Just two hours from Athens, the villages of Mainalo in Mountainous Arcadia are ideal for getaways that blend nature, tradition and great food.
Mount Mainalo, at an elevation of 1,981 m., sits in the heart of the Peloponnese and occupies most of the northern part of Arcadia. Its villages, stone-built and picturesque, with trails that wind through beech and chestnut forests, welcome visitors in every season. Especially in autumn, though, they have a unique magic. Fireplaces and stoves are lit early, creating a warm atmosphere ideal for relaxation. The villages are about two hours from Athens, making them suitable even for last-minute getaways. Choose one of the picturesque settlements as your base and explore the rest by car.
Vytina
Vytina is among the most popular villages in the area, as it was the first settlement to develop tourism thanks to its proximity to the Mainalo Ski Center. Stroll its lanes, admire the old mansions, and visit the Vytina Folklore Museum where you will learn more about the traditions and the daily life of the area’s inhabitants.
In the square you will also see the stone-built Church of Saint Tryphon and sit for coffee or a drink at the establishments all around. Buy local products from the traditional shops in the village’s narrow streets and taste local specialties at the little tavernas. One of Vytina’s most popular spots is the «Road of Love», a romantic route among tall trees that change color with the season. The Mainalo Ski Center is about 15 km. away and makes a lovely outing in every season.
Dimitsana
Dimitsana, one of Arcadia’s most enchanting villages, fills with visitors in every season. Walking along the main street, you will enjoy views of the red-tiled, postcard-perfect houses, while gazing from above across the plain of Megalopolis. Cobbled alleys, Byzantine churches, and towering mansions adorn this historic village, which has been designated a traditional settlement.
On your stroll you will encounter the impressive clock-symbol of Dimitsana that chimes every half hour, the residence of Palaion Patron Germanos, and the historic library that houses about 35,000 volumes with rare editions. Walk to the edge of Dimitsana, where, in a magical natural setting, lies theonly Open-Air Water Power Museum in Greece, showcasing the importance of hydropower in traditional society.
Stemnitsa
One of the most beautiful and historic villages of mountainous Arcadia, Stemnitsa, just 9 km. from Dimitsana, is an ideal choice for those who love tranquility and nature. Built amphitheatrically on Mainalo’s western slopes at an elevation of 1,100 m., it captivates with its imposing tower houses, cobbled lanes, and its Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches. Wander through the settlement, climb higher to admire the village view, and head to the lovely central square dominated by the ornate bell tower of Saint George.
Sit down for Greek coffee and a sweet at the square’s cafés and, if you want to get to know the place better, visit the folklore museum and the School of Silversmithing, one of the few in Greece. About 8 km. from Stemnitsa, you will reach the historic Monastery of Timios Prodromos, suspended on a towering vertical rock and seeming to hover over the Lousios Gorge. From the monastery’s balcony you will enjoy sweeping views of the gorge’s wild beauty.
Lagkadia
If you are looking for a less touristic destination, visit Lagkadia, the village famous for its stone builders and craftsmen. Lagkadia spreads amphitheatrically on Mainalo’s slopes and is therefore known as the «hanging village of the Peloponnese». Birthplace of two Greek prime ministers (Theodoros Deligiannis and Nikolaos Deligiannis), the village stands at an elevation of about 900 meters and has been designated a traditional preserved settlement.
Stone houses, mansions, and traditional churches compose a setting that will transport you through history. The view toward the ravines and the mountains of Gortynia takes your breath away. The village’s central square, with centuries-old plane trees, is framed by guesthouses, cafés, tavernas, and shops with folk art and local products. Jewels of the village include the Church of the Archangels with the impressive clock and the Church of Saint John the Baptist - it is said that both were built within 40 days due to a time limit set by the Turks.
Elliniko
Between Stemnitsa and Karytaina lies Elliniko, a lesser-known village of Mainalo, perched on the slopes above the Lousios Gorge. The village’s older name was Moulatsi and it is built at an elevation of 720 m. Stone houses, traditional guesthouses, and a welcoming atmosphere have won the hearts of those seeking peaceful getaways and a connection with nature.
In the central square of Agia Triada you will be impressed by the magnificent two story school building that once housed the village’s primary school. From here begins the path that leads to Prodromos Monastery, dramatically perched on a sheer rock, while nearby stands the historic Philosophou Monastery. A short drive away you will encounter the ruins of Ancient Gortys, mentioned by Pausanias as one of the oldest cities of Arcadia, in a unique natural landscape on the banks of the Lousios River.
