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Port · Delfos, Grécia Central
Itea
Port town at the foot of the Delfos mountains, 15 km from the ruins, on the Gulf of Corinth. Seafront with palm trees and a pebble beach, the olive sea of Anfissa behind and, nearby, the ancient Kirra, the pilgrims' port for the oracle.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Itea
Itea is the town where the road from Delfos reaches the sea, at the head of the Gulf of Corinth, about 15 km from the ruins. It was the port through which pilgrims arriving by boat came to consult the oracle and, in the 19th century, the embarkation point for Delfos before the road existed. Today it is a town of around 4,500 inhabitants, with a wide palm-lined promenade, a pebble beach in front of the houses and fishing boats in the harbor.
The plain between Itea and Anfissa is covered by one of the largest olive groves in Greece, called the sea of olive trees, which can be seen from the Delfos site above: tens of thousands of trees, many centuries old, that produce the Anfissa olive, a table olive with protected designation of origin. Harvesting in November and December enlivens the region.
Two kilometres to the east is Kirra, the village that occupies the site of the ancient port, with remains of walls and an ancient breakwater on the beach, and a medieval tower. Kirra beach, with coarse sand and pebbles, is used more by locals than Itea's beach.
Itea is more of a transit point than a destination: good for a sea swim and a fish lunch after the ruins, or as a cheap base with hotels on the promenade. Pleasure boats depart from the marina in summer.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 2 hours, including a swim or a lunch on the promenade.
Best time
June to September for swimming; the promenade at sunset, with Parnaso in the background, is the best time year-round. In November and December the olive harvest livens the plain.
How to get there
About 15 km from Delfos, descending the mountain on winding roads for about 20 minutes by car. KTEL buses link Delfos and Itea at certain times, and buses from Athens to Delfos often continue to Itea; check schedules. From Athens it's about 200 km.
Tip
Combine Itea with Galaxidi on the same day: they are 7 km apart along the coast. Look at the olive grove from the road descending from Delfos, on the hairpins above the town, where there are stopping points. Try the Anfissa olive, sold at the promenade markets.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Itea
Does Itea have a good beach?
The waterfront beach is pebbly, in front of the houses, with clean, calm gulf water. For sand, locals prefer Kirra, 2 km away. Don't expect wide beaches like those on the islands.
What is the sea of olive trees?
The olive grove that covers the plain between Itea and Anfissa, with tens of thousands of trees, many centuries old. It is one of the country's largest olive groves and produces the Anfissa olive, with a designation of origin.
Is Itea far from Delfos?
About 15 km, 20 minutes by car descending the mountain. KTEL buses connect the two towns at certain times.
What was Kirra?
The ancient port of Delfos, where pilgrims arrived by boat. It is 2 km from Itea and preserves remains of walls, a breakwater and a medieval tower next to the beach.