Kamena Vourla: The traditional spa town of Fthiotida amid holiday gentrification

Since then and for several years, there will be endless journeys with suffocating full KTEL buses to public toilets, while families in cars from Lamia, Livadeia and surrounding villages will “frequent” Asproneri from the beginning of June ( famous beach of Kameni Vourla). A little later, the 80s Disco Isabelle it will leave its mark on the nightlife of seaside resorts, attracting crowds from the surrounding area. With the EOT campsite, you could say that the heart of the Greek summer for central Greece was beating at this point on the map.

a lot has changed Since that time. The small wrought-iron tables and chairs at the edge of the sidewalks have given way to comfortable armchairs, while the traditional donuts are no longer served, but fresh quinoa salads, chocolate waffles, rosé wines and refined cocktails. The traditional soft dough pizza became a crisp pincha and the souvlaki was improved without too many tweaks. Beaches filled with sunbeds (not sure if this is an upgrade) and the area has gained gourmet restaurants for the most discerning palates.

The more investments in the neighborhood they have focused on catering, leaving the hospitality part a little aside ” New businesses have opened in the neighborhood, which has brought in a lot of people. But investments are also needed in new hotels to make again of Kamena Vourla as a holiday destination,” says Mr. Pavlos Dosisits director Galini Wellness Spa & Resort who wrote his own history in the place “The surroundings are very beautiful, continues Mr. Dosis, the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior, the famous Pauliani, Thermopylae and the ‘exotic’ Lihadonisia, are easily accessible from here and they really worth the detour,” concludes Mr. Dosis.

Inside the 5 star Galini Wellness Spa & Resort hosts one of the largest spas in the world, 3,000 m². with thermal water pools and a wide variety of therapeutic treatments, 224 rooms and suites, with stunning mountain or sea views. The hotel beach has a blue flag when it is handicapped accessible, as well as the hotel itself. Although days of stay have shrunk as guests prefer weekends, local residents don’t miss the opportunity to visit both the pool and the hotel’s new restaurant.

And there are many who have chosen to live in the region, either as permanent residents or as digital nomads (the municipality of Kameni Vourla has around 5,000 permanent residents, which in summer exceed 10,000 inhabitants), benefiting privileges and advantages of this resort that can be found in the horseshoe of the Gulf of Maliak.

O Kostas Katsanosco-owner of the brand new Bar Restaurant Cataniabelieves that Kamena Vourla is in the midst of a gentrification of the seaside resort -a term that, if interpreted literally, may seem vague, but it describes how areas that until recently were positioned as outsiders on the tourist map are beginning to take on a new identity and attract audiences diversified.

“It is clear that Kamena Vourla is now acquiring a more modern character and this has also resulted in the entertainment,” says Mr. Katsanos “At the moment, apart from our own bar-restaurant which is a completely new approach to entertainment for the region, the whole entertainment map has been enriched. The Kamena Vourla were destroyed decades ago cosmopolitan tourist resort which over the years has lost some of its reputation, but is quietly repositioning itself in the present and regaining its place as a vacation choice. We followed exactly this upgrading trend that we saw and wanted to create an entertainment business that could stand in any high-end tourist destination. At the same time, Kameni Vourla’s location is ideal for many reasons while remaining affordable as a proposition. It’s too easy a destination for Athenians, even for a two-day getaway. In an hour and a half you arrived at the seaside and at this time when there is again a visible problem of punctuality and in terms of holidays, Kamena Vourla maintains a high level of service at affordable prices”.

On the same wavelength and Mr. Sakis Papanagiotouowner of Welcome Stores and resident of the region for 30 years “The Kamenas are located in the center of Greece and this makes them particularly privileged. From here one can easily reach the beautiful Lihadonisia, the Sporades – via Agios Konstantinos – and from many other places of tourist interest. It is a very close destination, which gives you the opportunity to fill your day. And it caters to all budgets” explains Mr. Papanagiotou, who believes that the area can be more revalued with investments in the thermal springs and in the former EOT campsite.

Next to the legendary Thermopylae, a stone’s throw from Delphi, Pauliani and only 10 minutes from Lihadonisia, the small spa town nestled in a plain of eucalyptus, is waiting for you to discover it. You will recognize it by its distinctive feng shui (mountain above and sea below) and you will put it in your heart forever.

Read more:

Lihadonisia: Swimming and dining in the “Seychelles of Greece”, 2h30 from Athens

At the cold springs of Livadia – Huge plane trees, waterfalls, cobbled streets

A day in Pauliani Park – Bridges with music, swings and hammocks in the fir trees