Combining nature, tradition, and great food, these gorgeous villages near Athens are ideal for family day trips at Easter.
Looking for a quick and easy getaway thisEasterto a traditional village amid lush greenery? From Parnassos to Arcadia, we have handpicked four wonderful destinations, at most two to three hours from Athens, for escapes that blend distinctive local customs, great food and relaxation in the countryside.
Amfikleia Fthiotida
The picturesqueAmfikleia, built on the northeastern foothills of Parnassos,is an ideal choice if you want to experience an authentic Roumeliot Easter. In just two hours from Athens you can reach this traditional settlement and lose yourself in its picturesque cobbled alleys. Amfikleia preserves its authentic character intact with stone houses, neoclassical mansions, bloominggardens, traditional fountains, beautiful churches and little tavernas serving local delicacies. The liveliest part of the village is the large, stone-paved mainsquare, perfect for children to play while youenjoy your coffee under the plane trees. On Easter Sunday, the sight of spit-roasted lambs turning in the streets of every neighborhood, with all the neighbors grilling together over a common pit, is unique.
Several trails start from the village leading to beautiful spots and historic chapels such as Agia Ierousalimof the 11th century, perched on the rocks. The wider area is ideal for hikers who want to enjoy the beauties of nature.
Steni Evia
Set at an elevation of 400 meters, on the foothills of Mount Dirfys, Steni is one of the most picturesque villages inEvia, just 30 km from Chalkida. Leaving Athens in the morning, in less than an hour and a half you will find yourself in a welcoming village drenched in greenery. Lush vegetation and running waters create an idyllic scene in every season. The village consists of three settlements: Pano and Kato Steni and the almost abandoned settlement of Pyrgos, also known as Skounteri. The heart of the village is the stone-paved square from where narrow paths start and branch out to the furthest edge of the village. In the square there are quaint fountains, while many large plane trees spread their shade over the quaint cafes and the renowned meat tavernas.
The most famous of the many nearby springs is the doctors fountain, 500 meters beyond the center of the village, in a plane tree-shaded ravine with crystal-clear running waters. The best spot for hiking is the Aesthetic Forest of Steni, one of the 19 aesthetic forests of Greece, which has been included in the Natura program.
Trikala Corinthia
Dense forests with wild cypress and black pines, serene lakes and plateaus, villages with stone squares and little tavernas serving good food compose the setting for a getaway in Mountainous Corinthia. And all this in less than 2 hours from Athens. Trikala Corinthia consists of three quarters - Kato, Mesaia and Ano - and is the largest village on the eastern side of Ziria. Strolls begin in Kato Trikala, with the stone-built square with the centuries-old plane trees and the impressive church of Agios Dimitrios. In Ano Trikala you will see several old mansions that have been preserved, such as the Notaras Mansion, while it is worth continuing your walk up to the 15th-century monastery of Agios Vlasios - the view from here will reward you.
Trikala Corinthia makes a good base for routes on Ziria. If you have time and inclination, definitely add short excursions in the surrounding area to see the beautiful artificial Lake Doxa,where the scenery is magical in all seasons, as well as the mythical Lake Stymphalia.
Stemnitsa Arcadia
Built amphitheatrically on the western slopes of Mainalo, at an altitude of 1,100 m, Stemnitsa is one of the most beautiful and historic villages of mountainousArcadia,and a popular base for staying in the area, as it has lovely and well-kept guesthouses. The imposing tower houses, the cobbled lanes, the Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches and the stone fountains create a unique atmosphere. The ornate bell tower of Agios Georgios stands out from afar and will lead you to the beautiful and always lively main square of Stemnitsa. In the village there is an interesting folklore museum housed in the Hatzis mansion, as well as the famed School of Silversmithing and Goldsmithing, which worthily continues the great local tradition. You can buy exquisite handmade jewelry from the various traditional workshops in the village.
In Stemnitsa, Easter is steeped in tradition, while the spring nature of the mountain and the gorge calls you for hikes or drives to the neighboring villages (Dimitsana, Karytaina, Vytina, etc.). A unique experience is a visit to the Monastery of Timios Prodromos, which perches above the Lousios Gorge since the 16th century.
