Volos is an ideal destination all year round- whether it’s for a weekend getaway or a few day’s stay!
One of the largest and most modern cities in Greece, Volos is one of the most important ports in the country, located in central Greece (320 km north of Athens and 219 km south of Thessaloniki). A natural harbour in the Pagasetic Gulf and steps away from Mount Pelion, here you will be surrounded by the mountain and the sea all at once- as it’s right between the sea of the Pagasetic Gulf and Pelion Mountain.
What to See & Do
-The sea creates a fabulously long coastline boasting some of the city’s finest taverns, tsipouradika, serving the traditional “tsipouro” aperitif and special seafood appetizers, or “meze”. Make sure you try the local delicacies and dishes of the area.
-The pedestrianised waterfront Argonaut Road, with the passenger port at its west end and the impressive view of the sea and tree-covered hill of Pefkakia, it’s the most popular meeting spot for locals. Starting from the port, take a stroll by the wonderful seaside promenade lined with cafés, bars, and shops and discover the many neoclassical buildings.
-Explore the building of the University of Thessaly, which was originally a warehouse of the Papastratos Tobacco Company.
-Walk along the entire length of the Kordoni, which allows you to get a different view of the city.
-Visit the Church of Agios Konstantinos and Eleni and the adjacent Saint Constantine Park.
– Explore the Tsalapatis multi-space complex, where the 1920s Brickworks Museum is located, together with the contemporary LabArt space where performances and art exhibitions are presented. Fascinating for children and adults alike, the Tsalapatas Museum is a rare example of a surviving industrial complex in Greece. The museum is housed in a former roof tile and brickworks factory and it aims to showcase the industrial heritage of the city of Volos.
-See Neolithic and Palaeolithic artifacts in Greece’s oldest museum, the Athanasakio Archaeological Museum, built in 1905.
– View the impressive architecture at the Bank of Athens and the Volos Railways Station.
-Spend time at The Palia district which is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Volos. In the evening, the area is the most vibrant place to be in the city with locals staying up until late at its tasteful and top quality bars and restaurants.
Best places to eat
-For traditional tavern-style food head to: Tampakis, Bokos, To Filaraki and Kritamo.
–MeZen, here you can taste amazing Greek meze with a gourmet touch, accompanied by an endless list of labels and preparations of tsipouro.
–To Pirounaki is a quaint eatery with natural lighting and a creative menu inspired by local ingredients and global delicacies.
Make sure you try …
-The city of Volos boasts the best peynirli (pide) in Greece and you can try it at many shops across the city. According to locals, you will find the best peynirli at Rainbow on Iasonos.
-Have dessert at Café Mineravas. The historical café at the promenade first opened its doors in 1935. Ever since then it has been known as the classic spot to have traditional Greek coffee.
Do as locals do… and explore the city on a bicycle. Pelion Scout and other organisations have mapped out a scenic three-hour ride around the city.
How to get there & around
Volos lies about 330km north of Athens and 210km south of Thessaloniki. Buses connect Volos to both cities as well as many other destinations. Volos also has an international airport and is also connected to many European cities including direct flights from London and Amsterdam.
Once in Volos, you can get to most or all of the places we include in this itinerary by means of public transport. However, keep in mind that buses don’t run frequently on all routes so this could mess up your schedule big time. The best way to explore Volos is by car.
