Amfissa
The myth says that Amfissa was the mistress of God Apollo – which is no wonder as it is only 20 minutes away from Delphi, where the famous Oracle of Apollo is situated.
Amfissa has a prominent location nestled between the mountains and valleys of Central Greece and enjoys the privilege of being at the foot of Delphi, what was once the center of the ancient world and what is nowadays an archaeological site you shouldn’t miss!
A walk on its paved roads is enough to get you into the atmosphere of the old meets new. You can admire retro shops filled with antiques in a beautifully organized modern town.
The area
Amfissa is only a 25 minutes drive away from Galaxidi, a charming picturesque town by the sea.
In addition, the area surrounding the town is a very popular destination for visitors that are attracted by history and the evolution of Greek tradition as well as the peace and quiet that it affords its visitors. The villages of Chrysso and the coastal village of Itea are also popular day trips.
Because of it’s proximity to the archaeological site of Delphi, the area that includes Amfissa is protected under the law which prohibits buildings and industrial zones that could alter the view of the olive tree valleys from the Oracle of Delphi.
As a result, the houses in Amfissa are not particularly tall but most houses have gardens, often with orange trees, bitter orange trees, or other vibrant, bright colored flowers.
Local life
The thing that strikes most visitors in Amfissa is the pure Greek way of living.
At noon, the whole town falls into silence, the siesta time, which is broken in the afternoon, accompanied by the smells of coffee and the playful noise of children stepping out to reclaim the remaining daylight.
The children, easier to please than the adults, will head to the parks, schoolyards or soccer fields while the adults will have their choice of entertainment, from little shops, art galleries, theaters, as well as painting and craft workshops.
Don’t miss
The center of Amfissa is full of architectural and cultural gems.
One of them is Megalo Kafeneio 1929 (Big Café). A heritage coffee-theatre where various artists and acting troupes used to perform their plays. Nowadays, it is fully renovated and used as a cafe and concert hall. This historic spot, favourited by locals and tourists, stands in a sweet little square called Keychaya, from where you can admire the impressive stairs leading up Saint Nicholas square.
