Volos

Volos (Greek: Βόλος) is a city Fof 86,000 people (2011) in Thessaly, almost in the middle of the distance between Athens (326 km) and Thessaloniki (219 km). Volos is an industrial city with a large port - but there are a few hidden gems here that you might find as you pass through to islands or Pelion.

Understand

History

Modern Volos is built on the area of the ancient cities of Demetrias, Pagasae and Iolkos. Iolkos was the homeland of ancient Greek hero Jason who boarded the ship Argo accompanied by the Argonauts and sailed in the quest for the Golden Fleece to Colchis. Demetrias was established by Demetrius Poliorcetes, King of Macedonia, in 293/92 BC. In 197 BC Romans annexed Demetrias.

To the west of Volos there are the Neolithic settlements of Dimini with a ruined acropolis, walls and two beehive tombs dated between 4000-1200 BC and Sesklo with the remains of the oldest acropolis in Greece (6000 BC), as well as the foundations of a palace and mansions, among the most typical examples of Neolithic civilisation.

During the Byzantine Empire, Emperor Justinian I in 551 fortified Palea hill. In 1423 Ottomans annexed Volos. Volos during the Ottoman Empire was a hamlet, build on the hill in Palea district. The hill was fortified with walls. Today just a few parts of the walls can be seen near the Tsalapata building.

After its annexation to Greece from the Ottoman Empire in 1881, it had a population of only 4,900 but rapidly grew within the next 4 decades. Houses were built outside the walls and the main area of Volos by the sea was built up. Merchants, businessmen, craftsmen and sailors moved to Volos from the surrounding area. In the 1920s there was a large influx of refugees in Volos, especially from Ionia, but also from Pontus, Cappadocia and Eastern Thrace. In the 1920 census, Volos had 30,046 inhabitants but according to the 1928 census, its population had grown to 47,892.

Climate

Volos, unlike other towns of the Thessalian plain, enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with can-be-hot-but-bearable summers (though a little bit humid) and mild winters. Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit the city itself, Winter is the time to be on the Pelion mountain villages, and Summer should definitely be dedicated to the numerous beaches of the region on the Pagasetic gulf and the Aegean Sea.

Being privileged to be situated on the foothills of Mount Pelion, the mythical mountain of the centaurs, and bounded by Goritsa Hill to the Southeast, Volos sports nice weather all year long, with the sea and mountain breezes dominant in all city areas.

Get in

By plane

Volos Airport (VOL IATA) is in Nea Anchialos, about 30 km SW from the city. The Volos Airport Official Page has a full updated timeline.

It also operates weekly charter flights during the summer, directly from Amsterdam, the UK and Germany.

There is a bus connecting airport and Volos Bus Station . Buses are waiting to pick up travelers after a plane lands. The cost from the airport to Volos Bus Station is €5. Travellers of charter flights are transferred to their accommodation by their tour agency.

If you have a car, the airport parking area charge is free.

By international bus

There are buses that originate in Serbia or Hungary and go to Volos, and also buses that start from Athens and stop on the highway close to Volos (at Velestino exit). This exit is far away from both the airport and Volos, so it is not recommended.

By regional bus

Generally, intercity coaches ("KTEL" buses) (KTEL Volou) are by far the most convenient way to travel around Greece, as well as for intra-regional travelling. This is doubly true for travelling to Volos from Athens, where the train takes four to five and you have to change in Larissa, as opposed to the bus that needs 4 hours to connect directly from Athens. However, the train station in Athens is better accessible by the metro than Liosion Bus Terminal.

There is frequent bus service from Athens Liossion Station to Volos about 15 times a day (cost is about €20), as well as from Thessaloniki bus terminal "Macedonia" to Volos about 10 times a day (about €12). Volos is also connected with daily direct routes frm Patras, Ioannina, Larissa, Trikala, Karditsa and from many more places in continental Greece via Larissa. Interurban Bus Terminal is opposite the Volos Info Center near the City Hall, the Railway Station and the Port, on a major hub. If you buy the return ticket, it is cheaper than buying two separate tickets, though the return leg must be completed within one month.

