Itea

Gateway to Delphi (site and museum), Arachova, Galaxidi

Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

Itea is the gateway to Delphi, the ancient oracle of Apollo. Taxis wait at the port; a round trip with about 3 hours at Delphi costs around €60 per taxi. One €20 ticket covers both the site and the museum.

Getting ashoreDock or tender
Distance to townYou land in the town centre. Delphi is up the mountain; driving time unverified (often quoted as about 20–30 minutes).
Gateway forDelphi (site and museum), Arachova, Galaxidi
Taxi (round trip with waiting) to Delphi site and museumDrive time unverified; allow about 3 hours at Delphi · Around €60 per taxi for the round trip with a 3-hour wait (What's In Port; approximate)
On the chart

Where Itea lies

Where your ship docks

Itea is a small port for smaller cruise ships; the pier is in the centre of town (What's In Port). Whether your ship docks or tenders depends on its size; check with your line.

Shuttle. No shuttle confirmed.

From the gangway

Getting to the sights

The wayTimeCost
Taxi (round trip with waiting) to Delphi site and museumDrive time unverified; allow about 3 hours at DelphiAround €60 per taxi for the round trip with a 3-hour wait (What's In Port; approximate)
Public bus (KTEL) to DelphiUnverifiedUnverified

Taxi (round trip with waiting) to Delphi site and museum

Time Drive time unverified; allow about 3 hours at DelphiCost Around €60 per taxi for the round trip with a 3-hour wait (What's In Port; approximate)
  1. Taxis wait at the port.
  2. Agree the price, waiting time and pickup point before you leave.
  3. Ask to be dropped at the site entrance and picked up at the museum (or the reverse).

Share with others to cut the cost.

Public bus (KTEL) to Delphi

Time UnverifiedCost Unverified
  1. Ask at the port for the KTEL bus stop.

Few buses a day; not recommended on a port day.

Worth the trip

What to see

Delphi Archaeological Site

Temple of Apollo, theatre and stadium on a steep mountain slope; UNESCO site.

How
Taxi or tour.
Time
2 hours
Tickets
€20 full / €10 reduced, includes the museum. Daily 08:00–20:00 Apr–Aug; 08:30–15:30 Nov–Mar (Hellenic Heritage).

Delphi Archaeological Museum

The bronze Charioteer and treasures from the sanctuary.

How
Next to the site, same ticket.
Time
1 hour
Tickets
Included in the €20 ticket. Summer Tuesdays opens only 10:00–17:00 (Hellenic Heritage).

Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia (Tholos)

The famous round temple, a short walk below the main site.

How
Walk along the road from the museum.
Time
30 minutes
Tickets
Unverified whether included

Arachova

Mountain village with tavernas and views of Mount Parnassus.

How
Add to a taxi tour.
Time
1 hour
Tickets
Free
A day ashore

Your day, hour by hour

Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.

  1. Take a taxi from the port at first gangway time.
  2. Start at the top of the site early, before the heat and the groups.
  3. Walk down to the museum (1 hour).
  4. Optional: Tholos and Athena Pronaia below the road.
  5. Return to Itea by early afternoon; swim or lunch on the waterfront.
  6. Back on board 45–60 minutes before all-aboard (more if tendering).
Wise counsel

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

Beware

  • The site is steep uphill with little shade.
  • Winter hours end at 15:30.
  • Itea has very few shops.

Do this

  • Wear grippy shoes; ancient paths are slippery.
  • Carry water; there is little shade on the site.
Practical matters

Fees, money and access

Rules & fees

  • Greek cruise passenger fee (per person, per port call, since 21 July 2025): this port pays the standard rate of €5 (1 Jun–30 Sep), €3 (Apr–May and Oct), €1 (Nov–Mar). Only Santorini and Mykonos pay the higher €20/€12/€4. Your cruise line usually adds it to your bill (Keep Talking Greece, 21 Jul 2025).
  • Delphi free days: 6 Mar, 18 Apr, 18 May, 28 Oct, last weekend of September, and first and third Sundays Nov–Mar (Hellenic Heritage). Greek state sites close 1 Jan, 25 Mar, 1 May, Easter Sunday, 25–26 Dec. Last entry is 20 minutes before closing. Buy tickets at hh.gr.

Accessibility

The upper site is steep with rough paths and steps. The museum is easier. A taxi to the entrance helps.

Money

Euro. Cards are widely taken in town; carry some cash for taxis, small cafés and church donations. Use bank ATMs and choose to be charged in euros.

Onward

More of the Greek Isles & Eastern Med

Sources & what we could not confirm · 4 sources · checked 2026-11