Sights not to be missed

Explore the remarkable sights just a short distance away from 6 Keys, which will undoubtedly captivate you and your camera! Take a look at some of our recommendations. Volos – “The city of the Argonauts”

• The replica of the mythological ship of Argos, anchored on the seaside Argonaut Street.
• The Athanasakeion Archaeological Museum of Volos. One of the oldest museums in Greece with exhibits from the Paleolithic, Minoan and Roman eras.
• The Museum of the city of Volos, which focuses on the recent history of the city.
• The Museum of Industrial History and Brick Pottery in the Tsalapata complex.
• The Entomological Museum of Volos, unique in Greece and one of the best in the Balkans.
• The Museum of Natural History, with rocks, minerals and fossils from Thessaly and Greece in general.
• The Metropolitan Church of the patron saint of the city, Agios Nikolaos, with the amazing altarpieces of Aginoras Asteriadis.
• The altarpieces of Gounaropoulos in the chapel of Agia Triada, with their original and unique technique.
• The amazing buildings of the Library of the Conservatory and the Giorgio de Chirico Art Center, with frequent thematic exhibitions of unique collections.
• The Holy Church of the Nativity of the Virgin (Panagia Tripa of Goritsa) inside a cave at the foot of the hill of Goritsa.
• The Theophilos Museum, in the village of Anakasia, a few kilometers outside of Volos.
• The Neolithic Settlement of Sesklo, one of the oldest settlements of the early Neolithic era, dating back to 6,800 BC.
• The Mycenaean and Neolithic settlement of Dimini from 4,800 BC.
• The “Palaia” (Old) area, the oldest neighborhood of Volos with its retro atmosphere.
• The traditional “tsipouradika” (venues where tsipouro spirit is served) that give the city its culinary stamp.

Makrinitsa – “The balcony of Pelion”

• The village itself (a historical preserved settlement) with the church of Ai Yiannis Prodromos (1806) and the marble fountain in the square (1809).
• The Byzantine Museum “Oxia Episkepsis”, with valuable relics from the 13th to the 20th century.
• The Museum of Folk Art and History of Pelion at Archontiko Topali (Topali Mansion), a typical example of Peliorite architecture.
• The church of Panagia (1767) with the Despotikos old school that surrounds it.
• The “Theophilos” coffee shop, with a mural by the well-known painter Theophilos Hatzimichail.

Portaria – “The Princess of Pelion”

• The stone mansions, such as the Athanasakeion Kindergarten, the Zoulia mansion (former vocational school for girls) and the Tsopotio School (current City Hall).
• The remains of the “Theoxenia” hotel, which in its time, was considered the largest and most luxurious in the Balkans.
• Fountains, simple, elaborate or vaulted, scattered both on the main road and in the cobblestones.
• Churches and monasteries, such as the church of Agios Nikolaos with the bas-reliefs inside, located in the village square.
• Panagia Portarea, the small church of the 13th century, which takes you on a journey to pre-revolutionary Greece, and the monastery of Agios Ioannis with its rich Byzantine decoration.
• The Komboloi (Worry beads) Museum, with a multitude of beads made of various materials. Many of these can be purchased.
• The Agriolefkes Ski Center, at an altitude of 1471 meters.

Milies – “The miniature Pelion”

• The paradoxical church of Pammegiston Taxiarchon in the square, without a bell tower, with the amazing frescoes, which took 36 years (1741-1777) to complete, and the excellent acoustics (no sound can be heard from outside).
• The completely unusual and even incompatible with an orthodox Christian church, representation of the zodiac on the church altar, with the inscription “The Vain Life of the illusional World”.
• The Public Library of Milies. One of the oldest in Greece with volumes of books from 1497 to 1899 as well as manuscripts dating from the 10th to the 18th century.
• The School of Milies (1814) founded by the scholar and revolutionary Anthimos Gazis. At its entrance, there is the famous inscription “PSYCHIS AKOS” (Healing of the Soul).
• The Folklore Museum, a few meters from the central square, with the collection of local costumes and works by Theophilos.
• The old train station next to the waterfall.
• The rare, De Chirico metal bridge, one kilometer from the station.
• The special, historical route of the train of Pelion, the famous “Mountzouris” (classified as a preserved historical monument).
• The Cave of Chiron. 1,000 square meters and 10-15 meters high, very well hidden in the mountain, home of the famous centaur Chiron, according to ancient legends.

