Delphi

An ancient Greek sanctuary on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, where the Temple of Apollo and the theatre overlook the olive groves; nearby are the mountain village of Arachova, a ski resort and the seaside port of Galaxidi.

Delphi lies on the southern slope of Mount Parnassus in the Phocis region of central Greece, at an elevation of about 550 m. It is about 180 km from Athens and overlooks the Pleistos River valley and the olive groves that stretch to the Gulf of Corinth. The ancient Greeks regarded it as the “navel of the world.” The oracle of Apollo influenced decisions on war, peace and colonization among the city-states. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The core visit covers the archaeological site (the Sacred Way, the treasuries, the Temple of Apollo, the theatre and the stadium) and the Archaeological Museum. A walk along the road takes you to the Castalian Spring and the round Tholos of the Sanctuary of Athena. The whole visit can be done in one day.

Nearby activities: 11 km east is the mountain village of Arachova, the base for skiing on Parnassus in winter. Down the mountain, the seaside towns of Itea and Galaxidi are good for seafood. About 35 km southeast, the Osios Loukas monastery is also a World Heritage Site. Hikers can take the ancient path up to the Corycian Cave or walk down into the olive groves.

The best times to visit are April–June and September–October. Summer midday is extremely hot, so it's best to enter as the site opens. In winter, the site has shorter opening hours but fewer visitors. KTEL buses run daily from Athens' Liosion bus station, taking about 3 hours; driving is the most flexible option. Plan 1–2 nights, as the light at the site is best in the early morning and late afternoon.

Top sights

• Archaeological Site of Delphi (Sanctuary of Apollo) – Ancient Greece's ‘navel of the world’ and seat of the oracle of Apollo. The Sacred Way, treasuries, temples, theater, and stadium climb the…
• Delphi Archaeological Museum – One of Greece's most important archaeological museums. Its highlights include the Charioteer of Delphi, the Sphinx of Naxos, and the Omphal…
• Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia (Tholos) – Delphi's most photogenic circular temple, where three reconstructed Doric columns stand among olive trees. It can be reached on foot downhi…
• Arachova – A stone-house mountain village on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, known as Greece's ‘winter capital’. It is famous for its clock tower, wove…
• Monastery of Hosios Loukas – An 11th-century Byzantine monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Daphni and Nea Moni. Its gold-ground mosaics mark the peak o…
• Castalian Spring – An ancient sacred spring between two cliffs, where pilgrims and the Pythia purified themselves; later regarded as the source of poetic insp…
• Parnassos Ski Centre – Greece's largest ski resort, with about 20 runs across the Kellaria and Fterolakka areas, roughly three hours' drive from Athens.
• Galaxidi – A captains' town on the Gulf of Corinth with a double harbour, stone-built captains' mansions, a maritime museum and seaside tavernas for f…
• Olive Grove of Amfissa (Delphi Landscape) – An ancient olive grove stretching from the foot of Delphi to the Gulf of Itea, said to be the largest in Greece, forming the 'olive sea' be…
• Corycian Cave – A cave of Pan and the nymphs on the Parnassos plateau, a site of ancient rites of the wine god, reached by hiking an old trail or driving a…
• Mount Parnassus – The mythical sacred mountain of Apollo and the Muses; its highest peak, Liakoura, rises to 2,457 m and can be climbed in summer for views o…
• Itea – A harbour town at the foot of Delphi on the bay, with a long seafront promenade, a yacht marina and cafés, and nearby beaches for summer sw…
• Castle of Salona (Amfissa) – A Crusader-era castle above the old town of Amfissa, built on the site of the ancient acropolis, with views over the town's rooftops and ol…
• Museum of Delphic Festivals (Sikelianos House) – The former home of the poet Sikelianos and his wife, displaying costumes, photographs and stage materials from the Delphic Festivals revive…
• Distomo Massacre Mausoleum – A hilltop memorial hall commemorating the 218 villagers killed by the Nazis in 1944, and a sombre stop on the way to Hosios Loukas.

Where to eat

• Taverna Dion – A family-run café in the centre of town, good value and consistently rated. It has long topped Delphi's Tripadvisor res…
• Taverna Vakhos – A traditional taverna run by the Theodorakis family, with a terrace overlooking the valley. Red-wine braised rooster an…
• Epikouros – A stone-and-wood restaurant on the main street, with a glass terrace overlooking the Delphi gorge, the olive groves of…

Itineraries

• Athens In Depth with Delphi – Take your time with the monuments, museums and old quarters, with a day trip to Delphi and the mountain village of Arac…