The beautiful and scenic Pelion welcomes you to experience the true beauty of change in seasons. Every month of the year, we are giving you the chance to witness the natural transformation of colour and landscape and to discover the twelve different portraits of one of the most picturesque corners of Greece.
Pelion is an ideal get away destination during winter since it allows you to discover distinctive hiking routes such as the “footpath of the centaurs” and the unique skiing resort of Agriolefkes at Chania, possibly the only ski centre in Greece that offers you an amazing mixture of an alpine view combined with the blue waters of the Gulf of Pagasitikos.
Portaria is one of the most popular and developed villages in Pelion with great history that loses its tracks through the centuries with mythological references. At the same time, its location is privileged, since it is only 10 minutes away from the city of Volos, 15 minutes away from the ski centre and only 45 minutes away from the deep blue beaches of East Pelion: Agios Ioannis, Plaka and Papa Nero. The combination of these features makes our village one of the most idyllic destinations for all four seasons of the year.
Despotiko – a stunning preserved building of unique aesthetics and of exceptional architectural value – is located almost in the centre of Portaria village, in a quiet mountain spot with an exceptional view.
During winter, the visitors of Despotiko can enjoy their drink, their coffee or handmade sweets in the beautiful lounge of our hotel in the cosy atmosphere of a fireplace.
During summer, the visitors after returning from the beach – gone swimming on a wonderful beach of East Pelion or the Gulf of Pagasitikos – can enjoy a refreshing drink or an iced coffee in the stone patio. They can live this experience under the shadow of a great plane tree, listening to the sound of the crystal water of the fountain of Alexandros Papadiamantis who was one of the most famous and influential Greek writers of the 19th century.