Pelion winter getaway
Pelion winter getaway, combined with the unique accommodation experience Lions Nine Hotel offers, is exactly what you need to completely relax, be energised and return home revitalised!
Staying at Lions Nine Hotel: a strategic location for excursions
Having Lions Nine Hotel as your home away from home on Pelion, you can experience the warm atmosphere that sets our hotel apart and you can also explore the beautiful villages of eastern Pelion and the unique nature of the mountain.
Pelion winter getaway
The mountain of Pelion is the ideal place for winter tourism because it has beautiful natural sights, trails which are ideal for hiking and horse riding, accessible mountains for mountain hiking and countless cobbled, picturesque paths – kalderimia for pleasant and relaxing walks.
Pelion has more than 40 villages built in the traditional architectural style of Pelion: they are all uniquely beautiful, have picturesque views, stunning locations, beautiful churches and ancient trees. Try to visit as many as you can and enjoy the serenity of the landscape in the winter.
Pelion winter getaway
Villages of eastern Pelion close to Lions Nine Hotel
The closest village is that of Mouresi, our own village. It is here that Lions Nine Hotel is located!
Mouresi
The village is built on the southern side of the stream of Kissos, and has a view of Kissos, Agios Dimitrios, Agios Ioannis and the deep blue Aegean Sea, while its seaport is that of Damouchari.
When the village of Mouresi was founded and by whom remains unknown. However, it is almost certain that there was a settlement there in ancient times and the ancient grave discovered in 1934, very close to the church of Agia Paraskevi, supports this view.
The church of Agia Paraskevi was built in 1792, but the oldest church is that of Agia Triada which is located at the centre of the square of Mouresi – Konstantis Retsos Square in the shadow of three huge linden trees. In the church of Agia Triada you can admire the wonderful perforated iconostasis.
From here you can walk along paths that lead towards Tsagarada and Damouchari in the incredible, lush forest. Mouresi’s geographical location makes it the ideal hideaway for both winter and summer leisure breaks.
Tsagarada
Tsagarada is located at a 5km distance from Lions Nine Hotel. It is one of the most well-known and popular villages of Pelion because of its natural beauty.
The village comprises four districts:
Agioi Taxiarches
Agia Paraskevi
Agios Stefanos
Agia Kyriaki
The districts are named after the churches located in their main squares.
Arriving in Tsagarada from the north side, you will first see the district of Agios Stefanos. Then that of Agia Kyriaki, then of Agia Paraskevi and, finally, the district of Agioi Taxiarhes.
In Agia Paraskevi you can take pictures of the thousand year old plane tree with a circumference of 14 metres and in Agioi Taxiarhes you can see the plane tree that is eight hundred years old and has a circumference of 17,5 metres.
The trees owe their size to the many springs that exist along the village and you can see them as you follow the trails and cobbled paths- kalderimia which also allow you to admire the old manors.
Following either the trails or the roads that descend to the sea, you will reach the beach of Fakistra with its crystal clear waters next to the Cave of the Kryfo Scholio (Secret School) and Mylopotamos – the most renown beach of Pelion.
Kissos
Kissos is a small, picturesque village. The basilica of Agia Marina, built in 1650, is located in the beautiful cobbled square. You can find more information on the official church website www.agiamarina-kissos.com.
There are many trails you can follow, enjoying nature in all its glory, and one of them will lead you to the Monastery of Agios Efstathios while another leads to the Ski Centre in Chania.
The Ski Centre of Pelion is called Agriolefkes. Its highest point is at 1471 metres above sea level. The panoramic view of two seas, the Aegean Sea and the Pagasitic Gulf, is uniquely beautiful and an amazing experience for skiers coming down the slope.
Anilio
Anilio is built on a hillside dense with apple trees, chestnut trees and other crop-bearing trees. At the centre of the village there is a small, picturesque square where a notable religious monument is situated: the church of Agios Athanasios.
The church dates back to 1785 and some of its architectural elements are considered representative examples of Greek baroque and neoclassical architecture, as it took shape in the beginning of the 20th century in the Pelion area. Make sure to visit the chapel of Panagia Faneromeni and the chapel of Profiti Ilia.
You should also visit the Women’s Agricultural Cooperative of Anilio, which has a long tradition in making traditional spoon sweets (sweet fruit preserves), jams, and drinks from seasonal fruit.
Agios Dimitrios
A beautiful village with a unique view of the Aegean Sea, built on a verdant hillside of the mountain. Visitors can walk on the cobbled paths and the many natural trails, the majority of which lead to beautiful chapels, like those of Agios Georgios, of Panagia and the roofed water fountain of Xirovrisi, which dates back to 1899.
Xourichti
Xourichti is a small, serene, verdant village. It is here that the deepest ravine of Pelion begins: the ravine of Koutra or Tsounaga, in the depths of which Mylopotamos flows. It is located opposite Tsagarada and has a spectacular view.
Close to the village entrance and opposite the petrol station on the main road, there is a road that leads to the main square and then goes south, towards the stream of Varsami.
It is worth crossing the old bridge that connects Xourichti and Tsagarada and visiting the church of Koimisi tis Theotokou, which dates back to the 17th century and is renown for the post-Byzantine religious icons and the wood-carved iconostasis.
Zagora
Zagora is the largest village of Pelion and its seaport is Chorefto. It is the largest fruit producing centre of Pelion as well as of the prefecture, focusing particularly on apples. Here, it is worth visiting the old school of Rigas 1777 or Hellenic Museum, as it was later named. It is the oldest school of Pelion and many famous Greeks studied here. Some of its students were: Rigas Feraios, Anthimos Gazis, Kallinikos Lapatis.
In Zagora, you can also visit the renown village library, which has 15.000 old books and manuscripts. Remember to visit the Women’s Agrotourism Cooperative of Zagora and enjoy their products.
On your return from exploring the villages of Pelion, sit with us around the impressive fireplace of our reception area to tell us about your day and let us treat you to wine and tsipouro (variety of pomace brandy).
We’re expecting you!
Nikos & Anna