Volos is one of the biggest and most charming town in Greece as well as has a most important harbors. The modern-day town, built adjacent the site of ancient Iolcos, dominates the zone of Magnesia from its place at the foot of Mount Pelion overlooking the Pagasetic Gulf. This is one of the most amazing destination in Thessaly.
Discover Volos in Thessaly Greece
The town of Volos is placed at the foot of the peninsula of Pelion in the centre of Greece. It is situated at an almost equal distance between the capital city Athens, and the second major city, Thessaloniki. The town of Volos is the politic and economic metropolis of the prefecture and has a population of 71,000 inhabitants. Volos is the main export centre of Thessaly. The city of Volos was founded in the mid 19th century. It is a lively town. The city has an important waterfront which is lined with many pastry shops, cafes-bars, restaurants and historical monument.
Today’s Volos was once ancient Iolkos, the city of the Argonauts. A welcoming and charming city in Thessaly, at the foot of Mt Pelion, it embraces the Pagasitic Gulf, leaving you with an unforgettable feeling. Volos’ culinary tradition will be the star of your visit, and the flavours you’ll taste here at the tsipouradika, will remain etched in your memory forever.
Old-fashioned neighbourhoods juxtaposed against modern architecture and a youthful energy created by the thousands of students, give it a unique identity. You’ll discover it in the industrial buildings, museums, shopping centres and exhibition spaces. You’ll feel it as you walk along the waterfront, teeming with people, enjoying tsipouradika, pastry shops, bars and historic buildings. Volos is a city by the sea, buzzing with beauty, freedom and life, day and night.
Where is Volos
Volos is the 6th biggest city (with the 3rd largest industrial area and the 3rd largest port) in Greece, situated in Thessaly, almost in the middle of the distance between Athens (330 km) and Thessaloniki (212 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.
How to get to Volos from Athens
A drive from Athens takes about 3 hours (331,1 km) and a drive from Thessaloniki takes about 2 hours (212 km). The highway connecting all three cities is modern and comfortable. The Nea Anchialos National airport is a small airport located 27km south-west of the city, about half an hour drive from the city of Volos.
How far is it from Athens to Volos?
The distance between Athens and Volos is 331,1 km.
What is the cheapest way to get from Athens to Volos?
The cheapest way to get from Athens to Volos is to bus which costs 30€ and takes 4h 30m.
What is the fastest way to get from Athens to Volos?
The quickest way to get from Athens to Volos is to drive which costs 40€ – 65€ and takes 3h 21m.
Is there a direct bus between Athens and Volos?
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Athens and arriving at Volos. Services depart every three hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 4h 30m.
Is there a direct train between Athens and Volos?
No, there is no direct train from Athens to Volos. However, there are services departing from Athens and arriving at Volos via Larissa. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 47m.
Volos Ferries: Gate of The Sporades Islands
Volos is a city with ports that allow you to reach the islands of Sporades. If you prefer to take a ferry trip to the islands of Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros, your trip will drop to Volos.
What to do in Volos
Most important attractions of Volos are the nearby settlements of Dimini and Sesklo. Dimini dates back to the Neolithic Period, and consists of an acropolis in ruins, walls and tombs, while Sesklo is the ruins of an Acropolis that dates back to as old as 6,000BC.
Among the historical attractions of the Volos, the Church of St. Constantine and the Archaeological Museum of Volos are important. The museum provides a deep insight into the historical evolution of the region and about the transformation of the older cities into Volos. It features various artifacts from the nearby Neolithic settlements of Dimini.
Tsipouradika: raise a glass to gastronomy and tradition
Hospitable Volos welcomes you like a proper host: tsipouro (schnapps-like firewater) and meze! Travellers on their way to Pelion, students, mariners sailing the Aegean, or men and women in the city for business, everyone stops here for the tsipouradika. You’ll find them in every corner of the city, picturesque and authentic.
At lunchtime they fill up with people and you, too, can take part in the local ritual. Spetsofai (sausages with peppers), wild artichokes, cuttlefish with wild fennel, more than 40 traditional small-plate surprises make their way onto your table, accompanied by the local drink, which is served in individual 25ml bottles. It is a culinary institution that dates back to the 1930s.
Walk along the waterfront
The meeting point for locals and visitors: the beach. It is one of the most beautiful strolls in Greece. Start from the sculpture of Argo, the symbol of the city, and continue until you reach the imposing Papastratou building and the outdoor sculptures. Enjoy a leisurely coffee while watching the waves, take a bicycle ride, have a cocktail while admiring the neoclassical building of the National Bank of Greece and the Achilleon theatre. Walk along the Kordoni – the promenade – and become one with the sea.
Beachfront fun
On the cobblestone streets of Ermou, Kontaratou and Ogl, and at Agios Nikolaos Square, Volos is buzzing with life, day and night. Coffee, cocktails, food, loud and live music – all will get you into the rhythm.
Industrial design
The old industrial buildings of Volos (52 in total) have taken on a new identity. Ceramics and tobacco factories, blacksmith forges and flour mills, now all house multiplexes, cinemas and restaurants. Tsalapatos is one of the most outstanding examples of industrial architecture in Europe.
Things to do and see in Volos
Dimini and Sesklo
Discover these interesting prehistoric settlements, just a stone’s throw from Volos. They are the most interesting attractions in the area.
Evaristo de Chirico Station
This railway station is an architectural masterpiece. Designed by Evaristo de Chirico, father of the famous painter (Giorgio de Chirico), who constructed the Moutzouris railroad line in Pelion.
A walk in the Pagasitic
Just a few kilometres outside Volos go for a coffee or a tsipouro at the seaside resorts of the Pagasitic Gulf: Agria, Kato Gatzea and Kala Nera. And if you want to sample some of the local delicacies, Volos is ready to share the secrets of its delicious cuisine.
Volos Beaches
The beaches in the wider area of Volos are among the best-loved in Greece. Thousands of visitors each year flock to the beaches of Agios Dimitrios, Anchialos, Alykes, Pigadia, and many others, which offer stunning scenery and many recreational facilities.
Volos has numerous swimming and diving clubs; it also has historical sailing clubs. Important open sea sailing meetings are held and the spectacle of the glorious ships skimming gracefully over the water is truly impressive.
Where to stay in Volos
Need some inspiration on where to stay in Volos? If you’re a first time visitor to Volos, you might prefer a more touristy area, but if you’re a solo traveler, a local neighborhood could be more interesting. Some areas have lots of things to do within walking distance, but the hotels may be more expensive. To give you a starting point for your trip research, we looked at what people say about neighborhoods and places to stay in Volos.
The 10 best hotels & places to stay in Volos, Greece
- Aegli Hotel Volos on booking.com compare with hotelscombined.com
- Volos Palace on booking.com compare with hotelscombined.com
- Hotel Jason on booking.com compare with hotelscombined.com
- Hotel Argo on booking.com compare with hotelscombined.com
- Hotel Karagianni on booking.com compare with hotelscombined.com
- Thelxis on booking.com compare with hotelscombined.com
- Hotel Kalloni on booking.com compare with hotelscombined.com
- Filoxenia Hotel on booking.com compare with hotelscombined.com
- Hotel Anastasia on booking.com compare with hotelscombined.com
- Hotel Philippos on booking.com compare with hotelscombined.com
