We invite you to discover the superb Pelion region of mainland Greece. With its wild landscapes where sea, mountains and forests meet, its abundant vegetation, its sunny beaches and its picturesque little villages, Pelion offers the perfect place to spend a holiday. One of my favorite destinations in Greece!
Pelion, “but where is that?”
Whenever I tell French friends that I’m going on vacation to Pelion, I always hear the reply: “Pelion, but where’s that? “Pelion, but where is that? “. Well, the Pelion peninsula is that little hook shaped like a curved finger, located southeast of Volos, 350 kilometers north of Athens (see map at the bottom of this article).
To be honest, I have to warn you: Pelion has to be earned! Indeed, this is not an easily accessible region. You’ll need a car to get there. And the journey from Athens takes almost 4 hours. Some of it on narrow, winding mountain roads. But frankly, it’s worth it!
And what do we do in Pelion?
You mean apart from drinking ouzo in the shade of plane trees and eating spetzofaï ? Well, in Pelion you can go hiking (the region is a veritable paradise for hikers), swim in crystal-clear waters, relax on sublime beaches and stroll through charming little villages. So there’s no shortage of things to do!
The scenery is beautiful and the region very green. It’s rare in Greece to see such a green region with abundant vegetation. I was thus surprised to find high-altitude vegetation in the north (walnut trees, pine forests, chestnut trees), while the south has a much more Mediterranean feel (olive groves). The scent of aromatic plants wafts through the air.
Count on at least two or even three days to visit northern Pelion. And a day for the Southless spectacular but perhaps even more authentic. Allow extra time if you plan to hike or laze on the beaches. You can easily spend a week (or more) in Pelion without getting bored. Especially if you want to discover the region from the sea, for example, departing from Volos, we recommend Click and boat.
Be careful not to plan too short a stay, as this would be frustrating. Pelion requires a minimum stay of three days. Getting from one point to another takes a lot of time (mountain roads, isolated villages, ….).
My favorites ❤
- The little port of Damouchari A tiny, very typical village, a beach from which a hiking trail leads, and a few tavernas overlooking the sea. One of the scenes from the film Mamma Mia starring Meryl Strip was shot here. From Damouchari, you can kayak to the superb Fakistra cirque. Or on foot for the bravest (4 kilometers). Here, I loved the Damouchari Hotel, a haven of peace by the sea where I felt as if time had stood still. A place that’s both simple and magical! What’s more, Evi, the owner, is particularly friendly.
- The village of Makrinitsa with its beautiful traditional stone houses (called archontika ), cobbled streets and a main square featuring a century-old plane tree. The village has the added advantage of being 100% pedestrian-friendly. Here, faced with pressure from my children, I couldn’t leave without refuelling. Glyko tou koutaliou (candied fruit in syrup) prepared with local fruit. Butoth villages are also worth a visit, such as Tsagarada with its plane tree, reputed to be the oldest in Greece (1,000 years), or Milies with its beautiful shady square. I loved all the little villages dotted around the valleys. They give Pelion its undeniable charm.
- Milopotamos beach in the early morning (and yes, the advantage of having young children is that you’re always among the first on the beach). This beach is superb, but you absolutely must get there early, before noon in any case. Firstly, because it quickly becomes shaded. But also to have time to enjoy it before it gets too crowded.
Pelion cuisine
And as a bon vivant, I can’t end this article without mentioning Pelion’s cuisine.It’s a simple but typical dish, with flavors you won’t find anywhere else in Greece. Herbs and aromatic plants are at the heart of local gastronomy. Don’t leave Pelion without sampling some of the local specialities, such as spetzofaï, the fasolada (bean soup) or tiropsomo (cheese bread). Not forgetting the famous mountain tea (Tsai tou vounou). It is prepared with local plants renowned for their health benefits.
Where to stay there?
Here are some of the accommodations we liked in Pelion:
- Hotel Damouchari, a simple, magical place by the sea. Website
- The Fountainhead Pelion: in Milies, a beautiful 18th-century stone house with a soul. Comfortable rooms and lovely owner
- Iakovakis Suites & Spa: A top-of-the-range hotel with swimming pool and spa, with beautiful views. Wonderful!
- Hotel-restaurant Kritsa is located in Portaria’s central square, with its shady plane trees. It offers romantic rooms and a hearty traditional breakfast.
- Located in the pretty village of Tsagarada, the Elysian Luxury Villa Pelion features a seasonal outdoor swimming pool. Breathtaking views of the sun worm over the sea, and a beautiful location right next to the beach.
And even more addresses on the Booking website to suit all tastes and budgets.
How to get there?
The easiest way to get around Pelion is by car. We usually use Rentalcars to compare different rental companies and rates.
Enjoy your trip to Pelion! Don’t miss our other article on Pelion, its villages and hiking trails.
Laure M.
