Arcadia, for all four seasons! A nearby paradise.

The largest prefecture of the Peloponnese is located right in its centre. Some of the most beautiful and renowned tourist resorts belong to the Arcadian land. History, culture, and natural beauty blend perfectly.

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Tripoli, Dimitsana, Vytina, Astros, …

Arcadia. A “concept”, and not just a place name, that signifies a lot. From antiquity to the present day, Arcadia exudes mystery, sensuality, and ignites the imagination. Is it due to the mythical rivers and mountains or the ancient cities?

 Nonetheless, modern Arcadia has not lost an iota of that sense of wonderful secrets waiting to be discovered. It invites you to explore it, walk through it, get to know it!

Undoubtedly, the entire prefecture of Arcadia offers a complete proposal for holidays, getaways, sightseeing, and activities.

Its two main advantages are evident. The perfect combination of mountainous paradises, fertile plateaus and valleys, idyllic coasts, and settlements with character, all in the heart of the beautiful and diverse Peloponnese, is a true gift.

The second advantage is that this mythical place is very close, just 2 hours, from the centre of Athens. However, it is also easily accessible from all over Greece, via national, provincial, and sea routes.

A getaway to Arcadia caters to all tastes and preferences. If you seek fast-paced excitement, you can engage in extreme sports and hiking, ending up in atmospheric cafés, tavernas, and very pleasant clubs in all the tourist resorts of the prefecture.

If you prefer tranquility and need relaxation, the Arcadian landscapes, guesthouses, and farms will offer you many beautiful moments. And, of course, to get to know the area, visit its many attractions.

Unique museums, archaeological sites, monasteries, castles, and traditional settlements are an invitation. To begin our tour of Arcadia, we will introduce you to the region.

The largest prefecture of the Peloponnese is located right in its centre. To the east, it is bathed by the Argolic Gulf (Astros, Agios Andreas, Tyros, Leonidio). A little further west, Mount Parnonas emerges with wild landscapes and beautiful villages (Kastanitsa, Agios Petros, Ano Doliana).

Further on are the plateaus of Tegea and further north, Mantineia, with fertile stretches of land. Approximately in the centre of the prefecture is the capital, Tripoli, and to the southwest, Megalopoli and Mount Lykaion (towards Kalamata). In the central and western part of the prefecture, Mount Mainalo dominates, its slopes adorned by Vytina, Alonistaina, and Levidi.

Further west (towards Ilia), in the province of Gortynia, on Mount Aphrodisio and Gortynian Mountains, stand historical settlements such as Dimitsana, Zatouna, Stemnitsa, Karytaina, Lagkadia. So, plan your escape to beauty. It is a must!

Find cheap hotels in the area HERE!

Tourist activity and many choices

Coastal tourist resorts such as the municipality's seat, Astros, but also beautiful mountain villages like Doliana, Agios Petros and others, make the Municipality of North Kynouria a top destination.

 

Paralio Astros with its unique beaches and vibrant summer atmosphere and life

Historic Astros Kynourias is today a wonderful and beautiful spa town with tourist infrastructure and many options. Inland Astros retains the characteristics of an Arcadian market town. A visit will impress you!

Astros consists of two settlements, the coastal and the inland, both belonging to the Municipality of North Kynouria, 45 km southeast of Tripoli.

Paralio Astros has developed into a beautiful seaside resort with buzz and vibrancy. The picturesque harbour with its tavernas and cafés is one image.

The other is the large, wide sandy beach with beach bars and watersports opportunities, the very well-kept cafés and bars, and the multitude of young people flocking to the area in summer. Above the settlement stands the Castle (Venetian, 1256 AD), creating a stunning view.

Inland Astros is today an Arcadian market town with traditional elements and development, known mainly from the Second National Assembly held here in March 1823. Dimitrios Ypsilantis disembarked in Astros in 1821 to take part in the revolution.

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Suggestions for visitors

If you visit the area in summer, our undisputed recommendation is a short holiday in Paralio Astros. Choose your accommodation from one of the many good options (hotels, bungalows, apartments, and rooms) and enjoy the beautiful beach and excellent entertainment choices.

