The Acropolis Rally has, for decades, symbolised motorsports in Greece. This year, the event has made it back onto the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar following an eight-year absence fans of the sport would rather forget.
This year’s stages of the Acropolis Rally, scheduled for September 9 to 12, begin from Athens, pass through the Peloponnese, cover a great part of mainland Greece, and end in Lamia, central Greece. The event, worshipped by fans, also provides spectators an opportunity to become better acquainted with Greece’s history and nature in a different type of way.
Ceremonial start below the Acropolis, Syntagma Square special stage
As is well known among the event’s enthusiasts, Lamia’s service park, at the Lamia – Panhellenic Expo Centre, is the focal point of the Acropolis Rally.
Shakedown, or testing procedures, will take place on September 9 at a 4.3-km track in the Lamia area.
Once this testing procedure has been completed, the racing cars will head down to Athens, as, on the afternoon of the very same day, the event’s ceremonial start will take place below the Acropolis. It will be immediately followed by one of the most impressive features of this year’s event, the Cosmote 5G Athens Stage, the first special stage of the 2021 Acropolis Rally, a route measuring nearly 1-km in length and circling Syntagma Square, in the heart of Athens.
From Corinth to Fthiotida
The first day also includes special stages at Loutraki and Aghii Theodori, west of Athens, close to Corinth. From there, the cars will head up to Thiva, northwest of Athens, a popular stage, before moving to Elatia, further northwest, which is worth experiencing for the side features offered by this location.
Elatia-Zeli, scenic special stage
The natural environment at Elatia and other features, including the location’s archaeological discoveries and Mycenaean cemetery, are bound to impress visitors.
The monumental carved chambered tombs of Elatia and the wider area of multiple ancient burials and rich bounty are indicative of the Mycenaean civilisation’s later period and the early Iron Age.
Rally passes by the lake
The Elatia stage includes a stretch alongside the Nevropolis lake, at 1,100 meters above sea level in Nevropolis’ Triantafyllia area. The lake’s setting is unique for Greece as, throughout the winter and summer months, it serves as habitat for various plant species and amphibian species rarely seen in other parts of the country.
Where to stay
Kranea Athina. The facility is comprised of two traditional guesthouses, one from 1895, the other new. Elatia, Fthiotida, tel. +30 22340 31400
Where to eat
Karaiskos taverna. An old butcher shop-taverna, it specialises in ewe meat dishes. Agias Triados, Elatia, tel. +30 2234 031389
O Pontos taverna. A meat-focused taverna, it, too, specialises in ewe cuts. Gymnastiriou, Elatia, tel. 2234 032085
Pavliani and Gravia
The Acropolis Rally’s competitive and tourism interest peaks on Saturday, September 11. The Pavliani special stage is fulfilling for spectators, whether following the cars in action or observing the Mount Oeta setting, which can still be snow-capped at this time of year. Pavliani is an ideal base for those wanting to experience all the rally’s stages, especially if travelling with family.
This village features one of the most attractive recreational parks in Greece. Individuals who have never visited the area may have seen images of the park, without realising it, as it has been used as a filming location for many TV series scenes, advertisements and campaigns. Yet, no matter how impressive the resulting images of these efforts may be, they inevitably fail to fully capture the spot’s magnificence.
At for the special stage at Gravia, spectators will often lose sight of the competing cars as they vanish and reemerge from dense fir-tree settings.
Where to stay
Pavliani Apartments: Tastefully designed stone-built apartments, they possess character and feature elegant décor. Pavliani, tel. +30 698 184 4760
Xenonas Tis Katerinas: A guesthouse in Ano (Upper) Pavliani, it is situated next to the picturesque village square. A taverna serving good casserole dishes functions at the guesthouse. tel. +30 2231083009
Where to eat
Litsa taverna: This spot may well serve the best food in the region. Its meat cuts are prepared to perfection, tender and juicy, it uses fresh vegetables, makes delicious fried potato chips, and serves fine bulk wine. 142 Oetis, Pavliani, tel. +30 2231 083039
Katsibas: Serving grilled meat, casserole dishes and homemade pies, it is situated in Ano Pavliani. Tel. +30 2231 083004
Emmy’s: A food spot of modern character, it serves casserole dishes, coffee, as well as cocktails. Ano Pavliani. Tel. +30 2231 400023
Must see
Casa de Papel
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the little Pavliani park, hosting an innovative canteen, a VW van converted into a serving station for coffee, beverages and cocktails. The spot, the area’s most Instagram-friendly location, is equipped with cushions, sofas and outdoor mushroom-style heaters. Pavliani park.
