We had thought of staying in Delphi but were having trouble finding a place that didn't seem loud or on the main drag (whatever that might mean). We have our two teens with us. Anyone stay in Galixidi instead? We booked here http://www.maistrosstudios.gr/en/welcome/
Not really in Galixidi, up on a hill in an olive grove. We do have a car and it seems we can pop over to Delphi in a half hour.
Thoughts? We don't leave until April so I do have some flexibility to switch things around.
Amelia
What in heck can be "Loud" in Delphi??? We were there the 1st of June and it was quiet as a churchyard ... and the "main Drag" is all of 15 feet wide. and people are walking in it, as often as cars. Please do tell me where you get your information!!
I've not been to Galaxidi for a few years but, when we went, it was a pleasant enough place but rather boring. We were there at the end of April and everywhere was very quiet.
Given the option I'd certainly choose the spectacular views from Delphi. We've stayed a couple of times in the Acropole Hotel which was comfortable, has great views and is off the main road.
http://delphi.com.gr/the-hotel/
As Janet says though I can't imagine anywhere in Delphi would be too noisy.
Delphi itself is great and I'm sure you'll have a good time wherever you stay.
Alan
I've shared this tidbit About Delphi rooms many times, but once more won't hurt. I was told by a friend & delphi resident to look at Hotel Pan, on that aforementioned "main Street". We got off the bus (NOT at the entry to the ancient site, but uphill about 1/4 mile, where bus has its terminus -- not an official place, just a marked stop, n front of a souvenir store which sells the tickets). We walked downhill about 100yards, and went into the lobby. The owner offered us rooms on the Main floor, behind the lobby. Uh, well, I said dubiously, let's take a look first. There was a corridor behind, paralleling the lobby... we entered a room and walked thru french doors onto its balcony. Hawks were circling -- BELOW our feet!... a 200+ foot drop to small houses below, and view was DOWN a mountainside, across a valley of olive groves, to the sea & lowering sun. We'll take it! I said.
Hotelier suggested we could see the Museum, since (June 2) it was on summer hours, open til 8. Afterwards we strolled back uphill 100 yards beyond hotel, past a couple of fancy restaurants with long menus, to a simple cafe that was across from bus stop/souvenir store. It had outdoor terrace. Inside, lively music, and a pool table & video-games being used by teens (your boys may like that). At sunset on terrace, we enjoyed simple fresh dinners of spaghetti, as good as in Italy. A special treat -- the waitress didn't try to sell us bottled water, filled our glasses from a big pitcher. It was AMBROSIA!! Where does this wonderful water come from? we asked. We just pipe it straight downhill from Mt. Parnasus, from the snow-melt, she said, no chemicals. We drank up & got another pitcherfull. Wish I'd thought to fill my day-bag thermos!
SO ... I recommend 2 adjoiningrooms at Pan, any back-facing room. If not available, go across the street to Hotel Artemis (owned by Pan Hotel's brother), and get upper-floor FRONT balcony rooms, for same view. Win-Win.
Delphi is notorious for hosting lots of school groups overnight. The kids get rowdy as kids will do. I saw lots of reviews to that effect when I was planning my visit. I'm sure that is affected by time of year and the type of hotel.
I've stayed in Galixidi and it's a charming little seaside town. Far more character and ambiance than the town of Delphi (even in the off-season). I'd pick Galixidi again in a heartbeat. You'd be staying just outside of town, so you won't have the option of the teens wandering out on their own to explore the town. But you could drive in and let them explore on their own while you stroll around.
The drive between the two towns is pretty vertical. But very pretty and dramatic.
Since you'll have a car, I highly recommend stopping at Hosios Loukas monastery. It's a little off the main road between Delphi and Athens and one of the best preserved Byzantine monasteries/churches.
I'm a big fan of Galaxidi as a base for visiting Delphi. We stayed 3 nights at Ganimede Hotel. They were very nice and famous for their breakfast spread. The Maritime Museum of Galaxidi is worth a look too. We really enjoyed our stay in this small harbor town.
Oh Darn.... I wish I had seen these last two posts. I too had heard that it can be rowdy with school groups and that the restaurants cater to bus tours. Unfortunately I switched my Galixidi hotel to an AirBnB in Delphi that was a little pricier than i wanted. Don't think its refundable. Oh well. Reason to go back to Greece again. Thank you
You can always drive into Galixidi for dinner. Based on my experience eating in Delphi, I'd plan on that...
Amelia
People obviously have different views and experiences of Delphi. It may be the time of year makes a difference?
In any case I really wouldn't worry too much about the noise aspect. We must have eaten in Delphi amdozen times over the years and have never been in a restaurant with a school trip. We were once in a restaurant with a Bulgarian tour group who had brought their own accordion player and sang folk songs after dinnner. We thought it added to the occasion!
In any case there are number of tavernas in Delphi and even if a couple have groups in you can choose another.
Alan
Thanks! I think ultimately having a house with two teens is going to be better than a hotel so Delphi it is.
In April I cannot imagine Delphi being loud. It does attract a lot of school groups but I've been there twice, once in June and once in July, and while, sure, there were college kids, the atmosphere was rather serene.
Someone above suggest the Pan Hotel and it's great. We stayed the Kouros (just across the street from the Pan) last June and it, too, was outstanding with a superb breakfast. Two years ago we stayed at the Acropole and it was sensational. The Acropole is not on the main street and most rooms face away (and have UNBELIEVABLE views!) anyway. Breakfast was stellar at the Acropole as well.
I think so many people visit Delphi on day trips from Athens that at night it's really a pretty mellow place.
Galixidi is a delightful little seaside town but in April would be awfully quiet. They'll be thrilled to see you, though. That I can guarantee.
We visited Delphi in May. We drove the main street and couldn't find on street parking. It was busy but not crowded. We got to the site then turned around and took the first street to the right and drove up higher than the main street. There was virtually no one around so we found a hotel with on street parking and did a walk up to find a room. From this point on our experience was exactly as Janet described. They showed us a room and from the balcony we could look straight down to a forest of Olive trees that flowed down the mountainside like a river all the way to the Gulf of Corinth. Spectacular.
We were also the first to reach the site in the morning at opening and had the place virtually to ourselves. The bus crowds arrived around 10 but by then we were at the top of the site and had another hour before the crowds reached us. I highly recommend getting there early.
Olympia Delphi Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157645469717811/
We love having mornings in beautiful places before the other tourists arrive. As I read your comments, it sounds like the benefits of staying in Delphi is that we will be able to be at the temple before the crowds if we want. Is that a fair evaluation of the comments you all have been kind enough to post?
Absolutely, yes!
