2021 was the year that the Rally of Gods, EKO Acropolis Rally, returned to the World Rally Championship (WRC), after 8 years. Following last year’s successful comeback, the EKO Acropolis Rally returns with this year’s highlight, the revival of the legendary Super Special Stage taking place at the Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens (OAKA), in front of bleachers filled with fans.

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But we are a travel site, and the EKO Acropolis Rally, taking place between September 8-11 can be the perfect occasion to explore areas of Korinthia and Central Greece that combine natural beauty with history and great food, and destinations that can keep you entertained when you’re not watching the rally and are worth getting on your travelling bucket list even if you’re not interested in the rally.

Day 1: In Korinthia and by the beach

Loutraki

The first racing day of the EKO Acropolis Rally goes through Korinthia and Loutraki and it’s not the part of the rally that real fans will enjoy, but it is the most accessible part for you to watch a WRC race without having to go a great distance from Athens, and you can combine the race with swimming. The Loutraki seafront with the many beautiful cafés and restaurants is one of the most pleasant seafront locations for pedestrians.

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The serviced beach is very close to town and if you decide to spend the night in the area, it’s well worth going to the less-known lake Vouliagmeni the next day, the one in Korinthia. It’s actually a lagoon and it has a sandy beach. In addition, you can see one of the best-known and prettiest lighthouses in Greece, built in 1897, at cape Melagkavi.

Itea-Galaxidi

The classic Bauxite stage starts on the coastal road that links Itea and Galaxidi, so if you drive on it, you’ll be able to say, “you drove like a rally driver”. The rally is the perfect opportunity to get to know Galaxidi, in Fokida, a listed village that remains unspoilt to this day, very scenic, with great architecture.

If you stay in Galaxidi, it’s well-worth visiting the neighbouring Kirra with the large serviced beach, the fish taverns and the ruins of a medieval castle.

Day 2: Crossing Central Greece

Pavliani

Pavliani is no longer a secret destination, since this beautiful village in Fthiotida attracts visitors all year round with its natural beauty and the love of its residents that work hard at preserving it. It’s the best destination in the area if you’re here to watch the rally with your children and can be the perfect base for a three-day trip. The village’s park at the source of Asopos river is full of hammocks, wooden beds, bird nests, humorous signs, musical bridges, swings, a trampoline, exercise equipment, offering a pleasant break form the rally.

The Oeta National Park is a must for nature lovers, while the neighbouring Athanasios Diakos is a meat lover hotspot.

Tarzan stage

The best-known special stage of the rally will take place on the second day. It owes its fame to its great difficulty and also due to its name. It hadn’t been included in the itinerary for around 15 years, but it returned last year and was passionately welcomed back by spectators. Access to the stage is quite easy, but it’s best if you drive to your spot carefully to enjoy the lovely landscape.

“Tarzan” is no longer alive; Giorgos Bourgos was a police officer who lived in Athens until 1975, when he caught tuberculosis, and his doctors ordered him to move to the countryside. He chose to return to his village, Fourna, Evritania, as at 900m altitude, surrounded by a fir forest, it was the perfect place for the fresh air he needed.

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He might no longer be alive, but his house, in the location Zaharaki, a place where Evritania, Fthiotida and Karditsa border, still stands. It is now called “To Steki tou Diavati”, and it was where he welcomed Greek and foreign crews who stopped there to rest. Bourgos didn’t speak any foreign languages, but his kindness and great hospitality towards the crews, that he treated with local delicacies, has become part of the Acropolis Rally history. Even if you’re not planning a visit during the rally, it’s worth visiting before winter. Near Bourgos’ house there are picnic benches, lush vegetation, deer and free-range cows.

Day 3: Eleftherohori, Mendenitsa and Elatia

The village with the medieval castle

The easiest way to watch the start of a special stage of the Acropolis Rally (on its final, and most crucial, day) is to walk about 2.5km from Elatia to the starting point of the Special Stage 15. This stage goes through the interesting biotope of lake Nevropolis, even though the lake is dry at the moment. We also recommend a visit to the beautiful Mendenitsa village.

It is located about 35km from Lamia, at a bit over 530m altitude, on mount Kalidromo. It has traditional architecture and an amazing view of the Maliakos bay from its central square where various cafés and taverns are located. Over the village there’s an imposing Frankish castle that was built after the Sack of Constantinople by the crusaders in 2014 and belonged to the marquisate of Bodonitsa, the Frankish state that ruled the area for about 2 centuries. As you can imagine, the view from the castle is stunning, and it’s worth exploring, though you need to be extra careful as it might hide dangers due to the is neglected state.

To close your day, you can choose between a visit for a coffee and food to Lamia, a must if the reason for your trip was the rally since the rally’s Service Park is located there and you can see the cars and crews up close, or a visit to Kamena Vourla, a once cosmopolitan destination that after a period of decline is going through a rebirth, where you can enjoy great fish.

EKO Rally Acropolis: safety first

The organisers of the EKO Acropolis Rally have worked with the safety of the event in mind. However, everyone’s cooperation is needed to avoid any unpleasant or dangerous situation.

You can find all necessary information at www.acropolisrally.gr and in particular at the “Spectators” section so that you can plan your visit.

In the “Spectators’ Guide” you’ll find everything you need to be aware of before you travel to any EKO Acropolis Rally location.

In order for the rally to be a success, its safety needs to be in everyone’s mind, something you can achieve by following simple practices when you visit a stage. You’ll find below some of EKO Acropolis Rally’s guidelines to spectators:

• Park safely in the direction of departure and do not block the road.

• Don’t walk on the stage 30 minutes before the start of the stage.

• Enjoy the rally from the official spectators’ areas.

• Marshals are there to protect you, always follow their instructions.

• Listen to announcements on the rally’s official channels.

• Keep out of box junctions and prohibited areas.

• Respect the tape delineation and signage.

• Rally cars can leave the road anywhere, don’t put yourself at risk.

Download the “Spectator Safety” posters here.

If you’re interested in watching the race, you can find detailed maps and access roads here.

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