The ancient harbour of the Argonauts · 1 hour from Athens
Xylokastro
Where the pine meets the wave. Forest, sea and mountain on the same map, in every season.
The signature
Pefkias: a forest in the waves
A seafront pine forest that begins where the pebbles end. Shade at midday, a walk in the afternoon, cicadas all summer long. The reason Xylokastro looks like no other coastal town on the Gulf of Corinth.
With respect: Pefkias is a protected aesthetic forest. Walk the paths, no fire, no litter, so we all find it the same each summer.
Ready-made plans
Not sure where to start? We are.
One perfect day
A morning swim at Pefkias, fish by the marina, sunset looking out to Parnassus.
Sea and mountain in one weekend
Saturday for the beach and the town, Sunday for Trikala and Lake Dasiou. Two holidays in one.
With kids
Shallow water, bikes along the seafront, ice cream in the square and one climb up the mountain.
Without a car
By suburban rail from Athens: everything you can reach on foot from the station.
The guide
Everything you need, tried and true
Not lists from an algorithm. Places to stay, tavernas and cafes of the town, with contact details that actually work.
Summer here counts from the moment the cicadas start up in Pefkias.
| Athens (Larissis) | Kiato | Xylokastro |
|---|---|---|
| 09:35 | 11:10 | 11:22 |
| 15:35 | 17:10 | 17:22 |
| 18:35 | 20:10 | 20:22 |
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Xylokastro from Athens?
By train in about 1 hour and 45 minutes, with one change at Kiato and a connection on the Kiato–Aigio line. By KTEL bus from the Kifisos terminal, on the Athens–Derveni line that stops at Xylokastro. By car via the Olympia Odos motorway, Xylokastro exit, in about an hour, 120 kilometres.
How warm is the sea and when is the season?
The sea temperature updates live on the homepage. The waters are usually ideal for swimming from mid-June to September, when the surface goes above 24 degrees. On the hottest days, the shade of Pefkias saves you.
What is Pefkias?
Pefkias is a seafront pine forest that begins where the sand ends, a declared aesthetic forest since 1976. It offers a walk of about 700 metres beside the waves, with shade at midday. It is the signature of Xylokastro and a protected area, so we visit it with respect.
Where do I find the on-call pharmacy?
The on-call pharmacy appears live on the homepage and in detail on the pharmacies page, which shows which one is on night duty and whether it is open around the clock.
What is there to see in the mountains?
About 40 to 45 minutes above the sea lie Trikala Korinthias, one of the oldest centres of mountain holidaymaking, with three neighbourhoods and monuments such as Agios Dimitrios of 1697. Higher up await the Ziria Ski Centre, Lake Dasiou at 1,480 metres and the mythical Cave of Hermes.
How do I get there without a car?
By suburban rail from Athens you reach Xylokastro station, from where the beach, Pefkias and the town centre are within walking distance. For the mountains you need transport, but the town and the nearby coast are easily covered on foot or by bike.