The unparalleled beauty of mountain and sea.

If you want to visit a beautiful, lively, modern city full of scents and images of yesterday, then you must visit Volos. Built on the inner side of the Pagasetic Gulf and a stone’s throw from the Centaurs Mountain (the beloved and picturesque Pelion) Volos is one of the largest and most beautiful cities in Greece. First stop: come see its manor houses, public manors, remarkable museums, and early 20’s industrial plants. In the remains of the industrialization era lies the wealth of the city, both economic and intellectual, which to an extent gives it its character.

Stroll along the pedestrian coastal avenue of the Argonauts or stop at the port at the western end of the avenue. Observe the statue “Argo” (made by sculptor Nikolas), and the modern, much-photographed ship of the same name (trademark of Volos), all while enjoying the incredible sea view. At the port you can also have your coffee in one of the many seaside cafés offering amazing sweets of excellent quality. Baked chocolate pastry from the region are the perfect side dish for your thick-on-top Greek coffee, or the beverages and juices of your preference.

Walk around the city and let your eyes gaze out upon the old stone-built manors, the quaint light blue shutters, and the beautiful patios. With gardens springing out, the city is not at all equable but so charming in all its extroversion and uniqueness. And of course, you will see bike riders. Whether the citizens of Volos are rushing to their work, or just riding along the coast, they are loving products of a city full of local bicycle races.

Visit the renowned tsipouradika (little taverns for local spirit, tsipouro) of Volos! It is a tradition most probably rooted back to the 1922 Greek refugee-workers from Asia Minor, who used to hang out at the little cafés of the port during their lunch breaks, drinking tsipouro and eating little dishes of sea food. As time went by, this meeting became major regardless the age and pocket, and not solely for the citizens of Volos. Students and visitors, and anyone being in Volos during the day or the evening choose the tsipouradika by the sea or the ones in Nea Ionia. The tsipouro, the delicious assortments, the crab salad, the eggplant salad, the baked potato and the large choice of sea food are simply irresistible. And if you want to please your palate with something faster, you can also enjoy filling cold dishes at the cafés and of course the famous peynirli (a kind of pizza), to which you can choose the toppings yourself.

Follow the citizens of Volos around in their walk, to the neighborhood Palaia (which is possibly ancient Iolcus), admire the ruins of the castle (6^th century A.D.), and in the underground parking place of the multi-purpose facility Village the Roman baths, and the Ottoman gunpowder magazine (1600); walk around the square of Agioi Theodoroi, the square of Rigas Feraios with the beautiful city hall and the building of the Municipal Theater, which bears the largest stage of the Balkan Peninsula. Furthermore, the multi-purpose facility Tsalapatas is worth a visit, which apart from the Rooftile and Brickworks Museum open since 2013, also accommodates the Lab Art, a stage hosting theatrical shows, stand up comedies and concerts.

You can also have your coffee for take-away and walk around the city’s parks, such as Aghios (Saint) Konstantinos, with the church of the same name (piece of work of architect Ar. Zachos in 1936), as well as the Anavros Park hosting an open-air sculpture gallery.

Right before sundown, we suggest a panoramic view of Volos, seen from the verdant hill of Goritsa, with the church of Virgin Mary (1892). Upon returning to the city, choose one of the cute bars along its cobblestone streets, and enjoy your drink!