General information
A land of towering mountains
and beautiful beaches, the prefecture of Fthiotida (Phthiotis) has all
the prerequisites for a delightful holiday all year round.
Here you may chose to swim in
isolated beaches or well known summer resorts, you can wander among
mountain villages "drowned" in plane and oak trees or enjoy
winter sports in modern skiing resorts and let your memory revive
heroic moments of the Greek history (at Thermopylae, Alamana or
Gorgopotamos).
Add to the picture several
thermal springs equipped with modern tourist facilities (Ypati, Kamena
Vourla, Platystomo) and you can have an idea of the vacational
possibilities offered by the area.
Lamia
Lamia
(220 km. from Athens), a bustling com- mercial city and capital of the
prefecture, is built up the southwest, pine-covered slopes of Mt.
Othris near the Sperhios river.
Dominating the city from a hill
above it, a Frankish castle rises from the stones of the ancient
acropolis. On another hill stands the 18th century church of Agios
Loukas (around late 19th-early 20th century) with a magnificent view
of the Maliac Gulf and beyond to the shores of Euboea. The Lamia
museum has an interesting archaeological collection of Classical and
Hellenistic finds, pottery, sculpture, statues, and Geometric
figurines. The municipal buildings, hotels and tavernas are centered
around the city's four main squares, each of whom has its own
distinctive feature: the cathedral, plane trees and fountains, the
statue of the Revolutionary hero Athanasios Diakos, the statue of the
Greek evzone.
During your stay here, make it
a point to try the local home-made egg noodles, "kourambiedes"
(crushed almond cookies), and "trachana" (a form of
dumpling).
Thermopylae
The historic Thermopylae
(Thermopiles) pass lies 18 km. southeast of Lamia. The statue of
Leonidas and the cenotaph of his 300 Spartans remind one of the heroic
480 BC battle. The famous since antiquity thermal springs of
Thermopylae, bubbling quite near, have made an important resort out of
the village. At a distance of 3 km, stands the historic bridge of
Alamana.
Other Sights
Kamena Vourla, to the north, is a popular sparesort, renowned
for its therapeutic waters and dry, healthy climate.
The coastal towns of the area, Agios Konstantinos, Arkitsa -
linked by ferry with Edipsos on Euboea - as well as the lovely beaches
of Aspronerio, Agios Serafim and Agios Nikolaos are pleasant places to
spend a holiday especially for those who like swimming and dining on
fresh fish.
There if a magnificent beach at
Livanates, which also has an old church, Agios Theodoros.
Before making the turn for Atalanti, it's worth stopping at its
harbour Skala, at Malesina, with the little coastal settlement of
Agios Theologos to leeward, and Martino, famed for its delicious
"myzithra" cheese (similar to ricotta).
Talantonini
opposite Skala, is a small picturesque island.
Next stop is Atalanti, commercial and agricultural centre of
the area. The catacombs of St. Athanassios at the heart of the town
are of special interest. Further west of Atalanti one can visit Elatia
and Tithorea, wooded areas of archaeological interest, as well as
Amfiklia, one of the starting points for going up to the Parnassos ski
centre. 
West of Lamia there is
one of the most historical towns of Central Greece, Ipati.
Built on the slopes of Mt. Oiti, where the homonymous national Forest,
among oak and plane trees and cypresses. The spot offers also a
panoramic view to the sea. Ipati has played an important role at all
eras of Greek national history. Loutra Ipatis, identified with the
town itself, is an important spa equiped with hotelier and tourist
installations. 
Moni Agathonos
(a monastery of the 15thw century) lies at 7 km from Ipati and is
considered one of the most illustrious monuments. Apart from valuable
historical relics the Museum of Oiti Natural History is also roofed
here. The beautiful villages of Mt Oiti, such as Pavliani
covered with fir and plane trees offer a refreshing shelter during hot
summer months. Makrakomi is a market town and traffic centre
built in Sperhios valley upon the ruins of the ancient homonymous
city.
Well known for its thermal
springs is the village of Platystomo (34 km west of Lamia).
North of Lamia, on the way to Domokos, which is a historic town
with a fine view over Thessaly valley, a side road leads to the ruins
of ancient Melitaea; not far from here is built the Byzantine
Monastery of the Holy Trinily(Agia Triada). Worth visiting are also
the coastl town Stilida, the tranquil fishing hamlets Karavomilos
and Achladi and finally the beaches of Pelasgia and Glifa.
Useful information
Health Spas
Thermopiles:
Sulphurous hot springs recommended for rheumatic ailments,
gynecological problems, rheumatoid arthritis, Tel. (0231) 93.301.
Kamena Vourla: Radioactive hot springs recommended for chronic
rheumatism, osteoarthritis, gout, neuritis, hormonal complaints, Tel.
(0235) 22.425, Kamena Vourla Police Dept.
Loutra Ipatis: The chemical composition of this water is rare
and contains a great amount of carbonic acid. Baths at these springs
are advised for vascular diseases, hypertension, coronary
insufficiency, heart ailments, endocarditis, dermatological disorders,
ailments of the peripheral nerves and muscles, Tel. (0231) 59.526.
Platistomo: The waters of these springs are recommended for
stomach and skin ailments, Tel. (0236) 22.513.
Mountain Climbing
The Greek Mountain Climbing and
Skiing Association has organized refuges on Mt. Oiti (at Trapeza, alt.
1,800 m.), Grammeni Oxia (at Karvounolaka, alt. 1,700 m.) Vardoussia
(at Pitimaliko, alt. 1,750 m.). Tel. (0231) 26.786, Association office
in Lamia. Between Grammeni Oxia, Vardoussia and Giona there is a
marked path (E4) of the European Mountain path network.
How to get there
By intercity Bus
(KTEL):
Terminal: 260 Liossion Str., Lamia (15)*, Agios Konstantinos (15)*,
Kamena Vourla (15)*, Molos (15)*, Atalanti (3)*, Malessina (2)*,
Makrakomi (1)*. For information call: 01/831.71.47.
By train:
Departure Larissa Station. Athens-Lamia (Lianokladi) (10)*, distance
between the station and Lamia 6 km.
(*) No. of departures per day.
Local transport:
For trips (by KTEL bus or by train) within the prefecture or for
connections between Lamia and other big cities outside the prefecture,
call KTEL(0231) 22.225, OSE (Greek Railways) (0231) 23.201 in Lamia.
By boat:
Agios Konstaninos - Alonissos - Skiathos - Skopelos (Glossa). Arkitsa
- Edipdos. Glifa - Agiokambos.
Useful telephones
Lamia
Area code: 0231, Town Hall: 23204, Police: 22301, Municipal Tourist
Office: 30065(2), Hospital: 22530(1)
Amfiklia
Area code: 0234, Town Hall: 22216, Police: 22222, Hospital: 22994(2)
Agios Konstantinos
Area code: 0235, Town Hall: 31599(2), Police: 31622,
Stilida
Area code: 0238, Town Hall: 22326, Police: 22222, Hospital: 22300(2)
Kamena Vourla
Area code: 0235, Town Hall: 22300, Police: 22425,
