Volos - Βόλος

^{Click here to see the map of the area in full screen}.

THE Marble is her city Thessaly, built in the innards of the Pagasitic Gulf, near the site of ancient Iolkos at the foot of Pelion. It is also one of the largest cities and its third largest commercial port Of Greece. It is located almost in the middle of the distance between Athena (326 km) and Thessaloniki (219 km). The permanent population, according to the 2011 census, amounts to 125,248 inhabitants.

At a glance

History

The modern city of Volos is built in the area of ​​the ancient cities of Demitriada, Pagases and Iolkos. Iolkos was the homeland of the ancient Greek hero Jason who boarded the ship Argo with the Argonauts and sailed in search of the Golden Fleece in Colchis. Demitriada was founded by Demetrios the Besieger, King of Macedonia, in 293/292 BC. the Romans conquered Demitriada.

To the west of Volos there are the Neolithic settlements of Dimini with the ruined acropolis, walls and two vaulted tombs dating between 4000-1200 BC. and Sesklo with the ruins of the oldest citadel in Greece (6000 BC), as well as the foundations of a palace and mansions, one of the most characteristic examples of Neolithic civilization.

During the Byzantine Empire, Emperor Justinian I in 551 built the fort on the hill of Palea. In 1423 the Ottomans conquered Volos. Volos during the Ottoman Empire was a small village, built on a hill in the area of ​​Palea. The hill was fortified with walls. Today only a few sections of the walls are visible near the Tsalapata building.

After its annexation to Greece by the Ottoman Empire in 1881, it had a population of only 4,900, but grew rapidly over the next 4 years. Houses were built outside the walls and the main area of ​​Volos near the sea was built. Merchants, businessmen, craftsmen and sailors were transported to Volos from the surrounding area. In the 1920s there was a large influx of refugees to Volos, mainly from Ionia, but also from Pontus, Cappadocia and Eastern Thrace. In the 1920 census, Volos had 30,046 inhabitants, but according to the 1928 census, its population had increased to 47,892.

Climate

Volos, unlike other cities in the Thessalian plain, enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with tolerable heat (albeit a slightly humid climate) and mild winters. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit the city itself, winter is the right time to visit the mountain villages of Pelion, and summer should definitely be dedicated to the numerous beaches of the area in the Pagasitic Gulf and the Aegean Open sea.

Being privileged to be located at the foot of Pelion, the mythical mountain of Centaurs, is bordered by the hill Goritsa Southeast, has good weather all year round, with the sea and the mountain breeze to dominate in all areas of the city.

When to go

How to get there

By air

• Nea Anchialos State Airport[1]. The nearest airport to Volos is Nea Anchialos Airport. The airport is located 26 km from the city center of Volos. There is a bus line between Volos and the airport, just before and after each regular flight. The cost of the ticket is 5 €. The cost of car parking is free.

The areas with which Volos and Thessaly are connected are the following:

By train

Volos is connected to the main railway axis Athens-Thessaloniki via Of Larissa. There are daily regular services to and from Volos with connections to Athens and Thessaloniki.

During the summer season, the "Pelion train" also operates, which connects the nearby village of Kato Lechonia with the Milies of Pelion. In addition to the stunning view of the small train route, traveling with it the visitor can see two bridges designed by Giorgio de Chirico.

Bus

Buying intercity bus tickets in the city center The KTEL bus station is not in a very central area in Volos. However, it is possible to buy tickets at the central office of KTEL Volos. Telephone ticket reservations can also be made, provided that he will be at the KTEL half an hour before departure to pick it up.

In general, intercity "KTEL" buses (KTEL Volos) is by far the most convenient way to travel throughout Greece. This applies more to trips to Volos than Athena, where the train takes five hours or even longer as opposed to four for the bus. By train you will have to change in Larissa, but the view during the route in the mountains may seem tempting to some tourists and they will prefer it.

There is frequent transport from Liosia station in Athens to Volos, about 15 times a day (the cost is about € 20), as well as from Thessaloniki, from the bus terminal "Macedonia" to Volos, about 10 times a day (approximately € 12). Volos is also connected by direct routes to Patras, Janina, Larissa, Trikala, Karditsa, Kozani, Ghoul and in many other places in mainland Greece via Larissa. The Intercity Bus station is opposite the "info center of Volos". It is relatively close to the Town Hall, the train station and the port. Note that if you buy a return ticket, it is cheaper than buying two separate one-way tickets.