Ypati thermal springs
The thermal springs at Ypati, a village at the foot of Mount Oeta, is an ideal place for individuals using the rally as a pretext for excursions. Ypati, located 18 km from Lamia, takes its name from the Ypati thermal springs at the settlement, established as a spa town in the late 19th century. These springs have been renowned for their healing properties since the 4th century BC.
The water at the Ypati thermal springs sprung to the surface following a major earthquake in the 5th century BC. The spot was organised as a thermal springs location in 1805 and remained Greece’s only well organised facility of this kind until the early 20th century. A modern hydrotherapy centre with state-of-the-art facilities was constructed and launched in 1960. Nowadays, the unit is preferred by deep-digging enthusiasts of spa tourism.
Where to stay
Alexakis Hotel & Spa: It is located close to the Ypati thermal springs. Loutra Ypatis, tel. +30 2231 059380
Galaxias: Agiou Konstantinou & Odyssea Androutsou, Loutra Ypatis, tel. +30 2231 059355
Where to eat
Mouries taverna: Meat and casserole dishes are served here. 25th Martiou, Loutra Ypatis, tel. +30 2231 059488
Tarzan, a special stage with a history
The rally’s Tarzan special stage, back on the Acropolis Rally’s programme following a fifteen-year absence, is the event’s most widely known. This reputation can be attributed, to great extent, to its name and degree of difficulty. Race drivers compete at an altitude of over 1,000 metres amid a setting of wild beauty for this stage, serving as the Power Stage of the event. The stage’s degree of difficulty was highlighted back in 1991 when French driver Didier Auriol, a future world champion, dismantled a wheelrim, which deprived him of victory. Even so, he would always declare the Tarzan stage was his favourite special stage.
The stage’s Tarzan name originates from Giorgos Burgos, a police officer who lived in Athens until 1975, when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Needing to relocate to an environment with fresh air, he opted for his homeland, Fourna, in the Evritania area, a village at an altitude of 900 metres surrounded by a dense fir tree forest.
Tarzan, who was given just months to live, ended up living over fifty years more, reaching the age of 92. He became associated with the Acropolis Rally and this specific special stage. His hut, at the Fourna area’s Zaharaki location, a point where the prefectures Evrytania and Fthiotida, as well as the town Karditsa, all meet, became a resting point for crews during test drives. Burgos, who spoke no foreign languages, still managed to treat his guests to all sorts of local food and beverage specialties, renowned for their quality.
When in the area, slow down the driving pace to enjoy, stress free, the superb setting that will unfold before your eyes. A rest area exists by the Agion Anargyron chapel. If the weather is fine, it is worth making a pit stop for a good look at the wild beauty of the mountainous area.
Tarzan will be the last special stage of this year’s event, ending in Lamia on Sunday afternoon (September 12). Take the opportunity for a good meal at one of the city’s fine tavernas.
Rally’s best viewing points for every day
On Friday (September 10), position yourself at the 5th kilometre of the Loutraki special stage, but keep in mind you will not be able to leave until the race has ended. On Saturday (September 11), go to the Pyra Irakleous position for the Pavliani special stage. On Sunday (September 12), opt for the 14th kilometre of the Tarzan special stage, at the Hani Karagianni position.
What spectators should know
The safety of all persons associated with the event is a priority for the organisers, who, this year, especially, are urging attendants to respect public health rules. Organisers, having taken into account proposals by scientific associates of the Acropolis Rally, based on their assessment of the pandemic’s current situation in Greece, have made special arrangements for spectators at the event’s Service Park, at the Lamia – Panhellenic Expo Centre.
Entrance to this area will only be permitted for fully vaccinated persons or individuals who have previously contracted Covid-19 and hold related certification (issued 30 days after the first positive test and valid for 180 days following the contraction). Youngsters aged between 12 to 15 will need to provide a PCR test, valid for 72 hours, or a Rapid Ag test, valid for 48 hours. Children under 12 years old will be permitted entry to the Service Park area if producing a negative self-test taken on the day.
Attendants at the Service Park area must wear face masks at all times, while spectators are advised to maintain social-distancing rules (1.5m) and not crowd around team areas. Public health rules will be strictly observed at the event’s dining space areas.
Spectators viewing the action at the event’s special stages are urged to maintain all public health rules (face masks, antiseptic hand gel, social distancing).
For greatest possible efficiency and safe planning, maps charting the Acropolis Rally special stages, as well as recommended routes to these, all Google Earth–supported, have been uploaded to the Spectators category of the event’s official website, www.acropolisrally.gr.