By train

Trains (OSE) connect Volos from other cities in Greece via Larisa. Travelling with ordinary trains can be cheaper, although a little bit slower, whereas choosing a faster Intercity train will cost the same amount of money, or even more than a KTEL bus. The train from Athens, takes approximately four hours and involves a change at Larissa. Most locals travel from Athens by intercity coaches. If you are travelling from Thessaloniki or elsewhere in the northern parts of Greece then trains are often quicker then a bus. The historic 1 Volos station, built in the 1880s, is located just west of the city centre.

By ferry

There are ferry services to Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos.

By car

Get around

By bus

There are twelve bus lines going around the city (tickets cost €1.10 for inner city routes, whilst using inner city buses for close destinations outside Volos costs €1.20 Zone A, €1.50 Zone B), detailed info in the regional bus terminal (called "Astiko KTEL"), next to the Interurban Bus Terminal ("Yperastiko KTEL"). Details on buses, can be found online here

For going further away around Volos, you can use the Interurban Bus Terminal ("Yperastiko KTEL"). Details on buses, can be found online here

By taxi

Taxis in Volos, as everywhere in Greece are comparably cheap. You should not pay more than €7 if you hail a cab (silver colour) on the road to take you anywhere in the city. Note that taxi meters have two rates - rate 1 applies from 05:00 till 00:00, and rate 2, the double rate, from 00:00 to 05:00. Taxi fare fraud is rather rare but it could still happen, so make sure the rate is correct. If you feel you have been overcharged, ask for a receipt (they are obliged to give one) and take the plate number, then phone the tourist police to report the driver on 171. Expect to pay €1 or €2 extra if you take a taxi from the bus station, the train station or the port, and a surcharge if you call for a taxi service on demand. Note, also that the minimum charge is €3.39. Groups of three or four could consider using a taxi to go sightseeing around Volos, Pelion [for example. It's more expensive but more comfortable, and in some cases quite cost-effective. Prices [1]

By bicycle

Most of Volos is quite flat, that makes it very easy for cycling, and a lot of locals do cycle. Especially the waterfront is the best area for cycling. Generally, cycling is a recommended way to move around. Volos has a network of bicycle lanes, however the lines are often blocked with parked cars and hardly anybody use them.

On foot

Several streets at the center of the town have been pedestrianized, mainly around Ermou Street and St. Nicolas church. Along the pedestrianized streets there are a lot of cafe places. The waterfront is also an excellent area for walking. When the weather is good it's packed with people walking around and enjoying the sun.

See

• 1 Archaeological site of Ancient Dimini, Dimini. Tu-Su 08:30-16:30PM, M closed.. Ancient Dimini was a neolithic village which has been excavated and uncovered. Of particular interest are the well preserved House N, where a pot was discovered beneath the floor with the burnt remains of a child (an ancient resident as opposed to a more recent one!) and the Tombi grave, similar to that at Mycenae, which is buried deep into the ground near the fortified town, but with a caved in roof. Shade is sparse, so make sure to visit early in the morning. Adjacent to these ruins, and to be opened soon (although how long this has been the case is not said!) are some Mycenaean ruins, which include a large palace. These ruins, whilst not open yet, can be viewed from behind a limit, and are expected to be part of the as-of-yet-undiscovered ancient city of Iolkos, the home of Jason (of Argonaut fame!) There is an interesting audio guide tour available for free in both Greek and English. €2 per person, students free. Ticket includes free entry to archaeological site at Sesklo. 
• 2 Archaeological site of Ancient Sesklo, Sesklo (Take the road to Sesklo, then look for the turn-off to the left that goes down the hill before the start of Sesklo (it is signposted, but keep an eye open for them.). Sesklo is a more impressive site in terms of its location, but is less impressive in terms of the remains. It's far larger, and is perched on top of a hill from where it can see all around the local area. It was either a local trading partner, or the main rival to nearby Dimini. Archaeologists aren't sure. Worth a visit, but it's not as interesting as Dimini. €2 per person, students free - entrance included in tickets to Dimini (and vice versa). 

• 3 Athanasakeion Archaeological Museum of Volos, 1 Athanasaki St, ☏ +30 24210 25285, fax: +30 24210 28563, ✉ protocol@igepka.culture.gr. Tu-Su 08:30 - 15:00. This is one of the best smaller museums in Greece and should on no account be missed. Full €2, reduced €1; for free admission days see website. 

