Friendly, cozy and very welcoming, the Filoxenia offers excellent value for money in Galaxidi and is only a five-minute walk to town. There's a view of mount Parnassus and the village from your room balcony, adding to the authentic Greek experience.
The breakfast in the hotel's courtyard is just sumptuous, including a lightly fried puffy bread topped with feta cheese and drizzled with a bit of honey. Fresh orange juice, homemade jams, braided home-baked biscuits, fresh fruit and a divine omelet are generally part of the breakfast too, so are coffee and tea of course.
For the colder months there's a cozy sitting and dining area for breakfast just off the main kitchen, and you feel like the place is home. The free wifi internet is also a blessing, as well as the little kitchenettes in the room.
The owner of the place has taken care to install energy-friendly air-conditioning and lighting. She also recycles wherever possible and uses only local produce and products, which is a big plus in our books.
Location-wise Filoxenia is just a close walk to the little port of Galaxidi with all its restaurants and handful of shops, but also to the town beach and trendy coffee shop. If you like to walk, take a 20-minute stroll or 30-minute hike around the port and round the hilly forest to a handful of more secluded beaches where you'll be practically alone in a stunning environment.
This is a clean no-frills property with simple yet nice rooms that's convenient, friendly, and authentic where the owner tries to keep the prices down while maintaining high standards. A family atmosphere dominates but it's also great for couples. If you want a great place to stay with a decent breakfast in Galaxidi on a budget, this is it.
Known as the geographical centre of Greece, Fokida (or historically Focis) is home to the ancient spiritual locality of Delphi, the stunning yet quiet naval town of Galaxidi, the mountains of Vardoussia, the sandy shores of Efpalio and the nature reserve of Parnassos. Blue skies, majestic mountains and rolling olive groves mingle with remote villages, remote archaeological sites and age-old churches that fill every visitor with wanderlust. Read more bellow...
Even the quiet capital of Amfissa, tucked away among green mountains, beckons with its Frankish fortress and the Byzantine church of the Saviour from the 11th century. Its very old neighbourhood of Harmena which still features rope-makers cobblers and other nearly extinct professions must be visited. Yet it is the town of Delphi some 20 minutes away, both in its ancient and modern elements, that inspires visitors – a must-see before moving on to the rest of the prefecture. Delphi's oracle, fountain, gymnasium, ruins and stadium are awe-inspiring, so is the sophisticated museum that harbours its treasures. The traditional stone-built town of today boasts a myriad of usual tourist shops, in addition to more interesting boutiques from a delightful health store to a unique photography shop.
Viator
The touristy modern town of Itea on the coast facing Delphi, particularly its centre, is best dropped in favour of the infinitely more charming Galaxidi some 20 minutes away, particularly if you want an enchanting overnight stay. That said, Itea has two good if popular beaches (Trocadero and Miami) and two modest archaeological sites in the vicinity (Kirra and Tritea) although very little actual ruins have remained from these once bustling ancient settlements. In Galaxidi do visit the Maritime museum and sample the unique baked-rice dessert, as well as the almond-sugar pudding, both unique to this little town.
Further down the coast from Galaxidi is another picturesque fishing town of 700 inhabitants, known as Eratini in the municipality of Tolophon, where there is an ancient site by the same name. From here you can go inland and explore nature towards Lidoriki and the X-shaped Lake Mornos, or you can continue on the coast to Efpalio with its irresistible beaches such as Monastiraki.
Pixabay - DanaTentis
Only a short distance further down the coast beyond Tolophon, the village of Glifada boasts old fortifications and an important acropolis from ancient times. Across the shores lies the sizeable island called Trizonia, beckoning to curious visitors with its seaside villages.
Up the mountains, the municipality of Lidoriki – considered the heart of Doric Greece in ancient times – boasts medieval castles, notable archaeological sites, an old resort town of Diakopi that used to house patients of Tuberculosis, and the lake of Mornos, as well as an archaeological museum. Higher up, the same municipality offers excellent mountain climbing opportunities and caving activities.
Indeed, the mountainous areas of Fokida are impressive. As with neighbouring Viotia, the mountain range of Parnassos also blesses Fokida with adventure, trekking, skiing and exploring, particularly at Eptalofos and Lilea. The E4 hiking route passes through the area and takes you on many adventures, while Lilea (Kato Agoriani) will captivate with its ancient city walls and castle, as well as its two main springs.
If one side of the prefecture inland boasts the mountain range of Parnassos, the other side competes with Vardoussia, a lesser known mountainous haven but equally awesome, hiding gems such as the lovely village of Krokilio rich with water, exotic flora and traditional architecture. Further up is the resort village of Pentagiou with a curious 'School of Free Speech', while on even higher ground there are the rival villages of Artotina and Dorida who both claim that national hero Athanasios Diakos hailed from their village.
