The Pelion Peninsula, on the East Coast of Greece

350 kilometers / 220 miles north of Athens, the Pelion region promises a breath of fresh air in the midst of a pristine nature. With its contrasting landscapes, its ancestral traditions, its creeks and its idyllic beaches, this peninsula, which has remained off the beaten track, is one of Captain Ulysses’ favorites in Greece!

Follow the guide!

Pelion in a few words

In mythology

In Greek mythology, Pelion is the land of the centaurs, half-man half-horse creatures with a strong character! It’s also known to be the birthplace of Achilles, son of the nymph Thetis and the king Peleus, who was brought up by the centaur Chiron.

Legend has it that Pelion was also the summer residence of the gods of Olympus… How we understand!

A Bit of History

Pelion is a land where Greek traditions are deeply rooted, and there’s a reason to that!

Following the Ottoman conquest of Greece in the 15^th century, Pelion became a haven for religious communities and intellectuals determined to preserve Greek Orthodoxy. Nowadays, the peninsula has kept a special attachment to the ancestral traditions, hard protected over the centuries.

Geography

Pelion is a peninsula located in the region of Thessaly, southeast of the student city of Vólos and 350 kilometers / 220 miles to the north of Athens.

The peninsula is famous for its spectacular and contracted topography, with, in the north, the Mount Pelion, culminating at 1624 meters / 5,328 feet of altitude, and to the south, Mediterranean landscapes lined with ancestral olive trees and enchanting coves.

Getting around Pelion

There’s only one way to explore Pelion: the car.

Pelion is crisscrossed with small, winding and picturesque roads that are truly spectacular!

Visiting Pelion Must-sees and Top Activities.

Between its spectacular landscapes, its picturesque villages and its crystal clear waters, Pelion is definitely not lacking in attractions! You will easily find plenty of things to do to fill a program rich in discoveries and in emotions!

The picturesque villages of Pelion

• Northern Pelion and its mountainous villages

In the north of Pelion, the green landscape is dotted with mountain villages with stone façades and roofs made of lauze. Among these, the Captain particularly recommends exploring:

• Tsagarada
• Makrinitsa
• Milies
• Vyzita
• Pinakates
• Kissos
• Zagora
• Mouressi

A piece of advice: take the time to leisurely explore these charming villages, and stop for a drink while enjoying the breathtaking landscape.

• Southern Pelion and its beautiful coast

In the south of Pelion, the landscape is more arid and dotted with olive trees, taking on a decidedly Mediterranean air. The villages are for the most part organized around small ports and sandy or pebble beaches.

When exploring the southern part of the peninsula, don’t miss the villages of:

• Milina
• Trikeri
• Agios Ioannis
• Mylos
• Platanias
• Damouchari
• Milopotamos

Hiking in Pelion

With its contrasted topography and its landscapes in places mountainous, in places Mediterranean, Pelion is heaven on earth for hiking enthusiasts. You’ll find a plethora of paths, some easy to hike, some reserved for more experienced hikers.

👉 If you’d like to hike in Pelion, the Captain recommends downloading an app like ViewRanger on your phone. If you’d rather go on a guided hike, you can also contact a local association like this one. It is also possible to opt for a horseback ride. Find out more here.

Boat tours, kayaking, snorkeling & scuba diving in Pelion

Eager to discover the enchanting coast of Pelion? As an accomplished sailor, Captain Ulysses can of course only recommend exploring the crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea!

👉 More info about boat tours, kayaking, snorkeling & scuba diving in Pelion here.

Canyoning and via ferrata in Pelion

Attention, all thrill seekers! To raise the adrenaline levels,what best than canyoning in the middle of natural waterfalls lost in the mountains? This activity is accessible to children over 8 years old.

Be warned, if you’re afraid of hights, better abstain!

Small train ride

On Saturdays and Sundays, a small steam train (put into service in 1895) invites travelers to embark on a ride through the green landscapes of Pelion. The tour departs from Milies (3pm) or from Ano Lehonia (10am).

Tickets are:

• adults : 10 € for a one-way ticket and 18 € for the round trip
• children (4 to 12 years of age) : 6 € for a one-way trip and 10 € for the round trip

👉 You can to buy your tickets in advance in a Trainose agency, on the internet, or on site up to 10 minutes before the train departure.

Discovering sea caves

Pelion reserves countless surprises to visitors looking for adventure and discoveries! Sea caves line the coast of the peninsula, especially in the north. Boat excursions are the perfect way for visitors to explore the caves.

👉 Find out more about tour rates and schedules, here

Mount Pelion ski resort

If the vast majority of visitors come to in Pelion in the summertime, the peninsula is also a winter sports destination. Mount Pelion has its own ski resort, perched at 1,471 meters / 4,825 feet of altitude. It counts 4 tracks in total.

Pelion’s ski resort is mainly frequented by Greek skiers: few foreigners set foot in the region in winter. The official website of the station exists only in Greek.

Gastronomic discoveries

Like many regions in Greece, Pelion is a land of gastronomy! Discovering the peninsula also means taking the time to sit down in a small restaurant to taste the local specialties, accompanied by a small glass of tsipouros or retsina. Among the typical food in the region, you should definitely try:

• spetzofaï (made of spicy sausages and peppers)
• fasolada (bean soup)
• tiropsomo (bread with feta cheese)

Among the most famous addresses in Pelion, the Tavern of Paris, located in Kala Nera, is quite unavoidable: it has been tested and approved by the Captain himself!

You should also stop in the villages of the seaside (in Mylos for example) to taste delicious fish dishes, octopus and seafood. Delicious!

Pelion is also known for its flower-based sweets (hydrangea, camellia, gardenia…), which you can buy in the small artisanal stores of the peninsula.

Staying in Pelion: hotels & accommodation

Family cottages, seaside pied-à-terre, luxurious and exclusive hotels… there is plenty to choose from. Here you’ll find a selection of top accommodations.

👉 During his getaway in Pelion, Captain Ulysses stayed at the Alkifron Hotel, which he highly recommends for its excellent value for money.

Getting to Pelion

To get to Pelion, you need a car. The peninsula is located a little off the beaten track, but the detour is most definitely worth it:

• from Athens : 3h40 ~ 4h20 / 350 km / 220 miles
• from Meteora: 2h20 / 165 km / 100 miles
• from Delphi: 2h50 ~ 3h10 / 225 km / 140 miles
• from Thessaloniki : 2h40 ~ 3h / 230 km / 140 miles

How long to stay in Pelion?

2 days are the bare minimum to explore Pelion: if you don’t lose time, you’ll be able to discover most of the treasures of Pelion.

But the Captain recommends staying in the region a little longer: 3 or 4 days if you can.