Cosmopolitan Portaria
Portaria is a place bustling with life and a very popular year-round destination. It’s the first village you will pass through from Volos, on your way to the ski centre. It is located halfway between the sea and the skiing resort, and that accounts partly for its popularity. You will find luxury hotels, traditional hostels, rooms to let, restaurants and cosy tavernas, coffee shops, bars, and shops selling souvenirs and other traditional folk-art items, to suit any taste.
Zagora – the village with an intellectual flair
Zagora is located on the east slope of Mount Pelion, with a great view to the Aegean Sea. This is the most populated village on the mountain and it consists of four districts, all meeting around the central square, named after the on-site church of Agios Georgios, which is famous for its exquisite icon screen. Right next to that, visit the Public Library, founded in the 18th century, which is open today as a lending library with a large variety of rare books. There is also a reading room in the premises.
At a short distance, visit Drakopoulou Mansion, which houses the food preparation facilities of the Women’s Agricultural Cooperative of Zagora, on the ground floor. Nature meets tradition here. The thriving orchards of the surrounding area are the source of the fruit and nuts, which are used in a multitude of age-old traditional recipes to produce delicious spoon sweets, jams, and liqueurs. Treat yourself to any of these delicacies and get some to carry back home as presents to friends and family.
Elegant Tsagarada
Tsagarada is located 500 m. above sea level on the east side of Mt. Pelion, in a wooded area, offering amazing views to the Aegean Sea. Nature thrives here and you will see chestnut and plane trees, surrounding almost every old and new building in the sparsely-populated village. Treat yourself to a cup of coffee at the central square of Agia Paraskevi, by the huge plane tree, which is at least a millennium old! Don’t miss the arch bridge as you exit the village; the masonry is impressive. Other historic sites include the Achillopouleios Trade School and the Nanopouleios School. You can also get mushrooms and chestnuts in the area and if you happen to be there in November, make sure you join the local Chestnut Festival. This is also a great starting point for long hikes in the forest.
Strolling in Vyzitsa and its environs
This village has been a well-known tourist destination since the ‘80s. It is a typical example of the Pelion architectural style, and in it you will see beautiful cobblestone alleys (called kalderimia), renovated traditional grand houses, spots of luxuriant greenery, and elaborate stone-built fountains. Walk up the main alley towards the central square, and -weather permitting – go hiking towards picturesque Argyreika Village, Milies Village or the seaside Kala Nera Village. Along your way, the scenery is simply breathtaking. Τhe Women’s Agricultural Cooperative of Vyzitsa, named Esperides, is the proud local producer of quality traditional foods, such as jams and hand-made pasta, which are very popular in the region. Make sure you taste them!
Milies, the village of legendary Moutzouris train
The train route starts at Ano Lechonia Village and ends at Milies. The storied local steam locomotive, called Moutzouris (meaning smokey) runs through forested areas of great beauty in the West Pelion region. In the winter months, the train service is suspended. Make a point in seeing the iron bridge constructed by Evaristo de Chirico, (a famous Italian engineer of the late 19th century, father of the surrealist painter Giorgio de Chirico), who was the chief engineer for the construction of this railway. Take the path towards Vyzitsa and enjoy the lovely view of the Pagasetic Gulf. Make sure you also visit the Church of Pamegiston Taxiarchon, a construction typical of the local architecture, where you’ll see some pretty remarkable post-Byzantine icons and murals.
Makrinitsa, the balcony of Mt. Pelion
Makrinitsa is known for offering a very impressive and clear view of Volos City and the Pagasetic Gulf – hence the title name! It is a village built according to the traditional local architecture and is among the top destinations in the area. You will see renovated grand houses, you’ll walk on the narrow stone-paved alleys, and stop by the elaborate fountains, the supercentenarian plane trees, and the lovely flower pots along the way. For the art lovers among you, there are several interesting art cafes and galleries you can visit.
Pinakates, a fairytale village
This little secret of a village is tucked away on the mountain of the Centaurs - the mythical creatures, half men half horses, who roamed this mountain, according to Greek Myth. The place is surrounded by untouched nature, and it is the epitome of peace and quiet. Visit the small village square, shaded by the big plane tree, relax and let this place steal your heart away.
