Fthiotida Prefecture

General info:

The prefecture of Fthiotida (Phiotifa/Phtiotis ), covering an area of some 4,500 square  km approximately and having  some  180,000 resident, lies off in the heart of the Central Greece. It  diversified terrain is composed by imposing mountains, dense forests and smooth hills, lakes and dramatic gorges,  running waters and several splendid beaches, making  thus Phtiotida  one of the most beguiling  regions of Greece. Fthiotida   is a favourite tourist destination   either for winter or summer, since it offers an abundance of choices for outdoor activities and provides a well-developed tourist industry.
The region’s rich cultural heritage and long history is witnessed   by the archaeological sites, the historical towns, the remarkable monasteries and the fine byzantine churches that are scattered in its boundaries.

Historical profile:
According to excavation finds the region of Fthiotida has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age by the Pelasgians followed by the Leleges, Achaeans and the Dorians. In later centuries it was dominated by the Aetolians and the Macedonians. In 480 BC the Battle of Thermopylae in which the Spartan king Leonidas together with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians and Thebans fiercely fought against the numerous Persian army was written in history. In later centuries the region was integrated in the Byzantine Empire and later on it was subjugated by the Ottomans until 1832 when it was liberated.

Villages:
Lamia is the capital town of the prefecture and has a population of 50,000 residents approximately.  Perched on the slopes of the mountain Orthys, the town is the trading centre of the region  and a major transportation hub offering every amenity expected by a modern town. Yet, Lamia has kept  part of its glorious past and offers several worth-seeing sites such as the   Fortress , also known as Akrolamia,  that dates back to the Hellenistic Times and which today houses the Archaeological Museum; the Gorgopotamos River  Bridge that its blow up by the Greek’s people Liberation Army in 1942, in  their effort tto  sabotage the Germans’ transportation was  considered the biggest rebellion act in Europe at that time; and the Church of Agios Loukas (St. Luke) with a stunning view re only few of them.

Agios Konstantinos is a  popular coastal resort of 2,500 residents approximately which  lies of some 50 km southeast to Lamia town.  Surrounded by a wonderfully verdurous landscape and having its own beach, the resort becomes quite lively during summer. Its  port serves the Northern Sporades and Evia (Euboia).

Kamena Vourla is a lively seaside resort  of some 3,000 residents, situated   some 40 km southeast to Lamia. The resort that has been built among a verdant scenery and has its own fine beach, offers excellent tourist services and an interesting nightlife. It is also popular for its thermal springs.

Livanates is a delightful seaside town of some 3,000 residents, located 70 km approximately southeast to Lamia. The town is a peaceful one and becomes vivid during summer since it is surrounded by a landscape of natural beauty and offering several accommodation amenities. Livanates is known for its clear beaches and also for the archeological site of Kynos,  the  haven of  the ancient city of Opounta.  

Thermopylae  lies off 20 km  approximately southeast to Lamia and near to the location in which the homonymous ancient city was. The village is known for its sulphure springs, the forest of Nevropolis, a site of outstanding beauty but  mainly  for the historic Battle of Thermopylae which took place in 480 BC, when the King Leonidas with his faithful 300 soldiers and 700 Thespians and Thebans decided to oppose until  death to the Persian king Xerxes and his army. Today a statue of Leonidas and an honorary monument to those who fought with him can be seen at the place of the Battle. At a distance of just some 3 km is located  the Alamana Bridge in which the hero of the Greek War of Independence, Athanasios Diakos together with his few followers fiercely resisted to the ottoman army and  he t found a tragic death, impaled on a spit.

Beaches:
Fthiotida offers a variety of beaches with crystal-clear waters near costal resorts or in peaceful coves that can satisfy every taste.
The splendid beach  of Agios ioannis Theologos near the homonymous resort, the sandy beach of Livanates with crystalline waters;  the popular pebble  beach of Kamena Vourla with clear waters and the  sandy beach of Glyfa with  sparkling deep blue waters  are only few of them.

Access: 
Fthiotida (Lamia, Agios Konstantinos, Kammena Vourla and Molos)   is linked via regular itineraries with public buses (KTEL) with Athens and Thessaloniki.
There is also a regular connection via trains of the Hellenic Railways (OSE) from Athens to Lamia.
During summer there are also frequent trips via flying dolphins from Volos (Magnisia Prefecture) to Stylida.