Escape to Mountainous Arcadia: Stone, nature and warm hospitality

Stroll through gorgeous stone-built villages and enjoy activities in the magical nature of Mount Menalon.

Every village in Mountainous Arcadia is a gem. The stone houses, the cobbled lanes, the squares and the churches, nature and tradition create a rare and wonderful combination in a distinctive destination in the heart of the Peloponnese. On the slopes of fir-clad Mainalo, beautiful stone-built villages welcome visitors all year round, offering warm hospitality and many options for relaxation and activities in glorious nature. And all this just two hours from Athens.

Exploring the villages of Mainalo

Mainalo, rising to nearly 2,000 meters, is the very soul of Arcadia. It dominates the center of the Peloponnese and stands out for its natural wealth and beauty. Every path on Mainalo has a fairytale to tell.Every village is a gem.

Levidi, the first large village you will encounter on theroad coming from Athens, will impress you with its stone-built houses and its lively square. From here it is worth visiting the ancient theater of Orchomenos, as well as the unique Kapsia Cave whichis ranked among the tenmost noteworthy caves in Greece.

At an elevation of 1,033 meters, on Mount Mainalo, in a verdant area with pines, firs and chestnut trees, emerges Vytina, one of the most popular mountain villages of the Peloponnese. It was the first settlement to develop tourism thanks to its proximity to the Mainalo ski center. The village’s lanes are lined with houses and mansions made of local black marble. The heart of Vytina beats in the square with the stone-built church of Agios Tryfonas. Around it are gathered most of the shops with local products, cafes-bars and tavernas serving local specialties. One of the most popular spots is the «Path of Love», a romantic route between tall trees that change colors depending on the season.

Dimitsana gives you the sense of how close you are to the Lousios River, as it looks out from high above over the plain of Megalopolis. Cobbled alleys, Byzantine churches and towering mansions compose this historic village, designated a traditional settlement. The residence of Germanos of Old Patras and the historic libraryhousing rare editions will be on your way as you stroll the picturesque lanes. Just outside Dimitsana, it’s worth stopping at the only Open-Air Water Power Museum in Greece, whichhighlights the importance of water power in traditional society.

Just 9 km further on, you’ll come to Stemnitsa, one of the most beautiful and historic villages of Arcadia. Built amphitheatrically on the western slopes of Mainalo at an elevation of 1,100 m., it enchants with its imposing tower houses, cobbled lanes, and Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches. The elaborate bell tower of Agios Georgios, visible from afar, will lead you to its lovely and always lively central square. The village has a noteworthy folklore museum, as well as the Silversmithing and Goldsmithing School, one of the few in Greece.

Between Stemnitsa and Dimitsana, the historic Monastery of Timios Prodromos,literally wedged, almost hanging from the towering vertical rock, seems to hover over the Lousios Gorge. It is one of the largest and most beautiful monasteries of the Peloponnese. From the monastery’s balcony you’ll enjoy the ample view over the gorge’s wild beauty. From the path that descends to the Lousios and traverses the gorge you can reach Philosophou Monastery.At a point where the bed narrows there is a small bridge that crosses to the opposite bank. Philosophou Monastery consists of two monastic complexes, one old and one new, which are a short distance apart.

Among the most picturesque and historic settlements of Arcadia is alsoKarytaina.Built on the slope of a rock at the southwestern edge of Mountainous Arcadia, it isa true jewel of the area. Old Byzantine churches, mansions, fountains, bridges and the impressive castle atop the rock set the scene in the declared traditional settlement of Karytaina, which preserves the color of a medieval castle town and transports the visitor back in time. Nikos Kazantzakis, in «Travelling in the Morea», called Karytaina the «Toledo of Greece».

A lesser-known village between Stemnitsa and Karytaina, Elliniko, builtover three lush green hills,has in recent years become an ideal destination for those seeking peaceful getaways in nature’s embrace. In the central square of Agia Triada, the magnificent two-story school building that once housed the village’s primary school will impress you.

Lagkadia is also beautiful, a village famous for its exceptional stone builders and craftsmen. Perched on a steep mountainside, it is knownas the «hanging village of the Peloponnese» due to its location. The houses, churches, fountains and uphill cobbled lanes are true masterpieces of stone architecture.

Near Dimitsana, on the opposite side of the Lousios Gorge, lies Zatouna, a most picturesque village that charms visitorswith the Gortynian architecture of its houses. Standing out among the buildings is the old primary school, which today houses a museum dedicated to Mikis Theodorakis, who lived in Zatouna while in exile.

Apart from the area’s well-known destinations, there arealso other, equally picturesque villages worth discovering. You’ll enjoy lovely strolls in Magouliana (the highest inhabited village of the Peloponnese), Valtessiniko, Alonistaina, the small and uninhabitedLimbovisi(the village of Kolokotronis), Raftis, Piana and Chrysovitsi.All are wonderful and have their own charm and authenticity.

