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Here you may chose to swim in isolated beaches or well known summer resorts, you can wander among mountain villages "drowned" in plane and oak trees or enjoy winter sports in modern skiing resorts and let your memory revive heroic moments of the Greek history (at Thermopylae, Alamana or Gorgopotamos).

Add to the picture several thermal springs equipped with modern tourist facilities (Ipati, Kamena Vourla, Platystomo) and you can have an idea of the vacational possibilities offered by the area.

Lamia (220 km. from Athens), a bustling commercial city and capital of the prefecture, is built up the southwest, pine-covered slopes of Mt. Othris near the Sperhios river.

Dominating the city from a hill above it, a Frankish castle rises from the stones of the ancient acropolis. On another hill stands the 18th century Church of Agios Loukas (around late 19th-early 20th century) with a magnificent view of the Maliac Gulf and beyond to the shores of Euboea. The Lamia museum has an interesting archaeological collection of Classical and Hellenistic finds, pottery, sculpture, statues, and Geometric figurines. The municipal buildings, hotels and tavernas are centered around the city's four main squares, each of whom has its own distinctive feature: the cathedral, plane trees and fountains, the statue of the Revolutionary hero Athanasios Diakos, the statue of the Greek evzone.

During your stay here, make it a point to try the local home-made egg noodles, "kourambiedes" (crushed almond cookies), and "trachana" (a form of dumpling).

The historic Thermopylae (Thermopiles) pass lies 18 km. southeast of Lamia. The statue of Leonidas and the cenotaph of his 300 Spartans remind one of the heroic 480 BC battle. The famous since antiquity thermal springs of Thermopylae, bubbling quite near, have made an important resort out of the village. At a distance of 3 km, stands the historic bridge of Alamana.

Kamena Vourla, to the north, is a popular spa- resort, renowned for its therapeutic waters and dry, healthy climate.

The coastal towns of the area Agios Konstantinos, Arkitsa— linked by ferry with Edipsos on Euboea—as well as the lovely beaches of Aspronerio, Agios Serafim and Agios Nikolaos are pleasant places to spend a holiday especially for those who like swimming and dining on fresh fish.

There is a magnificent beach at Livanates which also has an old church Agios Theodoros. Before making the turn for Atalanti, it's worth stopping at its harbour Skala at Malesina, with the little coastal settlement of Agios Theologos to leeward, and Martino, famed for its delicious "myzithra" cheese (similar to ricotta).

Talantonini opposite Skala, is a smal picturesque island.

Next stop is Atalanti, commercial and agricultural centre of the area. The catacombs of St. Athanassios at the heart of the town are of special interest. Further west of Atalanti one can visit Elatia and Tithorea, wooded areas of archaeological interest, as well as Amfiklia one of the starting points for going up to the Parnassos ski centre.

West of Lamia there is one of the most historical towns of Central Greece Ipati. Built on the slopes of Mt. Oiti, where the homonymous national Forest, among oak and plane trees and cypresses. The spot offers also a panoramic view to the sea. Ipati has played an important role at all eras of Greek national history.

Loutra Ipatis, identified with the town itself, is an important spa equiped with hotel and tourism installations.

Moni Agathonos (a monastery of the 15th century) lies at 7 km from Ipati and is considered one of the most illustrious monuments Apart from valuable historical relics the Museum of Oiti Natural History is also housed here. The beautiful villages of Mt Oiti such as Pavliani covered with fir and plane trees offer a refreshing shelter during hot summer months.

Makrakomi is a market town and traffic centre built in Sperhios valley upon the ruins of the ancient homonymous city.

Well known for its thermal springs is the village of Platystomo (34 km west of Lamia).

North of Lamia, on the way to Domokos which is a historic town with a fine view over Thessaly valley, a side road leads to the ruins of ancient Melitaea; not far from here is built the Byzantine Monastery of the Holy Trinity (Agia Triada).
Worth visiting are also the coastal town Stilida, the tranquil fishing hamlets Karavomilos and Achladi and finally the beaches of Pelasgia and Glifa.


Health Spas

Thermopiles
Sulphurous hot springs recommended for chronic rheumatic ailments, gynaecological problems, rheumatoid arthritis.

Kamena Vourla
Radioactive hot springs recommended for chronic rheumatism. osteoarthritis, gout, neuritis, hormonal complaints.

Loutra Ipatis
The chemical composition of this water is rare and contains a great amount of carbonic acid. Baths at these springs are advised for vascular diseases, hypertension, coronary insufficiency, heart ailments, endocarditis, dermatological disorders, ailments of the peripheral nerves and muscles.

Platistomo
The waters of these springs are recommended for stomach and skin ailments.

Mountain Climbing
The Greek Mountain Climbing and Skiing Association has organized refuges on Mt Oiti (at Trapeza, alt. 1,800 m.), Grammeni Oxia (at Karvounolaka, alt 1,700 m.), Vardoussia (at Pitimaliko, alt.1,750 m.).

Between Grammeni Oxia, Vardoussia and Giona there is a marked path (E4) of the European Mountain path network.