WONDERFUL LOCATIONS IN THESSALY GREECE FOR ERASMUS CULTURAL PROGRAM

Volos Α mythical destination

Volos is one of the largest and most attractive cities in Greece as well as one of the country’s most prominent ports. The modern-day city, built near the site of ancient Iolcos, dominates the region of Magnesia from its position at the foot of Mount Pelion overlooking the Pagasetic Gulf. This is one of the most beautiful areas in Thessaly, in the centre of Greece combining the allure of the sea with the mystical charm of the Centaurs’ mountain.

Ancient theatre, Larisa

The ancient theatre on the hill of Áyios Ahíllios (Saint Achilles, the patron saint of the city), a location which has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic period. In visit  the Archaeological museum, or the Historical & Folk Art museum and the Municipal Library, or attend painting and sculpture exhibitions at the Municipal Art Gallery.

Walk all the way to Larissa’s busy commercial centre, which is developed in an extensive network of pedestrianized streets. You can enjoy  Thessalian cuisine and variety of delicious meat dishes.Go out on a late-night, or morning shopping;  shop for you, your family, or your home, and stroll slowly around the city-centre.  When night sets in, enjoy musical concerts and discover the city’s bursting night-life in its numerous bars, night clubs, and interesting music scenes.

Meteora, Kalambáka

Metéora is the second largest monastic and pilgrimage area in Greece after Mount Athos. The “stone forest” of Meteora is a perfect combination of natural and manmade landscape, practically inducing a sense of the transcendent.  Visitors come here either to feel the aura of the contemplative seclusion of monastic life, and admire a truly unique natural landscape or to marvel at the outstanding architecture of the monasteries, the so-called “architecture of awe”.  It is geological phenomenon formed as a result of a chain of erosions and geological changes over a period of 15 million years. In 1988 Metéora was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Platamon Castle  is a castle of the middle Byzantine period (10th century AD) and is located southeast of Mount Olympus, in a strategic positon, at the exit of the Tempi valey and it controls the route from Macedonia to Thessaly and to Southern Greece. Platamon is regarded as one of the most significant tourist destinations in Pieria.  According to tradition its name originates either from the platan trees or from the broad sandy beaches, both of which can be found in the areas surrounding the town. The town is home to numerous restaurants, cafeterias, hotels and camping resorts.                                                         

Neos Panteleimonas, Platamonas

Neos Panteleimonas is a settlement of the former municipality of East Olympos, which is part of the municipality of Dio-Olympos, in the Pieria regional unit, Central Macedonia, Greece. Neos Panteleimonas is a settlement built on the foothills of Mount Olympos by the seaside. Its privileged region offers endless view to the sea and the Castle of Platamon.  It is worth visiting the museum and the archeological site of Dion.  The beach is several kilometers and has lifeguards throughout the length, beach bars with umbrellas and sunbeds for which charge only a coffee or a drink that you provide. You can also visit the central square of the village for a tsipouro drink.

 Plastiras Lake: An ideal destination for each season

Plastiras Lake is a human intervention managed to unite the artificial with the natural element. A magical place with forests, in which Fairies and the Sleeping Beauty found their shelter. A place for visitors who seek peace and serenity, but also for those who look for adventure, combining mountain and lake activities. The choices of activities and entertainment for all ages include mountain and water bikes, canoe and kayak, archery, horse-riding, climbing, swimming and skiing at the small ski resort at the Karamanoli location.

Makrinitsa, Pilion, Magnisia
Makrinitsa is 17 klm from Volos, but this is a datum for the mind only. The eye is overwhelmed by the village’s unique position on the mountain right above the city. Makrinitsa has a well-earned second name: The Balcony of Pelion, for the visitor of its main square will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the city spreading out below at a depth of 600 meters. Beyond the captivating whiteness of the city lie the azure waters of the Pagasitikos Gulf in Pelion’s loving, green embrace. Anyone planning a trip around the world in 80 days will undoubtedly include Makrinitsa on his list of stopovers.