A land of towering mountains, deep valleys, rivers, castles, thermal springs and 200 kilometres of lacy coastline dotted with sandy and pebble beaches, the Prefecture of Fthiotida stretches over an area of 4,441 square kilometres in the heart of Central Greece.
The region is a revelation, its people, scenery and wilderness providing some of the most exhilarating moments while traveling in Greece. It contains some of the highest mountains in the country (Parnassos, Oiti, Vardoussia), breath-taking vistas, century-old monasteries, old-world villages, tiny chapels, grandiose swaths of forest and a fascinating history and culture. Lamia, the busy provincial capital and an important transport junction, is built on the southwest, pine-covered slopes of Mt. Othris near the River Sperchios.
An ideal destination for adventurers and naturalists, or anyone seeking a getaway from city life, Fthiotida offers ample opportunity for camping, hiking, paragliding, hunting, horseback riding, trail biking, kayaking and water rafting, as well as water sports and fishing.
Just 27km from Arachova (about 3 hours from Athens), the Ski Centre on Mt Parnassos at two main locations Kellaria (1750m altitude) and Fterolakas (1950m altitude), features twenty slopes, ski and snowboard schools, abundant snow, cafes, restaurants and endless sunny days for a memorable skiing vacation. Water sports enthusiasts will be delighted by a lacy coastline dotted by several sandy beaches and popular resorts (Theologos, Arkitsa, Aghios Kostantinos, Kamena Vourla, Stylida, Karavomilos, Raches, Achinos, Achladi, Pelagia).
For vacationers who desire renewal, Fthiotida boasts a variety of geo-thermal springs at popular spa resorts offering excellent facilities (Kamena Vourla, Thermopyles, Ipati, Platistomo).
In well-organized farmhouses, agrotourism accommodation and traditional guesthouses, visitors can participate in farming activities including grape picking, olive harvesting, animal feeding, goat and sheep milking and sheering. Known in mythology as the “cradle of the Greek nation”, the region is rich in history and archaeological legacy. On the main Thebes-Lamia highway is the site of Thermopyles with a monument of Leonidas and further up the mountain is the site where the famous Spartan and his men made their stand against the Persians.
Innumerable relics, impressive murals and centuries-old icons are found in the region’s Byzantine and post-Byzantine monasteries housed in splendid buildings fine architectural monuments.
Year-round customs and festivities include the Vlach wedding and Dionysian fests during the Carnival in Lamia, lamb roasting on Easter Sunday, “bread offering” festival in Amfikleia, Kourbani custom at Neo Monastiri, the sardine festival, wine fest, harvesting festivals and much more.