Arvanitsa is a forested area above the village of Kyriaki on Mount Helicon — a cool, shaded retreat ideal for families, walkers and those seeking escape from summer heat. It is also the site of an annual music festival held in the forest itself.
The Forest
The Arvanitsa forest area is dominated by fir trees, with a picnic area, walking paths and the simple, restorative pleasure of shade and altitude. The contrast with the Kopais plain below — visible on clear days — gives the landscape a sense of distance and perspective that is genuinely refreshing.
The Arvanitsa Music Festival
An annual summer music festival is held in the Arvanitsa forest, drawing audiences and performers for outdoor concerts in a remarkable natural setting. The format — music among trees, with mountain air and community — captures something essential about the slower, more human-scaled pleasures that this part of Greece offers.
Food and Rest
The Kyriaki village below has taverns serving mountain food — grilled meats, local cheeses, fresh bread. A day that combines forest walking in Arvanitsa with lunch in Kyriaki is one of the most pleasant half-day escapes from Livadia available.