Volos

About halfway between Athens and Thessaloniki, lying along the Pagaseo Gulf, is Volos, the third most important port in Greece. Many tourists come here just passing through, waiting to catch a ferry to Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos.

In fact, there are no major attractions in Volos: ferries aside, the city does not live on tourism, but on trade and services and is home to an important university. However, you can spend a few pleasant hours strolling along the seafront, checking out the archaeological museum or heading to one of the beautiful beaches in the area for some relaxation, including Kala Nera and Kato Lehonia.

Volos is also an excellent base for visiting the attractions of mainland Greece including The Meteors, Mount Olympus and the Pellion Peninsula.

Beaches in and around Volos

The Volos coastline offers a variety of easily accessible urban beaches, while the surroundings boast some of the most beautiful beaches in Thessaly. Urban beaches such as Agios Konstantinos and Analipsi are just minutes from the centre, with well-equipped bathing establishments and shallow waters ideal for families.

Alykes Beach, 5 km from the centre, is a beautiful fine sandy beach with turquoise waters and excellent facilities, frequented by locals and tourists alike. Nearby, Nea Anchialos offers an impressive 20 km of sandy coastline, perfect for those seeking space and tranquillity.

Hidden pearls can be found along Pelion: Kala Nera (15 km) amazes with its mix of mountain and sea, while Agios Ioannis (45 km) offers one of the most iconic beaches with its characteristic white rocks emerging from the deep blue sea.

Things to do and do in Volos

The ancient port of Iolko, from which, according to mythology, Jason and the Argonauts departed, is now the beating heart of the modern city. The Volos Archaeological Museum houses Neolithic finds from Dimini and Sesklo, some of the oldest settlements in Europe, dating back to 6000 BC.

Along the waterfront, admire the replica of the Argo ship and the Volos Theatre, a neoclassical architectural jewel from 1884. Anavros Park, with its botanical gardens and small zoo, offers an oasis of tranquillity within walking distance of the centre.

For trekking lovers, the path up Pelion leads to Makrinitsa (18 km), the ‘balcony of Pelion’, with breathtaking views of the gulf and perfectly preserved traditional architecture. Pelion’s 24 villages represent a unique cultural heritage, with Byzantine churches, stone fountains and noble mansions.

Excursions around Volos

The Pelion peninsula is a world of its own, with chestnut forests, hundred-year-old plane trees and villages where time seems to stand still. Tsagarada (55 km) captivates with its Platanus Square, where one of the oldest trees in Europe grows.

Meteora (120 km) is the most spectacular day trip: its Byzantine monasteries, built on rocky peaks, have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. Mount Olympus (100 km) requires at least two days to be appreciated, but a walk through the Enipeas gorge also offers unforgettable views.

For sea lovers, the island of Skiathos can be reached in 1.5 hours by ferry, while Skopelos is famous for being the set of the film ‘Mamma Mia! The Tempi Gorge (20 km) offers a unique canyoning experience in Greece.

Where to stay in Volos

To make your trip to the Sporades Islands less stressful, it is advisable to spend a night in Volos. The hotel offer in the area is really wide, and without moving too far from the centre you will find plenty of hotels and B&Bs of all categories, from 1 to 5 stars, all at very affordable prices.

The centre of Volos is perfect for those who want to experience urban life, with hotels offering harbour views and easy access to restaurants and shops. The waterfront area boasts modern facilities with panoramic terraces, ideal for watching sunsets over the gulf.

Recommended hotels in Volos

We offer a selection of hotels at Volos to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Volos, sorted by number of reviews.

Apartments and vacation homes in Volos

If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Volos. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Volos are in high demand.

How to get to Volos

The city and port of Volos are about 30 kilometres from Nea Anchialos Airport, which is connected by low-cost flights to some of Europe’s major cities including London and Brussels. Unfortunately, no direct flights are available.

The airports of Thessaloniki and Athens are both about 230 km from Volos and are connected by direct flights (seasonal and infrequent in the first case, year-round and numerous in the second).

To get to Volos by car, drive along the E45 road connecting Athens and Thessaloniki. There are some buses and trains from Athens, but the journey is rather long (calculate 3-4 hours).