Thessaly is one of Greece’s largest regions in size and population. It has some of the highest mountains in the country, Olympus, Kissavos and Pelion, and several smaller ones all over its region. The third longest river in Greece, Pinios, runs through the Tempi Valley. Thessaly’s coastline has a lot of beautiful beaches and landscapes and it is very attractive to tourists. Volos is the only big harbour in Thessaly and to the east there are Northern Sporades islands, namely Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnissos and other smaller islands. The climate is continental.
Human presence in Thessaly goes back to the Palaeolithic Period. Europe’s first Neolithic civilization was created in Thessaly in the 7th millennium B.C. Significant remains of settlements from the Neolithic Period were found at Sesklo and Dimini, both very well preserved archaeological sites.
It was from ancient Iolkos (modern Volos) where the Argonauts began their trip. This period of time was marked by the migration and relocation of various racial groups.
During the Persian invasion in 480 B.C. because they didn’t find any resistance, the Persians used the region as their winter base.
Macedonian rule was replaced by Roman rule in 196 B.C. Many military operations took place in Thessaly during the Roman “civil” wars. As soon as Diocletian reorganized the Roman State, Thessaly and Magnesia became a separate province.
Christianity appeared in Thessaly during the 1st century A.D. Since the 4th century A.D. and onwards the region had been suffering many enemy attacks by the Goths, Ostrogoths, Slavs, Bulgarians, Normans and Vlachs.
From 1205 to 1222, Thessaly was under the dominance of Franks, and in 1222 it became part of the Despotate of Epirus. In the period of Serbian Dominance around 1348, the monastic life flourished at Meteora, a UNESCO site. The Ottoman occupation in Thessaly started in 1392-1393 and led to an extensive islamisation and feudalism in Thessaly. The liberation came in 1881.
In 1910 a big agricultural reform started in Thessaly (known as “Kileler Riot”) and as a result of that, agriculture in Thessaly had a great development in all fields. The German-Italian occupation caused severe problems and regression during the 2nd World War and the civil war that followed also had negative effects on the development of the region.
After 1950 there have been both domestic migration and emigration in Greece, mountain villages were deserted and their inhabitants moved and made the modern urban centres, Larissa and Volos. Nowadays, in all its four big cities of Thessaly there are quite big industrial zones, active trade, big agricultural, animal and milk production and a continuously growing touristic activity. Pelion, the Northern Sporades islands, Meteora, Tempi, Pertouli and Lake Plastira are really worth visiting.
In the heart of Greece, Thessaly, with its exhilarating nature, geological marvels (Meteora), majestic mountains and villages (Pelion), famous rivers (the Pineios) and a multitude of gorges, valleys, lakes and beaches…
Top attractions in Thessaly
- Meteora: Το nature’s masterpieces, people have added their own. The largest, most important monastic community in Greece, after Mount Athos, the Meteora monasteries are built in seemingly impossible locations at the top of the evocative meteoric rocks of Thessaly.
- Volos: Volos’ colourful waterfront is a gourmand’s delight, with its many eateries, including early industrial buildings transformed into multi-purpose centres that offer dozens of dining and entertainment choices. But don’t overlook the city’s museums and the archaeological sites of Dimino and Sesklo.
- Larissa: One of Greece’s most important cities lies on both banks of the Pineios River, where you will find attractions such as famous ancient theatres and the acropolis on the hill of Agios Achillios.
- Tempi: At Tempi, the Pineios River carves a narrow gorge between Mt Olympus and Mt Ossa. Nearby Ambelakia is famous for its listed grand houses.
- Pelion: A favourite destination in Greece, with its fine traditional architecture, untouched villages, bridges, old fountains, grand houses and the narrow Moutzouris railway. The villages of Makrinitsa, Zagora, Tsagkarada, Mouresi, Kissos, Vyzitsa and Milies stand out.
- Lake Plastira: A natural wonderland in which to relax and enjoy various sports and outdoor activities.
- Elati & Pertouli: An ideal year-round destination in an area of rare beauty in the southern Pindos mountain range.
It might be on the mainland, but Pelion boasts a number of popular beaches, with a choice of sand or white pebbles to go with the clear water. Some of the best are Horefto, Ai Ioannis, Papa Nero, Damouhari, Fakistra and from Mylopotamos to Potistika on the southern coastline.
Hiking, canyoning, water sports and snow skiing
Walking along the old stone paths of Pelion, you will explore villages and monasteries, and cross fertile forests and stone bridges. And hiking in the vicinity of Meteora offers once-in-a-lifetime views. Kissavos is the ideal choice for off-road experiences, as well as mountain biking and canyoning (the Kalypsous Gorge and its cascades). Beaches in Agiokampos, Pelion are ideal for all kind of water sports. While the calm waters of the Pagasitic Gulf south of Pelion are suitable for sailing and kayaking. Choose the popular ski resort of Pelion to enjoy incredible views during winter, and Lake Plastira for dozens of exciting activities (horseback-riding, cycling, canoeing, rowing and more). Off-roaders will enjoy the tracks around northern Pelion, Tsagarada and Kissos. One very special experience is crossing the Agrafa next to the river, while the mountain trails above Nafpaktos drawn comparisons with Switzerland.
Local culinary wonders
Thessaly offers a wide range of local delicacies, from homemade trahana soup (sometimes even for breakfast), in the mountain villages during winter to pies of various kinds throughout the year. In Pelion, especially in Zagora and Portaria, women’s cooperatives produce various sweets that you can buy, while in the tavernas you might try the spetsofai (sausage sauteed with peppers) and galotyri, a creamy curd cheese. At the tsipouro joints of Volos, you’ll be initiated into the tsipouro ceremony, which involves downing many little glasses of the fiery liquor, tempered by lots of small plates of mezedes. And in Larissa and Trikala, you will savour delicious cheeses, such as kasseri, kefalograviera and graviera.