Dreamy natural landscapes, attractions rich in history and unique routes. What to see and what to do in one day in Kalavryta.
Just two hours from Athens, Kalavryta is one of the most popular destinations for winter weekends and beyond. Dreamy natural landscapes, historic sights and unique routes paint the picture of a destination worth discovering in every season of the year. The setting is even more enchanting when the first snow falls, with winter sports enthusiasts filling the town.
Built on the slopes of the Aroania Mountains, at an elevation of 735 meters, the mountain town of Achaea is ideal even for short getaways. The main pedestrian street and the squares buzz with life, with atmospheric cafe-bars, shops with local products and tavernas serving delicious dishes. Even if you find yourself there for just one day, there are many options for experiences you can enjoy to make the most of your time.
Discover Kalavryta
As soon as you arrive in Kalavryta you will encounter the historic train station building and the old primary school that today houses the Municipal Museum of the Kalavryta Holocaust. It is worth visiting the museum where you will learn all about the turbulent history of the area. Among the exhibits are personal belongings of the executed, photographs, historical documents and works by artists that will transport you back in time.
Then you can stroll the narrow lanes of the mountain town with its stone-built houses. In the central square there are many options for coffee as well as food, while in the surrounding alleys and on the pedestrian street you can find local products and souvenirs to take with you. Kalavryta is famed for its cheeses, handmade pasta, herbs such as mountain tea and chamomile, spoon sweets and honey.
You can then climb Kapi Hill, where a large white cross rises. At the Place of Sacrifice you will see columns bearing the names of the families of the executed, a catacomb with small oil lamps - one for each of the dead - as well as the stone sculpture of the grieving mother, which is symbolic for the women of Kalavryta who fought to rebuild the completely destroyed town.
Nearby getaways
A visit to Kalavryta is completed with short escapes to nearby landmarks. The Monastery of Agia Lavra, just 4 km. south of Kalavryta, standing proudly since 961 AD, is known as the place where the Greek Revolution began. The most precious treasure kept in the monastery is the banner used for the oath of the fighters of 1821. 10 km. from the town lies the Monastery of Mega Spilaio, one of the oldest in Greece. It is built in a striking landscape, literally clinging to a wild and steep rock. The monastery holds a great wealth of relics, among which is the icon of the Virgin Mary painted by the Evangelist Luke.
An alternative suggestion is, instead of the monasteries, to visit the Cave of the Lakes, a rare creation of nature 17 km. from Kalavryta. Tour the labyrinthine corridors with their wonderful stalactites and stalagmites. This cave is unique, as the lakes inside are something unusual and indeed extend over three levels.
Experiences in nature
If you are a lover of nature and adventure, the most magical experience you can have in Kalavryta is the ride on the legendary Odontotos. It is the train that crosses the Vouraikos Gorge, on a 23 km route from the railway station of Diakopto to Kalavryta. The scenes you will witness will impress you, as they change depending on the season, with the gorge snow-covered in winter and lush green in spring and summer. It is worth making a stop atZachlorou, the small village you will encounter along your route.
An alternative experience for those who love snow is a visit to the Helmos Ski Center which is 14 km. from Kalavryta. It is located on the northwestern side of Helmos at an elevation of 1.700-2.340 meters and is one of the most popular and best organized in the country, with thousands of visitors every year. It features slopes of varying difficulty, chalets and ski schools, while it is a favorite with snowboarders. Even if you do not ski, it is worth enjoying your coffee amid the white landscape.