By boat

The port of Volos is connected daily with ships and flying dolphins Sporades.

By road

It is connected with a bypass with the main National Road Athens - Thessaloniki, through which the access to the city is easy.

Apartments

How to move

Bus

Urban KTEL routes City bus lines No. 1 Anavros-N.Ionia No 2 Ampelokipi No 3 Anavros-N.Dimitriada-N.Ionia (METKA) No. 4 Ano Volos No. 4 Katichori, Stagiates, Agios Onoufrios No. 5 Agria, Lechonia, Platanidia No 6 Alykes, Agios Stefanos No. 7 Other Side No. 8 Two months No 9 Chiliadou No 10 Melissatika No. 11 Cemetery No 15 Anavros - G. Dimou - Old

There are twelve bus lines (tickets cost € 1.10 for domestic routes within the city, while for the suburbs cost € 1.50), details and information at the city bus station, opposite the Intercity Bus station. Details of the itineraries can be found here

To go further, you can use the Intercity Bus Station ("Yperastiko KTEL"). Details about the buses, can be found here

By road

Cab

Taxis in Volos, as everywhere in Greece, are relatively cheap. You do not have to pay more than € 7 if you stop a taxi (silver color) on the road to take you anywhere in the city. Note that taxi meters have two prices - tariff 1 applies from five to midnight, and tariff 2, double tariff, from midnight to 5pm. Fraud scams are quite rare, but they may be out of the question, so make sure the price is right. If you feel that the amount is too much, ask for a receipt (they are required to give) and note the registration number, the tourist police phone for taxi complaints is 171. Expect to pay € 1 or € 2 extra if you get the taxis from a bus station, or train station or port, as well as an extra charge if you call a taxi. Also note that the minimum charge is € 3.39. Groups of three or four people could choose the taxi to see the sights around Volos, in Pelion for example. They are more expensive than buses, but more comfortable. Prices here

Bike

Most of Volos is quite flat, which makes it very easy for cycling, and many of the locals go cycling. Especially the beach is the best area for cycling. In general, cycling is an appropriate way to get around. Volos has recently developed a network of bike lanes, however, bike lanes are often blocked by parked cars and almost no one uses them.

By foot

Several streets in the city center have recently been pedestrianized, mainly around Ermou and Agios Nikolaos streets. On the sidewalks, there are many cafes. The beach is also a great area for walking. When the weather is nice it is full of people walking and enjoying the sun.

Sights

tourist office of Volos The tourist office of Volos has a lot of useful information about Volos, as well as a free city map, a free small travel guide and much more. The tourist office of Volos which is located opposite the bus station in the area of ​​Palea. You can also visit through your browser www.ilikevolos.gr, the online guide to Volos and Pelion.

• At first glance, the center of Volos does not seem very interesting to the traveler, but a walk through the streets of the city could change your initial opinion. Ermou is a long pedestrian street parallel to the coastal road, Argonauton, has a wide variety of shops for every taste, as well as several bars and cafes, especially around Agios Nikolaos Square, the cathedral of the city, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors, Agios Nikolaos. There is one seaside park between the "Papastratos Building" University and the "Agios Konstantinos" Church. Anavros Park starts just behind Agios Konstantinos and extends east all the way to Anavros beach

•   Archaeological site of Dimini, Two months. Tuesday - Sunday: 8:30 - 16:30, Monday: Closed.. Ancient Dimini was a Neolithic village. The well-preserved are interesting House N., in which an amphora was found with the burnt remains of a child, and the Vaulted tombs similar to their counterparts in Mycenae, buried deep in the ground near the fortified city. The place does not have much shade, so it is better to visit it early in the morning in summer with sunshine. Next to these monuments, there are some Mycenaean monuments, which contain a large palace. Mycenaean monuments are not yet accessible to the world. It is considered to be the ancient city of Iolkos, the home of Jason of the Argonaut expedition. An interesting audio guide is available in English and Greek. € 2, free entrance for students, with the same ticket you can visit the archeological site of Sesklo.. 

