Karditsa Car Hire

Guide of Karditsa

Geography

Karditsa is a city in mainland Greece's western Thessaly region, and the administrative centre of the Karditsa regional unit. It is located near a tributary of the Peneus River and this is one of the reasons why it is the rural hub for the gathering and distribution of Thessaly exports (cotton, wheat, and cattle-raising products).

Climate in Karditsa

Karditsa has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters. The finest period of the year in Karditsa starts in June and ends in September. Tourists flock to Karditsa in July because it is the warmest month of the year.

Culture

The plague pandemic that struck the city in 1821 wiped off the entire population. After Turkey's freedom in 1881, it started to re-emerge. During World War II, Karditsa became the first European city to be liberated as the Italian army withdrew in March 1943. In September 1944, the German army surrendered and the city was freed for good.

Things To Do in Karditsa

Enjoy Karditsa’s finest delicacies at Saint Georges

Because of its eye-catching colour, the Saint Georges shop is hard to overlook. It features local items from all across Thessaly. A wide variety of meats and cheeses can be found here, including Karditsan sausage, strained yoghurt from Palama, feta from Trikki dairy, peach nectar from Trikala-based Kliafa, fir honey from Lake Plastira, as well as pulses in various sizes and weights. Take a seat and enjoy some coffee or crepes if you get the need to take a break from shopping.

Pay a visit to the Fighting Museum

The historic municipal market building, constructed towards the end of the 1920s, is a well-known landmark in Karditsa. The big square market, constructed of cement, metal, and glass, is striking, yet it is mostly abandoned. However, it is home to one of the city's most fascinating museums. In the former fire brigade headquarters, where they were based from 1948 to 1994, a museum has been created that includes historic relics including a 1930 water pump and a firefighter's suit that could resist temperatures up to 1.200 degrees C for two minutes, as well as handcrafted signs.

Admire the peacocks at Pafsilypou Park

One of the city's most popular attractions is Pafsilypou Park, located in the heart of the city. The cattle market and trade fairs were held in this building, which was designed by Georgos Foskolos in the early 1900s and backed by Mayor Stergios Lappas. It is not uncommon to see flocks of peacocks flaunting their libido in the park these days. Observe how the blue-necked males expand their trains like fans and display their beautiful colours to the ladies while they make their mating calls.

Eating Out in Karditsa

When you visit Bistro Arni, located on the ground floor of the historic hotel "Domotel Arni," you will be transported to mid-war central Europe. This one-of-a-kind restaurant offers over 70 wine labels, mostly Greek, a mini-collection of great whiskey, and unique cocktails, as well as excellent coffee and service. Apomero is one of Thessaly's most distinctive. The anthotyro cheesecake with quince preserves and the orange pie with dondurma ice cream is oh-so-delicious.

The Karagounides people of Thessaly have their own cuisine which, unfortunately, has mostly been forgotten-but not at Vogiatzis' Tavern. Duck kavourmas is a traditional dish that may be eaten on its own or as part of a sauce with duck and garlic vinegar. Gkekas, with its characteristic floating umbrella décor, is one of Karditsa's most popular tsipouro bars. It's the only tavern in town with such a large selection of seafood and fish, which comes from Halkida and Volos depending on the season. It is well-known for its fried meals and authentic Greek flavours. It's a good idea to call ahead to see what's available that day.

Transport

Airport

The closest airport to Karditsa is Nea Anchialos National Airport (VOL), 122 kilometres from Karditsa’s city centre.

Getting Around Karditsa

Karditsa is accessible by rail from both Athens and Thessaloniki through the Palaiofarsalos-Kalambaka line. It is also connected to other major Greek cities on the mainland via KTEL buses.

Many visitors travelling through Greece choose to hire a vehicle since it provides more comfort, flexibility, and convenience than using public transportation. Greece not only offers a fantastic network of well-maintained highways, but the scenery along the way is also exceptionally attractive, with many of the routes offering breathtaking ocean vistas. If you're going with a big party, renting a minivan may be a good option. You may also book a one-way rental, which allows you to pick up your car in one city – say, Athens – and drop it off in another – say, Karditsa – before flying out of the country. This would save you the time and inconvenience of having to drive it back to your location.