Volos, Grčka

A half-day on the west side of Pelion, with breathtaking views, olive groves all around and a beach with facilities where everything is already on hand: a sun lounger, beach umbrella and a refreshing drink You're on one of the most attractive stretches of coast of the Pagasetic Gulf: crystal-clear waters and a relaxing ambiance, here's Pelion at its most authentic.

• Panoramic drive along the west coast of Pelion
• Views of the Pagasetic Gulf
• Stop at one of the area's best-loved beaches
• Sun loungers, beach umbrella and drinks included

You'll depart from Volos port and cross the city before taking the Pelion coast road. The landscape quickly changes: olive groves, the sea ahead and the villages of the Pelion peninsula appearing one bend after another.
The route follows the stretch of coast along the Pagasetic Gulf: a bright light, ever-changing views and the combination of the mountains and the sea which are part of Pelion's soul. And at the end of the road, your destination: a beach loved by locals, simple, orderly and perfect for a change of scene.
The pebble stones on the shoreline, the clear waters and everything you need on hand for a great break: sun loungers, beach umbrellas, shaded areas, toilet facilities, showers - all a perfect haven if you're seeking some peace and quiet. A sun lounger, beach umbrella and a refreshing drink are all ready for you.
You'll have free time to plan what you want to do: swimming, sunbathing, reading … or simply doing nothing

When it's time to return, the coach will take you back to Volos - your mind full of memories of the sea and little bit of Pelion still on you.

• We provide beach umbrellas and sun loungers for adults. Children will share their parents' sun lounger.
• Bring just the essentials with you. Don't forget a backpack with beach towel, hat and sunscreen.

A half-day excursion to Mount Pelion, past bends, woods and larger-than-life views, to explore two villages that seem to have come straight out of the set of a classic Greek film .... but with even more atmosphere, legends and 'wow' factors. Portaria will welcome you with its charm, Makrinitsa will win you over with its natural balcony overlooking the gulf. Get ready for an “ok, I'd live here" moment.

• Panoramic drive up Mount Pelion
• Stop at two iconic villages Portaria and Makrinitsa
• Free time to explore

From Volos port, you'll depart for Mount Pelion Past woods and stunning photographic views, this is the land of the mythological Centaur Chiron, and of ancient gods that seemingly knew how to choose their favorite destinations.

First stop: Portaria. A peaceful, elegant place, which seems perfect for slowing down your pace. Walk through the main square, wander around the alleyways, visit the Church of Agios Nikolaos and breathe in that mix of tradition and simplicity that you'll only find in mountain villages.

Then onwards again.... to reach: Makrinitsa, the star of Pelion. Perched at 700 meters, it's no surprise that this village is called the “Balcony of the Gods". And when you see the view over the Pagasetic Gulf, you'll realize straightaway why it's one of those destinations that you'll want to capture and keep forever.

With its cobble-stone lanes, houses with slate roofs, wooden balconies, and picture-postcard squares, Makrinitsa is a delightful mountain village. The main square, with its centuries-old plane tree and decorated fountain is one of those places where time seems to have slowed down... or perhaps it's just you who doesn't want to leave any more.

You'll have free time to explore as you like: visit the Byzantine museum, pop into the local artisan shops, or sip a Greek coffee looking at a view that is worth more than a thousand words.

It's then time to return to Volos, enriched with the views, legends and beauty, that will linger in your heart.

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the experience.
• The experience includes sections on foot over narrow, uneven roads. For your own safety, please wear comfortable, non-slip shoes.

A trip from Volos to the Meteora, where huge rocks tower straight up towards the sky, stealing the scene from everything else. The panorama is the star of the show here, to experience slowly, with lots of photo opportunities. Interesting tales, strategic stops and some free time in Kalambaka all offer a perfect experience if you want to discover a unique place… at the right pace.

• The Meteora seen from their most spectacular angles
• Photo stops
• Stories about the monks, the rock formations and local legends
• Free time in Kalambaka

The tour starts from Volos, going through the plain of Thessaly, which seems to say: “Don't worry, I'm just getting ready for the best bit".
And as soon as the Meteora appear, you'll understand why everyone talks about them: very high rock formations, shaped as if a giant had decided to sculpt the landscape the way he wanted. And the monasteries perched at the top... as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
You'll end the tour in the very heart of this landscape, no steps, no hurry, just the views, curiosity and a pace that will enable you to look all around and say: “This truly is a unique place".

The coach will stop at the best places to take photos: the rock formations stand tall, the monasteries seem suspended in the air, the light changing often as if it were competing with you. Your guide will tell you anecdotes about how these rock formations formed, why the monks chose these 'columns' and how they lived up there, far from everything and everyone.