•   Archaeological site of Sesklo, Σέσκλο (Follow the road to Sesklo, turn left at the junction that goes down the hill before reaching Sesklo (there is a sign)). Sesklo is more interesting because of its location than because of its monuments. It climbs to the top of a hill overlooking the surrounding area. It must have been an ally of Dimini or an opponent, archaeologists are not sure. Worth a visit, but not as interesting as Dimini. € 2, free entrance for students, with the same ticket you can visit the archeological site of Dimini. 
•   Archaeological Museum of Volos, Athanasaki 1, ☎ 30 24210 25285, fax: 30 24210 28563, e-mail: [email protected]. Tuesday - Sunday: 08:30 - 15:00. It is one of the best small museums in Greece. full: € 2, reduced: € 1, For days with free admission look here: [2]. 

•   N. & S. Tsalapata Brick and Tile Museum, ☎ 30 24210 29844. It is a rare example of a surviving industrial complex in Greece. It belongs to the Network of Thematic Technological Museums of the Piraeus Group Cultural Foundation (PIOP). The Brick and Tile Factory was founded in 1926 by the Tsalapatas brothers. Its total area amounts to 22,000 sq.m. Various types of bricks and tiles were made in this factory. It employed at the height of its operation 250 people and its installed power in machines, reached 300 hp. The N. & S. Tsalapatas Brick and Tile Factory ceased its operation in 1978. The grinders, the presses, the cutters, the clay tanks, the wagons and the Hoffmann furnace reconstitute the production process for the needs of the visitor and the visitor. with the traditional profession of bricklayer and the techniques of specialization and processing of raw materials. € 3, reduced: € 1.5. 
•   Museum of the City of Volos, Feron 17. The history of the city of Volos is presented in this museum. It has 3 floors, on floors 2-3 is the permanent exhibition, with photos with corresponding explanations from the history of the city, and some objects. On the ground floor there are various non-permanent exhibitions. 
•   Natural History Museum, Asia Minor 1 - Zachou, 38333, Volos (From the entrance of Larissa / Thessaloniki we turn left at the 4th Lantern (Krafsidonas bridge) after entering the city and then straight to the riverside road (Zahou), From the entrance of Athens we continue straight, after the traffic lights to the bridge of Krachidonas, to the riverside road (Zahou)), ☎ 30 24210 36555, responsible: Markos Vaxevanopoulos 6945 313309FORMATNOCC, Reizopoulou Angeliki 6973 034810FORMATNOCC, e-mail: [email protected]. From 10:00 in the morning until 14:00 daily and from 11:00 until 14:00 on Sundays.  (updated Dec 2015)

Events

Entertainment

Swimming

There are satisfactory beaches to the eastern end of the city in Anavro. To get there, follow the promenade east of Argonauts or the park south of the city hospital. On the beach of Anavros, many people go for a swim during the summer, while even for clearer waters the adjacent beach "Plakes" is a better choice, with many winter swimmers. Many, many locals who do not have a means of transportation swim there. There are also Alykes, a 5-minute drive from the center to the southwest, in the area New Pagases Volos, with cafes and bars offering sun loungers during the day until late at night, where you can enjoy your cocktail and swim. The municipal beach in Alykes is closed at the moment. You can easily go to Alykes by city bus (blue buses) number 6 from the town hall.

Most locals, however, go for it beaches outside the city on the other side, on beaches in Wormwood (20 minutes by bus) and at Platanids. In general, the sea is clearly cleaner in these areas. You can easily go to Wormwood and Platanids with the city bus (blue buses) number 5 that starts from the bus station and crosses Iasonos and Polymeri streets.

If you have a car and want to go to the beach, it is worth going further - some of the best beaches in the Greek mainland are located in Pelion.

Cinemas

In Volos there is a cinema that is open every day, and two cinemas that screen one day a week with more feature films. In summer there is a summer cinema.

•   Village cinemas, Giannitson 29, ☎ 30 2108108080. Four rooms. 
•   Silk factory. every Friday 21:30, summer closed. Volos Municipality Film Club, with more artistic choices 2.00€. 
•   Achilles, Koumoundourou. does not work regularly 

Studies

It is based in Volos University of Thessaly, which has various schools and departments in Volos. The university buildings are located in various parts of the city. The main buildings of the University are:

•   School of Humanities and Social Sciences (in the City Center). The Departments are housed here: a) Department of Economics, b) Department of History, Archeology and Social Anthropology, c) Pedagogical Department of Preschool Education, d) Pedagogical Department of Primary Education, c) Department of Special Education 
•   Polytechnic School (at Pedio Areos). The Departments are housed here: a) Architectural Engineering, b) Civil Engineering, c) Electrical and Computer Engineering, d) Mechanical Engineering, e) Spatial Planning, Urban Planning and Regional Development Engineering. These Departments organize many postgraduate programs. (updated Aug 2015)
•   School of Agricultural Sciences (in Phytoko). The Departments are housed here: a) Agriculture of Plant Production and Rural Environment, b) Agriculture of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment 
•   University Library.  

