Central Greece is where the mainland gets properly varied. Drive an hour in any direction from Delphi and you're at a ski resort, a beach, or a spa town built on hot springs that have been in use since antiquity. It doesn't get the same spotlight as Athens or the islands, and that's part of the appeal.

The region splits naturally into two halves: inland towns like Delphi, Arachova and Lamia, and the long island of Evia, also spelled Euboea, running along the coast. Where you base yourself changes your trip more than usual here, so it's worth picking with a plan in mind.

Where to stay in Central Greece

• Delphi and Arachova: the obvious base if the ancient ruins or Mount Parnassus skiing are the point of the trip. Delphi village sits a short walk from the archaeological site, while Arachova up the mountain road is the ski-season hub, known locally for handwoven rugs and formaela cheese.
• Chalkida: Euboea's capital, built either side of the Evripos Strait, where the current famously reverses direction several times a day. It's the region's biggest transport hub, with a lively waterfront and easy road access to the rest of Evia.
• Loutra Edipsou: a spa town on Evia's northwest coast with more than 80 natural hot springs, some running straight into the sea. Good pick if a proper soak matters more than sightseeing.
• Eretria: a quieter beach town on Evia with its own small ferry to the mainland. Suits travellers who want the coast without the crowds of the bigger resorts.
• Lamia: Central Greece's largest town, with a hilltop castle and a big central square that fills with cafes in the evening. A practical base if you'd rather stay somewhere that works as a real town than a resort strip.

How much does it cost to stay in Central Greece?

A solid mid-range room in Central Greece runs from around AU$75 a night, less than a decent dinner out back home, and noticeably cheaper than Athens or the main islands in the same season.

• Backpackers and hostels: from AU$25 per night. Basic bunk rooms in Lamia and Chalkida, aimed at travellers passing through rather than settling in.
• Budget hotels and guesthouses: from AU$45 per night. Small, family-run rooms in Delphi village or Eretria, usually with a balcony and not much else, which is fine.
• Mid-range hotels and apartments: from AU$75 per night. Self-contained apartments near the Delphi ruins or along Evia's beaches, with a kitchenette worth having if you're staying more than a couple of nights.
• Boutique stays: from AU$120 per night. Restored stone houses in Arachova with mountain views and fireplaces, built for the ski crowd but comfortable year-round.
• Luxury and spa resorts: from AU$180 per night. Thermal spa resorts in Loutra Edipsou and beach resorts near Chalkida, with the springs or the water on your doorstep.

Top-rated hotels in Central Greece

• Thermae Sylla Spa Wellness Hotel, Loutra Edipsou: draws its treatments from the same mineral springs written about since antiquity, piped straight into the hotel's own pools.
• Santa Marina Arachova Resort and Spa: a mountain resort built for the Parnassus ski season, close enough to the slopes that you don't lose half a day getting there.
• Negroponte Resort Eretria: a beachfront stay on Evia with direct water access, better suited to a slow few days than a quick stopover.
• Amalia Hotel Delphi: a short walk from the archaeological site, handy if you want to see the ruins before the tour buses arrive.
• Brown Beach Chalkida Resort: sits near the Evripos Strait's reversing currents, an easy base for exploring the rest of Euboea by car.

Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Central Greece

• Book Arachova early for ski weekends between December and April. Athenians drive up for the day and the closest rooms go first.
• Stay in Delphi village itself if the ruins are your main reason for coming. Basing yourself further out turns a ten-minute walk into a drive.
• Evia's beach towns get busiest in July and August. Aim for June or September if you want lighter crowds and softer rates for the same rooms.
• If the hot springs are the drawcard, check whether your Loutra Edipsou hotel pipes the mineral water into its own pools. Not all of them do, and the public seaside pools are a walk away.
• A rental car earns its keep here. Delphi, Parnassus, Lamia and Evia's coast all sit one to two hours apart by road, and there's no quick way to link them by public transport.

Once you've settled on a base, check Traveloka's other Greece hotel regions to plan the rest of the trip.