A scenic route to cultural beauty

LAFKOS VILLAGE, PELION

Lafkos is built on the fabulous Pelion peninsula, which is part of Thessaly in Northern Greece. Between the Pagasetic Gulf and the Aegean Sea, Pelion forms a hook-shaped peninsula.

Lafkos means greyish-blue, and the village is situated at an altitude of 310 metres, with stunning views of the Gulf of Pagasitikos and Milina’s Bay.

Once upon a time, in the late 15th century, when the Pilion was under attack from the Turks and pirates, the village of Lafkos offered refuge to those in danger, allowing its population to grow.

Lafkos is car-free and all vehicles must be parked in one of the three public car parks on the outskirts of the village.

Today, with a permanent population of fewer than 150 people, Lafkos embraces the gentle rhythm of nature during the winter months. In summer, it transforms into a lively cultural hub, brimming with energy and tradition!

YEAR ROUND DESTINATION

READY TO EXPLORE GREECE ON FOOT?

From the central square of Lafkos, a scenic foot trail winds down to Milina Bay, offering a peaceful 3.9 km walk through nature. This charming path takes you past lush landscapes and stunning views, making it a perfect route for hikers and nature lovers looking to explore the beauty of the region on foot. This circular walking route is well-marked and beginner-friendly, making it perfect even for those with little hiking experience. Covering a distance of 3.5 km, it takes approximately 60 minutes to complete.

Photo credits Dimitris Vourvoulias

A harbour for writers, artists and intellectuals

The oldest kafeneio in Greece

A wonderful way to begin exploring Lafkos is to stroll under the shade of the plane trees toward the village square, where you’ll discover the oldest kafeneio in Greece – still serving the finest coffee in the region after 235 years!

Owned by the Forlida family, this kafeneio has a rich history as a tavern that hosted various local musicians and renowned intellectuals, including the novelist Alexandros Papadiamantis, the poet Kostas Varnalis and Alexandros Delmouzos, a key figure in the movement for educational demoticism.

Take a seat beneath the majestic plane tree at Mr. Manolis’ café, sip on a rich Greek coffee, and let the birdsong create the perfect soundtrack to your moment of relaxation. And who knows? You might even cross paths with renowned Greek musicians or international artists who once visited, fell in love with Lafkos, and decided to make it their home!

As you explore the Lafkos district, you’ll come across numerous natural water springs with fresh, drinkable water – each with its own name, including the historic “Chatzi” and “Touloumpa” springs, built in 1800 and 1910, which are a must-try for their pure taste!

Let the narrow cobblestone streets guide you past traditional houses with thick 60cm walls and small windows, and admire their impressive wooden doors, once designed to protect locals from enemy raids.

Eat like a local, eat Slow, enjoy more!

For lunch or dinner, head to the local tavern for a hearty bowl of slow-cooked chickpea soup with bread, try the spicy oregano balls, and don’t miss the original batzina pie – made with home-grown courgettes and lots of love!

Looking for a great stay in Lafkos? Check out Aspasia’s Traditional Guesthouse for a cozy and authentic experience in the heart of the village!

Since 1955, the village’s traditional wood-fired bakery, owned by Ioannis Drositis, has been producing handmade stuffed breads with unique flavours. Savor the freshly baked cheesebread, koulouri and other local delicacies made with the finest local ingredients – and if you’re lucky, you might even hear the baker playing sweet bouzouki tunes!

What makes this bakery special is the tiled wood oven where all the breads and pastries are baked to perfection.

For Art Lovers

A few steps further than the central square, you find yourself in front of the Fampeion museum of Art. The permanent exhibition of Thanasis Fampas artworks (1922 – 2011) beautifies the old renovated school building.

His impressive paintings are influenced by the Byzantine years and his sculptures made of white Pelion marble reflect perfectly the flaky snow in the winter times.

The next stop is the primary school of Lafkos and the Folk Art Museum.

An exhibition of historical objects such as clay jars and traditional chests reveals the folk tradition of the village and the Pelion region.

Under the same roof operates the local library and the Cultural Club “Drasi” (Action), organizing cultural events in Lafkos throughout the year.

For rock climbing enthusiasts, the mountainous area of Mikro, just a few kilometres away from Lafkos, offers excellent climbing opportunities and is accessible all year round!

Whats is more to see? The radio museum

Antonis Tavanis was a visual artist who loved radio listening.

In 2006 Antonis visualized the making of a radio museum in Lafkos but, after his unexpected death of heart attack, Wilfred Seps and the Cultural club of Lafkos ‘’Drasi’’ brought the Radio museum to life.

Prof. Seps from Switzerland visited Lafkos in the early 60s and fell in love with it at first sight!

He bought a house in the village and four decades later he donated 100 radios from his personal collection to the Radio museum, which is open all year round and is cost-free to visit!

Lafkos, a harbour for intellectuals

Lafkos has always been a haven for writers, artists and intellectuals from all over the world. Whether you’re looking for a cultural escape or an adventure on foot, Lafkos invites you to explore its timeless beauty and experience the authentic spirit of Greece all year round.

Discover this unique slow-travel destination and experience the cultural charm of Lafkos all year round! For any essentials, you’ll find three pharmacies in the nearby villages—Promiri (6 km), Milina (5 km), and Argalasti (9 km)—where a Health Center is also available.

To reach Lafkos from Athens or Thessaloniki:

– From Thessaloniki (about 3.5 hours): Drive south to Volos, then follow the route through Argalasti to Lafkos.

– From Athens (about 4 hours): Take the highway to Volos, then follow the road to Argalasti and continue to Lafkos.

Public transport options include buses from Athens or Thessaloniki to Volos, with connections to Argalasti and taxis available for the final stretch to Lafkos.

A harbour for writers, artists and intellectuals, Lafkos cultural village

LAFKOS VILLAGE, PELION

READY TO EXPLORE GREECE ON FOOT?

Photo credits Dimitris Vourvoulias

A harbour for writers, artists and intellectuals

The oldest kafeneio in Greece

Eat like a local, eat Slow, enjoy more!

For Art Lovers

Whats is more to see? The radio museum

Lafkos, a harbour for intellectuals

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