Volos

Volos is a 3.5-hour car ride from the Athens. If driving, be aware there are tolls (approx. €30 from Athens to Volos) on the national highways. PLEASE BRING CASH OR WITHDRAW AT AN ATM! Most of the tolls accept both cash and card, but there are a few that accept only change (you throw the change in a bucket, similar way with the tolls here back in the 80s – 90s. The automatic toll booths give change though. The denominations of Euros they accept are 2,1, 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents. The Greek bus system, KTEL, is also a great option; it takes approximately 4.5 hours from Athens to Volos. If you decide to take the public bus, please let us know so we can help you schedule and tell you where equivalent of “The Port Authority” is! While in Volos, or any other city in Greece (if not renting a car) taxis are the best way to zip around. Hotel desks will be able to call a taxi.

Volos is amazing, it’s a port city and at the foot of Mount Pelion.  On the other side of the Mountain, there are some of the most beautiful beaches of the Aegean Sea.  The more difficult the beach is to get to, the more beautiful it typically is! (less tourists, little trash, ZERO facilities)

*Get water shoes with a rubber sole- most beaches have stones or pebbles- it will save your toes!  Also, if you plan on going to a beach on the other side of Mount Pelion, you’ll need a little traction (Amazon, $15, easy)

Volos is known for Tsipouro (pronounced tsee-poo-ro), a grape-based spirit served plain or with anise flavoring.  When ordering you say “Ena tsipouro meh” or “Ena tsipouro horeess” = “1 tsipouro with(anise)” or “1 tsipouro without (anise)”.  Going to a tsipouradiko (tsee-poo-rah-di-ko) is very common-, it’s a tavern that serves tsipouro; you order one, and they will serve you mezes (small plates of local dishes).  You typically stay for a few rounds with friends/family and make a meal out of it.

Notable Tsipoura (plural of Tsipouro) that you should choose from:

  • Apostolaki
  • Idoniko
  • Thessaliko
  • Tsilili
  • Each tsipouradiko has “its own” tsipouro that they call it “heema” (slang for not sealed bottle)

Our Favorite Beaches In Volos

Most beaches are stoney or rocky, so it’s a good idea to bring water shoes (we’ve mentioned this before, trust us.  Also, LADIES, depending on the time of the month- air on the side of going to a beach that has a restroom (speaking from experience – Andro can tell you the story).

Pagasitikos Gulf side

Beach Bars ~ [A beach bar here really just means that there is an establishment that has sunbeds, lounge chairs and umbrellas on the beach, (sometimes they charge for sunbed), it serves snacks/beverages and has restrooms- it’s not a bar at a beach.]

Beaches from the other side of Mount Pelion (Aegean Sea)

Our favorite villages in Pelion that offer great taverns, small shops selling local products, fruits, sweets, herbs, artwork

Volos features in this 2019 Guardian article on great beach towns in Europe.

Museums to visit

Where To Stay

Some of the hotels that are in the city of Volos are;

The best website to look through the list of hotels in and around the city of Volos is https://www.booking.com/

Where to Eat

Some of the restaurants we recommend;

Some of the Tsipouradika (tsipouro taverns) we recommend;

Some of the Bars and Coffee Shops we recommend