Job opportunities in Volos

markets

Books

•   Public, Ογλ. The ground floor has technology products, the books are in the basement. The largest bookstore in Volos. 

A public market takes place in different parts of the city, on different days.

Laundry

•   Easywash - SelfService, Glavani 90, ☎ 306979019281. 8:00 - 24:00. Self service 

Fun

The beach of Volos has several cafes in a row with table seats and outside. Many cafes are also located in the center near the church of Ag. Nikolaou, on Komoundourou and Kontaratou streets. A lot of people, especially in the summer, gather at night in the district of Palia, on the pedestrian street of Krokio and around it.

Cafes - Bars

•   PocoPico, Koumoundourou. Small and cheap, open all year round, but gathers a lot of people in the summer on the sidewalk in front of it. Beer 3.0 €, Drinks 5-6 €.. 
•   Circumflex, Nikolaou Plastira 4, ☎2421024133NOCC. Cafe with a nice environment, opposite there is a playground, which is convenient for parents in summer. (updated Jan 2017)
•   Bossa, Topali 18 (In the gallery is the entrance, the cafe is on the first floor.), ☎2421039313NOCC. Nice environment, clean atmosphere as the smoking ban is applied. Try his hot chocolate. Chocolate 4.5 €, coffee 3-4 €. (updated Jan 2017)
•   Balthassar, , center. Large variety of beers. It also has some appetizers such as pizza, etc. Open all year round. Beers 4 € - 12 €, drinks 7 €.. 
•   Pasatempo, Almyrou 6, Palea, ☎ 302421101327.  
•   Puerto Volos, Argonauts - Koumoundourou. (09:00 - 01:00). Cafe on the beach of Volos. Coffee 2.5-3.2 €. 

Night clubs

•   Cafe Santan, Labor Center 12, ☎ 306980384693. Rock, Jazz, Blues. It has a history of almost 30 years, and many famous Greek singers have made appearances. Beer: 5 €, Drinks: 7 € -10 €. 
•   Posh, Papakyriazi 38, Palea district. Electronic music. Beer 5 €, Drinks 7 €. Open all year. 
•   Lab Art. Friday & Saturday (22:00 - 06:00). Live music. Closed in summer. 

Restaurants - Taverns

Volos is famous for its taverns and especially for its tsipouro restaurants. There are several tsipouro restaurants on the beach of Volos but also in the city.

Skewers / fast food

•   Dervisis, Kazatzaki Nikou 25a with Giannis Dimou, ☎ 30 2421 059913. 12:00 - 00:00. Try his french fries. (updated May 2016)
•   Dinos, Withdrawal 136, ☎ 30 2421043840. Steak house, cheap, Round pie 1.70 € 
•   Relish, Krokiou 4, Palea, ☎ 30 2421030666. Steak house, cheap. Skewer on bread € 1.80 (updated Jan 2017)

Tsipouro restaurants

•   Papadis, Solonos 1, ☎ 30 2421 029360. 25cl tsipouro with meze 3.5 €, 25cl bottled tsipouro with meze 4.0 €, serves 3 appetizers per 4x25cl. 
•   MeZen, Αλοννήσου 8, ☎ 30 2421 020844. 12:00 - 00:00. Very good food, gourmet dishes. It is usually full, so it is good to book a table. The portions are not very large. Try the aged tsipouro in a barrel. 
•   Giota, Κροκίου 15, ☎694 707 4830NOCC.  (updated Apr 2016)
•   The shell, Makrigianni 64A & Metamorphosis, ☎2421052345NOCC.  (updated Apr 2016)
•   Pals, Antonopoulou 98-100.  (updated Apr 2016)
•   Mimikos, Feron 25 (Next to the museum of the city of Volos).  (updated Apr 2016)
•   Bokos, 143 Meandrou & Ellispontou, ☎2421066683NOCC.  (updated Apr 2016)

Barbecues

•   Cinder, Borel 8 (Volos beach), ☎24210 28370NOCC.  (updated Jul 2015)
•   The heat, Kassaveti 122 & Ethn. Resistance, ☎24210 78537NOCC, 6937 173840NOCC.  (updated Jul 2015)
•   Steak house, Κροκίου.  (updated Apr 2016)
•   The Shepherd, Thermopylae 48, ☎ 30 2421054206, e-mail: [email protected].  

