Chorefto

Zagora, Pouri, Chorefto, Agii Saranta, Makrirrachi, Ovrios are in Northeast Pelion. Since these villages are close to each other, they are considered as a single travel destination.

Zagora, Chorefto and their surrounding villages and beaches are a year-round destination. As tourism is not the lifeblood of these mainly agricultural settlements, visits at any time of year can be rewarding. Zagora and Pouri provide fine food and accommodation even in the winter months, with an increased sense of coziness. In summer, the beaches spring to life with a rewarding but populist spirit, far away from the glitter of Mykonos. Festivals that last until early morning are common in July and August.

Understand
Zagora, one of the main villages of Pelion, developed around a monastery that was founded in 1160 (but was destroyed by fire in 1887). Zagora's growth benefitted from privileges granted by the Ottoman authorities. In the 1700s and 1800s, through its port of Chorefto, Zagora's merchants became prosperous from trading local silk and woolen fabrics and developed extensive links throughout Europe and the Middle East. Zagora's famous Hellenic schools were established with the fruits of local traders' prosperity and global experience. These schools educated some of the leading individuals of the 18th-century Greek Enlightenment, which foreshadowed the 1821 Greek Revolution. The visitor can see the prosperity of that era in the stately archontika (mansions) of Zagora and the surrounding villages and their churches, some lavishly decorated, that were built typical Pelionic style.

The economic life of these villages today is dominated the Agricultural Cooperative of Zagora-Pilio, one of the oldest agricultural cooperatives in Greece. The cooperative places on its fruit a trademarked "Zagorin" sticker, which has become an EU Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for apples. The farmers in the region are also major producers (and exporters) of kiwi fruit.

Tourist information
Just below Agios Giorgios plateia is an information board with a helpful map that shows the locations of historic archontika, accommodation and tavernas.

Get in
There are frequent buses from Volos Interurban Bus Terminal (Yperastiko KTEL) (KTEL Volou) to Zagora, Chorefto, Pouri and Makriiiachi. Details on buses, can be found online here.

Beaches
Swim at one of the major beaches of the area (from north to south): Parisena, Chorefto and Agii Saranta. There are agencies, mainly based at Chorefto, that rent kayaks, canoes and paddle boards, accompanied and non-accompanied, including Pelion Secrets, Chorefto Kayak & Sup Rental and Pelion Scout. Pelion Scout will also arrange canyoning, cycling and hiking trips. The Athletic Club of Zagora (the Centaurs) will organize beach volleyball and beach football tournaments on Chorefto beach throughout the summer; these are publicized on posters throughout the region as well as on their facebook page.

Less developed beaches should also be considered:

Buy
For basic provisioning:

For life's luxuries:

Eat
Places to eat in Pouri:

Places to eat in Chorefto:

Places to eat in Zagora:

Drink
Places to drink in Chorefto:

Places to drink in Zagora:

Sleep

 * Yalla Hotel, Chorefto, Zagora, (on the main road, 80 meters before the beach and the taverns), +302426022778, contact@yallahotel.com
 * Yalla Hotel, Chorefto, Zagora, (on the main road, 80 meters before the beach and the taverns), +302426022778, contact@yallahotel.com
 * Yalla Hotel, Chorefto, Zagora, (on the main road, 80 meters before the beach and the taverns), +302426022778, contact@yallahotel.com
 * Yalla Hotel, Chorefto, Zagora, (on the main road, 80 meters before the beach and the taverns), +302426022778, contact@yallahotel.com
 * Yalla Hotel, Chorefto, Zagora, (on the main road, 80 meters before the beach and the taverns), +302426022778, contact@yallahotel.com
 * Yalla Hotel, Chorefto, Zagora, (on the main road, 80 meters before the beach and the taverns), +302426022778, contact@yallahotel.com

Stay safe

 * The Public Health Center of Zagora serves the East Pilion region and handles most basic medical emergencies. Advanced treatment is arranged by ambulance transfer to the General Hospital of Volos.
 * At certain times, the open waters of the generally unprotected beaches of East Pilion can have strong waves and currents. Do not swim too far out from shore, and try to swim with a companion. Some beaches, such as Chorefto and Agii Saranta will, at certain times of the year and at limited times during the day, have lifeguards. The jetty protecting the small port at Chorefto offers calmer waters for swimming when more open waters are too rough.
 * Drive cautiously and considerately. The roads in this area are often narrow and have a surprising number of hairpin turns and blind corners. Farmers of apples, kiwi and olives will often park their pickups partly in the road at inconvenient spots, especially from late August to early October. Pedestrians, including school children and the elderly, are frequently on the road at all times of year. Cyclists are becoming more common. The KTEL coaches and the double-trailered lorries from the Zagorin cooperative also operate on these narrow roads.

Connect
Most of the bars, restaurants, taverns and cafes offer free wi-fi for their guests.