explore the area
ARGALASTI – CHORTO – SOUTH PELION
Argalasti
Argalasti is the capital village of South Pelion. Due to its strategic location, the visitors can easily and quickly visit all the surrounding villages, as well as the most famous beaches in the area; beaches, which line the side of the Gulf (e.g. Chorto, Pau, Kalamos, Lefokastro), to the side of Aegean sea (e.g. Potistika, Melani, Paltsi). Argalasti is, amongst others, known for its unique, ornate bell tower of the church of Agioi Apostoloi (Holy Apostotles) as well as for the school of “Parthenagogeion”, where the famous Greek scholar and poet Kostas Varnalis served as head master. A special experience for the wine lovers is to visit one of the wineries in the village. The visitors can also enjoy their coffee or dine on the main square of the village in the shade of the age-old plane trees.
Chorto
Chorto, a seaside village surrounded mainly by olive groves, is the perfect site for a relaxing holiday. It is located in South Pelion on the coast of the Pagasitikos Gulf. Chorto is 46 km away from Volos, the prefecture capital, and is located between the villages of Argalasti and Milina. Other villages, which are nearby, are Lafkos, Promyri, Platanias, Trikeri, Agia Kyriaki, Metochi, Xinovrisi, Kalamos, Lefokastro, Afetes and Afisos. Famous villages of Pelion that visitors can also visit are, among others, Neochori, Milies, Pinakates, Tsagkarada, Zagora, Agios Ioannis, Kala Nera, Agios Lavrentios, Portaria and Makrinitsa.
Pelion and the wider area.
Pelion offers many opportunities for a relaxing and enjoyable holiday. Visitors have, first of all, the opportunity to go hiking (PelionWalks.com & Facebook), following numerous historic paths in beautiful nature. Depending on the season that you will visit Pelion, you also have the chance to participate in a variety of activities, such as water sports (diving, sailing, fishing), winter skiing (at the ski resort Agriolefkes), cycling and horseback riding. The ride on the steam train of Pelion, the famous “Moutzouris” is a unique experience. The train travels from Ano Lechonia to Milies, crossing green slopes, traditional villages, ravines, over stone and metal bridges, the work of the famous Italian engineer De Chirico (father of the surrealist painter).
At the same time, guests can visit a variety of many important religious sites, such as monasteries and churches. For example, the Byzantine monastery of Agios Lavrentios, the monastery of Panagia Lampidona, the monastery of Agios Athanasios in Paltsi, and the church of Agia Marina located in the mountain village of Kissos attract the interest of many pilgrims.
If you are interested in archeology, a visit to the sites of Dimini, Sesklo and Nea Aghialos (Fthiotides Thives) is certainly worthwhile. The important archeological findings are kept in the Athanasakeo Archaeological Museum of Volos. Other museums in the area are the Folk Art Museum in Makrinitsa and the Greek Museum in Zagora. Visitors can also visit the Public Library of Milies, where old and rare manuscripts and books are kept.
Traditional taverns, restaurants, ouzo/tsipouro taverns and cafes are open almost all year round. So, the visitors can either enjoy the wonderful flavors of Greek and local cuisine, or they can relax drinking their coffee, local wines or aperitifs. At the same time, cultural events are quite often organised, such as those from the Angelinis Hadjinikou Foundation in Chorto or the University of Thessaly Conference and Cultural Center in the old Paou Monastery near Argalasti.
