Travel Guide Delphi

178 km from Athens, overlooking the deep Pleistos gorges, in the hemicycle formed by the two high cliffs of the Phaedriades, the exceptional site of Delphi is dominated by the mass of Mount Kirphis. Below, and as if brooding the gulf of Itéa, a crowd of olive trees, tortured and convulsed under the heat, is pressed, representing a compact mass, of such a characteristic green. Throughout Ancient Greece, and from time immemorial, the oracle shaped the history of the country or, at least, served as a pretext for the leaders of the great cities to make radical decisions. Its reputation extended throughout Greece and even beyond. The present village of Delphi has changed a lot: almost 30 hotels in a row, 500 locals and especially buses and several thousand tourists a year. Tour operators organize excursions from dawn, which creates a lot of hubbub in the hotels early in the morning. If you want to relax, you'd rather sleep in Galaxidi. And don't miss the peeled slopes of Mount Parnassus and the mysterious Pan Cave. The site of Delphi is composed of three centres of interest located on either side of the main road. Overlooking this road, the museum and the sanctuary of Apollo are the two key pieces of the site. Below the road is the shrine of Athena Pronaia, or Marmaria, next to the gymnasium. So you can park on the side of the main road. Let's go. Delphi is well served by bus (www.ktel-fokidas.gr).