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| Pelion | ||
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| Pelion has no parent region. | ||
| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 1,543 m | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
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The Pelion Peninsula located in Thessaly, on mainland Greece between the Aegean and the Pagasitic Gulf; the peninsula, which is green on the east coast even in summer, is a popular holiday destination.
background
The peninsula Pelion (Greek Πήλιο; circumscribed as Pilio, Pelion or Pelium) lies in the east of Thessaly. The mountain range Pelionat an altitude of over 1500 meters above sea level. reached, leads to the formation of the hook-shaped peninsula between the Aegean and the Pagasitic Gulf in front of the port of Volos. Politically, it belongs to the Magnisia regional district.
The Pelion - mountain range, which is an extension of the Olympus and Ossa massifs in a south-easterly direction, acts as a weather divide, which - together with the different altitudes - leads to completely different climatic conditions on its flanks. The clouds accumulate on the eastern flank and, when rising to higher, cooler layers of air, can evacuate in downpours even in the summer months; the western flank in the rain shadow is dry and hot, similar to the Greek interior; in the south of the peninsula, the elevations are lower, so that there is less rainfall and the water supply is sparse.
In Greek mythology, the Pelion Mountains were the home of the Centaurs, Mythical creatures half human, half horse.
Pelion held a special position in the history of Greece: the sparsely populated mountain range was never conquered by the Turks and was able to enjoy a special position during the Ottoman rule; it repeatedly became the nucleus of Greek independence efforts. The situation looked similar in World War II, too. Resistance to the German occupation forces was provided by the Greek National Liberation Front (EAM), which the occupiers punished the residents of several mountain villages with "punitive measures".
Regions and places
North Pelion: on the heights of the Pelion massif above the port city Volos there are several picturesque Greek mountain villages, some of which have been preserved in their original form, but also contain luxurious houses of the Greeks, who prefer to live in the freshness above the stifling, hot port city.
- 1 Ano Volos (Άνω Βόλος Μαγνησίας).
(Ανω Βόλος) is the first place on the road leading to the height (and almost a suburb of Volos), here many villas and restaurants with a fantastic view down to the port city. - 2 Potaria. (Πορταριά): the mountain village is located on the Chania pass road to the east coast, several mansions in the typical Pelion style, great views over Volos and the Pangasitic Gulf. On the signs to the pass road to the north of the Pelion Peninsula, Portaria ((ορταριά) is usually indicated as the next destination.
- 3 Makrinitsa (Μακρινίτσα Μαγνησίας).(Μακρινίτσα): the place with numerous old mansions and a great view is called the "balcony of the Pelion Mountains", it is a listed building.
- 4 Hania. (or Chania, Greek Χάνια): the place on the pass road is the starting point for hikes and also for access to the ski area of Mount Pelion. From here (1200 m above sea level) the pass road to the east coast drops off again.
East Pelion: the water-rich east coast of the Pelion massif is the destination of many (Greek) tourists. If you drive through fir forests at the top, the road sloping down to the sea then leads first through forests of sweet chestnuts and further down through plantations of cherry, apple and other fruit trees. Pelion is one of the main harvesting areas in Greece for fruit (cherries, apples, plums and mirabelle plums). The fruits are also sold as jam or candied, with honey, sometimes with pickled almonds; Olives are grown near the coast.
- 5 Zagora (Ζαγορά Μαγνησίας).(Ζαγορά): the old capital of the north east coast of Pelion achieved prosperity thanks to the cloth weaving trade and trade, for fear of pirates the settlement was founded in the mountains with sufficient distance from the sea.
- 6 Chorefto (Χορευτό Μαγνησίας).(Χορευτό): the small port of Zagora has developed into a popular destination for bathing tourists thanks to the long sandy beach. The road leads halfway along mountain villages and side roads, each due to the difference in altitude with countless serpentines, lead down to the coast with bathing resorts, there is no road along the coastline.
- 7 Agios Ioannis. (Αγιος Ιωάννης): the small town with its sand / pebble beach has developed from a small village into a popular seaside resort with numerous taverns, etc., which is overcrowded in summer. The beach of Papa Nero (Παπά Νερό) is immediately south.
- 8 Kissos. (Κισσός) and Mouresi are mountain villages that have retained their character away from the beach life.
