At a very short distance from Volos (13km), at an altitude of 650m., is located the traditional village of Portaria. Like many villages in Pelion, Portaria was developed around a Monastery. It was the Monastery of Panagia Portarea (13th. century), from which the village took its name. The visitor has the chance to admire the beautiful natural landscape, the cool springs, the mansion houses, the picturesque paths and the churches.
Additionally, due to its location, one could organize his/her vacations, with Portaria as his/her base, either in winter or in summer, since the village is located very close to the ski resort "Agriolefkes" (12km), but also to the beaches of Pagasitikos gulf.
During your stay in Portaria, you can explore the settlement, admire the chapel of "Panagia Portarea" that is located on the road to Chania, next to church of Agios Nicolaos, the "Athanasakio" kindergarten, the "Tsopotio" school, the mansion house "Zoulia" (which operated as a professional school for girls and today operates as a history and folklore museum), the church of Panagia – Agios Symeon (recently restored church of archaeological importance).
At the central square "Melina Merkouri", you can taste local delicacies, wine and tsipouro in the taverns and restaurants of the area. During summer, music and movies nights, concerts, plays, exhibitions and other events are organized. At the central square, one can see also the remains of the hotel "Theoxenia" (1905-1944), which was the most luxurious hotel in the Balkans during the pre-war period.
On the road to Makrinitsa, you can visit the Byzantine Monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, with a rich history and byzantine decoration. Of particular interest is also a walk at the spring "Mana", with the waterfalls at the location "Karavos". From this place, you can follow the path that leads to Adamena, passing thourgh the rich vegetation and the running waters of the area.
Some of the events that are organized, in collaboration with the local Associations, by the Athletic Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Portaria, mainly at the central square, are the following:
• Festival of Flowers – May
• International Day of Dance – May
• Folk Feast of Agia Triada – June
• National Symposium of Computer Science – June
• Festival of Tsipouro – early June
• Children’s Festival of Traditional Dance – early July
• International Festival of Traditional Dance – late July
• Festival of Sausage – July
• Wedding of Pelion – late August.
Additionally, in the autumn, the "Hill Climb of Portaria" is organized (For information: Car House of Volos, tel.: +30 24210 55339).
Portaria is full of beauties, which are worth meeting close up, but even if your final destination is not Portaria, you should still make a stop here for a while, and before leaving take a sweet taste of the area with you, buying traditional sweats (preserved fruits in syrup) from the shops on the central road, which exhibit their jars, creating a colourful image and a unique opportunity for a commemorative photograph.
