At PORTARIA, we turn left for Chania. In winter the scenery is amazing. We continue towards ZAGORA, looking for the intersection TSAGARADA-KISSOS. The route is dreamy! Look for the waterfalls. Afterwards, we are continuing our trip towards KISSOS.

  We park and go to the square to see Agia Marina hoping it is open. As soon as we enter, we have in front of us a beautiful carved wooden iconostasis, the only concave iconostasis in Greece. It travels the world on a stamp. Above our head in the dome God is painted, something rare because God is never depicted. Under God there is a throne. It is the throne of man in the Second Coming. The church is wooden, so it did not fall from the earthquakes. In the capitals of the 4 columns, we can see painted some monstrous faces with 2 red skewers in their mouths. Pagan references which we assume existed to attract and eventually assimilate the dodecatheists. If we find the church closed, as we look at it and go outside, to the right of the other entrance of the church, we will see next to the entrance painted an archangel in military clothes who has painted faces all over his body. These are the faces of the souls of people who go to the other world.

  We leave KISSOS following signs for AI GIANNI. Ai Giannis is the most tourist beach of Pelion. We cross it and opposite us on the right there is a hanging white bridge. We approach it and see a sign for DAMOUCHARI. Damouchari is the place of Pelion where Mama Mia was filmed. We leave the car in the parking lot and walk down to the beach, in front of us a huge rock in the sea, on the right there is a bridge, then a hill, in the middle, a stone alley and all this at a short distance. Like a theatrical stage. That’s why the movie was shot here… We take our walk and go to get the car. We follow the signs for TSAGARADA.

  Tsagarada is the only village of Pelion that is built around 4 squares so there is no village on the road. As soon as you see a TSAGARADA sign, stop somewhere there, leave the car and walk to Agia Paraskevi square. In Agia Paraskevi square there is a 1,100 year old plane tree (platanus). Sixteen humans can embrace it and has a circumference of 37 meters. One of its branches is supported by a cement column because it is huge and there is a fear of breaking. Here, it is worth having a coffee in the cafe of the square.

  Opposite of us, if we follow the stone-built alley, we will see the old commercial school of Tsagarada. We return to our car and continuing the road, we see a sign MYLOPOTAMOS.

  Another beach in Pelion that was formed by the splitting of a large piece of rock and remained a few meters from the beach. To descend to the right, 120 steps have been carved on the rock. You go down and in front of you there is a cave, by passing it you go to another beach. The waters have a wonderful turquoise color. In the summer this beach is teeming with people, the whole of Europe flocks for a swim.

  We go back, for good food, we eat at the SINANTISI in KISSOS. Otherwise, we leave for KRITSA or KLEITSA mansion in PORTARIA or we return to Makrinitsa in KARDAMO.

  Just as soon as you exit Makrinitsa’s parking lot, sharp right towards Volo’s ring road, on the left we cross the tunnel and exit along the coast. A few kilometers later, we follow signs towards AGIOS LAURENTIOS.

  A beautiful village with a special traditional square. We go back to where we turned for AGIOS LAVRENTIOS and continue along the coast, following the sign for AGIOS GEORGIOS after and through the village we go for PINAKATES. Walk in the square and continue for VIZITSA. Its square is exquisite, a village that will remind you of Makrinitsa. From there we continue the journey towards MILIES.

  Another beautiful village of Pelion. We park and go to the square to see a unique church. In the pre-temple area on the right, we will see painted the zodiac (or cycle of life). We have Saint Christopher in the form of a dog. In the church we will see coffins, skeletons, devils, goblins. There is also a unique sound system here. Under the floor of the church in a well, they placed 16 jars sticking their mouths to the floor. Also, in each corner of the main church they walled 8 jars, 48 in total. As a result, they created a unique sound system with bass and treble. Once every 4 years the Bach World Friends Club comes and gives a concert here. In front of the square, on a 15 minutes’ walk, you will reach the end of the train of Pelion. And another following path, leads us to the cave of Centaur Chiron. Additionally, in the village there is a library – Museum with objects and writings of the Teacher of the Nation Anthimos Gazis.

  Leaving MILIES we go left to NEOCHORI to take a short walk on the mountain and reach AFISSOS. AFISSOS, 2 km downwards, we reach the end of the road crossing the whole beach of the village. It is the most beautiful fishing village of Pagasitikos, because it has not accepted any newly built constructions on the beach and remained as it was. Here we will see the wonderful sunsets of Afissos. Afissos has a fish tavern ZORBAS which serves good food. If we want a tsipouro restaurant we go towards VOLOS, we stop in AGRIA in Tzimis to enjoy tsipouro by the sea. For meat, we go back to PORTARIA, mansion KLEITSA or KRITSA or we come to KARDAMO in MAKRINITSA.

  Today we will go to the island of Trikeri. We head towards Volos and on the ring road we put “Alogoporos” on the GPS. After Argalasti, on our path, we can enjoy unique images of the Pagasitikos Gulf.

  After Chorto and Milina, on our right, a crust of earth in the sea, the beautiful Tzasteni.

  A short time later we climb Mount Tissaio and somewhere up there on our left we will see a metal kiosk with a sign “The haunt of hunters” (in Greek: Το στέκι των κυνηγών). Do not forget to stop the car on the side and enjoy the picture in front of you, here nature was fun!

  We continue to follow the sign towards Alogoporos. At the port, we leave the car and take the water taxi to the island of Trikeri.

  We go to visit the monastery where they kept exiled women of left-wing political opinions. Then, swim in Agios Georgios, a beautiful beach ten minutes from the monastery. We eat delicious calamari and lobster spaghetti in Diavlos.

  Time to return. Take the water taxi back to Alogoporos and follow the same route for the return.

  Time to drink a coffee in Skiathos (yes there is that option too!).

  We input Katigiorgis on GPS. A beautiful harbor for swimming and eating kakavia in Flisvos, a tavern by the sea.

  Here we take the water taxi and in 10 minutes we are in Koukounaries of Skiathos, the most famous beach on the island.

  We go to the island’s Chora and take a walk on the paved streets of the island, and for coffee and dessert at BURTSI.

  For the return, we head back to Koukounaries and catch the water taxi to Katigiorgi. Have fun!

  SOS: Ask the water taxi driver when to get off Koukounaries to return with the last route!

  From Makrinitsa we descend towards Volos and by following the coastal road, while enjoying the Pagasetic Sea on our right, we arrive at Ano Lechonia (must be there by 10 a.m). Keep in mind, reaching Ano Lechonia takes about 40 minutes from Makrinitsa.

  Here, at 10:30 a.m., Moutzouris, The Steam Train of Pelion, departs, traveling along the inner side of the mountain, passing over arched stone bridges on a mythical route to Milies, Pelion. The trip takes an hour and 30 minutes, it remains in Milies until 3 p.m., and then returns to Ano Lechonia. A beautiful route on a beautiful mountain overlooking the sea.

For the updated timetable of the train and its availability, please check the official website of Hellenic Trains. It is advised to book your ticket online beforehand.