Vyzitsa – “The Fairy of Pelion”

• The village itself, a living example of traditional Peliorite architecture, and one of the best-preserved traditional settlements in Greece.
• The most photographed mansions (around 20), some preserved to this day, and others half-destroyed by time, reminders of the grandeur of the past.
• The large paved square, with the stone-built fountain and the covered fountain “Mousga” from 1888.
• The stone-built Basilica church of Zoodochos Pigi, dating from 1725 with its ancient wood-carved temple in unusual blue tones and the small, hard-to-see domes, with the hidden, overturned urns, for better acoustics
• The mesmerizing natural scenery with its distinct cobblestone paths that meander through it, offering a breathtaking view of the Pagasitikos shores.
• The monastery of Agios Ioannis the Baptist and Forerunner (1789) with its wonderful frescoes.
• The agro-tourism Women’s Cooperative “Esperides” in the old elementary school, with the excellent handmade sweets and jams.

Tsagarada – “The navel of Central Pelion”

• Its four districts, Agios Stefanos, Agia Kyriaki, Agia Paraskevi, and Taxiarches, are nestled among lush greenery, seemingly lost in nature’s embrace.
• The square of Agia Paraskevi, where the famous plane tree dominates, with a trunk circumference of up to 14 meters and an age that local legend claims to be 1000 years old. Next to it is the church by the same name (1909) and the stone fountain dating from 1890.
• The square of Agioi Taxiarches with the marble fountain with the four faucets and the church of 1786 with the wood-carved Venetian-style temple, which was completed in 1749.
• The square of Agia Kyriaki with the church by the same name (1886) with its impressive bell tower.
• The Holy Church of Agios Stefanos, standing in the same name square since 1772, with the high priest’s throne and the special temple.
• The digital, interactive Folklore Museum in the Achillopouleion School, one of the most emblematic buildings of Pelion, built in 1864 (donated by the Greek-Egyptian Achillopoulos brothers, initially to house a civil school and from 1905 the commercial school).
• The imposing Nanopouleion School (today’s elementary school), classified as a work of art, donated by Nikolaos Nanopoulos at the beginning of the 20th century. Every summer, theater performances, exhibitions and other cultural events are organized here.
• The Kartaleio Primary School (what is left of it), classified as a work of art since 1985, with a very important role in the Tsagarada uprising against the Ottomans.
• The single arched stone bridge, built in 1787, in the ravine of Mylopotamos. It is estimated to be the oldest in Pelion.
• The small incredible chapel inside the rock, on the Fakistra beach, which the locals call the “secret school”.
• The stunning landscape of Athos Hill (820 meters altitude), named after the small church of Agios Athanasios in Athos, nestled amidst towering beech trees. Ideal place for a picnic.

Damouchari – “The hidden paradise”

• A picturesque and charming coastal village, featuring the remnants of a castle situated on a narrow peninsula, connecting two small bays. The movie “Mamma Mia 1” was filmed here.

Kissos – “The Jewel of Pelion”

• The houses of the village, some from the 19th century with high defensive walls, and others from the 20th century more extroverted, with neoclassical features, exude the economic prosperity of the region in this particular period.
• The Church of Agia Marina in the central square, with its impressive wood-carved temple.

Zagora – “The authentic Pelion”

• The traditional settlement itself with its two-story mansions, stone-built cobblestones, traditional fountains and stone bridges. Its artistic and spiritual heritage permeates every corner.
• The “Ellinomuseum” (Greek Museum), the oldest school of Pelion. A boarding school of the highest education, where Rigas Feraios also studied.
• The library of Zagora, with a history from the 18th century (1762) and a valuable collection of books.
• The Holy Church of Agia Kyriaki, with the carved temple, a beautiful example of the famous woodcarving of Pelion.
• The square of Agios Georgios with its huge plane trees, coffee shops, taverns and the church by the same name (1765) with its gilded temple and ornate pulpit.
• The Flamouriou Monastery (1564), one of the most beautiful monasteries of Pelion that operates according to the standards of Mount Athos (women are not admitted).
• The Old Mintzella. Coastal, ruined settlement from the years of Turkish rule, hidden in the forest.
• The Agricultural Cooperative of Zagora (100 years of operation) where the famous “Zagorin” apples are produced.

Beaches

• Mylopotamos beach, one of the most photographed and impressive beaches of Pelion.
• The Aegean beaches Xinovrysi, Kalamaki, Fakistra, Chorefto, Ai Giannis, Papa Nero, Agioi Saranda.
• The lacy Pagasitikos beaches of Afissos, Lefokastro, Kalamos, Marathias, Milina, Trikeri.