Pavliani: A Tranquil Weekend Escape in Central Greece

WHERE TO STAY

The Vasilikia Mountain Farm & Retreat (Nea Pavliani, Tel. (+30) 22310.829.92) provides a variety of lodging options, including wood and stone cottages, airstream trailers, country-style homes, and cabins inspired by American nature. Pavliani4rest – Luxury Cabins (Oitis – Nea Pavliani Road, Tel. (+30) 694.759.8012) offers luxurious, triangular cabins made of stone and wood, complete with a kitchen and living room, suitable for four or six people. Mountain Tea is ideal for glamping in the mountains (Pavliani, Tel. (+30) 697.320.1688). The 40 sq.m. dome tents are fully equipped with kitchens, private bathrooms, wood stoves, and other amenities. For more “conventional” lodging, Katerina’s Guesthouse (Pavliani, Tel. (+30) 22310.830.09) provides well-maintained rooms and a good breakfast.

WHERE TO EAT

Litsa tavern (Ano Pavliani, Tel. (+30) 22310.830.39) serves a variety of grilled meats (we recommend the sausage), homemade appetizers, hearty salads, and dishes like roasted lamb or pork shank with potatoes and lahanodolmades (cabbage rolls). At Proedros (Pavliani, Tel. (+30) 22310.825.70), the vegetable pie, meatballs, sausages with eggs and potatoes, and beef steak are all worth trying. In the village of Oiti, 10km from Pavliani, Gardikaki taverna (Oiti, Tel. (+30) 22310.824.44) is known for its warm atmosphere, beautiful view and antikristo lamb, a traditional Cretan recipe. The menu also includes farmhouse pork steak, grilled liver, biftekia (beef patties), and other Cretan delicacies like eggs with apaki (traditional smoked and salted meat).

HOW TO GET THERE

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From Athens: The 235km drive will take approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. A round trip from Athens will cost around €94 (€28 for tolls and about €66 for petrol).

From Thessaloniki: The village is 336km away and takes approximately 4 hours to drive to. A round trip from Athens will cost around €130 (€40 for tolls and about €90 for petrol).