15 Best Things to Do in Nong Khiaw, Laos (2024)
April 28, 2024
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Pelion is a wonderful area in Thessaly on mainland Greece. It is a Peninsula, dominated by the mighty Mount Pelion and characterized by lush green forests, picturesque Greek villages, and beautiful coves flanked by scenic cliffs. One of the best places to base yourself in Pelion is Papa Nera Beach. In this post, you can find why this is a great beach to stay, the things to do at Papa Nero Beach, where to eat and stay and how to get there!
Pelion, Greece
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The Pelion Peninsula is a region of immense natural beauty and rich cultural history. Located between the Aegean and Pagasetic Gulf, it offers a stunning mix of mountainous landscapes and charming coastal towns.
Pelion is known for its lush forests, where ancient trees and beautiful olive trees thrive, creating a little perfect paradise. The architecture in Pelion is still typically Greek, with traditional stone houses and cobbled paths characterizing picturesque villages like Makrinitsa and Tsagarada.
Pelion’s beaches, such as Mylopotamos and Fakistra, are famous for their crystal-clear waters and scenic settings. Furthermore, the peninsula is steeped in mythology, often associated with the centaurs, especially Chiron, who was said to reside here.
Papa Nero is located on the east coast of the peninsula, which is more beautiful compared to the west coast at the Pagasetic Gulf. Here is a thorough overview of what you can expect, visiting Papa Nero Beach.
Papa Nero Beach in Pelion is a popular destination for domestic Greek tourists. It is still relatively off the beaten path, and you won’t come across too many Western tourists here. it’s truly still a bit of a secret to the foreign tourism world and let’s hope it still stays that way for a while! Here is what you can do at Papa Nero Beach!
Papa Nero is known for its great facilities and serene, clear waters. The shingle beach offers sunbeds and umbrellas and sometimes features a beach volleyball net. Additionally, kayaks are available for hire, providing an opportunity for some fun water-based activities. There is also ample unorganized space for those who prefer to bring their own deck chairs or simply relax with a towel on the beach.
Plaka Beach, Pelion
One of the great things about this area is that you can easily walk from one beautiful beach to the other. When facing the sea, to your left, you can find Agios Ioannis Beach and a little further the gorgeous Plaka Beach. They make great opportunities for a change of beach scenery and Agios Ioannis also offer a large selection of shops and restaurant, being the main tourist hub in Pelion.
Damouchari, Pelion
Damouchari is a tiny coastal gem, only half an hour’s walk from Papa Nero Beach to the right when facing the sea. It was in the spotlight a few years ago when some scenes of the movie ‘Mamma Mia’ were shot here.
Damouchari is however still very peaceful and consists of only a few tiny streets surrounded by rocky outcrops. Here, you can find a great beach bar, called Victoria Cafe and hidden rock pools. A hiking trail also starts at the end of the beach to Fakistra.
Fakistra Beach, Pelion
As I just mentioned, a great hiking trail starts in Damouchari and leads to Fakistra Beach. It’s a great walk but very steep uphill at the start so be aware of that and bring enough water.
furthermore, there a plenty of other hiking opportunities in the area. The best way to find them is to visit the website of All Trails.
The city of Volos seen from Makrinitsa
If you have a car, you can explore the wider Pelion region with its quaint mountain villages and beautiful forests. Noteworthy villages are Makrinitsa for its panoramic views over Volos and the Pagasetic Gulf and Portaria for its charming town center and as the starting point for the centaur walk.
Furthermore, Karaikos Farm offers great cooking classes and you can rent SUP boards and kayaks in Damouchari or go on a Pelion boat tour starting in Agios Ioannis.
The most delicious gemista!
If you stay near Papa Nero Beach, you’ll be blessed with two of the best restaurants in the area within walking distance! The Beautiful Beach is located on Papa Nero Beach and is the only decent restaurant you can find by the sea. It’s a great place for cocktails and traditional Greek food. Try their Gemista when you are there! They are delicious and also traditionally vegan Greek food.
A little further away on the hill behind the beach, you can find the magnificent El Resto Bar. This restaurant is a bit more upscale and offers fusion dishes that combine Greek traditional cuisine with modern techniques. The views here from the terrace are incredible and it’s the best place in the area to relax and enjoy amazing food.
There are some absolute gems to stay near Papa Nero Beach. Depending on your budget, I’ll list three places here and you absolutely need to check out.
You can find Katerina Fotopoulos Rooms and Apartments between Papa Nero Beach and Damouchari Beach along the Pelion coast. It’s situated right by the sea and you can take a dip in the ocean in the morning walking down from your room.
There is a yoga deck by the sea, bakery delivery in the morning and the accommodation is right by a coastal path linking the beaches of Papa Nero and Damouchari with each other. Go here if you like accommodation with a homey feel that is relatively budget-friendly.
Located closely to Katerina Fotopoulos but away from the beach lies this med-range accommodation, Vergopoulos Oliveyard. The location of this guesthouse is perfect, close to the buzz of the beach, yet in a peaceful location.
The gardens surrounding the guesthouse are lovely and you will feel like you are inside your own little private jungle paradise. The owners take great care of both their accommodation and their guests, offering warmly decorated rooms where you will feel right at home.
If you are looking for a tad of luxury, look no further than Agapitos Villas & Guesthouses. This is the accommodation that also runs the fabulous El Resto Bar and is the best choice if you like to book accommodation in Papa Nero which also boasts a pool.
The infinity pool looks right over the Aegean Sea and provides a magical feel, especially in the evening. While the accommodation looks authentically Greek from the outside, inside you can find rooms, suites, and apartments with modern amenities.
Rather looking for a holiday house in Pelion? Check out my guide with 10 authentic villas in Pelion!
Volos, Greece
Public transport in the Pelion region is not reliable. Getting to Papa Nero is the easiest by renting a car upon your arrival in Athens or Thessaloniki considering you will be flying into Greece.
Discover Cars offers a good selection of cars in Athens and Thessaloniki from reputable rental services.
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this post about Papa Nero Beach in Pelion, Greece. Papa Nero is a paradise for slow travelers looking to enjoy Greek authenticity in a natural setting.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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