Spent 8 wonderful days in Pelion to explore the authentic villages. Pelion is full of picturesque and traditional villages perched along dense green mountainsides or boarding the sea, all with different styles yet lovely. Take the train, enjoy nature, visit old churches and monasteries, sit down for coffee or lunch, and purchase local products like honey and traditional sweets. Enjoy and relax!
Some of the famous villages of Pelion are Tsagarada, Mouresi, Damouchari (Ntamouchari), Milies (Mileai), Zagora, Portaria, Makrinitsa and Agios Ioannis. Spent 8 wonderful days in Pelion Paradise to discover just a few of the authentic villages of Pelion. Each with its own story and character, all worth a visit. Incredible architecture, shady squares with traditional tavernas, old fountains and grand houses. Monasteries and churches that will enchant you. And Moutzouris (Smudgy), the little train, takes you through trees and forests, above 12 bridges, to Milies (Mileai). A trip worth taking. You’ll feel like a local.
ACCOMMODATION: You can select a great location in or close to Tsagarada, one of the oldest villages in East Pelion. The base from which you can explore the surrounding villages and much more. The hotels we choose are all traditional style and of equal quality and service.
Pelion Day 1
You arrive at the airport where you can pick up your rental car to go to Pelion. On your route to Pelion, you can already start to experience the beauty of mainland Greece. In Pelion, you will receive a very warm welcome on arrival at one of our selected hotels in or around Tsagarada village. This hotel will be the basis from where you will enjoy the unique Pelion Peninsula. After you are refreshed, join your local host over a welcome buffet of seasonal fruits & drinks for a brief orientation of the area, local customs, your activity schedule & all small details required. Later you can enjoy your day as you please.
Pelion Day 2
Today you will stay within walking distance of your hotel. After breakfast, you will depart from Tsagarada village, from where you can walk the paths that lead to Mouresi and Damouchari (Ntamouchari) through the marvellous dense forest.
The quiet village of Mouresi features wild natural beauty and traditional colours. The village overlooks a deep valley with two cascading streams which form natural pools and in whose ice-cold waters only nereids and nymphs have bathed since the dawn of time. From Mouresi, the walk will take you to Damouchari (Ntamouchari). Damouchari (Ntamouchari) is extremely beautiful and exceptionally peaceful. The beach is ideal for snorkelling.
On a split between the beach and the harbour are the ruins of a Venetian castle. Venetian sailors and villagers used the castle as protection against pirate attacks. In the little church Agios Nikolaos the wonderful sacred wall paintings by Pagonis, from around 1800 AD, can be admired.
Have lunch in Damouchari (Ntamouchari) and a small swim and enjoy the peace and quiet. After you will walk back to Tsagarada. Here is enough to see as well.
Pelion Day 3
“Moutzouris” (Smudgy), the little train of Pelion, is leaving from Ano Lehonia Railway Station at 10 o’clock. The end of the route is Milies (Mileai) station.
This trip with the Little train of Pelion tells you the mythical tales of Mount Pelion. The train moves through mountainous terrain filled with lush vegetation, allowing for a spectacular view over Pagasitic Bay, passing gorges, magnificent old bridges and tunnels.
Milies (Mileai) village is built in an amphitheatrical style, on the green mountain slopes of Mount Dikri. Back to Tsagarada for dinner.
Pelion Day 4
Today you will visit Zagora village. Walking through the village you get captivated by the traditional architecture and the old cobbled paths and old mansions. At the square, the old mansion Drakopoulos is extraordinary, operated under the responsibility of the Women Agro tourist Association of Zagora.
Get a new viewpoint on the old world with a visit to the school called the “The Greek museum” (School of Rigas Feraios, 1777 AD), the beautiful churches of Agia Paraskevi (1803 AD), Agios Georgios (St.George) (1765 AD), Agia Kyriaki (1740 AD) and Agios Nikolaos. All of them are decorated with very striking golden sculptured icons. In the historical Library of Zagora, founded in 1762 AD, thousands of rare books, manuscripts, Byzantine texts and 150 handwritten codes are kept.
The port of Zagora is Chorefto (Horefto), once a well-known local naval and commercial centre that comprises many tourists during the summer months nowadays. You may like to go swimming at Chorefto Beach.
There is a 2,5 km long beach of unique beauty, where the green joins the blue, the golden sand and the deep blue water of the sea. Perfect for an afternoon swim.
Pelion Day 5
Day of choice. Walking, hiking, swimming, boat trips, or to the bigger town of Volos.
Pelion Day 6
Today you can park in Portaria and have a loop walk to the traditional mountain village of Makrinitsa (a car-free, pedestrian-only zone) located on the mountain slope next to Portaria. On your way to Makrinitsa, you may want to visit the Byzantine Monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, with a rich history and Byzantine decoration.
Makrinitsa’s central square is anchored by a massive plane tree with a kid-friendly hollow, a marble fountain and the tiny chapel of Agia Panagia. Have lunch in Makrinitsa and after go back to Portaria.
Pelion Day 7
Today visit Agios Ioannis, a fisherman’s village with a small port used by fishing boats and yachts. It is a charming little town where you will find supermarkets, bakeries, cafes and fish specialties in ouzeri and bars. Go for a swim at one of the beaches, suitable for families with small children.
Last day
Departure from hotel to airport
