Exlpore pelion. A road trip to the land of the Centaurs
Pelion is almost magnetic. The "land of the Centaurs" in Greek mythology is one of the favourite getaway destinations for mainlanders and returning visitors. Mountains and sea, traditional architecture and natural beauty, Pelion attracts those who seek to discover the unspoilt treasures of Greece! Our three-day road trip will take you to a variety of sceneries and will give you a real taste of Pelion.
The distances in the Pelion peninsula are not long, but the narrow mountainous roads require slow driving. With this in mind, allow enough time to enjoy the ride! You can stop to admire the view, try the local delicacies and explore the history and everyday life of the people there while on your way.
Pelion Road Trip Itinerary:
Athens/ Thessaloniki-Volos-Milies-Argalasti-Potistika-Tsagarada-Horefto-Zagora-Portaria-Makrinitsa-Volos
Duration: 3 days
Pelion Road Trip Day 1: From Athens or Thessaloniki to Volos and Milies
Milies
Whether you start your road trip from Athens or Thessaloniki, the road to Volos at the entrance of the Pelion peninsula is very smooth. Just take E75 connecting Athens to Thessaloniki and exit at Velestino to merge onto Route E92 towards Volos.
From Volos, drive through the dense forests of central Pelion towards the village of Milies. There, you can stay in one of the traditional stone guesthouses. During the day, walk in the cobbled streets to explore the town. Then, rest in the central square, the meeting point of locals who gather under the shade of the old plane trees.
The village of Milies in central Pelion, Photo by dimitrisvetsikas1969, @needpix
At the central square, you will find the station for the train to Ano Lechonia. Ask around about the history of the train, which is currently functional due to the persistence of the locals. Milies was an important cultural centre, attracting scholars who participated in the Greek war of independence in 1821. Some of their manuscripts exhibit in the local Historical Museum.
Athens-Volos: 327km, Thessaloniki-Volos: 208km, Volos-Milies: 28km
The old train from Milies to Ano Lechonia. Image by K. Krallis, SV1XV, @wikimedia
Pelion Road Trip Day 2: Milies-Argalasti-(Potistika)-Tsagkarada-Zagora (-Horefto)
Argalasti
From Milies, head towards south Pelion through Koropi and Afetes to Argalasti. This traditional mountainous village is the cultural and commercial centre of the area. Additionally, it's a passageway to the beaches of Pagasitikos and the Aegean Sea. Once you get there, you will be impressed by the 25 meters tall marble bell tower of the church of Agioi Apostoloi. Next, park your car and walk up to the monastery of Agios Nikolaos to admire the view of the Pagasitikos Gulf. Finally, head to the village centre with the beautiful cobbled square in the shade of old plane trees, where you can enjoy a local "meze" with "tsipouro"!
Potistika
From Argalasti, you can visit the 7 km sandy beach of Potistika. This beach combines soft fine sand with the clear blue waters of the Aegean. Although it attracts many visitors – especially during summer and weekends- it remains unspoiled by tourism.
Potistika beach, 49km southeast of Volos. Image by RmX86, @pixabay
Tsagarada
From Argalasti, continue towards Tsagarada, following the road that takes you through the villages of Niochori and Xorychti. This beautiful village has visitors all year round. Tsagarada consists of four districts named after the local churches: Agia Kuriaki, Agios Stefanos, Agioi Taxiarxhes and Agia Paraskevi. As you have probably guessed, "Agios" is the Greek word for Saint!
Zagora
From Tsagarada, drive towards Zagora village. The meeting point of the locals here is the square of Agios Georgios. While in the town, don't forget to buy local delicacies made of the famous Zagorian apples. In addition, Zagora and Tsagkarada host the annual art festival of Pelion at the end of July with concerts, exhibitions and workshops.
Horefto
9 km away, at the foot of Zagora, lies the coastal settlement of Horefto. Horefto is ideal for a swim and dining by the sea. At a close distance, there is the junction to the beautiful beach of Agioi Saranta.
Milies – Argalasti : 26km, Argalasti-Potistika-Argalasti:14km
Argalasti-Tsagkarada: 33km/ Beach options : Milopotamos (6km), Fakistra (5km)
Tsagarada-Zagora: 25km, Zagora-Horefto: 8km OR Tsagarada-Zagora via Horefto: 28km
Pelion Road Trip Day 3: Portaria – Makrinitsa – Volos
Portaria
The next destination is the village of Portaria. Portaria took its name from the nearby monastery of "Panagia of the port area". At an altitude of 650m, snow covering this beautiful village makes it a popular winter destination. However, Portaria is lush and green during spring and summer, with spring waters and small waterfalls forming from the mountain-melting ice.
Makrinitsa, western Pelion, 17km northeast of Volos. Image by Andreas Routsias, @wikimedia
Makrinitsa
Next, visit the nearby village of Makrinitsa. Around the town, you will find some beautiful Byzantine churches. While there, take some time to admire the impressive frescoes. Keeping its traditional architecture, Makrinitsa is one of the most picturesque villages in western Pelion. Without delay, park your car at the village entrance and follow the paved street. Finally, stop at the central square for a "tsipouro" or a local dessert under the plane trees. Before you return to Volos, sit and enjoy the last panoramic views of the city.
Zagora-Portaria: 32km, Portaria-Makrinitsa: 3km, Makrinitsa-Volos: 10km
Want to learn more about this beautiful region of Central Greece? Read about Jelena's adventures on the land of the Centaurs!
Would you like to find out more about road trips in Greece? Then, visit our Road Trip section to discover the best destinations on the Greek mainland.
Rent a vehicle with Simplybook for your next vacation in Greece and support the local communities.
Featured image of Makrinitsa by SIAATH, @shutterstock.