Bars and cafés with good music on one hand, and restaurants and tavernas with rich culinary offerings on the other, will keep you creatively 'occupied'. For all seasons of the year, there are many touring suggestions in the area.

 

Doliana: An emerging must-see…

While Ano Doliana remained relatively untouched by the tourist promotion of other Arcadian villages, in recent years they have vigorously entered the running for a spot on the list of top destinations.

The traditional settlement of Ano Doliana, with its magnificent view of Mainalo, Helmos, and the plain of Tripoli, is built on the foothills of Parnonas (at an altitude of approximately 1000 metres), 20 kilometres southeast of Tripoli, while also being the first village of Kynouria.

Although, as mentioned above, Ano Doliana was not a popular destination in the past, it was nevertheless well-known since antiquity thanks to its quarries which produced the white marble that adorned structures such as those of Epidaurus and Ancient Olympia. It is also worth noting that it became even more famous in 1821 after Nikitaras' historic battle with the forces of Mustafabey.

The entire Municipality of North Kynouria, to which Doliana belongs, is ideal for getaways and holidays. Discover the area that combines everything!

 

Why Ano Doliana

Because, in addition to the cobbled streets that offer wonderful walks, the flowing waters that create beautiful waterfalls in their path, the nearby gorges, the excellent forest village with its rich landscape, and the tavernas with traditional flavours, Ano Doliana can be used as a starting point for nearby excursions and alternative forms of tourism, as Viva Activa, a company specialising in organising hiking trails, mountain biking, etc., is based here, offering visitors the opportunity to experience unique moments of action and adventure.

Be sure to take the Ano Doliana – Koutroufas – Kastri route and admire the unique landscape with its chestnut trees, before arriving at the villages of Agios Petros and Perdikovrysi, where you can visit the ruins of the medieval castle of Oria, the Malevi Monastery, and the interesting Timiou Prodromou Monastery, respectively.

The enchanting nature and careful development of the area will transform Doliana into a new, interesting, and delightful getaway, very close to Athens (2 hours). Astros is also very close by.

Find cheap hotels in the area HERE!

 

Agios Petros, Kastanitsa, Agios Andreas

In the villages of Parnonas, nature always charms, with Mount Parnonas dominating the background. Ascend to the traditional settlement of Agios Petros. Cobblestone alleys, beautiful houses and churches, the forest, and local delicacies will leave you with unforgettable memories.

The ruins of the Medieval Castle of Oria are also preserved in the village. Don't miss a visit to the traditional village of Kastanitsa (especially in autumn). Coffee in the stone-paved square, a rich meal, and a walk in the magnificent forest will impress you. Between Agios Petros and Kastanitsa lies the highest peak of Parnonas, and the European E4 path passes through here. At the location Lepida, see the beautiful waterfall, while the Monastery of Loukous and the Monastery of Malevi are also worth a visit.

East of Astros, on the road towards Leonidio, make a stop at the beach of Agios Andreas village. The reason? Fresh fish in tavernas by the sea and a view of the Argolic Gulf. The same road also leads to Arkadiko village, a few kilometres further south.

 

An escape to a dream…

Sometimes, even the rich Greek language struggles to fully capture the beauties of a region, especially when that region is Vytina.

 

Vytina, amidst Fir Trees and greenery!

A mountain resort with many traditional local products. The birthplace of the great historian Konstantinos Paparrigopoulos, Vytina has for years been one of the most important tourist resorts in the Peloponnese and an ideal all-season destination for experiencing the rare beauty of mountainous Arcadia.

Lush with flowing waters that refresh the already cool landscape, with parks ideal for moments of romance and relaxation, with the European E4 path (Vytina – Nymfasia – Kamenitsa) inviting hikers from all over for routes in the embrace of lush mother nature, with the Mainalo ski centre (see Mainalo Ski Centre topic) awaiting winter sports enthusiasts, with surprising architecture and people full of kindness and love for their region, the capital of the eponymous municipality certifies the dreamlike character attributed to it by its thousands of visitors.

A dream you will experience first-hand by travelling approximately 38 kilometres northwest of Tripoli and ascending to an altitude of around 1,000 metres. Dense fir forests are the most common sight in the area. The region's climate is considered particularly good, which is why Vytina has long been a destination for rejuvenation and healing.

