must” route to nature with the traditional train called “odontotos” from Kalavryta to Diakofto village, for the most athletic ones hiking on the same route will last about 5 hours (without return).

Accessibility: about two hours time from Athens.

4. Pilio

If you consider yourself a nature lover, head straight to the breathtaking Pilio.The combination of sea and mountains makes it an ideal destination for all four seasons! Winter city breaks introduces to you the beauty of Portaria. Arriving at the central square, you see the City Hall and an elegant building called Zoulia mansion where you can find the Folklore Museum. You can lose yourself in quaint cobbled alleyways to shop traditional products from the Women’s Agricultural Association, admire mansions of unique architecture, surrender yourself to the running water and the outstanding green landscape and taste local delicacies in Mercouri Square, which is full of traditional taverns. At Makrinitsa (10 ‘ away from Portaria) you can wander through the narrow streets among the traditional stone houses. The quais.nt alleyways  lead to the paved square, where you can enjoy your coffee, with the extraordinary view of Volos city unfolding before you. the post-Byzantine churches and medieval tower Skoteinioti in Koukourava, the lower district of Makrinitsa, are waiting to be discovered! Don’t forget to… “check in” at Tsagarada and get photographed with the plane tree of Tsagarada, one of the oldest trees in Europe. Its age is 1000 years!

Accessibility: about four hours time from Athens.

5. Trikala Korinthias

If you wish to change scenes, to let the magnificence of nature to calm you down, to try unique flavors, and all these half hours from Athens. Left the car in Lower – Kato  Trikala and start your tour of the oldest settlement. A cobblestone square, the Church of St. Demetrius, and traditional taverns compose the picture! You continue with the Medium  -Mesaia Trikala, full of traditional tavernas (greek traditional restaurants), the shops with the traditional products the and beautiful hostels. At Upper – Ano Trikala, tall towers and abandoned mansions justify their name during the Turkish occupation as “archontomachalas”. For  dining choose rooster in wine sauce with noodles homemade pies and stews.

Accessibility: about an hour and a half time from Athens

In winter landscape is magical and eerie, like a storyline from a fairy tale. The lake is wearing the most romantic of colors and invites for relaxation and direct contact with nature. You can take a course around the lake (about 60 km.). You will get to know beautiful places and villages like Mouzaki Morfovouni, the village of Dionysus, the Mesenikola -with attentive Wine and Vine Museum, the “balcony” of the lake, Neochori, Kalyvia Pezoulas and the water dam. For the sport lovers there are plenty of outdour activities like archery or even flying with jelicopter above the lake.

Accessibility: about four hours time from Athens.

It is for sure that you will  be filled up with green, you will relax by nature excursions and drink plenty of champagne. You can explore the city and take excursions in the wider region. We recommend the route to Prouso, where you will meet historiac Karyschades, the  Voutiro, the Mikro and Megalo Horio (small and big village), and the famous Touch of the Virgin. One of the must do of the Megalo Horio is try Galaktompoureko (greek traditional dessert)! Other villages worth seeing is the Domnista, Krikello and Snakes which have wonderful view of the lake of Kremaston.

Accessibility: about four hours time from Athens.

8. Oreini Naupaktia – Naupaktos

Nafpaktos gives you many choices.The winter days you will enjoy the mountain while at the same time discovering Villages submerged in firs. Mountains, ravines, rivers … A landscape of incomparable natural beauty …especially when the snow falls, descends rooftops and decorates the scene with winter gifts!

Accessibility: about three hours time from Athens.

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