The total of 24 villages of Pelion are human intervention which gives the final touch, making the natural beauty of the landscape even more vivid. Traditional built, hanging on the slopes of the mountain, all retain their traditional colour and rich history of the place.
The Pelion is evergreen, all seasons. The main reason for this is that numerous sources anavlyzoun mountain, and result in elaborately decorated stone fountains.
Drinking water in one of the dozens who will meet in your way, you will see that it is cleaner available. This, of course, is obvious and streams that cross the mountains, crystal clear waters which form in some cases, small waterfalls, falling from rocks and thus creating an even more paramythenio scene.
The idanikoteros way to know the region is to select a "base" one of the biggest villages, as the Portaria, Zagora or Tsagarada, both for easy access to other villages and more choices for entertainment at night, when they return from your everyday scenes.
As the best places of the villages of Pelion are "hidden", atheata mostly from the central, paved roads, it would be that you're prepared to walk.
Crossing the stone-built paths that lead to "endotera" villages will have the opportunity to discover and admire important monuments and attractions such as the square of Makrinitsas, and the Museum of Folk Art and History Pelion close to it, the library of Zagora , With rare books and historical documents, and the ruins of Theoxeneia, polytelesterou Hotel Balkan, propolemikis period, Portaria.
Walking along the cobbled streets and will arrive at the square, which is the centre of each village and consists almost always an impressive yperaionovio tree (whose age can be touched and the millennium, as in the case of this Tsagarada s), a marble or stone petroktisti fountain and a church with lithostroti roof and elaborate decoration. Because the square is the center of social life of the village, located around the taverns of the village, coffee shops, cafes, shops and, in some cases, bars.
Although the pattern seems to be almost the same in all villages (paved square, which starts all alleys, cobbled streets and paths, leading to the most remote home village) but the differences between them, the separate nature of each one of them is what makes them unique.
There are villages tourism developed, and that other tour guides will be featured in the "off the beaten track." Villages with a lovely view of the Aegean Sea and mountain villages with aroma. Other rich history, reaching the seniority, with other famous agricultural production and other attractions with surprisingly - museums, libraries and monasteries.
All, however, with unparalleled beauty and hospitable people, always willing to kerasoun visitors a tsipouro or a homemade cake of the blade and to diigithoun incidents from history and life of its location.
The most "cosmopolitan" from the villages of Pelion, Portaria obtains the highest number of visitors, not only because of its proximity to Volos, but also extremely organized tourist infrastructure.
In the cobbled streets paved stretching around the central square, will meet the unique beauty and history, traditional buildings, such as Athanasakeio Kindergarten, Zoulia Mansion, currently serves as a museum, Tsopoteio Scholarcheio and Lady Portarea, a Byzantine church of the 11 th century, that remains of the old monastery around which the village was built.
Special mention deserve the beaches where the Pelion owes the largest number of summer visitors. The welcoming, calm shores of Pagasitikos, with the blue waters and sandy beaches worthy rival in beauty and popularity… those of the Aegean, with eidylliakous coves, white rocks and colorful pebbles.
Undoubtedly a large part of the time of the visit in Pelion deserves to be invested in the exploration of "apatiton" beaches, whose magnificent picture will reward you for the long hike to sharply paths katiforizoun the hills.
Accommodation
The Pelion has a number of hostels, guesthouses and rented rooms for every taste and… valantio. We suggest you choose to stay one of the traditional hostels - the majority of which are rebuilt mansions past centuries - to be careful once more nostalgic, romantic feeling to stay in, anyway paramythenio, Pelion.
In Portaria, Athanasaki Mansion (tel. 24280 99235) offers rooms whose traditional decorations, like the saloniou, keeps alive the aura of old archontikon, in conjunction with all modern amenities. It has also a large garden and private parking. Breakfast includes homemade jams, and unparalleled pittes merenta. Prices range from 65 to 110 euros, with breakfast.
In Tsagarada, "Lost Monokeros" (tel: 24260 49930) conveys paramythenia atmosphere, both in public areas and in the furnished with antiques viktorianou style rooms. It is located right next to the central square of Tsagarada ς. Prices for a double room start at 80 euros.
For traditional tastes
In Katichori, just outside the Portaria, visit the "Taste Despotiko" (tel: 24280 99020) with very good food, homemade desserts and live music. Open weekends only.
The restaurant "Old Station" (tel: 24230 86425) in ambient space of the old station Moutzoyri on Milies, offering homemade food and excellent service, a unique environment.
In the square of Portaria s, the restaurant "Kritsa" (tel: 24280 99121) offers traditional pilioreitikes flavors - perhaps the best ever spetsofai for trying.