- 9 Tsangarada. (Τσαγκαράδα) is also a mountain village at an altitude of 450 m, very curvy roads lead down to the beaches of Damouchari (including recordings of the musical "Mamma Mia") and Milopotamos (Μυλοπόταμος).
- 10 Lampinou. from the places (Λαμπινού) and Kalamaki (Καλαμάκι) also lead side roads to the sea.
- 11 Neochori. from Neochori onwards the Pelion Mountains flatten out and the flanks also become less steep.
South Pelion: the mountains become flatter, transforms into gentle hills, thanks to less rainfall, the land becomes drier and the forests give way to grain fields. The southeast coast is still poorly accessible, in the south of Pelion there are numerous beautiful fishing and seaside resorts.
- 12 Platanias. (Πλατανιάς): the fishing village is increasingly geared towards beach tourism, with beautiful sandy beaches in the area.
- 13 Milina. In the southern tip, a newly built road leads to Trikeri (terρ Badeκερι) and small coastal towns via Milina (Μηίνα) (a popular seaside resort with Greeks, just like Horto). That is also worth seeing Cave of the Centaur Chiron about 1 km north of the village.
West Pelion: the west coast of the Pelion Peninsula is flatter and lies in the rain shadow on the Pangasitic Gulf, the vegetation is sparse due to the hot climate. There are a number of seaside resorts here, which Greeks like to visit, as the entrance is from Volos is much easier.
- 14 Kalamos. Bathing possibilities at Kalamos,Lefokastro and Afissos.
- 15 Ano Lehonia. between Ano Lehonia, Ano Gatzea and Milies something is wrong in the hinterland Narrow gauge railway Open to the museum from the weekend, originally the 600 mm track ran from Volos to the Pelion, in the northern section the rails can still be recognized like those of a tram next to the main road.
- 16 Kala Nera. and Kato Gatzea are seaside resorts with the appropriate infrastructure, which are suitable starting points for Pelion tours.
- The one further north against Volos The places located there are known for growing flowers, the water quality decreases towards the port city. The new bypass around Volos can be easily reached from Agria.
Other goals
- other places popular with the Greeks are also in the west of the Pangasitic Gulf.
- 17 Volos
(Βόλος). 
Port city with a well-known promenade with many restaurants for ouzo with side dishes.
.JPG/350px-Volos_view_from_Pelion_(cropped).JPG)
language
Greek is spoken fluently everywhere, and in the touristically developed places there is practically always someone with a command of English.
getting there
From the autobahn A1Athens - Thessaloniki take the feeder A12 to Volos (no toll, a number of inexpensive petrol stations) and for access to the Pelion Peninsula preferably the 1 Volos bypass (Περιφερειακή οδος Βόλου), you can save yourself the traffic chaos in the port city.
To Access to the north and the East coast of the Pelion one drives the 3 Chania pass road, signposted with Portaria (Πορταριά). The drive, especially towards the east coast, is time-consuming due to the countless serpentines, from Volos to the coast you have to expect two hours.
To go to West Coast and in the south To get there (also for the southeast) it is best to stay on the 2 Volos south bypass to Agria, the coastal road EO34 is at least well developed in the first section and can be driven on quickly and the one to the southern tip is paved throughout.
Who with the public transportation wants to arrive, can take the train over Volos arrive. The bus connections in Pelion and on the peninsula are good. There are buses every two hours from Athens and Thessaloniki (www.ktel.gr) and on the peninsula there are bus connections from Volos to the villages (www.ktelvolou.gr). There are also taxis everywhere.
mobility
The easiest way to get around on the Pelion Peninsula is with your own (motor) vehicle, especially in the north-east there are steep, winding and sometimes narrow streets, probably only suitable for well-trained and heat-resistant cyclists. bus connections to the villages are sparse but available, the lines usually start from Volos, cross-traffic connections are difficult.
A historical narrow-gauge railway(Closed in 1971) on the west coast was restored as a museum railway and runs on weekends in summer with partly historical rolling stock (rarely steam locomotive, mostly a replica diesel locomotive); You can also hike along the track. In the summer months, the train leaves every Saturday and Sunday in the mornings 3 Ano Lechonia , back in the afternoon from 4 Milies.