• 4 Brickworks Museum N. & S. Tsalapata (Μουσείο Πλινθοκεραμοποιίας Ν. & Σ. Τσαλαπάτα), ☏ +30 24210 29844. It is a rare example of surviving industrial plant in the Greek area. It belongs to the Network of Thematic Technological Museums of the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation (PIOP). The Brickworks Factory was founded in 1926 by brothers Tsalapata. The total area amounts to 22,000 m². In this factory manufactured various types of bricks and tiles. It employed, on its peak operation, 250 people and the installed capacity in machinery reached 300 horsepower. The Brickworks Factory N. S. &. Tsalapata shut down to 1978. The grinders, presses, the koftires the clay tanks, wagons and furnace Hoffmann reconstruct the production process. €3, reduced €1.5. 
• 5 Volos Town Museum (Μουσείο της Πόλης του Βόλου), Φερών 17. A museum about Volos town history. 
• At first glance, Volos City Center doesn't seem particularly interesting for the traveller, but a walk in the town streets might change your first idea. Ermou street is a long paved road parallel to the promenade, Argonafton str, offering a wide variety of shops for any taste, plus a selection of "hidden" bars and cafes, especially around St.Nikolaos Square, the city cathedral, dedicated to patron saint of the sailors, St. Nicholas. There is a seaside park between the university "Papastratos building" and "Agios Konstantinos" church on the promenade. Anavros Park starts directly behind Agios Konstantinos and extends to the east all the way till Anavros beach, an open municipal strand, offering clearwater to the swimmer during the summer (and winter for the brave).

Do

Swim

There are acceptable beaches towards the southern end of the city at Anavros. To get there, follow the coastal promenade south from Argonafton St or park in the roads behind the city hospital.

There is also Alykes municipal beach, a 5-minute-drive from the center to the southwest, in the more easygoing Alykes district of Volos, having cafes and bars offering sunbeds on the sand during late at night, where you can enjoy your cocktail and take a swim as well. The municipal beach in Alykes has an entrance fee of €1 during the day, offering a lifeguard, showering facilities, clothes-changing chambers and a beach bar. You can easily go to Alykes with city bus (blue bus) number 6 from the city hall.

Most locals, however, head to beaches outside of the city on the other side of the giant cement works, to beaches at Agria (20 min by bus), or Platanidia. You can easily go to Agria and Platanidia with city bus (blue bus) number 5 which starts from the Bus Station and passes through Iasonos and Polymeri str. Generally, the water is clearer and cleaner the further away from Volos' port.

If you do have a car and you want to go to a beach, it is well worth getting out of the city limits and beyond - some of the best beaches on the Greek mainland can be found on Pelion.

Cinema

There are several cinemas in Volos. Films are shown in original language with Greek subtitles, whereas cartoons are dubbed. In the summer make sure you get to one of the open air cinemas (Θερινό σινεμά).

• 1 Village cinemas, Gianitson (Γιαννιτσών) 29, ☏ +30 2108108080. Four screens. €7.50 for an adult ticket. 
• 2 Metaksourgio (Greek: Μεταξουργείο), Nikomedieas 2, Nea Ionia, ☏ +30 2421 028517. Every Friday at 21:30. Art movies. €2. 
• 3 Achillion (Greek: Αχίλλειον), Koumoundourou. Open infrequently. 
• 4 Εxoraistiki (Εξωραϊστική), Dimitriados 263 (Opposite Argonauton park), ☏ +30 2421 030303, ✉ openaircinema@exoraistiki.gr. Evenings. Open only in the summer. Summer outdoor cinema. The only one in Volos. €5. (updated Dec 2015)

Buy

The main shopping district is along and around Ermou St.

English books can be bought at main bookstores:

• 1 Public, Ogl 28 & I. Kontaratou 9, ☏ +302421022904. Monday-Friday 09:00-21:00, Saturday 09:00-20:00. Ground floor has computers, cameras, phones etc, books are on the basement. The biggest bookstore in Volos 

Foreign papers and magazines:

• Kentro Tupou (Κέντρο Τύπου), Dimitriados 162, Volos 38221. Offers a selection of foreign language magazines and papers. (updated Apr 2017)

There is a good food market every Friday.

