PORTARIA - This is where it all began! Portaria is the first settlement of Pelion that developed touristically as early as the beginning of the 20th century and remains the village with the best infrastructure for welcoming visitors to the "mountain of the Centaurs". Portaria is the village that most visitors of Pelion choose as a "base," as in addition to excellent infrastructure with atmospheric guesthouses, tasteful cafes and excellent restaurants, it also has a tourist "tradition." As early as 1905, the luxurious hotel "Mega Theoxenia" operated in the village, which was unfortunately destroyed by the Germans in 1944. During its heyday, it was a major attraction for all the "good society" of Greece and beyond. In recent decades, efforts have been made to "revive it," which unfortunately remained incomplete. A royal decree of 1920 that characterized Portaria – along with Kifissia and Hydra – as a "location of special natural beauty", gave it even more glamor and visitors. Image Melina Mercouri SquareToday, its main street is flooded with tourist shops of all kinds, but its most beautiful "corner" is the central square, which bears the name of the late Melina Mercouri. A short distance from the settlement you will find excellent agritourism farms that offer excellent local products and activities in nature. About 15 km away is the Pelion Ski Center, an important attraction in the area. Image Returning to the village, it is also worth visiting Panagia Portarea, the small church that was part of an old monastery, which gave its name to the settlement that developed around it during the years of Ottoman rule. In the church, which was built in 1273, you will see beautiful external frescoes. It is also worth visiting the Historical and Folklore Museum of Portaria, which is housed in the Zoulia Mansion, while from the plateau next to the "Xenia" you will enjoy an impressive panoramic view of Volos and the Pagasetic Gulf.
