"Quiet resorts. Fabulous beaches. And awesome mountain scenery. With all this and more, you'll be hooked on the Pelion peninsula.'
The Pelion Peninsula is a microcosm of all that is most appealing about Greece. A slender peninsula protruding deep into the turquoise Aegean Sea boasting splendid beaches and archetypal fishing villages, the Pelion is also a verdant landscape where vast orchards of apple and pear trees and extensive chestnut forests thrive. During the summer months the forested slopes of the impressive Mount Pelion present ideal opportunities for long, shaded walks. An abundance of freshwater springs keeps the area lush and green throughout the season, whilst autumn sees the turning leaves paint the countryside in an explosion of vibrant reds and golds. The foothills of Mount Pelion stretch all the way down to the coast, and in their folds lie many charming coastal villages. On the eastern slopes, the forests and orchards too reach right down to the shoreline, so many of the delightfully unspoilt beaches are found against a scenic background of dense vegetation. Popular in peak season with visitors from Athens and other Greek cities, the little resorts of Pelion's east coast are little known to foreign holidaymakers and thus retain an enjoyably authentic atmosphere. Although barely 10 miles from the Aegean coast, Pelion's west coast is distinctly different: here, the hills are gentler, and the vegetation is more typically Mediterranean, with pinewoods and olive groves dominating the landscape. The main appeal of this stretch is the amazingly calm waters of the Pagasitikos Gulf, which is rendered almost landlocked by the mainland and the tip of the peninsula.
Find the cheapest late deals to Pelion leaving in the next six weeks.
Great Pelion holidays
Pelion holiday resorts
Resorts in Pelion include Afetes, Afissos, Damouhari, Horefto, Kalamos, Milina, Mouresi, Neochori, Portaria and Tsagarada.
More Greece holiday destinations
Looking for holidays in Greece? Our Greece holiday destinations include Corfu, Crete, Halkidiki, Kefalonia, Kos, Lefkas, Meganissi, Messinia, Nauplion, Paralio Astros, Parga, Paxos, Pelion, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, Skiathos, Skopelos, Thassos, The Mani and Zante.
Beaches
One look at Pelion's beaches and it's easy to see why the ancient gods chose to live here. Quite simply, they're sublime. Each and every one comes complete with a killer view. Even better, the Pelion runs the whole spectrum of beaches – everything from hideaway pebble coves to busy sands complete with sunbeds and watersports. At Damouhari, two small but perfectly formed inlets washed by luminous waters cry out for you, your towel and your snorkel. At nearby Fakistra beach, a steep footpath zigzags down to a golden sweep kissed by electric-blue seas. And if you fancy something different, just flip-flop further south. Just below Tsagarada, there's Milopotamus – two heaven-sent bays perfect for snoozing the day away. And further south is Potistika – another pair of sandy crescents separated by giant rocks trailing into the sea. Both get popular in high season, so you need to hurry to secure that perfect spot. It's the same on Pelion's west coast where there are plenty of beaches that'll have you reaching for the sun-cream in no time. Here though, things tend to be more developed, with more amenities. Plus, because the beaches are lapped by the sheltered waters of the Pagasitikos Gulf, they're brilliant for young kids. All around Afissos, you'll find sand and pebble beaches with sunbeds and gentle ocean-going pursuits like kayaking, pedaloes and sailing dinghies. The recipe repeats itself in Milina and Kalamos. Dreamy bays. Gin-clear waters. And timeless views over distant mountains.
Recommended