For washing your clothes:

• 2 Easywash - SelfService, Glavani 90, ☏ +306979019281. Daily 08:00 - 24:00. Self-service laundry. 

Eat

As with the rest of Greece, the restaurants in Volos are far more varied than appears at first glance. In Greece, the so-called restaurants (eστιατόριο) usually serve hot food that has been prepared earlier in the day and kept warm in large dishes (better than it sounds!) Beyond that there's the local specialities, the tsipouradika restaurants (Τσιπουράδικα or Ουζερί) where seafood is served, and the tavernas (Ταβέρνα) where mostly meat dishes are served.

There are also psistaries (Ψησταριά) (Grill houses) where the main dish is grilled meat, and also souvlatzidika (Οβελιστήριο or Σουβλατζίδικο) where souvlaki are served. Psistaries serve mostly meat, salads and french fries. The meat usually is ordered by weight, and the price is per kilo also. One portion is 330gr of grilled meat. You'll be able to pick up a pitta gyros (Greek kebab) from any souvlatzidika, which are by far the cheapest option if you are on a budget, and don't mind gaining a few extra pounds (starts from €1.50).

People in Greece usually eats late in the evening (21:00 - 00:00), and so, during the day, most taverns, psistaries and restaurants are closed. However, tsipouradika and the ubiquitous Greek fast food restaurants are open all day long.

Soulvaki and fast food

• 1 O Dervisis (Ο Δερβίσης), Kazatzaki Nikoy 25a (Καζατζάκι Νίκου 25α με Γιάννη Δήμου), ☏ +30 2421 059913. 12:00 - 0:00. You have to taste the chips, soft and tasty. (updated May 2016)
• 2 Ntinos (Ντίνος), Analipseos 136, ☏ +30 2421043840. Souvlaki. One of the cheapest pitta gyros in town, gyros for €1.70. 
• 3 Nostimia (Νοστιμιά), Krokiou (Κροκίου) 4, ☏ +30 2421030666. Cheap price, souvlaki for €1.80. (updated Jan 2017)

Tsipouradika

• 4 Papadis (Παπαδής), Solonos 1 (Σόλωνος 1), ☏ +30 2421 029360. Tsipouradiko and seafood. At the waterfront. 25cl tsipouro with meze €3.5, 25cl bottled tsipouro with meze €4, serves 3 meze per 4x25cl. 
• 5 MeZen (ΜεΖεν), Alonnisou 8 (Αλοννήσου 8), ☏ +30 2421 020844. 12:00 - 00:00. Good gourmet food, difficult to find an empty table to sit. 
• 6 I Yiota (Η Γιώτα), Krokiou (Κροκίου) 15, ☏ +30 694 707 4830 (non-geographic number). Popular among youngsters (updated Apr 2016)
• 7 To kochyli (Το κοχύλι), Makrigianni (Μακρυγιάννη) 64Α & Metamorphoseos (Μεταμορφώσεως), ☏ +30 2421 052345. (updated Apr 2016)
• 8 Ta filarakia (Τα Φιλαράκια), Antonopoulou (Αντωνοπούλου) 98-100. (updated Apr 2016)
• 9 Mimikos (Μιμίκος), Ferron (Φερών) 25 (Διπλά στο μουσείο της Πόλης του Βόλου). (updated Apr 2016)
• 10 Mpokos (Μπόκος), Meandrou (Μαιάνδρου) 143 & Ellispontou (Ελλησπόντου), ☏ +30 2421 066683. (updated Apr 2016)

Grill house

• 11 Thraka (Θράκα), Borel (Μπόρελ) 8 (Παραλία Βόλου), ☏ +30 24210 28370. (updated Jul 2015)
• 12 I kaftra (Η καύτρα), Kassaveti (Κασσαβέτη) 122 & Ethnikis Antistaseos (Εθν. Αντιστάσεως), ☏ +30 24210 78537, +30 6937 173840 (non-geographic number). (updated Jul 2015)
• 13 I Voskopoula (Η Βοσκοπούλα), Thermopylon (Θερμοπυλών) 48, ☏ +30 2421054206, ✉ vazisath@gmail.com. 