Afterwards, you'll reach Kalambaka, the village at the foot of the Meteora. You'll be able to do some shopping here in the small stores selling local handicrafts. Try out a taverna and taste some typical dishes or simply sit and sip a coffee and look at the Meteora with all their mighty calm.
After a break, you'll return to Volos with the feeling you visited some truly remarkable places<. which you'll most definitely remember.

A half-day excursion to visit Volos and Pelion with a single mission: taking you to the most photogenic spots in the entire area From historic architectures to larger-than-life views, going past a small church in a grotto and the village of Makrinitsa, that Instagram has practically adopted. A heady mix of photos, views and 'wow-factor' moments.

• The first top destinations in Volos: the railway station, the seafront and Kordoni breakwater
• The Papastratos Building
• The church in a grotto of Panagia Tripa di Goritsa
• Panoramic hike up Mount Pelion with stunning viewpoints
• Makrinitsa, the indisputable gem for Instagram photos

You'll depart from Volos to discover its most photogenic spots: the railway station dating from 1884, the seafront with the Kordoni breakwater and the Papastratos Building, symbol of a perfect union between past and present.

The scene and atmosphere then change, at Panagia Tripa di Goritsa, the small church in a grotto overlooking the sea, which seems to have been created just for taking mystic photos.

From here, you'll go up towards Mount Pelion a panoramic route, a viewpoint that dominates all of Volos and a guaranteed 'wow' factor.

The grand finale? Makrinitsa, the area's most famous “balcony” cobble-stone lanes, traditional houses, a spectacular village square and a view that alone would fill up your phone memory with photos.
Free time to take photos, explore or simply enjoy the moment. Then it's back to Volos with your own, personal collection of Pelion Edition images

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the experience.
• The experience includes sections on foot over narrow, uneven roads. For your own safety, please wear comfortable, non-slip shoes.

A historic steam train will take you up Mount Pelion pass olive groves, bridges and spectacular views. Climb on board the Moutzouris, Greece's most famous steam train, and enjoy a slow pace heading to Milies, with its centuries-old libraries, picturesque squares and church with amazing hidden stories. A perfect experience for anyone who loves to discover the world… on board history.

• Trip on the historic 'Moutzouris' steam train
• Views of the sea and the bridges of Evaristo De Chirico
• Visit to the library at Milies
• Church of the Archangels, and its eighteenth-century frescoes

The tour starts from Ano Lechonia where the 'Moutzouris' steam train awaits, with all its vintage appeal. The pace is slow, calm, the train whistling as if it had all the time in the world.
And now you can join in.
The route goes past olive groves, panoramic bends and above all the bridges of Evaristo De Chirico: elegant arches and an iron bridge that is unique in Europe. It's a trip that seems to have so many 'wow' factors.
Once you're at Milies, the pace changes: the village is like a small treasure trove of stories. Visit the historic library, which houses the manuscripts of the leaders of the Greek Revolution of 1821. Afterwards, see the Church of the Archangels, with its very simple exterior... but an interior revealing 18th century frescoes and the place where the flag of the revolution was raised.
Experience one surprise after another.

After some free time wandering around the alleys, squares and seeing the views, it's time to return: the coach will take you back to Volos, and you'll have the feeling that you stepped back in time, but with all the comfort of the present. 

Delve into the past in Volos Archaeological Museum, where stone tablets, ceramics, and jewelry chronicle thousands of years of Greek history. Then leave the hustle and bustle behind and head up to Makrinitsa, one of Greece’s most picturesque villages, its elegant mansions, slate-roofed houses, and cobbled alleys create a timeless setting.

• Volos, archaeological museum
• Makrinitsa village

• Located in the inlet of the large gulf of Pagassitikos, the city of Volos stands in an area which has been inhabited since the Neolithic Period. We will visit the important archaeological museum, which houses a large collection of steles, Neolithic objects, vases which showcase the importance of Greek painting which still has plenty to teach us, ceramics, Hellenistic utensils and jewellery.
  
  

• The journey continues along the scenic slopes of Mount Pelion, leading to Makrinitsa—celebrated as one of Greece’s most beautiful mountain villages and famously known as “the Balcony of Pelion.” Overlooking the sea from its lofty perch, the village captivates visitors with its grand stone-built mansions, slate-roofed houses, and a maze of cobblestone alleys shaded by ancient plane trees

• Strolling through the village, you’ll encounter its lively main square, adorned with a historic marble fountain, a centuries-old plane tree, and the quaint church of Agios Ioannis. From this vantage point, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Volos and the shimmering gulf below—an ideal spot to capture photos, even spotting your ship anchored in the bay.

