Pagasetic Gulf on one side and the Aegean Sea on the other. And right in the middle, an enchanting mountain awaits you to explore it: Mt. Pelion. Natural fountains gushing sparkling water, sun rays peeking through the dense foliage: plane trees, apple trees, chestnut trees, oak trees, beeches, gardenias, hydrangeas, camellias. In the fertile land of Thessaly, nature runs wild. In autumn, a surreal pallet of orange and red hues unfolds generously before your very eyes. Hidden trails, old churches, emerald-green waters. Nestled on the mountainside, the Pelion villages gaze into the deep blue sea from atop. A weekend is not enough to get the most out of Pelion, but it’s enough to make you fall in love with it forever. Welcome to Pelion.
Journey to the land of the Centaurs
Such beauty could only be born from myths. In Greek mythology, Pelion was the home of the Centaurs, and Chiron, the wisest of all the centaurs, tutored Achilles and Asclepius, the father of medicine, who instituted the snake as the symbol of the discipline.
Villages of immense beauty
Driving from Volos up to Pelion, you’ll pass through Portaria and Makrinitsa, the emblematic villages of the area. You’ll find yourself surrounded by stately homes, stone-built fountains, cobblestone alleys, luxurious traditional guest houses, five-star hotels and churches, with the scent of local delicacies wafting through the air. Volos and the Pagasetic Gulf spread down below. In these villages, the crown jewels of the Pelion architecture, you’ll experience the simplicity and quality of life of a bygone era.
Are you up for skiing?
How about skiing while overlooking the Aegean Sea? That’s right! The ski resort, located in the area Agriolefkes at an elevation of 1,470 m, awaits you. There are four runs for experienced skiers and one for beginners, covering a total length of 7 km. There’s also a quaint chalet, shops, a ski school and, of course, the vistas.
Tsagkarada: the village under the shadow of a plane tree
Just sit under the huge plane tree. Cool breeze, good company and fresh air. This is Agia Paraskevi, one of the four neighborhoods of Tsagkarada, probably the most well-known of the Pelion villages. You can discover the other three neighborhoods – Agios Stefanos, Agia Kyriaki and Taxiarches – while strolling through the pathways, surrounded by chestnut trees, plane trees, fruit trees and colorful flowers. Tsagkarada, a popular destination over the years, is full of life and steeped in nature.
