Full Travel Guide to Visiting Delphi

Delphi, located on Mount Parnassus in Phocis, Greece, is a sacred place in Greece and is considered the center of the world in Greek mythology. The Delphi Archaeological Museum, which houses many ancient Greek artifacts, and the archaeological sites, including the Temple of Apollo, the Tholos of Delphi, and the Ancient Stadium of Delphi, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Here you will learn about the Delphi Archaeological Museum and the main archaeological sites, and some of the interesting experiences you can have in Delphi. Here you will also find recommendations of great hotels, and advice on how to get to Delphi, the best time to visit Delphi and how many days it takes in Delphi.

Why Is Delphi So Popular

Whether you want to admire ancient Greek statues and architecture that have been passed down for thousands of years, experience living in a town surrounded by mountains with beautiful scenery, or take some amazing photos to enrich your photograph album, Delphi has it all. In Delphi, you can also have all kinds of experiences, such as tasting wines of old Greek varieties at the famous winery, learning to make ancient Greek ceramics with the master potter, and doing snow sports at the ski center that is qualified to host international skiing events. Whether it is natural beauty or the brilliant relic of ancient history, Delphi can always help you to slow down and enjoy life's true happiness.

Tholos of Delphi in Greece

Where to Explore in Delphi

1. Delphi Archaeological Museum

Delphi Archaeological Museum, located on the east side of Delphi, is one of the most important museums in Greece. Its style is calm and restrained, and you can hardly tell from its appearance that it is a modern museum, housing numerous statues, reliefs and sculptures, which are the treasures of ancient Greek art and culture.

One of the most famous collections is the Charioteer of Delphi, a bronze statue, which is a symbol of ancient Greek civilization. This statue was part of a four-horse chariot bronze statue, the only part of which has been preserved. Another famous collection is the gold-and-ivory head of the god Apollo, which was built by the order of Croesus, king of Lydia, who was considered a symbol of wealth in the ancient world.

There is also a cafe and a gift store inside the museum, where you can take a break have a drink and buy some souvenirs. The museum is open daily from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

2. Archaeological Sites in Delphi

The archaeological sites in Delphi are located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, surrounded by beautiful mountains and trees, and you can enjoy both the view and the hiking experience while visiting these ancient sites.

You can start an exciting hike from the Tholos of Delphi (10 minutes walk from the Delphi Archaeological Museum), visit the Temple of Apollo on the way and end with the Ancient Stadium of Delphi standing above the temple. The pace of the hike is yours to control, and you can stop at any time to take photos of these stunning architectural ruins and the breathtaking mountain scenery.

The Tholos of Delphi boasts three columns in Doric style with beautiful carved patterns and is considered a Delphi landmark. It is the most photogenic archaeological site in Delphi, and you can see lots of photos featuring these three tall, elegant columns on social media.

About 800 meters forward you reach the Temple of Apollo, a major destination for tourists. As a religious center and a symbol of unity in ancient Greek, it contains many masterpieces of Greek architecture from the 6th century BCE to the 2nd century BCE, such as altars, colonnades, monuments and a semicircular amphitheater with a capacity of 5,000 people.

The Ancient Stadium of Delphi is located above the Temple of Apollo, a 2.2km walk from the temple. It is one of the best-preserved ancient stadiums in Greece, with a 177.55-meter running track visible today. From its stands, you can capture all the aforementioned archaeological sites and the surrounding mountain scenery in one frame.

Recommended Tour Itinerary

Best of Greece 4 DAYS Explore This Tour

Unique Things to Do in Delphi

1. Wine Tasting in Argyriou Winery

Located in Polydroso village (one hour drive from the Temple of Apollo), Argyriou Winery is a great place for wine tasting, well regarded in Delphi. Guests can taste the nine different types of wines produced by the winery, including the ASSYRTIKO, which is produced in the vineyards of Parnassus, with an intense lemon and lime flavor, the MALAGOUSIA, which is produced throughout Delphi and has a moderate citrus acidity, with white flowers and linden aroma, and the MANTEIO WHITE, which is a combination of the Greek variety Assyrtiko and the international variety Chardonnay, with tropical yellow fruits noses and a mild oak flavor.

Guests can choose to rest at Argyriou Guesthouse, located in the old Argyriou family house dating back to 1867 in Polydroso, overlooking Mount Parnassus. There are six beautiful rooms available for visitors to stay, including double and family rooms. A rich breakfast is served, including traditional Greek dishes and seasonal fresh produce.

