Mount Pelion and the Pelion Peninsula, (Thessaly Greece)

PELION / PILO/PILIO/PELIO/PILION

The verdant Pelion peninsula with its snow capped mountain, great stretches of sandy beaches and green blue seas, is situated in the prefecture of Magnesia in Thessaly, Central Greece.

Scattered across the Peninsula are around 70 villages, from the famous mountainous villages of Tsagarada, Portaria and Zagora, to the beautiful coastal resorts of Kala Nera, Milina and Platanias and can be toured year round.

Its beaches are spread around the Pagasitic Gulf and Aegean Sea and are good for bathing, watersports or simply lazing. Summer is relatively cooler, especially in the mountains whilst in winter; it becomes a good destination for skiing

Ski Centre of Mount Pelion
Agriolefkes on Mount Pelion (2km from the mountainous village of Hania, 12km from the village of Portaria, and 27km from the city of Volos) is one of the first ski centres to operate in Greece The four slopes of "Thetis", "Falconera", "Panorama" and the "Amateurs" slope all combine to make a total length of 5000m. The centre is very popular during the winter months and apart from skiing, other winter activities include snowboarding and mountain artillery ski. The centre provides other facilities such as a cafeteria, parking as well as accommodation. However for a better choice in accommodation the nearby villages of Hania, Portaria and Makrinitsa should be explored.

Beaches in Pelion Greece:
With both the Aegean Sea on the eastern coast and the Pagsitic Gulf on the southern part of the peninsula it offers some great sand and white pebble beaches and ‘Blue Flag’ coastal resorts.

For more information on Pelion Beaches






Popular Beaches on the Pagasitic Gulf:

1. Kato Lehonia Beach More information;
2. Kala Nera Beach: ‘Blue Flag,’ More information Hotels and Accommodation in Kala Nera;
3. Boufa Beach: the largest and the most popular beach in Pelion situated between the villages of Kala Nera and Afissos
4. Afissos Beach: soft sand beaches. More information Hotels and Accommodation in Afissos

Popular Beach on the Aegean Sea:

1. Mikro Beach: one of the most beautiful and very popular during summer. More information Hotels and Accommodation in Mikro;
2. Kastri Beach: very popular with windsurfers. More information
3. Paltsi (Agios Konstantinos) Beach: More information Hotels and Accommodation in Paltsi;
4. Potistika Beach: can be good for a peaceful and relaxing holiday. More information Hotels and Accommodation in Potistika;
5. Milopotamos Beach ( Tsagarada ): More information Hotels and Accommodation in Tsagarada;
6. Fakistra Beach ( Tsagarada ): The beach is surrounded by large rocks and greenery; Papa Nero Beach: a lovely sandy one, where the mountains stretch down to the sea. More information;
7. Agios Ioannis Beach: popular holiday resort in Pelion. More information Hotels and Accommodation in Agios Ioannis;
8. Agioi Saranta Beach: More information;
9. Horefto Beach: lush suuroundings and a tranquil environment More information

Main City, Volos:
The capital city of the region of Magnesia is built at the foot of the mountain of Pelion. The ancient city "Dimitrias", established in the 3rd century BC by the Macedonian king "Dimitrios the Sieger", is situated a little further from modern day Volos. Of the important sites, the most important are The Athanassakeion Archaeological Museum and the archaeological sites of Sesklo, Dimini and Fthiotides Thives. More Information on Volos

Museums and Archaeological sites in Pelion Greece

1. The Athanassakeion Archaeological Museum, Volos, is the most important museum in the region. The Museum houses a selection of interesting artefacts and various objects of antiquity. Visitors to the museum will also see a great collection from the Paleolithic and Neolithic Age. The collections include a collection of Neolithic figurines, clay models and vases. Gold Jewellery and coins from both Thessaly and other parts of the ancient Greek world are also on display.
   Address: 1 Athanasaki Street in Volos. Telephone ( +30 ) 24210 25285. Opening hours for the museum are Tuesday-Sunday: 08.30-15.00. The museum is closed on Mondays. Contact the museum to confirm that opening times if you are planning a visit, as they are subject to change.


2. The Museum of Art Folklore - Makrinitsa, Pelion


3. The Greek Museum (Old school of "Rigas”) - Zagora, Pelion
   
4. The Aggelinis Museum - Horto, Pelion


5. The Old Library - Milies, Pelion

Archaeological Sites around Pelion:

There are several ancient archaeological sites around Volos and Pelion including those of Dimini (Neolithic & a very important Mycenaean Settlement, later identified as ancient Iolkos, the city of Jason), Sesklo (one of the main Neolithic Settlements in Greece, as well as of Europe) and Fthiotides Thebes (Late Roman to Early Christian years).

We found the following very interesting Travel Routes on AroundPelion.com

1. Travel Route 1 - Starting from Afissos village, and passing through various villages ending at Trikeri village. The Complete Travel Route 1
   
2. Travel Route 2 - Starting from Afissos village, and passing through various villages ending at Platania village. The Complete Travel Route 2


3. Travel Route 3 - Starting and returning to Afissos village, passing through Milies, Vizitsa and Ano Lehonia. The Complete Travel Route 3
   
4. Travel Route 4 - Starting and returning to Afissos village, passing through Tsagarada, Makrinitsa and Volos. The Complete Travel Route - 4

Suggested Links for more info on Pelion
More Information on Travelling to Pelion; More Information on Travelling around Pelion
Pelion Hotels Accommodation; Camping in Pelion Greece; Photo Gallery