Lamia (Greek: Λαμία) (City population: 47,529, municipality: 66,657 (2021)) is the capital of the Phthiotis region of West Central Greece, on the slopes of Mount Othrys, near the river Spercheios.

Understand

One version is that city was named after the mythological figure of Lamia, the daughter of Poseidon and queen of the Trachineans. Another is that it is named after the Malians, the inhabitants of the surrounding area. Now it serves as the agricultural centre of a fertile rural and livestock area.

Get in

Lamia sits almost in the middle between Athens (211 km) and Thessaloniki (295 km).

By bus

There are KTEL intercity buses starting at Lamia 1 bus station.

By train

Lamia 2 train station is no longer on the main line Athens - Thessaloniki. Timetable is available on TrainOse website

See

• 1 Lamia Fortress (Kastro Lamias) (rising above the city). The fortress occupies a steep rocky acropolis that has been strategically important since antiquity. Most of the surviving walls date mainly from the Catalan period (14th century), later modified under Ottoman rule. The castle offers extensive views over the Spercheios valley, though the interior is closed due to restoration works inside a large Ottoman-era structure. Despite this, the enceinte walls and commanding position make it an impressive landmark. (updated Mar 2016)
• 2 Archaeological Museum (inside the Castle grounds). It offers an in-depth look at Phthiotis's history with exhibits spanning the Neolithic to the Roman periods. (updated Mar 2016)
• 3 Gorgopotamos Bridge — The railway bridge over the river Gorgopotamos is famous for one of the biggest sabotage acts of World War II, known as "Operation Harling". A British mission and 150 Greek partisans blew it up on 25 November 1942, cutting off German supplies being transported between Athens and Thessaloniki.
• 4 Monastery of Agathon (on the slopes of Mount Oiti). This tranquil 15th-century monastery features a beautiful chapel and an outdoor museum dedicated to the region's natural history. (updated Jul 2026)

Do

• Football: PAS Lamia 1964 were relegated in 2025 and now play soccer in Superleague 2, the second tier. Their home ground is Municipal Stadium (capacity 5500) 1 km north of town centre.

Eat

• 1 Odos Oneiron, Makrygianni Str (Central Square), ☏ +30 2231 044244. Greek cuisine (updated Mar 2016)

Sleep

• 1 Neon Astron Hotel, 5, Laou Square, ☏ +30 22310 26245. 1-star hotel (updated Mar 2016)
• 2 Hotel America, 12, Patroklou Str, ☏ +30 22310 26765, fax: +30 22310 45837. 1-star hotel. Works in late autumn, costs €33 per night on a walk-in basis. (updated Nov 2024)
• 3 Thermopylae Hotel, 36, Rozaki Angeli Str, ☏ +30 22310 21366, +30 22310 26393, fax: +30 22310 2664. 1-star hotel (updated Mar 2016)
• 4 Elena Hotel, 6, Thermopilon Str, ☏ +30 22310 25025, +30 22310 27175. 2-star hotel (updated Mar 2016)
• 5 Delta Hotel, 41, Kapodistriou Str, ☏ +30 2231 021 600. 2-star hotel (updated Mar 2016)
• 6 Samaras Hotel, 14, "Athanassiou Diakou" Str, ☏ +30 22310 28971-3. 3-star hotel (updated Mar 2016)
• 7 Hotel Athina, 41, "Rozaki Aggeli" Str, ☏ +30 2231 027700. 3-star hotel (updated Mar 2016)
• 8 Fthia Hotel, 5 "Andrea Papandreou" Str, ☏ +30 22310 53111. 3-star hotel (updated Mar 2016)

Go next

Loutra Ypatis - A spa town on the foothills of Mt Oiti, 20 minutes away by car.

Meteora - famous destination and one of the most beautiful nature sights on mainland Greece, through Trikala

Delphi - important and well known UNESCO archeological site, more or less direct bus connection to there

Routes through Lamia

Thessaloniki ← Mt Olympus Volos ←	N  S	→ Chalcis Thebes → Athens
Itea ← Delphi Mount Parnassus ←	SO  SE	→ Thermopylae