Pelion

Relatively unspoilt, Pelion is one of mainland Greece’s most enchanting regions, combining sandy beaches, crystal-clear seas, traditional villages, and dense forests. According to legend, the area was once home to the Centaurs (Kentavros), while its forests famously provided timber for the Argo, the ship of the Argonauts. Here, nature lovers, walkers, and culture seekers alike will find endless delights. Villages and beaches are often linked by kalderimia, the old cobbled or paved paths once used by donkeys, but hiring a car is recommended to explore the wider area.

Mountain Villages

• Makrinitsa – Known as the village of the “nobles,” Makrinitsa boasts elegant stone mansions and leafy squares. Referred to as the “Balcony of Pelion,” it offers breathtaking views over Volos. Visitors can enjoy excellent tavernas serving local delicacies such as spetsofai, fasolada, and giouvetsi.

• Portaria – Once Pelion’s commercial heart, Portaria is home to impressive neoclassical mansions, many now charming inns. Perched on the mountain, it is a perfect base for exploring the surrounding villages and forests.

• Milies – A historic cultural and educational centre, Milies played a key role in the 1821 revolution against Ottoman rule. The church of Pamegiston Taxiarchon, built in 1714, features a gold-plated altar screen and post-Byzantine frescoes. Milies is also the terminus of the Little Train of Pelion, affectionately called “Smudgy,” a narrow-gauge railway inaugurated in 1895, now preserved as a historic attraction offering a scenic journey through the mountains.

• Vizitsa – Often described as one of the most beautiful Pelion villages, Vizitsa’s 18th- and 19th-century mansions have been carefully restored, showcasing the region’s architectural heritage.

• Tsagarada – Situated 500 metres above sea level, Tsagarada enjoys sweeping Aegean views. The village’s four original churches—Taxiarches, Agia Paraskevi, Agia Kyriaki, and Agios Stefanos—give its four suburbs their names. The square of Agia Paraskevi, shaded by a thousand-year-old plane tree with a 14-metre trunk, is perfect for sampling local walnut cake.

• Agios Georgios Nilias – This picturesque village offers uninterrupted views of the Pagasitic Gulf. Wealthy residents historically returned from Alexandria and Cairo, leaving behind grand houses, the local church of Agios Georgios, an art museum, and the convent of Taxiarches.

• Lafkos – Favoured by Greek artists for its light, stone houses, cobbled streets, and village square, Lafkos embodies Pelion’s timeless charm.

Seaside Resorts and Beaches

• Agios Ioannis – A cosmopolitan resort in Eastern Pelion, close to the long white sandy beach of Papa Nero, consistently ranked among Greece’s top beaches.

• Kala Nera – A lively summer destination with a long sandy beach shaded by poplar, plane, and eucalyptus trees. The village’s name, meaning “good waters,” hints at the abundance of freshwater springs nearby.

• Damouchari – The only natural harbour on the wilder Aegean side of Pelion, connected to Tsagarada via traditional kalderimia. Damouchari gained fame as a filming location for Mamma Mia, representing the island harbour in the iconic “Dancing Queen” scenes.

Pelion offers a perfect blend of mountain adventure, traditional village life, and seaside relaxation, making it a destination for those seeking authentic Greek culture, nature, and history.