Pelion

Surface

368.5 km²

Airport

International

Port

Volos

Faster connection

Flight with stopovers

Connections

Stopovers flight

Healthcare

Hospital

Tourist presence

Nightlife under 30

Nightlife over 30

Beaches

Sand, Pebbles

Beach services

Free

Beaches for children

Yes

Equipped campsite

Yes

Naturism

Yes

Points of interest

Damouhari, Pelio train

Activity

Holiday type

Family holiday, Romantic trip, Sea and Relax

Pelio, or Pelion, isn’t a city but a small peninsula that extends from the eastern to the southern part of Volos surrounded by a spectacular mountain chain. The tallest of these mountains is Mt. Pliassidi (1651 meters above sea level). The eastern part of this peninsula cannot be accessed as there are many dangerous cliffs and gorges while the western coast can be accessed and faces the gulf of Pagastikos.

The inland is very lush, covered in species of trees that include: oaks, olives, eucalyptus, chestnuts and beech trees. The villages located in the inland and surrounded by this lush nature have a unique characteristic: They all have white houses with grey balconies and roofs.

What to see in Pelion

When you arrive in the Pelion peninsula the first city you will find in the northern part is Makrinitsa. This city is located on the side of a mountain and it is also known as “Pelion’s balcony” because of its high position. From far away the city’s houses may seem a bit squashed one on another while when seen from close up you will notice the traditional white colour on them and the many small alleys running between one house and another.

If you reach the highest part of town you will find 50 fountains made out of stone. Makrinitsi is one of the peninsula’s most famous and visited towns, also thanks to its closeness to Volos. The whole city can be explored on foot and you can reach the main square where there is a large tree with holes and crevices where children love to play.

In the north-eastern part of town you will find the Zagorà, an important center where fruit is sold, considered by many the Greek capital of apples. Carryiong on the eastern coast you will find Agios Ioannis, the liveliest touristic center in the eastern coast. There you will also find the beautiful beaches of Plaka and Papa Nero.

Carrying on down south, always in the eastern part of the peninsula, you will find Damouhari. This city is located next to a big patch of land where olive trees are traditionally grown, close to a beach covered in a mix of pebbles and sand protected by creek. The town became famous after the movie “Mamma Mia” with Maryl Streep was partly shot there, in fact during the movie production the port was closed for two weeks. A little bit more south there is Tsagarada where many accommodations and shops are located.

In the western coast instead you will find Milies, a town that was very important during the Greek independence wars as it was the place where the independent ideology started. Milies is also the point of arrival and departure of the Pelio train (To Trenaki).
In the south-western part of the peninsula there is Milina, one of the area’s most important cities, where many organize trips start in. Agia kyriaki is the southernmost part of Pelion. A village of fishermen that hasn’t been seen by many tourists but is still definitely worth visiting.

The Pelion train

Even if you are travelling with your own vehicle or you have rented one we recommend to take a trip on Pelion train (To Trenaki), a steam train that goes through Milies and Ano Lehonia. The train line is 13 km long and was restored in 1997 to become a touristic attraction.

Originally the machine engine was a Belgian steam train that ran on coal, it was then swapped with a diesel train in order to make it safer for both the passengers and the landscape near the line that used to catch fire because of the burning coal falling. The train has 4 coaches and leaves from Ano Lehonia at 10 and returns there at around 15 leaving enough time for the people on board to visit Milies. We recommend you check in advance the timetable and days when the train is running as they change every year. Prices range from 10 to 18 euros for tickets for kids and adults.

Excursions in Pelion

The peninsula of Pelio or Pelion is a true paradise for those people who love trekking as there is are some old routes that were once used by the local’s donkeys to carry materials and goods around the region and connect most mountain and sea villages. Many of these magnificent roads are managed by the local association “Friends of Kalderimi”.

In the north, near Tsagarada, there are two trekking paths that you can follow with a guide. From Agia Paraskevi square you can reach the small creek of Damouhari, while in the small village of Xourichti, located 4 km south from Agia Paraskevi you will find a route that in 3 hours will take you to Milies.

A the height of Fakistra beach you will see a path in the woods that follows the coast and will take you to Plaka beach after about two hours walk. In the southern part of Pelio, there is a wonderful route that goes from Promiri to Platania. In this area you will also find the path that connects Lafkos to Milina giving you the chance to admire both of the peninsula’s coasts. There is also a popular walk that will take from Argalasti to Kalamos and Lefokastro.