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Journal · 2025-04-05

What to do in Galaxidi: a quiet guide to the prettiest port on the gulf

Galaxidi is small, beautiful, and surprisingly unknown. Twenty minutes from Delphi, it's the kind of place where you arrive for one night and stay for three. Here's what to actually do.

Walk the two harbours

Galaxidi has two natural ports separated by a small peninsula. Start at the old Venetian harbour - the inner one - lined with stone captains' houses from the 19th century, when Galaxidi was one of the richest sailing towns in the Mediterranean.

Cross over to Hirolakas, the second harbour, for sunset. The light hits the houses and the masts straight on.

The Maritime Museum

Small, smart, and worth an hour. Models of the old wooden sailing ships built right here, captains' logs, painted wooden figureheads, and the story of how a village of 6,000 people once owned more than 400 ships.

Closed on Tuesdays. Cheap entry.

Hike up to Profitis Ilias

A 30-minute walk from the village brings you to the chapel of Profitis Ilias, on a pine-covered hill above town. Best panorama of the gulf, Itea, and the olive grove rolling toward Delphi.

Go in the late afternoon, bring water.

Swim at Kalafatis or Agios Vasilios

Two small pebble coves a short drive (or 20-minute walk) west of town. Clear water, pine trees down to the shore, no facilities - bring your own snacks.

If you want quieter coves only reachable by sea, that's where the boat comes in.

A boat trip on the gulf

The best way to see this coastline is from the water. We pick guests up directly from Galaxidi's old harbour - no need to drive to Itea. Half-day, full-day, or sunset, with swimming stops in coves you can't reach by road.

Skipper included, no license needed, up to 8 guests. The sunset trip back into Galaxidi harbour is the one people remember.

Eat seafood, slowly

Galaxidi takes its tavernas seriously. Grilled octopus, fresh fish of the day, a few mezze, local white wine. Eat late (21:00+), at an outside table on the harbour, and don't rush.

Some travelers drive over from Itea just for dinner here.

Use it as a base for Delphi

Delphi is 30 minutes by car. Sleeping in Galaxidi instead of Delphi or Arachova means you wake up by the sea, drive up for the morning at the site, lunch back down, and have the whole afternoon on the water.

Common questions

Is Galaxidi worth a stop?

Yes - at least one night. It's one of the most preserved traditional villages on the mainland coast.

How far is Galaxidi from Delphi?

About 35 km, 30 minutes by car downhill through the olive grove.

Can I do a boat trip directly from Galaxidi?

Yes. We pick guests up from the old harbour - no need to drive to Itea.

Is Galaxidi better than Itea?

They are different. Itea is a working port town with the closest access to Delphi and our home base. Galaxidi is smaller, prettier, and quieter - better for the evening.

◼ Plan your day

Add the sea to your Delphi day.