Activities in nature

With a length of 15 km and a width of about 2 km, the Lousios Gorge isamong the most important sights of Arcadia, and one of themost imposing gorges in Greece. Spectacular vegetation, old bridges, fulling mills and watermills create a beautiful setting, and crossing the gorge is a unique experience for visitors. A typical route starts from the new Philosophou Monastery and, following the path, passes by the old Philosophou Monastery, then descends to the Lousios, then ascends to the Prodromos Monastery and finally ends at Ancient Gortyna (duration about 2 hours). The Lousios River is also ideal for those who love rafting and for those who want to try the sport for the first time.

One of the best ways to get to know the area is by hiking the famous Menalon Trail. Thefirst certified trail in Greece by the ERA (European Ramblers Association) extends for 75 km, passing through historic settlements of Arcadia (Stemnitsa, Dimitsana, Zygovisti, Elati, Vytina, Nymfasia, Magouliana,Valtessiniko,Lagkadia). The trail passes by all the historical and cultural sights of these areas, while at the same time it connects with an endless side network. The Menalon Trail is divided into eight sections of varying difficulty. The Stemnitsa-Dimitsana section is the most popular for a one-day hike.

Ski lovers will certainly appreciate the Mainalo Ski Center, located on the Ostrakina plateau at an elevation of 1,600 m., beneath the mountain’s highest peak(1,981 m.). The ski center has seven runs, three lifts, a snowboard park and a chalet.It’s ideal for learning to ski, as well as for playing in the snow.

MOUNTAINOUS ARCADIA GUIDE

ACCOMMODATION

Vytina

• The 20 rooms of the Grand Vytina Hotel & Suites exude an atmosphere of relaxation and calm, while the amenities and modern comforts satisfy even the most demanding.
• The Art Mainalon hotel is a hotel-gallery. Authentic works of art and sculptures by Greek and foreign artists adorn the rooms and common areas.

Dimitsana

• Theonymfi Guesthouse is located on Dimitsana’s central square and offers four beautiful and spacious rooms, in the style of an old mansion house.
• The stone-built Nerida Boutique Hotel, set in a unique location filled with the sounds and images of the Lousios River’s flow, offers warm hospitality with wonderful views.

Elliniko

• In the heart of the stone-built picturesque village of Elliniko, Rocabella Hellinikon Country Hoteloffersauthentic hospitality, luxury and high-standard services.

Karytaina

• Petra Thea Villa Karitaina is a stone-built villa ideal for families and groups of friends. It is in a lovely location beneath the medieval castle of Karytaina and next to the Alfeios and Lousios rivers.

Levidi

• Built on the highest hill of the village of Levidi, near Vytina, the Villa Vager hotel revives the memories of the past with great respect and transports the visitor to other times.

Magouliana

• The new arrival in the area is the Manna hotel, in the Korfokxylia location in Magouliana. The old «Manna Sanatorium», which stood in ruins for many decades, was transformed into a modern 5-star hotel, a haven of high aesthetics and services, amid Mainalo’s nature.

Raftis

• Dimitra’s Resort is a discreetly luxurious stone mansion built in a wonderful traditional village called Raftis, just 18 km from Dimitsana.

Stemnitsa

• Trikolonion Country Hotel welcomes you in the heart of Stemnitsa. Its 14 luxury rooms and 4 suites will impress you from the first moment with their understated, warm atmosphere.
• Tsarbou Guesthouse is just a few steps from the central square. The old Tsarbou mansion, built in 1875, was restored in 2009 and transformed into a cozy retreat with touches of discreet luxury and an atmosphere of aesthetic perfection.

FOOD

Vytina

• At Klimataria, the oldest taverna in Vytina, they cook like at home. Try the pies with homemade phyllo and the cured pork.
• Kokkina Pitharia is a renowned restaurant that marries tradition with creative cuisine.
• At the «Deipnosofistes» restaurant of the Art Mainalon hotel you will enjoy quality, well-cooked food with traditional products of the area, handmade desserts and wine of excellent quality.

Dimitsana

• A steady favorite in Dimitsana, the Kapilio ton Athanaton is a warm and unpretentious taverna with tasty food.
• Good options also include Kioupi and Drymonas.

Levidi

• Make a stop at the famous taverna-grill of Koumpouris for roast suckling pig with crispy skin, kokoretsi and kontosouvli.

Markou

• A classic stop for food lovers is the traditional little taverna Zerzova, which moved from Panagia to a new spot in the village of Markou.

Stemnitsa

• On the village square, the traditional taverna Stemnitsa serves good grilled and cooked dishes.
• Of course, you’ll also stop at the traditional café Gerousia for tsipouro with tasty meze and homemade sweets.
• It’s worth the trip to the village of Psari, very close to Stemnitsa, to eat at Arkadiani. Besides the good restaurant, the multi-venue includes a workshop that produces traditional products and a cooking museum.