Kalavryta

An idyllic mountain resort for all seasons
The tavernas at the scenic station at Kato Zachlorou are highly recommended Kostas Tapakaraki
Today
WED
11°
THU
12°
FRI
14°
SAT
14°
Thrace region-id="pin-13"; Macedonia Macedonia Epirus Thessaly Sporades Ionian Islands Western Greece Central Greece Attica Peloponnese Crete Cyclades North Aegean Islands Dodecanese Dodecanese Karpathos Astypalea Tilos Sitia Faistos - Matala Patmos Kastelorizo Kasos Kos Leros Halki Rhodes Symi Sfakia - Loutro Rethymno Elounda - Agios Nikolaos Agia Galini Plakias Hersonissos - Malia Ierapetra Heraklion Chania Nisyros Ikaria Lipsi Tzia - Kea Thasos Samos Lesvos Samothrace Limnos Chios Kalymnos Paros Naxos Zante - Zakynthos Lefkada Corfu Santorini Milos Kythnos Kimolos Serifos Syros Sifnos Koufonisia Ios Kefalonia Mykonos Paxi Ithaca Arta Ioannina Tinos Parga - Sivota Metsovo Anafi Sikinos Folegandros Donousa - Iraklia - Schinoussa Antiparos Zagori Mountainous Arkadia Porto Heli - Ermioni Preveza Amorgos Andros Delos Messolongi Ancient Olympia Aegina Kythira Archea Epidavros Patra Nafplio Kardamyli Kalamata Ilia Corinth Western Messinia Kalavryta Elafonissos Nafpaktos Spetses Poros Hydra Alexandroupolis Pylos Mycenae Monemvasia Loutraki Piraeus Athens Arahova Xanthi Galaxidi Mystra - Sparta Mani Edipsos Delphi Chalkida Karystos Evia Skyros Vergina Alonissos Volos Karditsa Skopelos Skiathos Kastoria Thessaloniki Prespes Agios Athanasios Edessa Serres Veria Larissa - Tempi Elati - Pertouli Trikala Pelion Meteora Drama Ammouliani Mount Athos - Ouranopolis Nymfeo Mount Olympos Katerini Halkidiki Grevena Lake Kerkini Naoussa Kozani Kilkis Kavala Pella Lake Plastira
A popular ski resort, a dramatic train ride, a multitude of historic and religious attractions and immense natural beauty

Fir-covered slopes, a vertiginous canyon, a rack-and-pinion railway fearlessly cutting through it, a ski resort, a famous monastery and an impressive cave are just a few of the things that make Kalavryta, in the Peloponnese, an ideal destination for those who love winter holidays, nature, history and snow sports. Alpine hostels, good food, the Cave of the Lakes with its 13 underground lakes, the plane-tree forest at Platinero… what more could one want from a winter holiday destination? And it’s close to both Athens and Patras.

What to do in Kalavryta

A stunning train ride through the canyon

The Vouraikos Canyon ranks among the ten most beautiful in Europe and the rack-and-pinion railway, built in 1896 with a gauge of just 750mm, is one of the six most famous in the world. On the ride from Diakofto to Kalavryta, you will marvel at the canyon’s wild beauty, roll alongside the river and then you’ll be awed by the scenery at Dikastiria, Portes, Katarraktis (Waterfall) and Meteora tis Zachlorous. The route can also be hiked by the fairly fit. The tavernas at the scenic station at Kato Zachlori come highly recommended.

Monuments to faith through time 

The Mega Spilaion Monastery is a stunning eight-storey complex built on vertical rocks reminiscent of Meteora. Tradition says that it was founded in the latter half of the 4th century. Pilgrims are drawn by the bas-relief icon of the Virgin holding the Infant made mainly of wax and mastic! The Monastery of Agia Lavra is said to have been founded in 961 on the site now called Paleomonastiro (Old Monastery). The museum houses a banner from the Greek Revolution of 1821, which tradition says began right here.

Ski holidays with a view of the sea

Just 14km from Kalavryta, the ski resort on Mt Helmos is considered one of the best in Greece. Its 12 pistes cover every level of difficulty, there is a snowboard park, you can rent snowmobiles and, best of all, you can do all of this with a view of the sea.

The Cave of the Lakes

Pass through the Chamber of the Bats, if you dare, and you’re in the enchanted cavern of the first lake. Stalactites and stalagmites sparkle around you in the surreal light and echoing silence. There are another 12 stepped lakes on the three ‘floors’ of this magical world, the bed of a subterranean river. The fossils found here include that of a hippo and there is evidence that the site was inhabited as early as the 6th millennium BC.

A historic and hospitable town 

Tasteful traditional hostels with fireplaces, restaurants, cafes and tavernas, a cobblestone main street, lined with shops and the scenic train station are some of the attractions of Kalavryta. The town’s most beautiful square, Plateia Eleftherias or Helmos, is home to the historic hotel of the same name. One of the sights is the grand house of Paleologina, a crenellated three-storey stone structure with a murder-hole above the entrance. At the Holocaust Museum, you’ll learn the tragic story of executions and destruction carried out in Kalavryta by the Nazi occupiers in 1943.

Hidden gems of Kalavryta

The historic tower of Petmezaion

Extremely well-preserved and one of the oldest towers in the Peloponnese, the Tower of Petmezaion dates from the 17th century and is in Kato Loussous.

The ancient plane trees at Planitero

One of the most popular spots in the region is the plane-tree forest at Planiteros, which is very near the ski resort, on the road to the local town of Kleitoria. Try the trout at the restaurants within the forest.

The Aristarchos Telescope

Named after Aristarchus of Samos, a significant figure of astronomy in Ancient Greece. The National Observatory of Athens telescope, named ‘Aristarchos’, is the most powerful telescope in the Balkans and the second-largest in continental Europe. It can be found at the Neraidorachi summit of Mt Helmos, at a height of 2,340m.

Read More Read Less
10-day road trip around the Peloponnese
An astonishing array of history, culture and natural wonder awaits as you explore the mythical Peloponnese.
Discover It
Voidokilia beach, every Instagrammer’s dream
Winter holidays in Greece
Greece's bright light welcomes you to experience the most unexpected winter holidays of your life
Discover It
The road to Parnassus shelter

Travel ideas

Shining the light on stories
Outdoor Activities in Corfu island

The 8 most popular outdoor adventures in Greece

If you love active holidays, you’ll adore outdoor adventures in Greece: Hiking, sailing, kayaking, biking… even skiing. If it involves mountain or sea (or both), you’ll find it in Greece.
Petrouli’s ski center is small in size but with an unsurpassable natural landscape

8 Most popular places to snow ski in Greece

It couldn’t be further from the image of islands and beaches that most of us imagine when we think about holidays in Greece but, yes, you can snow ski in Greece – and you’ll be amazed how many ski centres there are around the country.
Winter at Trikala Korinthias

11 christmas destinations in Greece

This is when the first snows of winter transform mountain villages into a scene fit for a Christmas card