Economic options

•   Gaia (Traditional Greek cuisine), Argonauts 15, ☎ 30 2421034153. One of the best choices for cooked Greek food. 

Middle class

•   Sogno di San (Italian restaurant), Ferron, Palea, ☎ 30 2421032690. only at night. Italian restaurant with pizzas and spaghetti, in the kitchen is Italian 

High benefits

•   Abbey (Abbey), Tsalapata Complex, ☎ 30 24210 33130. Large variety of beers. It also serves food, mainly German dishes. Beers 5 € - 12 €, drinks 7 €.. 
• La Marimba (Mexican restaurant), Nikotsara, ☎ 30 2421071167. Romantic environment, has a very nice yard that operates in summer with lots of greenery. It also has cocktails (margarita, kaipirinia, mojito). It would be good to make a reservation because it is often full. Evening hours, Monday closed. 

Accommodation

There are many hotels in Volos. Most are located near the center. Finding a parking space in the center of Volos is difficult.

Economic options

• Aura, Solonos 5, ☎ 30 24210 25370.  
• Galaxy, St. Nikolaou 3, ☎ 30 24210 20750.  
•   Roussas Guesthouse, Doctor Tzanou 1, ☎ 30 24210 21732.  

Middle class

•   Glamor, Argonauts 24, ☎ 30 24210 25691.  
• Beauty (N. Pagases), ☎ 30 24210 88240.  
•   Park hotel (Park), Deligiorgi, ☎ 30 2421 036511.  

•   Philip (Hotel Philippos), Solonos 9, 38333, Volos, ☎ 30 24210 37607, fax: 30 24210 39550, e-mail: [email protected]. 2 star hotel 

High benefits

•   Domotel Xenia Volou Hotel, Plastira 1, 38221, Volos, ☎ 30 24210 92700, e-mail: [email protected]. 5-star hotel by the sea, 10 minutes walk from the center 

•   Volos Palace, Xenophon and Thrace (Behind the City Hall, near the Railway Station), ☎ 30 24210 76501.  

Security

Volos is generally a safe destination, crime is low in the city. It is safe to walk in the city at night. In the center of Volos, bicycles are often stolen, so if you have a bicycle, make sure you lock it well.

Health

•   Volos Hospital.  

Communications

Post offices

•   Volos Post Office, Demitriados. Daily 08: 00-20: 00.  

There are offices of most well-known Courier companies in Greece.

Mobile

Network access

There are several internet cafes in the city, which are mainly used for online games. Most cafes have free WiFi.

Nearby destinations

• Two months. Northwest of the current village of Dimini, at a distance of 5 km from the city of Volos, is the large Neolithic settlement of Dimini. It is one of the most famous settlements in Greece and the most important settlement of the Late Neolithic period (5th millennium BC).

• Σέσκλο. Near the present village of Sesklo, are the ruins of one of the most important Neolithic settlements in Greece and Europe. It was inhabited from the beginning of the Neolithic era (7th millennium BC) until the Middle Bronze Age, but experienced its greatest prosperity in the 5th millennium BC, during the Middle Neolithic period.

• Pelion. Volos is built in front of the foot of Pelion which is an attraction for travelers from Greece and abroad. Several villages of Pelion, such as Makrinitsa, the Portaria and Chania, are popular destinations in summer but also in winter. The area is organized touristically, and the traveler can choose between several taverns, cafes and hotels. At a distance of 2 km from Chania and at an altitude of 1,471 meters is Pelion Ski Center.

• North Sporades. The port of Volos is the closest port to the islands of the Northern Sporades, and is connected to them (Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos) with ships and flying dolphins.

The guide is useful has information on the transition, accommodation and food. Someone could use it. It has similar templates, but a lot of information can be added. Please help complete it!