The village of Portaria is located only 12 km from the city of Volos and 13 km from the Ski Center of Pelion. It is built at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level close to the monastery of Panagia Portarea which was built in the 13th century and gives its name of the village.
What is the best season to visit Portaria?
Portaria is both a winter and a summer destination and receives a large number of visitors every year. It is a magnet for Volos citizens, who want to make a small escape from everyday life, but also for many visitors from all over Greece and abroad.
In the village the visitor has the opportunity to walk on the traditional cobbled streets and discover the traditional architecture of the village but also visit places that were always connected with the faith of the local population like Byzantine churches and old monasteries.
Those are:
- The Monastery of St. John the Baptist, which was founded in the 13th century by the despot Ioannis Melissinos
- The metropolitan church of Agios Nikolaos, with its remarkable stone carvings in the outer niche of the Holy Step
- And the church of Agioi Anargyroi
The traditional mansions have been largely restored and dominate the architecture of the village, while the new houses that are built have to follow strickly the authentic principles of Pelion architecture.
The area hosts hotels of all categories, traditional mansions, rooms to let, family taverns, as well as famous restaurants. Each year, a number of cultural events are taking place, while they culminate during the summer period when the representation of the "Pelion Wedding" is taking place on the first Sunday after the 15th of August.