Read more: [ The most beautiful and traditional villages of our country! ]

All time classic…

Dimitsana has always been one of Arcadia's most beautiful villages and simultaneously a unique escape option for all seasons of the year.

 

Beautiful Dimitsana from above

Within its warm embrace, hikers and nature lovers, families and couples, lively spirits and carefree weekenders have found and continue to find shelter, as the options here leave no one disappointed.

The imposing stone buildings with unique architecture, the cobbled streets with their romantic character, the lush Mainalo landscapes with their unique scenery, the dozens of hiking trails with winding roads leading to the excellent Lousios gorge, and the unique options for alternative tourism, are the best proofs of why the traditional settlement of Dimitsana is a popular destination for all ages, for every visitor. Dimitsana is built on the ruins of ancient Teuthis, at an altitude of approximately 1,000 metres and is 60 kilometres northwest of Tripoli.

 

Where to go, what to see

It is a fact that every corner of Dimitsana has its own interest, its own unique significance, elements that serve as the best guide for visitors wishing to explore it in detail. See in detail under “Attractions”.

 

Boundless beauty, a paradise for nature lovers

Kontovazaina, Dimitra, Vahlia and the other villages of the Municipality offer unique destinations for a journey through western Arcadia.

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Kontovazaina, Dimitra, Ladonas Valley

Our journey in the Municipality begins from lush Vahlia and the beautiful village of Dimitra in the Ladonas valley, where we will visit the ruins of the ancient Sanctuary of Demeter of Eleusis.

And having finished with Dimitra, after a few minutes the sign for Kontovazaina simply confirms our location. Indeed, we are now in the seat of the eponymous municipality, in the picturesque village (it has been designated a traditional settlement) which is built on the slopes of Mount Aphrodisio and boasts flowing waters, lush areas, and a magnificent view of the Ladonas valley.

In Kontovazaina, it is worth visiting the church of Agios Nikolaos and the Kleivoka Monastery, while leaving the village and heading south, it is worth making a stop at the impressive Chlia Vrysi, the stone-built fountain constructed in 1895 and since renovated.

 

Lagkadia: Stone grandeur

It is certainly no coincidence that Lagkadia (63 km northwest of Tripoli, 1000 metres altitude) is stone-built and beautiful. It is the homeland of the renowned Lagkadian master builders, who spread their craft throughout Greece!

 

Master-builder village with history and beauty

The well-known master-builder village, with its stone mansions and tower houses, is faithful proof of the nationwide fame of its craftsmen who, with only stone and passion as their tools, created unique masterpieces of stone art both in their homeland and in the rest of Arcadia.

The sight of the houses clinging above the ravine, lush with pines, plane trees and oaks, is as impressive as a visit to the mansion of the historic Deligiannis family and the nearby churches of Agios Ioannis and Taxiarches. Furthermore, participating in the Folk Song Festival at the end of July is a wonderful experience adorned with traditional notes. Lagkadia serves as a base for exploring Gortynia.

 

In the land of the Dorians…

Natural beauty, attractions, and the sense of the unique and distinct in the language, customs, and architecture of Tsakonia, are the strongest incentives to visit the area.

 

Picturesque Leonidio, beneath the "red rocks"

The windmills in the Leonidio area. The Municipality of Leonidio, with its namesake market town as capital, encompasses a significant part of the Tsakonia region.

The Tsakones, who are descendants of the Dorians, have preserved to this day the Tsakonian dialect (a linguistic idiom similar to ancient Doric), the Tsakonian dance, and their distinctive architecture. Their simple manners and customs, clothing, and way of life still form the soul of a living tradition.

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Leonidio

It is the capital of the Municipality and is built at the edge of a small and lush, fertile valley, beneath the peaks of the red, steep rocks. Mansions and traditional houses are maintained in good condition.

Furthermore, a large part of the settlement has been designated a traditional settlement, dominated by Tsakonian architecture, with two and three-storey houses, paved courtyards and balconies.

