Pelion, Greece is a Paradise for Digital Nomads: This is Why.
When you think of taking your digital nomad adventures to Greece, you probably envision the blue tops of churches in Santorini or the Acropolis of Athens. While these destinations are certainly incredible and worth visiting, nomads have been sleeping on one of the country’s best kept secrets: the mountainous region of Pelion. If fresh mountain air, sweeping views, minimal tourists, incredible nature, delicious food, and quaint villages that belong on postcards sound like your idea of paradise, read on.
Getting There
In the central part of Greece you’ll find Pelion, a mountainous peninsula in the Thessaly region. On a map, you’ll see that it sits roughly midway between Athens and Thessaloniki. This gives you quite a few options when it comes to getting there. There is a small airport near Pelion called Nea Anchialos, but it’s only open in the summer and may be pricier than flying into a major airport like Athens or Thessaloniki. Aegean Airlines is the largest Greek airline and is an affordable and reliable option when booking flights both domestically and internationally.
From the major cities you can easily catch trains to Volos and then take a bus or taxi into your village of choice in the mountains. Alternatively, renting a car is the best way to experience and explore the region fully.
Where to Stay
A great base in the Pelion area is Makrinitsa, a picture-perfect village about 20-minutes’ drive from Volos. Here you’ll find Selina Centavrus, a hotel that caters to digital nomads looking for community in an authentic, peaceful setting. If you don’t know about Selina, it is a well-known hospitality brand with a focus on co-living and co-working. They cater to the new generation of travelers and digital nomads and have locations all over the world.
At Selina Centavrus the rooms and common spaces are spread out amongst traditional Greek houses. There are room types for every budget, and many have fireplaces and incredible views. There are lots of great seating areas, a communal kitchen, library, and even a projector for movie night. The breakfast they offer is restaurant-style and you order from a menu. The food is phenomenal, and the chocolate banana pancakes and croque madame are a must. Yoga classes are held on an upper level of the property that looks out over Volos and the gulf. There’s even a shortcut that takes you straight into Makrinitsa. You’ll get your steps in staying here, that’s for sure! Don’t expect lightning-speed Wifi because you are in the Greek mountains after all, but the common spaces and co-working room is where you’ll want to go to get your work done.
What to Do
When you’re not on your laptop, sipping a Greek coffee, and admiring the views, there are lots of wonderful things to do in the area. Pelion is a nature-lovers paradise where you can really immerse yourself in local life and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it’s a great starting point. If you’d like to discover the region with a local who can curate experiences based on your interests, Angeliki of Angeliki Vogdanou Hospitality is the woman you need to call. By the end of your time with her, you will have made a wonderful new friend!
Hike Centaur’s Path
About 2.5 km from Selina you’ll find the trailhead of Centaurs Path, an easy hiking trail that takes you through scenery that’s straight out of a fairytale. According to the myths, Centaurs (half human, half horse) once lived in the Pelion area. It’s a 1.5 km out-and-back trail that takes about 30 minutes to complete and shoots you out near the charming village of Portaria.
To further explore the local hiking scene, reach out to Giorgos of Cycle+Hike Hellas. He offers a variety of hiking experiences, including hiking meditation!
Go Village-Hopping
Speaking of villages, Pelion is home to many and they are a photographer’s dream. One of the best things you can do in the area is go village-hopping. Makrinitsa is considered to be the balcony of Pelion because of its incredible views and is not to be missed. Neighboring Portaria is a beautiful traditional village with several restaurants and a small market. Milies is a popular destination for its famous steam train…but more on that shortly. For a full list of villages you should not miss, Discover Greece has you covered!
Explore the Local Culinary Scene
If you stay at Selina, you’ll find yourself walking up to Makrinitsa in search of food often. The good news is this village is home to some seriously incredible restaurants that attract people from all over. Some favorites include:
Cardamo
Peliades
Taverna Apolafsi
If you wander over to Portaria, do not miss Kritsa Restaurant in the village’s central square. Here you’ll find some of the best traditional Greek food in the area. The family that owns the restaurant is genuinely warm and welcoming and makes you feel right at home. Kritsa is not the only business they run in the area, however. They also own the nearby Karaiskos Farm, where you’ll find farmhouse accommodation, traditional cooking classes, and farm animals, as well as Aeriko Cafe Bar, which offers the best view in town. A sunset cocktail here is an absolute must!
If you find yourself in the south of Pelion, Ki Opou to Pei Tavern in Lafkos is worth a stop. Their dishes are Greek but with a unique twist.
Olive Oil & Wine Tastings
If you’re a fan of olive oil, you’ll find yourself right at home with Terpsis Experiences. A Pinterest-worthy seating area amidst a grove of olive trees is the perfect place to learn about the production of olive oil in the Pelion region and try several different types yourself. Paired with small bites like bread or fruit, you’ll slowly learn to identify the different flavors, scents, and consistencies.
In addition to the olive grove, the wonderful Patistis family also owns a vineyard in Argalasti where they've been farming organically since 1980. The wines are delicious and the vineyard location is absolutely breathtaking. This is an experience not to be missed, and you can learn more about their offerings here.
Unique Pottery Workshop
Not your average pottery workshop! You’ll meet ceramist Christos Giannakopoulos in the beautiful village of Agios Lavrentios and head out to a breathtaking viewpoint. Here you’ll be given blindfolds and a few basic instructions before trying your hand at turning a hunk of clay into a bowl. Christos will play relaxing music, read excerpts from The Axion Esti by the Nobel prize-winner Odysseus Elytis (in Greek!), all while occasionally helping guide you along your bowl-making journey. Get in touch with Christos here!
Milies Steam Train
This little historic train in Greece takes you along one of the narrowest railway lines in the world. Located in the mountainous Pelion region, not far from the city of Volos, the train took its first journey in 1895. Today, it runs on selected days from April to October. In the summer, it runs on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s known to many as “Moutzouris” which apparently means smudgy in Greek, and is a nod to the black smoke it left behind.
The train leaves Ano Lechonia station at 10:00 am and from Milies station at 15:00, with a 15-minute stop in a village along the way. (Milies has a cute village square that’s good for lunch if you choose to hang out there between trips!) The train crosses stone bridges, takes you through beautiful forests, and has sweeping views of the Aegean Sea. The total route is 15 km and takes 90 minutes each way. You can book roundtrip tickets for 18 euros or a one way for 10. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.hellenictrain.gr. The train has three cars and it’s important to note that Car 3 is actually at the front of the train. If you want photos of the whole train ahead of you, make sure to book Car 1!
Budget
So what can you expect to spend while staying in Pelion? This of course depends on your activities, preferences, and time of year, but here are some helpful points of reference from the month of September:
Private Double Room at Selina: €60-80/night
A taxi to Volos from Makrinitsa: €20-€25
Dinner for two in Makrinitsa: €30-40
Casual lunch for two (eg:gyros!): €20
Car rental (manual): €30-40/day
In Summary
Pelion is a picturesque and affordable destination. It’s the perfect stop along any digital nomad journey to enjoy the quiet of the Greek mountains and connect to a more authentic side of the country. There is no shortage of things to do, delicious food to eat, and fascinating people to meet! For more information on Digital Nomad Life in Greece, head over to https://workfromgreece.gr/.