Uncovering the Secrets of Arcadia, Greece

Scenic drive from Athens

Rent a car at the airport for a picturesque 2.5-hour journey west to the mountains of the Pelopennese Peninsula. We found the urban freeway and mountain highways to be well-maintained and easy to navigate. Get a toll booth pass with your car rental for an even easier drive. Be sure to stop at the Bridge Cafe in Isthmia to watch the Corinth Canal bridge rise from the water while enjoying a cool drink in the shade.

Truffle hunting on the Menalon Trail

Follow a certified guide and a specially trained truffle hound through the untamed fir forest to search for precious black truffles. This section of the legendary 75 km Menalon Trail ends with a fresh truffle tasting by the river waterfalls.

The MANNA cooking class

Join the chef at MANNA for an exclusive, private session focusing on the region’s signature orzo and mushroom “kritharoto.” You’ll learn about local wild mushrooms and prep ingredients together in a beautiful, collaborative kitchen setting.

Explore Dimitsana

Take a short drive from the valley floor up the mountain to Dimitsana. The road has a few curves but is generally not crowded and comfortable. This is the hub for treks to the Lousios Gorge and the cliff-clinging monasteries of Prodromos and Philosophos. Finish the hike with a refreshing, icy swim in the natural pools of the Lousios River. We hired a private guide arranged by our hotel. Visit the Open-Air Water Power Museum and historic gunpowder mills to see how the region’s history, its very independence, was shaped by its rivers.

Visit Stemnitsa

Follow the winding cliffs of the Lousios Gorge from Dimitsana. This is a rugged, high-altitude drive with breathtaking overlooks of the green chasm below. For a California native accustomed to driving the notorious Highway 1 in all kinds of weather, this drive was a next-level adventure on a nice day. But Stemnitsa rewards the intrepid with a lovely town square full of cafes and a free book swap kiosk.

Arkadiani Agrotourism Farm

Just beyond Stemnitsa, immerse yourself in traditional life by picking vegetables in the fields and visiting the on-site cooking museum at Arkadiani Agrotourism Farm. You can even try your hand at bread-making in a wood-fired oven before sitting down for a local feast. We loved every bite!

Settle into Vytina

From Stemnitsa, the landscape transitions from dramatic cliffs to the rolling, fir-covered peaks of the Menalon mountains. Pass through the tranquil Mylaon River Valley and traditional stone villages like Zygovisti and Elati. Once in Vytina, shop for black marble and enjoy a tasty treat.

Ancient detours

For history enthusiasts, take another day trip from the region to explore the Temple of Epicurean Apollo: a remote, majestic UNESCO site, and Ancient Olympia: the legendary birthplace of the Olympic Games.

• MANNA Restaurant & Bar Lounge: Enjoy award-winning chef Athinagoras Kostakos’ creative Greek-fusion menu, crafted from pure seasonal ingredients. Whether you’re cozying up by a roaring fireplace or gazing through floor-to-ceiling windows at the virgin fir forest and lily pond, it’s the ultimate “living within the woods” dining experience. On a lighter night, the friendly bartender served us a divine fruit and cheese plate to go with the traditional breads we had made at Arkadiani.

• Red Pitchers in Vytina: A consistent “Top 300 in Greece” honoree, this spot blends authentic tradition with modern flair. Feast on wine-braised rooster or wild boar by the hearth, and pair your meal with a selection from their impressive 190-label wine cellar. Don’t miss their famous handmade pies.

• To Tsipouradiko tou Panteli in Vytina: Housed in a stunning traditional stone building, this is a meat-lover’s paradise. Known for perfection on the grill, be sure to try the savory tigania or their signature liver drizzled in a zesty orange sauce.

• Állothi, Stou Márkou in Dimitsana: A vibrant local favorite that perfectly captures the charm of Dimitsana—ideal for a relaxed, flavorful meal after a day of exploring.

• Liaropoulos Traditional Bakery in Vytina: Step back to 1917 at this historic wood-fired bakery. Grab a slice of creamy galatopita for breakfast and stock up on local cheeses and handmade Vytina pasta. Always say yes to the grape cookies!

• Maestro Confectionary Shop in Vytina: The ultimate sweet stop! Their honey-drenched diples and buttery kourabiedes (almond biscuits) are local legends. I had to get a mysterious foil-wrapped delight of a different color every time I passed through, and I was never disappointed.