It is worth walking through the town to see the tower houses of "Tsikaliotis" and "Polytimos", as well as the Tower of "Chatziroudis" in the centre of the settlement. Every summer, a Festival of Traditional Songs and Dances of the region takes place.

 

Unique suggestions

Rare flora species grow in the area. In the gorge of Dafnonas and the Elonis Monastery (a monastery built within the red rock with a unique view), you will see unique plants and flowers.

The unique Juniper forest in Europe is also located in the area. Products of the region include the famous Leonidio Aubergines, as well as good honey. For attractions, look for the windmills in the area, and also the significant Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Sintzas, built inside a double cave.

You will witness unique sights if you find yourself in Leonidio during Easter. The custom of hot air balloons maintained by the locals is very beautiful. Dozens of colourful hot air balloons, handmade by the residents and lit by candles, ascend into the sky and illuminate the town, as soon as "Christos Anesti" (Christ is Risen) is heard. It's worth seeing!

Find cheap hotels in the area HERE!

The city of… energy

Megalopoli may never have been a tourist destination, but no one disputes that Arcadia's economy owes and will continue to owe a great deal to it.

 

A rich history!

The ancient theatre of Megalopoli. For decades now, Arcadia's second most important city has been one of the country's most significant energy centres, as the exploitation of enormous quantities of lignite through electricity generation units has transformed it into a driving force for dozens of daily activities.

Megalopoli is built on a plain and is approximately 35 kilometres southwest of Tripoli.

 

Where to go, what to see

If you think that Megalopoli only has the huge power plant, you will probably be proven wrong. See details in the "Attractions" section.

 

Fertile centre, historic place

The region of Tegea has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. The rich valley and the many historical monuments, as well as its central location within the prefecture, make it a pivotal point of reference.

 

The Temple of Athena Alea in Tegea

The present-day Municipality of Tegea extends across the eponymous plain. With its seat in the village of Stadio and municipal districts including the villages of Alea, Episkopi, Kerasitsa, Rizos, Lithovounia, Magoula, Vouno, Mavriki, Tzivas, Kamari, Kandalos, Strigos, and Psili Vrysi, it constitutes another beautiful destination in Arcadia.

Read more: [ 7 destinations for a short trip very close to Athens! ]

Choices

In recent years, Tegea has been making significant strides in development. A contribution and important event for the entire region is the Pan-Peloponnesian Exhibition (a commercial and agricultural exhibition with many exhibitors and thousands of visitors) held annually.

A special event worth seeing is the grand festival of Tegea at the site of the old Bishopric, where thousands of visitors flock every Assumption of Mary (August 15th). The revelry and cheer reach a climax in a genuine local Peloponnesian festival with food, wine, music, and dances.

Don't forget to stock up on local products from Tegea's fertile land. Wine, quality vegetables, pears, cherries, and sour cherries are the main produce of the area. Additionally, using Tegea as a base, you can organise your excursions both eastward to the coastal villages of Arcadia and to the mountainous massifs of Parnonas and Mainalo.

Find cheap hotels in the area HERE!

The lady of Arcadia…

A dynamic, beautiful, modern city, a major commercial centre of the Peloponnese and simultaneously a pivotal point of the entire region. This, in a nutshell, is historic Tripoli.

 

In the heart of Arcadia and the Peloponnese

The Malliaropouleio Theatre, a work by Ziller. Tripoli… The heart of Arcadia (also known as Tripolitsa until the late 19th century, it played a crucial role during the Revolution) vividly comes to life as the 165 kilometres from Athens steadily diminish and we ascend to an altitude of 650 metres, simultaneously enjoying the coolness of Mount Mainalo, Artemision, and Parthenion.

Arriving right in the centre of the Peloponnese, beautiful Tripoli, the capital of Arcadia prefecture, sweetly welcomes us and cunningly winks, promising surprises. Where to begin…

From the distinctive parks with their squares and neoclassical buildings, from the unique pedestrian streets that offer special moments of relaxation, or from the city's cultural buzz? Whatever your choice, the final impression will fully reward you.

