VOLOS
Volos is a pleasant city and the capital of the Magnesia region in Thessaly. Its port is one of the most important in Greece and is among the biggest in terms of size and reach of the goods transported, making it one of the major industrial hubs in Greece. Located on the slopes of Mount Pelion on the edge of the mainland Greek tourist routes, the town has its own internal economy that does not depend on tourism, it functions like a modern and industrious city that is helping to revive the Greek economy.
History
Like every other place in Greece, Volos is also mentioned in Greek mythology as the port from which Jason and the Argonauts sailed to look for the Golden Fleece. You can, therefore, imagine how important and ancient it is, it was founded in the III century BC Dimitrias under the Macedonian king Dimitrios. Nearby Pagasae and Iolkos were hubs for the construction of merchant ships under Byzantine domination. Under Byzantine hegemony, the city centre developed and the fortress of Kastrin was built, which later became modern-day Volos in the late 1800s. Being outside the normal tourist areas, Volos is considered an excellent starting point for excursions to the Pelion peninsula and it has great museums including an archaeological site called Athanassakio, which houses artefacts from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods.
Places to visit in the surrounding area
In addition to the historical sites, there are many typical villages nearby such as Anakasia, Portaria and Makrinitsa. The coast of the Pelion peninsula is famous for its beautiful beaches, bays and coves scattered on both sides. The sea here is really special and has crystal clear water. There are a variety of types of beaches to satisfy all tastes from sandy ones to beaches of white stones, all of which have repeatedly obtained the 'Blue Flag' from the European Union for the cleanliness of the water and the beach amenities.