by Patricia Watson

Created on: December 18, 2011   Last Updated: December 22, 2011

Arachova is a beautiful town that sits above a valley on the north slopes of Mount Parnassus, to the east of Delphi and three hours from Athens in the centre of Greece. At an altitude of 940, Arachova is one of the highest towns on the mainland and is towered by the peaks of the Parnassus Mountains. This pretty town is a popular base for skiers and also for those who enjoy exploring traditional Greek towns with narrow and twisting cobbled lanes, paths into the hills, springs and traditional stone made houses. In the town visitors will find shops selling local produce and goods such as wines, olives, cheese, weavings, rugs and knitwear.

The large town is a popular resort, particularly with Greek people, both in the summer and winter months and provides chalets, hotels, apartments, shops, restaurants, bars and coffee shops. At night time the night clubs, bars and tavernas in the town come alive offering music, drinks and traditional dishes.

For those who enjoy walking country lanes and trails are readily accessible around the town but during the winter months visitors are advised to contact the hiking centre in the town which organizes regular walks locally and through the Parnassus National Park. Not far from the town are two ski centres, Parnassus and the much smaller Gerontovrahos which only houses two drag lifts.

The Parnassus Ski Centre provides two sections Kellaria and Fterolakka and is open every day from December through to May, depending upon the snowfall. The resort has seventeen skiing sites, eight skiing routes and thirteen lifts. The slopes vary in the level of difficulty from the mini sites for beginners to the Iniohos number six slopes which have been recognised as appropriate for international races.

Skiing equipment can be hired and for those who prefer something different there is an ice rink and the opportunity to snow board or hire snow mobiles or sleighs. The resort provides a day care centre and chalets where visitors can relax and buy hot drinks and taste local dishes.

For visitors wanting a break from skiing a visit to the nearby historical town of Delphi provides the opportunity to explore museums and ancient ruins including a walk along Sacred Way leading to the Temple of Apollo. This popular town manages to combine the old with the new and provides bars, restaurant and travernas to relax in and sample local food and wines.

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