If the sea is the face of Pelion, the villages are its heart. Scattered across the mountain slopes, built stone upon stone with tiled roofs and balconies that hang above the horizon, they look as though they haven't moved in two hundred years. We've gathered five villages worth wandering into — step into a single alley, and let time stand still.
Want to stay in the area too? The Stone House in Volos — a boutique stay in the heart of the city, minutes from the sea and Mt. Pelion. For details & booking ←Makrinitsa — "The Balcony of Pelion"
The most famous village in Pelion, and deservedly so. Makrinitsa clings to a steep slope above Volos, and every corner of it looks out over the Pagasetic Gulf. There's no car traffic in the heart of the village — only cobbled stone alleys, ancient fountains and traditional mansions. Sit in the central square beneath the plane trees, order a coffee, and let the view do the rest.
- Distance from Volos: just about 20 minutes' drive.
- Tip: vehicle access is restricted — park at the entrance to the village and continue on foot; that's how you see it at its most beautiful.
Portaria — Green and Full of Springs
A neighbour of Makrinitsa, higher and fresher, surrounded by chestnut trees and flowing springs. Portaria is a winning blend of rustic atmosphere and fine tavernas, and it's an excellent base for setting out on the mountain's walking trails.
- Distance from Volos: about 25 minutes' drive.
- Tip: look for the little waterfall on the edge of the village — a cool, quiet spot on summer days.
Vyzitsa — The Village That Stopped in Time
Perhaps the most picturesque village in southern Pelion. Cobbled alleys wind between 18th-century stone mansions, stone arches and carved gates. Vyzitsa is small and quiet, and that is precisely its charm — the feeling that you've stepped straight into a fairy tale.
- Distance from Volos: about 40 minutes' drive.
- Tip: combine it with a visit to the neighbouring village of Pinakates — another little gem of stone.
Tsagarada — Among the Giant Plane Trees
A green, sprawling village stretched across four hamlets, shaded by chestnut trees and orchards. In the Agia Paraskevi square stands an ancient plane tree of enormous girth — said to be around a thousand years old. From here you're especially close to the beautiful beaches of the eastern coast.
- Distance from Volos: about an hour's drive.
- Tip: make a full day of it — the village in the morning, Mylopotamos or Damouchari beach in the afternoon.
Milies — End of the Steam-Train Line
Milies is the final stop of the "Moudzouris," Pelion's historic steam train that climbs between stone bridges and mountain scenery. The village itself is rich with vineyards, tavernas and a lovely church, and the ride there on the old train is an experience in its own right — especially with children.
- Distance from Volos: about 30 minutes' drive to the Ano Lechonia station.
- Tip: the train runs mainly on weekends and in season — check the timetable in advance and arrive early.
A Few Closing Words
You can see a single village and fall in love, or link several together into a day's itinerary. The beauty of it is that they're all close by — just minutes from one another, and all a short drive from Volos. And more than a few visitors discover that these villages are exactly the place where they'd love a little home of their own — a stone corner with a view, to return to in every season.
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