 

Where to go, what to see

Ares Square, with its imposing Judicial Palace, is a distinct landmark of the city. The monument to the notables, the imposing statue of the revolutionary Theodoros Kolokotronis (whose bones are preserved at its base), and the lush grove, on one hand, recall the city's historical legacy and, on the other, help visitors escape the stress and intense pace of daily life.

Continue with the magnificent church of Agios Vasileios (Tripoli Cathedral), the house of poet Kostas Karyotakis, the Mantzounio Public Library with its thousands of book volumes, the Apostolopouleio Cultural Centre (a bequest from Dimitrios Apostolopoulos), and Petrinou Square with the Malliaropouleio Municipal Theatre (built in 1910), a donation to the city by physician Ioannis Malliaropoulos.

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Finally, the city's archaeological museum, designed by Ziller, with findings from all over Arcadia, and the War Museum (in a renovated neoclassical building) with weapons, helmets, manuscripts, and photographic material from the 1821 Revolution, the Macedonian Struggle, World War I, and the Balkan Wars, are excellent choices for a visit.

Tripoli is the seat of the University of Peloponnese as well as the Region of Peloponnese and has approximately 40,000 inhabitants.

 

A base for excursions

The city can serve as your base for winter tourism throughout the mountainous Peloponnese, as well as your headquarters for visits to many important monuments and archaeological sites. One option for a visit near Tripoli is Ancient Tegea, which was the most important city in Arcadia during antiquity.

Here you will see up close minimal sections of the famous Temple of Athena Alea, the remnants of the Ancient Theatre of Tegea, the Olympic Plaque, the Pantegian Heroon, the building of the former Domestic Science School, the church of Episkopi, the Archaeological Museum of Tegea with artefacts and statuettes from the area, and the Folklore Museum of Tegea (in the former Domestic Science School building) with traditional costumes, agricultural tools, and images from the professional life of the inhabitants.

Finally, the ruins of ancient Mantineia and ancient Asea, as well as the Monasteries of Gorgoepikoo (Nestani), Epano Chrepas (with significant hagiographies and an important library) and Agios Nikolaos of Varses, offer additional options not to be missed. And, of course, the journey to the other areas of the prefecture begins…

Find cheap hotels in the area HERE!

Festivals – Events

The Tripoli Festival, held every summer and featuring exhibitions, film screenings, and theatrical performances by groups from Greece and abroad, along with the anniversary of liberation on September 23rd, are the city's most significant events. Also worth experiencing is the Tripolitsiotiko Easter with its boisterous celebrations and plenty of roasted meats!

 

In the heart of Gortynia

The road from Lagkadia to Vyziki is beautiful. Follow it and discover the amazing Arcadian landscapes, around the (artificial) Lake of the Ladonas River.

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Vyziki, Stavrodromi, Akova

Leaving Lagkadia and before reaching our first main stop, we pass through Stavrodromi, a beautiful village on the northern side of the Touthoa gorge, where it is worth visiting the church of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

From Stavrodromi, the distance to Vyziki is less than fifteen minutes (northbound), as the two places are just over 4 kilometres apart. Vyziki is a lush traditional settlement built on a hillside, and during the Frankish rule, it served as the centre of the Barony of Akova, experiencing immense prosperity.

From here, we will visit the ruins of the Frankish castle of Akova, built in 1248, sold in 1318 to Ioannis Kantakouzenos and Andronikos Palaiologos, and conquered and destroyed by Mehmet II the Conqueror in 1458, as well as the scant remains of the ancient city of Thelpousa.

In fact, it is worth noting that every August, the Akova Festival takes place in Vyziki, featuring cultural events, local dances, traditional musical groups, etc.

From Vyziki to Tropea – just a kilometre and a half separates Vyziki from Tropea, the seat of the Gortynia municipality. Tropea is another picturesque part of Arcadia, built on the site of ancient Vervitsa, and played a significant role during the Revolution, as its inhabitants were among the pioneers of the national liberation struggle.

In Tropea, it is worth visiting the stone-built building of the Primary School (a donation by Andreas Syngros), the churches of Agios Georgios and Koimisis Theotokou, while leaving the town, the Artificial Lake of Ladonas with its beautiful and pristine landscape is a short distance away.

Find cheap hotels in the area HERE!