Temple of Apollo at Delphi

2. A Tour of the Village, Eptalofos (Agoriani)

Located in the mount of Apollo, 22 minutes drive from Polydroso village, Eptalofos (Agoriani, as it was formerly known) is known for its beauty and food. It is full of plane trees, cherry trees and firs, with the Agorianitis river running through it, making it a great place to enjoy nature. It collects most of the exquisite produce in Parnassus. You can find here Parnassus honey, the famous Parnassus tea and feta, trachana, handmade pasta, various jams and sauces, herbs, cherries, nuts, etc.

If you love snow sports, you can also visit Parnassus Ski Center, 18 km from the village, one of the top ski centers in Greece, with 21 pistes (4 of which are qualified for international ski competitions), 2 Snow Fun parks, and 4 mini pistes with baby elevators. Its ski season usually lasts from December to April, open daily from 9 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday and 9 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.

3. Ancient Greek Ceramics Courses in Polytropon Workshop

The workshop is located at Athanasiou Diakou Street 45, named after Athanasios Diakos, a hero of the Greek War of Independence. It is about 2 hours and 20 minutes drive from Eptalofos village. At Polytropon workshop, you can practice making ceramics like an ancient Greek potter as workshop founder Aristotelis Zisimos teaches you the techniques and shares with you the myths and historical stories behind these ancient Greek ceramics.

You will experience the entire process of making ceramics, including making clay and glazes, painting patterns and heating the clay and glazes. The ceramics are made with completely natural, non-toxic clay and can be both decorative and everyday objects. Lunch is also served here, which includes delicious local meals such as Greek salad, yogurt, kontosouvli, homemade wine, and the menu can be adjusted to individual requests.

When is the Best Time to Visit Delphi

The best months to visit Delphi are from April to June and from September to November, as the weather is not too hot or too cold and visitors will feel more comfortable out there. July and August are hotter in Delphi, but there is very little rain, if you don't like to have rainy days during your trip, these two months are a good choice for you. Delphi, because of its high altitude (550 meters), can be cold and snowy in winter, and this is a good time for snow sports in Parnassus, such as climbing snowy mountains or skiing.

How Long Should You Spend in Delphi

For the classic attractions and activities, such as the main archaeological sites, wine tasting and walking, three days are usually enough for Delphi. If you want to explore Delphi with more detail and experience, you can spend a week or more, and you will find that charming Delphi is scenic and peaceful, perfect for a few days of slow living.

How to Get to Delphi

It is usually necessary to take a flight to Athens International Airport and then travel to Delphi, as Delphi does not have an airport and Athens International Airport is closer to Delphi and receives flights from many countries and cities. The airport is about 202 km from Delphi and the best way is to rent a car (about two and a half hours drive) as there is no train service from Athens to Delphi, and a bus ride from Athens International Airport to Delphi is cheap but takes about 5 hours.

Where to Stay When visiting Delphi

Most hotels in Delphi retain some of their traditional architecture styles while offering complete modern amenities, and some hotels have excellent restaurants serving an extensive selection of homemade Mediterranean cuisine, local wines, and a variety of snacks and desserts. Because Delphi is situated on Mount Parnassus, most hotels have the advantage of beautiful views overlooking the sea and the valley.

There are many great hotels near the Delphi Archaeological Museum and archaeological sites, from which it is a quick walk to these attractions. Kastalia Boutique Hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the Delphi Archaeological Museum. The hotel's Elia restaurant is open from April to October and offers delicious homemade dishes, desserts, and salads. Amalia Hotel Delphi is just a 15-minute walk from the Temple of Apollo. The hotel has a pool bar (open in the summer) and a restaurant that serves three meals a day, with Mediterranean cuisine, snacks and drinks.

If you want to get closer to nature, it is also good to stay in the villages around Delphi, where there are not so many tourists. The picturesque Arachova village, right next to Delphi, has a number of excellent 4-star and 5-star hotels, and you can stay in this village and then take a ride to Delphi, about 12 minutes away. Santa Marina Arachova Resort & Spa offers 5-star accommodations, with a restaurant, spa facilities and breathtaking views of Mount Parnassus. Domotel Anemolia Mountain Resort has comfortable accommodations and boasts a restaurant, indoor pool, fitness center, and sauna.

If you travel to Greece, don't miss Delphi, a picturesque town on Mount Parnassus housing treasures of ancient Greek art and culture. Let Odynovo create travel plans and handle possible hassles for you, so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.