On the peninsula, many of the old mule tracks are called Hiking trails restored, avid hikers work with local people.
Tourist Attractions
- see local article
activities
- hike
- Swimming in numerous seaside resorts with well-developed beaches and also undeveloped beach sections. Naturist beaches are rare on Pelion. You can only find it on the east coast Nudism suitable sandy beaches: Melan beach at Potistika and much further north at Rakopotamos.
beaches
in the west there are a very large number of Beachesthat in summer because of the proximity to Volos are mostly very well attended and managed. The beaches of greater tourist interest are those in the east and south, due to their proximity to the mountain villages typical of Pelion
in the east are the most famous beaches of Pelion:
- 1 Horefto. 2.5km long beautiful sandy beach.
- 2 Agioi Saranda. one of the most beautiful beaches in the area, partly managed with sun loungers.
- 3 Agios Ioannis. Touristic fully developed beach with many shops, taverns, cafes, hotels.
- 4 Papa Nero. well-known beautiful sandy beach.
- 5 Plaka. picturesque rocky bay with trees and little pebble beach. Very photogenic.
- 6 Damouchari. small rocky cove made famous by the movie Mama Mia, which was filmed on this beach.
- 7 Fakistra. small pebble beach in a rocky bay, very photogenic but a bit difficult to reach.
- 8 Mylopotamos. It is the most famous and most photographed beach on Pelion, which is divided into two beaches by a rock with a passage.
- 9 Limnionas. a little more remote pebble beach that is not so developed for tourists.
in the south: In addition to the main beaches described below, there are also many small, scenic bays with beautiful beaches that are difficult to access, sometimes only by boat.
- 10 Potistika. one of the most famous beaches of Pelion with sand and rocks.
- 11 Melani. beautiful long sandy beach, less touristy than the nearby Potistika beach. Best Nudism suitable beach on the Pelion.
- 12 Mourtias. a little more remote pebble beach that is not so developed for tourists.
- 13 Liri. The beach is a mixture of fine and coarse gravel, sand and stones and turquoise blue, crystal clear water. The way to the beach is good and you can drive to the beach.
- 14 Theotokos. somewhat secluded sand-pebble beach.
- 15 Vromoneri. nice flat beach, organized with tavern.
- 16 Kastri. long sandy beach at a campsite and tavern.
- 17 Platania. beautiful sandy-pebble beach. Some with sun loungers, a beach bar and shade from olive trees.
- 18 Mirko. Beautiful sandy beach with wonderful, blue-green water. There is a cafe and a nice tavern.
- 19 Chondri Ammos. long sand-pebble beach in a beautiful bay with restaurants.
- 20 Agio Vaso. Beach in a more beautiful landscape, quiet and secluded, often used for wild camping. Access over 3 km of unpaved road.
- 21 Alogoporos. small gravel beach in beautiful surroundings with a tavern.
kitchen
- See local articles, in the seaside resorts there is a large range of taverns and restaurants, most of the developed beaches offer at least one beach bar or beach tavern with grilled dishes. Outside of the short summer season from June to September, however, most of the restaurants are closed.
accommodation
It is advantageous to find accommodation in a central location. The routes to the various beaches are long because of the winding roads.
nightlife
- if the offer in the beach bars of the numerous seaside resorts is not enough during the summer months, the port city Volos find it.
security
- the security situation is harmless with regard to crime.
climate
- the region has an arid Mediterranean climate. The situation on the Pelion Peninsula is exceptional, however, as it is significantly cooler even in the summer months at the top of the pass near Chania (the peaks reach up to 1500 m) and that the east coast is green and forested thanks to more frequent rainfall. Completely atypical for Greece, springs and streams gush here in many places even in summer.
- in spring there can still be snow in the heights until Easter (only the poles that mark the snow plows are evidence of this in summer) and a little later you can enjoy summer temperatures on the beach.
literature
- "Flowers and Herbs in the Pillion" with 12 hiking descriptions, authors: Giorgos Giannakaros and Rainer Scheppelmann. Published in 2016 in the Edition KentavrosISBN 3000519653 12,80 €
Web links
- Website to the tourist destinations in Pelion, including bus connections; including German
- private website with hiking routes, including German
- private website with lots of information and hiking descriptions
- private website with accommodation and tips
- Naturist beaches