Budget

• 14 Gea (Γαία) (Traditional Greek cuisine), Argonafton 15 (Αργοναυτών 15) (at the seafront near the port), ☏ +30 2421034153. Cheap, traditional Greek restaurant. One of the best options if you want to try Greek cuisine. 

Mid-range

• 15 Lemonas Leonidas, Karaiskaki 2, Volos 38222. Good food, good fish. Nice outdoor seating near the church €15pp will get you a good amount of food.. 
• 16 La Marimba (Mexican restaurant), Nikotsara St (Νικοτσάρα), ☏ +30 2421071167. 20:30-01:30. Closed on Monday. Romantic restaurant with a cosy courtyard with a lot of trees. Good Mexican food, albeit adjusted to the Greek palate, with considerably less spiciness! Great drinks - try their margaritas, or caipirinhas and mojitos. It might be a good idea to book ahead during the high season if you're hoping to eat here between 21:00 and 23:00. Set menu around €15 per person. 
• 17 Sogno di San (Italian restaurant), Ferron str (Φερρών), Palea district, ☏ +30 2421032690. Italian style pizzas and pasta. (Evening only) 
• 18 Plagios (Πλαγίως), Kontaratou 8, ☏ +30 2421 021900. Greek flavours with a twenty-first century twist. Very tasty food, excitingly presented and in a stylish, yet unpretentious, restaurant. Avoid weekends if you want to avoid crowds - it gets very busy on F-Su evenings, with people coming in for drinks as well as food. Starters €5-7, mains €12-15.. (updated Feb 2016)

Splurge

Drink

Winter bars, pubs and clubs, usually close down during summer. Most of them have a different facility for the summer, usually by the sea. The most popular Coffee places are in Koumoundourou (Κουμουνδούρου) Str. and at the seafront. Another place which gathers a lot of people in the evening, mostly during the summer, is Palaia, near Krokiou (Κροκιού) Str.

Bars

Budget

• 1 PocoPico, Koumoundourou (Κουμουνδούρου). Tiny budget choice. Open all year round. Beer €3.0, Spirits €5-6.. 

Mid-range

• 2 Αββαείο (Abbey), N. Votsi, ☏ +30 24210 33130. Huge variety of beers. Beer from €5 to €12, Spirits €7. Serves food, nice mostly German dishes, food on the expensive side. Open all year round. 
• 3 Balthassar, , center. Huge variety of beers. Beer from €4 to €12, Spirits €7. Has also 7 options for eating like pizza etc. Open all year round. 
• Brazil. Close to Agios Konstantinos church. Spacious, nice sea and Volos view. Beer €4, Spirits €7. Open all year round. 
• 4 Cafe Santan, Ergatikou Kentrou 12, ☏ +306980384693. Rock, Jazz, Blues Bar, one of the most famous bars in Greece. Has been around for almost 30 years and is known for its place in the Greek Rock History as most of the famous Greek rock singers have sometime played there, along with worldwide famous blues and jazz artists. Open all year round. Beer: €5, Spirits: €7-10. 
• 5 Posh, Papakyriazi (Παπακυριαζή) 38, Palea district. Electronic music. Beer 5€, Spirits 7€. Open all year round. 
• 6 Lab Art. Friday & Saturday (22:00 - 06:00). Live rock music every Friday and Saturday. Open in the winter only. 
• 7 Isalos, Parko Anavrou. Nice, classy coffee shop on the waterfront. Nicely decorated. €3-4 for a coffee. (updated Sep 2015)

Splurge

Coffee

• 8 Puerto Volos, Argonafton - Koumoundourou (Αργοναυτών - Κουμουνδούρου). 09:00 - 01:00. Coffee €2.5-3.2. 
• 9 Perispomeni (Περισπωμένη), Nikolaou Plastira (Νικολάου Πλαστήρα) 4, ☏ +30 2421024133. In front of a park with a kids playground. (updated Jan 2017)
• 10 Bossa, Topali (Τοπάλη) 18 (on 1st floor), ☏ +30 2421039313. Nice decoration, clean area, one of the few places that smoking is not allowed. Try hot chocolate. Chocolate €4.5, coffee €3-4. (updated Jan 2017)

Sleep

There are many hotels in Volos. Most are in center near the sea. Car parking could be hard to find in the center of Volos.

