Arachova top winter destination in greece

Arachova 

Aráchova is a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassós in Viotia, Southern Greece. It is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favourite for passionate ski lovers and celebrities, or just first-time visitors who wish to relax in a dreamy mountainous setting with modern tourism facilities. Its modern ski resort, its close proximity to Athens, and its breathtaking mountainous landscape are the strongest reason why. Apart from the mountain activities, Aráchova is also famous for its bustling nightlife and as the favorite mountain resort of Athenians. It is located 35 km west of Livadeia.

Arachova town is a beautiful place on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, constructed at an altitude of 950 metres. Due to the three ski centres of Parnassus that are located in close distance to Arachova Greece, this town is the most popular winter destination in Greece. The traditional architecture, the beautiful nature and the vivid nightlife attract many visitors to Arachova. As the town is found on the way to Delphi, only 8 km from the ancient site, it gets frequented all seasons of the year. There are plenty of luxurious resorts, while in the close region of Livadi there are amazing wooden chalets. Due to its central location, this town is a convenient base for road trips to Itea, Galaxidi and Nafpaktos.

Arachova is a tourist destination because of its proximity to popular Delphi, but was equipped with a ski resort in the late 20th century.

Traditional and popular activities are held by the locals, such as traditional dances and the reviving of the battle of Arachova against the Turks. Traditional gastronomical delights include formaella cheese (sold only in Arachova) and tsipouro (a grappa-like liquor). The modern ski resorts of Parnassos are situated in the northwestern part of the mountain.

There are many ancient settlements in the area, dating back to 1200 BC. The oldest findings go back to the Neolithic Age (about 3000 BC). In Homeric years, here lay one of the eight main cities of the area.

The village of Arachova   was founded around 1300 AD, when the Franks occupied the area and the local leader combined the scattered settlements of the area in one. The village developed rapidly, and in 1435 AD, it was considered "a bustling city".

It was set ablaze in 1803 or 1804 by the Turks, because of the rebellious spirit of the inhabitants. During the War of Independence of 1821, the inhabitants had an active role and as a result, suffered considerably. In November 1826, the Battle of Arachova was crucial to the continuation of the War; the Greek victory here was of utmost importance. The village was liberated on 2 November 1828 by Dimitrios Ypsilantis.

In 1870, a devastating earthquake cost the lives of many inhabitants, while many buildings, such as the famous Clock Tower, were destroyed or severely damaged. The Tower was later blown up by the Germans during World War II. In the 1970s, one year before the completion of the ski resort at Parnassus, Arachova was a small village that mainly drew tourists thanks to its proximity to Delphi. After the resort opened its gates, Arachova slowly became one of the main winter destinations of Greece.

It was in Arachova that Georgios Karaiskakis (1780-1827) defeated the Turkish army led by Moustafabei in November 1826.

Must visit: The Byzantine churches of the village with their well preserved frescos.

Activities on offer: Get involved in outdoor activities such as hiking or ski down the slopes of Mt. Parnassós at the biggest downhill ski resort in Greece. The mountain’s high altitude offers ski lovers long-lasting snow cover at the peaks.Hot tips:• Discover the traditional character of the village by taking leisurely walks through its narrow cobblestone streets. Enjoy hot and sweet or soft and fruity drinks in cafés, or traditional kafeneia (coffee shops).• Stay up all night and enjoy the village’s bustling nightlife. There are a plethora of barsand clubs up and down the streets of Aráhova.• Visit the nearby archaeological site of Delphi.•Visit Parnassos National Park. Accommodation: Various elegant first-class hotels or traditional guest houses offer luxurious accommodation.

Arachova in Greece is a lively winter destination due to the three ski centers on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Holidays in Arachova are very popular in winter, but the town is busy all year round due to its closeness to Ancient Delphi. The large number of buses that go daily to Delphi all year round frequently make a stop in Arachova for a meal in the traditional restaurants or shopping in the venues with local products. If you are driving there in summer, have in mind that some nice beaches are found just few km away.

Activities: -Skiing, snow board, sledging as well as other winter sports at the ski resorts of mountain Parnassos at “Gerontovrachos” (17 km N), "Kelaria" (23 km N) and "Fterolakka" (26 km N). -Hiking from the archaeological site of Delphi (which is located at the borders of the Prefecture of Fokida) to the cave of Korykeio Andro.-Mountain tours (jeep, enduro, mountain bike) at the mountain of Parnassos.

Famous local products: Aráhova offers a memorable gourmet experience; taste local specialties: kontosoúvli (big hunks of pork skewered and put on a rotisserie with onions, tomatoes, peppers and seasoned with salt and pepper, garlic and oregano), kokorétsi(the intestines of the lamb stuffed with offal), sarmádes (stuffed grape leaves), traditional pies, handmade trahanás (pasta soup, can be sweet or sour), and hilopites (egg noodles made in linguine-sized strips, cut into small pieces).

The region of Arachova is well-known for its textiles, woodwork, dry wines and the local cheese, called "formaela".It also produces a sweet smelling hard rind cheese of with a relatively mild flavour that you should definitely taste!Have a sip of the divine Parnassós local wine, the red “Mavroudi”, which achieved Protected Designation of Origin status in 2006. The “Black Aráhova vine” is a full-bodied prolific variety that produces wines of a deep red hue with a high alcohol content.Complete your meal with traditional “spoon – sweets”, or even better, try yogurt with honey, a dessert served compliments of the house. Before you leave Aráhova, pick up some hand-made beautifully coloured woven carpets (flocati rugs) and textiles to take with you as a going-away present. 

Top Things to Do in Arachova

The Clock Tower: On top of a steep cliff lies the famous Clock Tower of Archova. Originally built at the beginning of the 18th century as the bell tower of a church, it collapsed after the earthquake of 1870; after its reconstruction, it was destroyed by the Germans in March 1944. In 1966, an abbot paid for its repair. Today, the Clock Tower, or the "Time" as it is called by locals, is the main photographic subject of the area.

Church of St. George: The Church of St. George, one of the two churches of the village, lies on the foot of Parnassus. It was constructed in 1833, in the form of a domed basilica, and decorated with modern frescoes. The churchyard is decorated with carved plaques, which bear motifs of local weavings. The surrounding area was used as the headquarters for the Battle of Arachova. in 1826, as well as during World War II.

The Heroon of Karaiskakis: This monument, at the western part of Arachova, is dedicated to the memory of George Karaiskakis, one of the most important figures during the War of Independence. The three hundred rocks on which the statue stands, resemble the heads of fallen Turks.

Parnassus Ski Resort: The construction of the ski resort of Parnassus started in 1967, and it was inaugurated in December 1974. Nowadays, it is one of the top winter destinations in Greece.

Delphi : Before the construction of the ski resort, Arachova had considerable tourism, thanks to its proximity to Delphi. As a result, you may find tourists in the area all year round, even when the ski resort is closed. The distance between Arachova and Delphi is a mere 10 km.

In the past, Arachova was visited by many famous people, including Aristotle Onassis, Winston Churchill, Maria Callas, the Beatles, Jackie Kennedy and many more.

How to Reach Arachova

Coach: You may take the KTEL coach to Arachova, with regular services during the day from Athens and Thessaloniki.

Train: The train from Athens stops at the station of Livadia. You may then take the local bus to Arachova.