Volos is a city in Southeast Thessaly and the capital of Magnisia prefecture, built on the Pagasetic Gulf, near ancient Iolkos.

Ancient Iolkos is closely related to the Argonaut expedition, as it was Jason’s homeland and his starting point when he and the Argonauts sailed towards the Black Sea in quest of the Golden Fleece.

The name Volos probably is an alteration of the word Iolkos, or it comes from the Slavic word ‘golo’ meaning naked – bald. It is also probable that it derives from the Italian word ‘golfo’ which means: gulf.

Volos today is one of the biggest ports in Greece, whereas it is a major financial, cultural and administrative center of the region. Many festivals, sports events and fairs take place here.

It is also the seat of several European Consulates, such as the German and French consulate.

Information:

• The city lies on the southeast part of Thessaly, at the foot of mount Pilio (or Pelion) and its current population is over 130,000.
• Volos is an urban complex including the municipalities of Volos, Nea Ionia, Aisonia and Iolkos, whereas the municipality of Agria is also close.
• Volos port is active with daily schedules to the islands of the Northern Sporades and to the northeast Aegean islands, whereas lots of cruise ships dock there.
• The city of Volos is the entrance to the wooded mountain of the Centaurs by the name Pilio.
• The climate is Mediterranean and the annual average temperature is 17 oC. Winters are cold and summers are hot.
• Volos market-place can satisfy all consumer needs.
  

Infrastructure:

• There are lots of big and small hotels in the area, as well as congress halls.
• There are also: the General Hospital, many sports facilities, parks and squares, a port and a marina.
  
• There is connection to other parts of Greece by bus, ferry or railway.
  
• There is also the International Airport of Central Greece, situated in Nea Anhialos.
• One more alternative is hydrofoils that depart from the waterway in Volos port.

Volos offers:

• Various cultural activities (theatre, music, art, sports).
• Entertainment in its numerous clubs, pubs and cafés.
• A great number of museums dedicated to culture, history and Folklore.
• Unique delicacies served with the traditional liquor named ‘tsipouro’.
• Relaxation enjoying the magnificent views of the sea and mountain all around.

Suggestions:

• Visit Theophilos museum in Anakasia, in the Municipality of Iolkos.
• Visit the Archaeological museum of Volos, and see some exceptional pre-historic findings of the area.
• Visit the archaeological site named ‘Dimini’ to see what a Neolithic settlement looks like.
• Choose fresh fish in the new fish market of Volos and ask that they fry it for you in the small tavern within the market.
• Walk along Volos port and have a bottle of the delicious local lemonade ‘EPSA’ in one of the coffee shops.
  
• Admire the view of Volos and the Pagasetic Gulf from Ano Volos.
• Hire a sailboat and explore the sea area.
• Visit the nearby beaches.
• Have some ‘tsipouro’ and taste special delicacies in the traditional ‘tsipouradika’ around the port or in the back streets of the city.