The «Road of Love» is just two hours away from Athens, in Vytina Arcadia. Dense plane trees and fragrant maples create an idyllic scene in every season of the year.
Perched at an elevation of 1,033 meters, on Mount Mainalo, in a lush area with pines, firs and chestnut trees, Vytina is one of the most popular mountain villages of Arcadia, as well as the entire Peloponnese. The first village in the area to develop tourism, it is an ideal destination for winter - and not only - getaways.
One of the most popular spots in the village is the Road of Love, a romantic route among tall trees that change color depending on the season. It is the route once taken by the youth of bygone days, where they exchanged glances and messages of love.
The Road of Love in Vytina
Shady plane trees and fragrant maples create a unique setting on this path called the Road of Love. You will find it on the western side of Vytina, in the so-called Old Village with the historic churches of the Holy Apostles and the Dormition of the Theotokos (1847).
The name of the path goes back to earlier times, when it was much loved by the villages sweethearts, as well as visitors from the neighboring villages. Couples would come here to meet for the first time, exchanging amorous glances and messages.
Vytinas little forest stretches over an area of 40 stremmas and is ideal for walks in nature. It is an experimental grove created by the Germans and today it is used as a recreation area. It contains 3,780 types of pine, firs, horse chestnuts, etc.
Watch a video of the Road of Love and Vytinas little forest
Vytina: Romantic escape in Mountainous Arcadia
At a distance of 35 km from Tripoli, Vytina is the first village in the area to develop tourism thanks to its proximity to the ski center of Mainalo. Its name, according to the prevailing view, comes from the word vythos because it was initially built in a basin between hills. The settlement sprawls languidly within Mainalo, the firs define it and scent it with that distinctive aroma one hardly forgets.
Along the village lanes, houses and manor houses built of local black marble prevail. The heart of Vytina beats in the square with the stone-built church of Saint Tryphon, which was constructed in 1846. Around it are most of the shops with local products, cafés, little bars and tavernas serving local specialties. Near the central square is the Vytina library, with a noteworthy historical archive on the area, documents and books from the 17th century, as well as the historic stone-built building of the Greek School.