• Appropriate sportswear and comfortable shoes are recommended.

Leave Volos behind and head towards Thessaly: the landscape opens up before you then, without warning, columns of rock appear, looking like capricious creations of nature. And perched on top? Monasteries. Yes, seriously. The Meteora, which translates to “suspended in the air”, were built in the 14th century as a refuge for monks in search of silence and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the past, they were accessed by climbing up nets, but now there are staircases carved into the rock and bridges across the sheer drops. Explore these ancient sites where monks still reside, with 24 monasteries in incredible surroundings. After reaching the top, pause for a moment... and understand why the heavens seem closer here.

• Monasteries of Meteora
• Evocative landscapes and unspoilt nature

• Upon departing the port of Volos, we will head north-west towards the level ground of Tessaglia. What awaits us is truly spectacular: enormous rocks rise from the level ground in the shapes of columns and yet even more fascinating, on the tops of these extensions, monasteries have been built, where monks live in complete solitude. Mankind has been living on the tops of these rocks since the 14th century. Together, we will admire the most important monument within the region: theMeteora, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The toponym "meteora" in fact means "suspended in the air" and this is exactly the effect bestowed by this assembly of monasteries: it appears closer to sky than earth. The Meteora date back to the centuries in which disorder was the order of the day and consequently, the ascetics went on the discovery of solitary and calm locations which they found here in Tessaglia.
• The ascetics felt the invalidity of human existence and the immense power of the infinite. Making it to these rocks was a real feat: up until recently, there were no roads and the monks had to climb pulled up by human arms or at times, using a net which elevated them in the air up to the hermitage. It is presently possible to reach the monasteries thanks to a stairwell cut into the rock and connecting bridges which cross the cliffs: am exciting adventure awaits. Immersed in the complete solitude of our primitive nature, we will experience the emotions of the ancient hermits and modern monks seeing as though part of the 24 monasteries remain inhabited.
• Upon arriving at the monastery, the marvellous view of the surrounding landscape and other monasteries, makes the challenge arriving here, well worth it.

• The excursion includes a visit to 2 monasteries; we recommend wearing clothing which is suitable for the places of worship we will visit.
• This excursion is not recommended for guests with mobility problems.

Wander around Volos just like the locals: first, pay a brief visit to the City Museum, to find out how Volos became the place it is today, then take a stroll along the seafront, with the bustle of life, encounters and the sea. And when the atmosphere's right, why not try out a genuine tsipouradiko, serving Tsipouro in traditional 25 ml bottles, along with seafood and fish meze brought one after the other to your table. A simple, authentic and very 'Volos' way to savor the real city.

• Visit to Volos City Museum
• Guided walk along the seafront
• Visit to an authentic tsipouradiko
• Tasting of Tsipouro 'with or without aniseed', plus seafood and fish meze

Your experience begins at Volos City Museum, which recounts how the city changed from its years of industrialization to the twentieth century. There are not endless display cabinets: instead everyday objects are on show, with photos, stories and details telling how Volos is not just any port, but a lively melting pot of trade, ideas and culture. A perfect start to get you in the mood.

Back in the open air, it's time to see the seafront. With its boats, bicycles, the smell of the sea and bustle of people, you'll see why the locals consider it as 'an open-air lounge'. Here the pace is all about the city: quick when you need it, relaxed when you can.

And when you think you know all about Volos, here comes the highlight: the tsipouradiko.
The true heart of the city. There are around 400 of these tavernas, and each one has its own unwritten rules: order a 25 ml bottle of tsipouro and in exchange, you'll taste lots of small dishes of seafood and fish that need no presentation at all. Grilled octopus, mussels, prawns, fried fish and everything the locals do really well. You choose: “with” or “without aniseed”.
The taverna will look after the rest: bringing you meze dish one after the other, just like tradition dating back to the 1920's.
You simply need to sit, savor, have a chat and enjoy the atmosphere.

Because you don't just have a drink in Volos: you have a sharing experience.
And when you leave, you'll have the feeling you enjoyed the city just like the locals.

• At the end of the excursion, if the length of the stopover permits, stay as long as you wish in the city center and then get back on board free of charge with the Costa shuttle bus service, showing your Costa Card to the driver. Check the time for returning on board and of the last available shuttle bus in “Oggi a Bordo”.

• Before booking the excursion or once on board, contact the excursion office to check the availability of vegetarian or gluten-free dishes and to report any food intolerances.