Delphi is by Mount Parnassus, about two and a half hours away from Athens.
Why You Should Go:
Delphi is a charming village with spectacular scenery and the dramatic remains of ancient Delphi within the boundaries of the modern town. It was popular in ancient times as a "tourist" destination and remains so now.
Where to Stay:
There are several major hotels and many minor inns in Delphi. Unlike much of Greece, Delphi is busy in winter as the ski season takes over. Late in the season, it is theoretically possible to ski in the morning on Mount Parnassus, then rush down to the coast for a swim in the afternoon.
Hotels in Delphi
Search prices on more Hotels in Delphi and the rest of Greece and the Greek islands.
Where to Eat:
Small restaurants line the main road and a second street that runs parallel to it. The Amalia hotel has a more than adequate restaurant, but you'll probably enjoy the mom-and-pop places more.
Don't Miss Seeing:
The site of ancient Delphi is spectacular and rewards wandering. Dip your hands in the sacred waters, and don't miss the circular tholos-style temple down the road from the main site. It's often neglected by casual visitors and is usually a quiet respite even on busy tourist days. The on-site museum is excellent; look for the stone recording of ancient musical notation on one wall. The Temple of Apollo is especially photogenic, particularly if you shoot down at it from above.
Travel Tip for Delphi:
Delphi is an easy if mountainous drive from Athens; hire a cab or go by tour bus if you are jittery on high curves. Stop at Levadia on the way back for a look at a second famous oracle site of Greece.
Shopping Alert:
Delphi has an abundance of jewelry stores with unusual designs and good prices. Most merchants are honest but watch out for soft imprints of "925" on the back of some pieces - this can mean it was cast from a silver piece but then remolded with a lesser metal. The mark on genuine pieces should be crisp and clean. On the other end, you may find "950" on some items, an even higher silver content often used for coin reproductions.
As a mountain town, you can also find hand-knitted sweaters. The village of Arachova down the road is particularly good for this - and for unexpected Davy Crockett-style fur caps, a holdover from the 1950s which is still made today.
Private Car Tours
Usually less expensive and more flexible than organized tours and less stressful than car rentals, your own car and driver can be the way to go. Especially useful for those with limited mobility, small children, or the need to shout out "That looks good! Let's stop here!"
Driving Yourself to Delphi: Take the 1 out of Athens to Thiva, better known as Thebes, famous in ancient times as, among other things, the birthplace of
After visiting Delphi, you can also drop down to the coast to Itea, a somewhat-disappointing port town, and then go west to the more charming little port of Galaxidi.
Still in the mood for adventure? Continue by the coastal road to Nafpaktos and Messolongi, or take the new toll bridge between Antirion and Rion to reach the Peloponnese peninsula, opening the way to Corinth, then dropping down to visit Mycenae and Epidaurus and then returning to the 8 to loop back to Athens itself. This is not a one-day trip - plan on staying overnight at least one night.
Not up to doing the driving yourself? You can book direct Delphi Day Tour from Athens or turn it into an Overnight Tour to Delphi from Athens.More Quick Looks at Towns, Cities, and Islands in Greece: Cities and Towns of Greece
Compare airfares to Greece here: Find Greek Flights
