Vacation Packages to Delphi

Why Visit Delphi

Delphi is a town located on top of Mount Parnassus, in southern Greece. There, there is a large archaeological complex where it is possible to see the ruins of the sanctuaries dedicated to Apollo and Athena, an ancient theater and a stadium.

Likewise, Delphi is known for its archaeological museum, where there are great historical finds, and incredible constructions dating from the time when the Oracle of Delphi, acclaimed throughout the Greek world, operated in this fascinating city.

In turn, the landscape of Delphi is equal to its archaeological treasures, as the views of the mountain and its beautiful typical Mediterranean vegetation, full of olive, holm oak and pine trees, create the perfect setting for exploring this mythical city.

The History of Delphi

The Cretans founded Crisa, near Delphi, and appropriated the sanctuary of Python. This was the name by which the sanctuary that was there was called before Apollo was worshiped in the region.

Next to this sanctuary Delphi was formed, whose oracle was consulted from the 8th century BC. The fame of the oracle grew so much that it even reached neighboring towns, and even the king of Rome decided to go to him for answers.

In 373 B.C. Delphi was destroyed by an earthquake; however it was rebuilt, and then again destroyed by another earthquake.

 In 189 BC, Rome took possession of Delphi and the oracle continued to function until Nero forbade it.

Later, Hadrian restored it, but finally, Theodosius I abolished it, considering it a pagan cult.

Interesting Aspects of Delphi

Eating in Delphi

Delphi's gastronomic offer is ideal for those who love to discover a culture through its flavors. In it you will find the best of typical Greek cuisine to eat like the gods.

One of the dishes that we recommend you try is soutzoukákia, a stew made of meatballs and rice with tomato sauce, which will fascinate you.

Also, we encourage you to try the typical Greek salad, made with cucumbers, tomatoes, black olives, onion and feta cheese.

As for the drink, you should know that in ancient Greece the most important rule was not to forget to pay tributes to the gods to obtain their favors, so you should try their delicious wines if you want to worship Dionysus, protector of the vine. .

For dessert, try a delicious cheesecake, because the origins of this exquisite cake are Greek!

Apollo and the Pythonesses

The Delphi temple was dedicated to the God Apollo, who was the son of Zeus and Leto, and whose privileged spheres of action were: sunlight, healing, prediction, music, harmony, and poetic and artistic inspiration in general. . This is why he was considered the patron saint of the oracle.

In turn, a fascinating fact is that those in charge of making the predictions were the fortune tellers, women from different social classes, who interpreted the responses of the gods in poetic language.

Top 5 Places of Interest in Delphi

Delphi is famous for its historical-cultural wealth, which is why you will find many interesting places to visit in it. However, if you want to get to know Delphi but you don't have too many days, don't worry, we recommend the most outstanding attractions below so you don't miss out on its great jewels:

1. Temple of Apollo, the heart of this site, although many historians consider that it belonged to other gods before becoming the great place of worship for this son of Zeus.
2. Temple of Athena, the favorite of Zeus also has its own temple and it is not surprising since this goddess had war as a privileged area, which was considered a great art by the Greeks.
3. Archaeological Museum, its incredible collection will amaze you, be sure to visit it.
4. Byzantine Church, you will love these ruins located in an idyllic landscape.
5. Ancient theatre, built in the 4th century in limestone, is a true architectural jewel.

What to Give If You Travel to Delphi

If you have a trip to Delphi and you would like to bring a gift for a loved one, you will find that shopping in this city is really entertaining, as you will find specialized gift shops everywhere. There you will find replicas of ancient Greek elements, like the ones you saw in the museum but suitable for airport control.

If you want something more sophisticated, then do not hesitate to go for gold and silver jewelry, because jewelry with Greek designs are appreciated worldwide and will not fail when entertaining.

Delphi: Religious and Political Epicenter

Delphi functioned as the religious center of Greece since the archaic period, and this quickly made it also an important cultural and social center and a prominent site in terms of its powerful economic and political influence.

This is so because the oracle received questions from the sovereigns who planned conquests and military expeditions, and a large part of the decisions they made were influenced by the answers of the fortune tellers.

In fact, Herodotus in his stories tells that the king, Croesus, sent his query before facing the Persians, but he did not understand the words of the oracle, due to the enigmatic shape, and that is why he was defeated by Cyrus.

Likewise, the oracle of Delphi treasured the precious offerings that powerful and rich families, kings and entire cities gave to obtain the favor of Apollo, which helped position the city.

Something ironic is that although the omens, which sometimes decided the course of history, were pronounced by women chosen to interpret the gods, women could not ask questions of the fortune tellers, as this was a privilege reserved only for men. .

Undoubtedly, the thousands of stories from the times of great power of Delphi and mythology, which places this site in a prominent place within the worldview of ancient Greece, give Delphi a particular mystique, which is felt as soon as you set foot in the beautiful city of Apollo.

What to See and Do in Delphi

Delphi is an incredible destination for lovers of discovering the treasures of ancient culture. It stands out for its archaeological jewels and its precious cultural heritage.

In turn, due to its proximity to Athens and Olympia, many travelers combine their visit to Delphi with these amazing destinations.

Are you looking to discover the mythical land of the most famous oracle? Perhaps marvel at the most amazing archaeological treasures? Would you like to try the exquisite Greek cuisine?

If your answer is "yes", in Greca we have several proposals for tourist packages to Delphi, which you can modify and adapt according to your needs and times. There are travel packages for all tastes. Choose your own adventure according to your needs!