Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nautical and Historical Museum
Daily: June-Sept 10.10am-1.30pm & 5.30-8.30pm; Oct-May 10.10am-4.15pm • €5
Just uphill from the main harbour is the
Nautical and Historical Museum
, whose galleries
do a well-labelled, clockwise gallop round this citadel-settlement in all eras. Ancient
Chaleion is represented by painted pottery and a bronze folding mirror, then it's on to the
chronicles of Galaxídhi - the place's name from Byzantine times onwards - and its
half-dozen shipyards, mostly alongside the northwesterly Hirólakkas anchorage. The local
two- and three-masters are followed from their birth - primitive, fascinating tools for ship
building and sail-making - to their all-too-frequent sudden violent death. Along the way
are propeller-operated logs, wooden rattles to signal the change of watches, a
bouroú
or
large shell used as a foghorn and - best of all - superb polychrome figureheads.
Beaches
Strolling or driving around the pine-covered headland flanking the southeastern
harbour leads to tiny pebbly
coves
where most people swim. The closest “real” beaches
are at the end of this road, or at
Kalafátis
just north of town, though neither is brilliant
- harsh shingle underfoot and occasionally turbid water. With transport, head for
better beaches at Ágios Vassílis (4km west) or Áyii Pándes (11km west).
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
3
GALAXÍDHI
By bus
Buses call at the landscaped, central Platía Iróön.
Destinations
Athens
(4 daily; 4hr, with connection likely
in Ámfissa or Itéa); Itéa (5 daily Mon-Fri, 4 Sat-Sun;
30min); Náfpaktos (4 daily; 1hr 15min); Pátra (1 daily;
2hr).
Services
Galaxídhi is large enough to support a post office
and bank ATMs. The farmers' market takes place on
Thursdays from 7-10am. The nearest filling station is
about 2km away, on the main road heading east.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is on the pricey side and can be scarce in summer, or at weekends year-round, though most of it is en suite,
air-conditioned, and with wi-fi. The best accommodation options are converted seafarers' mansions in and near Hirólakkas,
which is the area overlooking the town's second harbour, located around the bend from the marina.
Ì
Arhondiko
T
22650 42292 or 697 25 55 488,
W
archontikoarthotel.gr.
Built in 2000 in traditional style,
this family-run eight-room hotel occupies a secluded spot
beyond Hirólakkas. Features include easy parking, sea
views, themed rooms (including one with a mirrored
ceiling) and self-catering facilities; breakfast is served in
the ground-floor salon or out in the rock-garden courtyard.
The same family also runs the
Pension Votsalo
and an
appealing shop,
Avra
, on t
he
marina, featuring local
products. Breakfast included.
€50
Galaxa
T
22650 41620,
F
22650 42053.
Somewhat
old-fashioned hillside hotel above the northwest shore of
Hirólakkas with private parking; most of the rooms have
some sort of water view (the best in town), all have blue-
and-white decor, fridges, phones and small bathrooms.
Manolis, your genial host, presides over the popul
ar g
arden
terrace-bar where breakfast (included) is served.
€60
Ì
Ganimede
market street)
T
22650 41328,
W
ganimede.gr.
Pleasant hotel under the energetic management of the
Papalexis family since 2004. There are four doubles in the
finely restored old house (best is no. 1), with fridges and
satellite TV, and a family suite (€150 for 4) with loft and
fireplace across the courtyard-garden. Free wi-fi access,
and longer-term apartments out back. In season, music
and cocktails are offered in th
e ga
rden every evening from
7-10pm. Breakfast included.
€75
Hirolakas
Platía Hirolaka
T
22650 41170 or 693 69 99
327.
A mix of standard doubles, studios and family suites,
with fridge, a/c and TV, at this cosy, rel
axed
spot set just
back from the water. Breakfast included.
€60
Pension
Votsalo
Platía Hirolaka
T
22650 41788 or
697 79 94 227,
W
archontikoarthotel.gr.
Just three
en-suite, rather basic and old-fashioned rooms with a/c, on
the east shore of Hirólakk
as, in
a refurbished 1861 house;
simple breakfast included.
€40
Nikólaou Gourgoúri 20 (southwest
EATING AND DRINKING
Tavernas, mostly on the southeasterly quay (Iánthi), are all adequate, though an obvious cluster at the head of the port is
generally worth avoiding. For those with a sweet tooth, there is a string of shops purveying local pastries on Nikoláou
Máma, between Platía Iróön and Iánthi.