Budget

• Avra hotel (Αύρα), Solonos 5, ☏ +30 24210 25370. 
• Galaxy hotel (Γαλαξίας), Ag. Nikolaou 3, ☏ +30 24210 20750. 
• 1 Roussas hostel (Ρουσσάς Ξενώνας), Iatrou Tzanou 1, ☏ +30 24210 21732. 
• 2 Philippos Hotel (Hotel Philippos), 9, Solonos, 38333, Volos, ☏ +30 24210 37607, fax: +30 24210 39550, ✉ info@philippos.gr. Hotel Philippos is a two-star city hotel in the city center of Volos, close to the main commercial road of Ermou and just a block away from the Port road. It has well equipped, air conditioned rooms ideal for travellers. Free Wifi. 

Mid-range

• 3 Aegli hotel (Αίγλη), Argonafton 24, ☏ +30 24210 25691. Comfortable hotel, with good breakfast provided. 
• Kalloni hotel (Καλλονή) (N. Pagases), ☏ +30 24210 88240. 
• 4 Park hotel (Παρκ), Deligiorgi str., ☏ +30 2421 036511. 

Splurge

• 5 Domotel Xenia Volou Hotel, 1, Plastira Street, ☏ +30 24210 92700, ✉ resaxenia@domotel.gr. A five-star hotel near the waterfront, ten minutes walk to the south of the centre. 
• 6 Volos Palace, Xenofontos & Thrakon Streets (behind the city hall, near the waterfront and train station), ☏ +30 24210 76501. Very nice hotel with breakfast buffet, bar and restaurant. Modern, comfortable rooms, half of which have a sea view. Helpful staff, most of whom speak English. 

Stay safe

Stay healthy

• 1 Volos Hospital. 

Connect

Internet

There are many internet cafes, mostly used for playing online games. Most cafes have free WiFi access, as does Public (on Ogl).

Post

• 2 Volos Post Office, Dimitriados Str.. Daily 08:00-20:00. Greek Post is the best way to send items, postcards etc abroad. 

There are also courier services in Volos.

Cope

Consulates

Volos is home to a few consulates:

• Consulate of Belgium. 
• Consulate of Denmark. 
• Consulate of France. 
• Consulate of the Germany, Konstanta 154, ☏ +30 24210 35988, fax: +30 24210 35989, ✉ volos@hk-diplo.de. 
• Consulate of Italy, El. Venizelou 80, ☏ +30 24210 40452, ✉ marar@internet.gr. Ms Maria Arfe 
• Vice consulate of The Netherlands, ☏ +30 24210-37714. 

Go next

Volos Suburbs are covered by Astiko (innercity) bus.

• Agria, east of Volos centre, separated by Goritza hill, with a lot of fish taverns and summer cafe. Approximately 20 min bus journey from the centre (board a blue and white astiko bus on Iasonas street in the centre.) Approximately €1.50 for a single ticket.
• Nees Pagases South of Volos centre. Has some cafes and a beach for swimming.
• Ano Volos and Alli Meria, Anakasia, Agios Onoufrios North of Volos centre.

You'll most definitely want to take the opportunity to visit the close mountain villages of Portaria and Makrinitsa, offering you a splendid specimen of the renowned traditional architecture of the Pelion mansions. The city view from Makrinitsa is magnificent.

One of the greatest secrets that the Greeks have kept from the world, Mount Pelion, is close to Volos. It can easily be reached by bus or car. Pelion has wonderful beaches, fantastic hiking routes, and pretty villages. There are far fewer tourists than there should be, simply because it is a peninsula and not an island. Of particular interest in the region are skiing in nearby Chania or taking the steam train from nearby Ano Lechonia to Milies.

The nearby Sporades Islands are great during the summer. Ferries and hydrofoils connect Volos with the islands.

There are nice, close(ish) beaches at

• Kala Nera, approximately 45 min bus journey from the centre (board a green Iperastiko coach on Iasonas street in the centre.) Approximately €1.70 for a single ticket.

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