Northwest Pelion
Mount Pelion (also spelt Pelio or Pelium; Greek, Modern: Πήλιο, Ancient/Katharevousa: Πήλιον) forms a hook-like peninsula between the Pagasetic Gulf and the Aegean Sea.
Towns and villages
Villages are grouped together in clusters of nearby villages:
- 🌍 Portaria, Stagiates, Katichori
- 🌍 Makrinitsa
- 🌍 Milies, Vizitza, Pinakates
- 🌍 Kala Nera, Kato Gatzea, Ano Gatzea, Agia Trias, Agii Apostoli
- 🌍 Afissos, Afetes, Koropi
- 🌍 Lefokastro
- 🌍 Platanidia, Ano Lechonia, Kato Lechonia, Agios Minas
- 🌍 Agios Vlasios, Agios Georgios Nileias, Peleokastro, Servanates, Strofilos, Agios Lavrentios
- 🌍 Chania
Understand
North West Pelion lies near the Pagasetic gulf.
The mountains are entirely forested, with beech, oak, maple and chestnut trees. Pelion is a tourist attraction throughout the year: the mountain includes trails and sidewalks for walking within small and large beaches with sand or pebbles.
Located near the city of Volos, in the prefecture of Magnesia.
Get in
North West Pelion is the area of Pelion which is closest to Volos.
By bus
There are frequently buses from Volos Interurban Bus Terminal ("Yperastiko KTEL") (KTEL Volou) to most of the villages in that area. Details on buses, can be found online here
See
Many of the villages slightly further in land, and of higher altitude, are themselves sights to see. Built on terraces cut into the side of the mountain, with many large traditional archontika buildings, which were the former homes of wealthy merchants. Makrinitsa and Milies that are particularly worth exploring.
There are various museums in the region. The Olive Museum in Ano Gatzea explores all things olive, and the Pelion Museum of Folklore and History in Makrinitsa explores regional history.
Do
- Walk along the recognized hiking routes.
- 🌍 The little train of Pelion, ☏ +30 24210-39723, 14511 (domestic), grafeio.volou@trainose.gr. Mostly in August, otherwise on weekends. A little train’s fascinating story and the mythical tales of Mt. Pelion, all combined in a single journey. This historical train used to operate the between Volos and Milies, but now only the final portion is running, departing from Kato Lechonia. Whilst the original locomotive was steam powered, the current locomotive is a diesel disguised as a steam engine - the steam engine kept on starting fires along the route. €10/18 one-way/return.
- Beaches – This western side of Pelion, with a coast on the Pagasetic Gulf, has smaller sandy beaches with calm waters than the Northeast Pelion coast. Afissos, has three main beaches: two with organized facilities, including beach bars with music that are popular with youth. Afissos beaches are considered among the best in North West Pelion. Lefokastro, just after Afissos, has four beaches. The road from Afissos is narrow with high slopes, it can be difficult to drive if you find cars coming in the opposite direction. There is a much better road from the main road to Argalasti. The first two beaches after Afissos have shallow waters. There is a nice beach in front of the campsites at Kato Gatzea.
Buy
- To Trainaki, Boulevard Kala Nera. Local sweets from Pelion, ceramics, handmade art, post cards, Greek recepies books and that special gift.
Drink
The most lively nightlife can found in Kato Lexonia, Kato Gatzea, Kala Nera and Afissos. Naturally, you can find a good coffee or ouzo in most village squares under the massive plane trees, but be sure to see and be seen in Portaria and Makrinitsa.
Sleep
There are camping options near the beaches around Kala Nera, as well as regular hotels and holiday lets in the various coastal villages there and around Platanidia. If you stay further up Mt Pelion, in places such as Portaria and around Milies, there are more traditional options, with rooms available in the traditional stone built Archontika buildings, previously the old homes of the wealthy merchants of Volos.
Go next