Why Volos is perfect in autumn

Why spell now?

With the Mt Pilio scope conscionable a abbreviated thrust away, Volos is an perfect destination for the autumn months. The summertime vigor has subsided, making it cleanable for strolling on the city’s seafront promenade, while the adjacent mountains connection drives and hikes done landscapes painted successful autumn colors.

Old-time ambiance

The vicinity of Nea Ionia began to take signifier successful 1924, when thousands of Asia Minor Greeks arrived arsenic refugees successful the city. Small, debased houses known arsenic tetragona (“blocks”) sheltered full families, and the territory expanded steadily successful the decades that followed. Even so, it still retains its ain character. Its constrictive lanes are so choky that not adjacent a αυτοκίνητο – oregon sometimes not adjacent two radical broadside by broadside – tin walk done astatine once. Walking done Nea Ionia feels similar stepping into different era; successful bygone days, regular beingness whitethorn person been difficult, but the consciousness of assemblage was strong.

Its small squares stay gathering points, particularly successful the afternoons. Local landmarks see the shot stadium of Niki Volou and the galore tsipouradika (or tsipouro tavernas) scattered passim the area. Start your walk from the span that spans the Krausidonas River, a waterway that separates the remainder of Volos from Nea Ionia, and support going until you scope the stadium. You’ll besides find diagnostic refugee-era architecture west of Irinis Avenue and astir the Church of the Evangelistria.

The vicinity of Nea Ionia has a chiseled character. [Olga Deikou]

Top museums to adhd to your list

The imperishable postulation of the Volos City Museum tells the city’s affluent story done objects, photographs and recorded oral testimonies. The emergence of trade done the port, the regular beingness of mill workers, humanities events and idiosyncratic narratives are each interwoven masterfully. The depository besides hosts absorbing temporary exhibitions. (Open Tue-Fri 09:00-14:00, Sat-Sun 10:30-13:30, and Wed & Fri 18:00-21:00; escaped admission; 17 Feron)

Under the auspices of the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation, the abandoned Tsalapatas Brickworks was transformed into a depository successful 2007, reviving the accumulation process of bricks and tiles for the viewing pleasance of visitors. The extended harm caused by Storm Daniel successful the autumn of 2023 forced its closure, but restoration works are underway, and it is expected to reopen successful the coming months. (Tsalapatas Brickworks Museum, South Gate, Palaia district).

Beyond tsipouro, Volos is renowned for its kaseri cheese. [Angelos Giotopoulos]

What to devour and where

When successful Volos, the gastronomic acquisition you simply cannot miss is simply a tour of the city’s celebrated tsipouradika. You don’t bid nutrient here, lone tsipouro, specifying whether you similar it with oregon without anise. With each circular you order, a caller wave of meze arrives astatine your table, each richer and much refined than the erstwhile one: langoustine grilled with coarse salt; fried reddish mullet; chargrilled octopus; potatoes roasted successful the embers; sardines; and dozens more. You’re besides apt to taste section specialties such arsenic tsitsiravla (the young shoots of the terebinth tree), earthy clams and monkfish tails. For authentic flavors and atmosphere, caput to Kavouras (3 Chatziargyri), Tou Teli (48 Ermou), oregon Boko (143 Maiandrou).

Tsipouro drinking, a tradition of the city. [Angelos Giotopoulos]

Hotels worth the journey

Right connected the seafront, connected the eastbound broadside of the city, stands Domotel Xenia Volos City Resort (1 Plastira, domotel.gr). Built successful the 1960s and afloat renovated successful 2006, it present operates arsenic a five-star hotel. Many of its rooms and suites bask oversea views. Another edifice with a storied past is Aegli (24 Argonauton, aegli.gr), formed by the restoration of the historical Aegli and Pallas hotels, which archetypal opened successful 1938 and 1928 respectively. Centrally located with views of the port, the caller Aegli offers modern rooms and suites.
Nature astatine Your Doorstep
The Mt Pilio scope offers unforgettable experiences and is perfect for outdoor activities. Autumn is the cleanable play for hiking its galore trails – the autumn foliage connected the level and chestnut trees creates enchanting wood scenes. Walk from Tsagarada to Milies oregon from Hania to Mouresi; some are sections of the Long Pelion Trail (longpeliontrail.gr).

What to take home

Volos is celebrated for galore products, including its section tsipouro (brands such arsenic Apostolakis, Tokalis and Thessaliko are renowned), available successful wine shops crossed the city. The metropolis is besides known for the halva made by the Papagiannopoulos household (2 Vassani), produced since 1919 and known for its pleasantly chewy texture. Another family-run business, Karakana Dairy (15 Polimeri), makes delicious kaseri food successful two versions: classical and aged. And don’t permission without trying tsitsiravla, the tender shoots of a wild pistachio tree preserved successful brine, a cleanable pairing for tsipouro.

[Shutterstock]

The repetition visitor’s tip

Hop aboard the legendary Pilio Train and thrust the way from Ano Lechonia to Milies. Along the way, you’ll witness landscapes of unparalleled quality and scenes lone Pilio tin offer. As the historical train cars ascent the upland slopes, the oversea opens up earlier you; later, conscionable earlier reaching the village of Milies, you’ll transverse the De Chirico Bridge, named aft the technologist who oversaw its construction, the begetter of the creator Giorgio de Chirico.

This narrow-gauge enactment – conscionable 60 cm, the smallest successful Greece – was inaugurated successful 1903. The train departs each Saturday and Sunday astatine 10 a.m. from Ano Lechonia, arriving successful Milies astatine 11.35 a.m. The returning train leaves Milies astatine 3 p.m., and round-trip tickets outgo €18. The Pilio Train usually operates until mid-October.

This nonfiction appeared successful Greece Is (www.greece-is.com), a Kathimerini publishing initiative.