Top Things to do in Kalavrita
Top Restaurants in Kalavrita
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What to do and see in Kalavrita, Greece: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Kalavrita, Greece including Municipal Museum of the Holocaust of Kalavryta, Mega Spileo Monastery, Kastria Cave of the Lakes, Lake Tsivlou, Lake Doxa, Vouraikos Canyon - Cog Railway, Kalavrita Railway - Odontoto, Ski Center Helmos, Agia Lavra Monastery, Spileo Limnon.
Restaurants in Kalavrita
1. Municipal Museum of the Holocaust of Kalavryta
Overall Ratings
5 based on 339 reviews
Reviewed By Dimitris L - Sydney, Australia
This is an excellent Museum, and possibly the only one of its kind in Greece. It commemorates the murder, by the Nazi Germans, of hundreds of men and boys over the age of 13, on 13 December, 1943. It is in the centre of the city, in a building that at one stage was used as a school and also a Library. There are many exhibits detailing the history of Kalavrita and of the main event which the museum commemorates in some detail. There are several excellent audiovisual displays which should be watched in order to appreciate the events. You cannot be bored here. You will shed some tears and stop and think about the futility of war and the human sacrifice. There are some statues outside, full of emotion, which will break your heart. It is worth noting that there is also a notice on the front entrance of the local Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The notice reads that the Cathedral was set on fire by the Ottomans in 1826 (during the Greek War of Independence against the Ottomans), and again on 13 December, 1943, by the Nazi Germans. Do not miss it. The entry fee is only three euros.
2. Mega Spileo Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By dm1076 - Athens, Greece
We visited, as part of a daily organized excursion in nearby Kalavryta. It is an experience of a lifetime! Its location, as well as its history, is impressive; it certainly enhanced our religious feelings! When we went down the cave to visit, we were left just speechless!!!!
3. Kastria Cave of the Lakes
Overall Ratings
4 based on 158 reviews
Reviewed By IsYnysmon - Wales
Fabulous stalactite formations like nothing I've ever seen before. Yes it's expensive but in my opinion worth it. Our young guide Chris was very well informed and spoke excellent English. Was a little sceptical about visiting after Reading some negative reviews but so glad we did.
4. Lake Tsivlou
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By Sevasti - Chania Town, Greece
A small lake surrounded by lavish vegetation and completely unspoilt! Worth a visit if want tospend some relaxing moments close to the crystal clear waters overlooking the Mountains wirh the snow in the background. A small tacern on the main path leading to the lake is really good and in a serene environment. Definitely worth a visit!!
5. Lake Doxa
Overall Ratings
5 based on 191 reviews
Reviewed By Tammy V - Athens, Greece
We have discovered lake Doxa two years ago, and I have to say it is one of my favorite destinations for a small trip in Greece. Magnificent scenery, in summer or winter, pieceful, great place for a family walk. A really unforgetable view, make sure you taste the local products (especially the cheese and the rusks), I always get some for home, and if you have a bit more time, make the effort to see the old Monastery near by. A great great destination, I will go back !!!
6. Vouraikos Canyon - Cog Railway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 390 reviews
7. Kalavrita Railway - Odontoto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
A scenic railroad train ride through the mountainous Greek countryside.
Reviewed By Dimitris L - Sydney, Australia
The Odontotos is a unique railway, at least for Greece. The cost is 9.50 euro, one way, or 19 euros return. You will find such a cog railway elsewhere, too, like those in Switzerland for example. The Kalavryta cog railway is an amazing experience, at least for those people who have not had the chance to experience it before. It is a small train, that moves on normal train tracks for part of the journey, between two towns, Kalavryta and Diakofto. For part of the journey, where the ground is too steep for a normal train, the cogs take over. The train moves with the help of these cogs. It is quite exciting as you pass through amazing landscape, through the gorge, over 49 Bridges, through several tunnels, as the train follows the path of the Vouraikos river. The railway has been in existence for about 120 years. It was constructed in the late 19th century, and began operating in 1896. We went on the journey from Kalavryta to Diakofto and back again. It really is just a train ride, but you get to experience some amazing landscape.
8. Ski Center Helmos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
Reviewed By UtahJohn22 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Overall, I enjoyed my day here, but there are a number of things that could be improved to make it better.
The price of a full-day lift ticket can't be beat: €15.00 on a weekday, €25.00 on weekends and holidays. I went on a Friday. There was almost nobody there. I once waited a whole minute in line to get on a lift. The runs were great. I didn't stray off the groomed runs since the snow wasn't fresh when I went, but the groomed runs were nice and offered a wide variety from beginner to advanced stuff, although it was heavily weighted toward intermediate skiers. I thought they all seemed a little short, even the one from the top of the mountain. Lodge at the bottom seemed nice and had nice, clean bathrooms. Parking was extensive and free. Ski rental available near the ticket booth. Credit cards accepted. Area to the left of the ticket booth for visitors to sled and play in the snow, which seemed to be free.
The negatives were really two things. At 2½ hours from Athens, it's pushing it as far as day trips are concerned. What's worse, it's 2½ hours on the toll roads. (Beware that Google Maps has messed up the Kalavrita exit, so follow the signs, not your online maps.) I spent €20.10 on tolls to get to and from Athens to the ski area. Effectively, that puts the cost of the ticket at €35.00 instead of €15.00. It's probably not worth that because of the second thing, which is the ratio of time on the lifts to time on the slopes. There are two rope tows on bunny hills for those brand new to skiing. There's a three-seater from the base to mid mountain (really more like one-third of the way up). From there, there are a few different T-bars, 1-person tow lifts, and a two-seater that goes all the way to the top of the mountain, if you want to spend 15 minutes on a lift. The runs seemed short, but the lift rides were long. This was a major let-down. I would compare ski infrastructure in Greece to that in Bosnia & Herzegovina, and BiH is just a bit better thanks to some high-speed 6-seater lifts.
Kalavrita was nice with some incredible views from the top, and I would consider going there again, but only on a weekday to keep costs and lines down since you're losing money and time sitting on the ancient lifts.
9. Agia Lavra Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By Paul B - Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
This is a very special place for all Greeks. It is relatively small inside although it looks most imposing from outside. The is a statue of Archbishop Germanos (who raised the standard of revolt against the Turks in 1821) outside the monastery.
The monastery is still in use so visitor access is necessarily limited, but the church is beautiful and the museum on the upper gallery is fascinating, having Germanos' banner among other things.
10. Spileo Limnon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By Christos F - Kalamata, Greece
Must visit if you are in the area. It's a huge inside cave with lots of lakes! It's really impressive. Guides should be more educated about the place, but anyway. Visit's duration is about 30 minutes and it costs 9 euros. It's a little bit expensive, but you can buy the Citipass card for all monuments of Kalavryta which costs 25 euros and it's totally worth.
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