Lafkos is one of the historic crossroads of South Pelion, where ancient Kalderimia connected mountain communities with the ports and fishing villages of both the Pagasetic Gulf and the Aegean Sea.
The Pelion Peninsula, homeland of the wise Centaur Chiron and setting of many Greek myths, rises between the Aegean Sea and the Pagasetic Gulf. Its lush forests, countless springs and mild climate inspired the popular notion of Pelion as the “summer residence of the gods”. Once a thriving trading village, Lafkos is now a hidden gem where centuries-old paths still criss-cross the landscape, a reminder that the sea has always been just a walk away.
The mostly neo classic village is situated amidst green hills and represents a time when the region was trading well with olive oil, olives, fruit, chestnuts, silk and wood, transporting their goods to the sea on mules.
Lafkos combines the wonderful atmosphere of an old Greek village with fascinating hiking trails, good food and short distances to both shores of the green peninsula. Discover the charm of this picturesque mountain village, perfect for those who love it when time stands still and nature blossoms.
The village square next to the church named The Holy Temple of the Nativity of the Theotokos, under the huge plane trees, is clearly the heart of everything.
While the cars park on the edge of the village and the children enjoy their freedom, dogs and cats peacefully playing out who gets the next free table.
On hot summer days, there’s usually a cool breeze blowing from the northeast through the town, which you can best feel in the charming bar-café Kafodion in the very south of the village.
Everything breathes through the pure nature that surrounds the small mountain village.
Lafkos enjoys a unique position between the Pagasetic Gulf, the Aegean Sea and the Northern Sporades.
Skiathos and Skopelos are just a short ferry ride away, with regular passenger services operating throughout the year from nearby Platanias.
The spirit of Lafkos
“To kalo to Palikari, friskei panda ena dromo.” A good boy always finds his way, they say everywhere in Greece and also everywhere in the South Pelion, which is full of beauty and rich in natural wonders.
In Lafkos, no one has to be great or have power over others in order to be happy or respected.
Everything is about measure and balance, in heaven and in hell, in good times and bad, to drift on the lake of life with a smile.
Dionysus, the divine child, still exists and the Land of the Centaurs is certainly not the place where this species dies out first. In fact, they do Lafkos to one of the most authentic and resilient villages in Greece.
This freedom established due to the self-governance that has characterized life in the mountain villages of Pelion for centuries. That’s why everything in the villages takes place almost at eye level.
Although the most authentic village is small and the population dwindles a little every year, the craftsmanship is still strong and continues to go from hand to hand.
Handicrafts and tourism are the barrel rings of this world. In co-operation with the Greek way of life, it is possible for the people to exist together without leaving anyone behind.
It is a law of nature that the bus does not leave until everybody’s on board.
Almost anything gets the space and time to blossom and wither in dignity, to rejoice, or also to suffer.
A kind of bus is also the picturesque “Kafenion Forlida” on Lafkos Square, which has probably been in continuous operation since 1785.
Newspapers say it’s the oldest cafe in Greece, and we like to believe it.
The Story of Lafkos
Lafkos is said to have been built in the 15th century, initially invisible to the pirate ships that sailed the area.
At the same time, the Ottoman foreign rulers allowed the flourishing quaint villages of Pelion mountains to govern themselves and demanded only a moderate tax in return.
The privilege of autonomy is considered the basis for the prosperity that reached its peak after Turkish rule in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Most of the villas, monasteries, bridges, fountains and paved walkways that we admire today were built during this period.
Many houses tell of the flourishing Ottoman period, but most are neoclassical, due to the many Philhellenes who settled on Pelion after the 19th century.
During the Second World War, Pelion was occupied. The massacre of Drakia in particular reminds the Piliots of German cruelty.
This tavern floor in Lafkos, SS members lit a fire to keep warm during the Second World War.
To this day, no one has paid for the damage done.
After the war, the flourishing trade came to an end. An era of poverty and deprivation followed.
It was not until the 1970s that tourism slowly developed and Pelion became one of the most diverse and beautiful insider tips in Greece.
Today Lafkos could be a second home for anyone, who belongs for cosmopolitan humanity, simplicity and nature together. Truman Burbank couldn’t be happier anywhere else than right here.
Originality
The postman comes to the Kafeneion once a week. Unfortunately, he mainly delivers bills.
Nevertheless, a welcome pastime during the wintertime, like the Greek coffee twice a day.
The Lafkos cuisine
Lafkos is well known throughout the Pelion for its excellent rural greek cuisine, with many vegetarian dishes.
Famous is Spetzofai, but there are so much other delicious dishes like Tsapellinia, Lamb on skewer, or in oil paper, the chickpea purée Fawa with sweet roasted onions or the black-eyed Beans with herbs.
A view meters down, Magda makes the best pita far and wide…
…and Janis roasts his pastries in a wood-burning oven like his father and grandfather and soon his son.
But Janis doesn’t just bake, he also play music. At night, he’s usually found sitting with his family or friends in one of the taverns on the Platia, playing a great bouzouki for fun and following in the footsteps of musician and composer Dimitri Fampas.
Fine art
Next to the enchanting village square, the marble sculptures of Thanasis Fampas touch the visitors.
Infrastructure solutions
Apart from the beautiful museum, the mini market run by Afroditi and her family provides always very fresh food and the news of the day.
The concessions to tourism are modest. But there’s always a little something to buy.
When summer comes around, the goldsmith’s opens too, along with a nice shop selling clothes and other local products.
Find a resting place
The alleyways invite you to stroll through the old streets, see one of the most beautiful places on Pelion and look for a nice place to accommodate.
Social influence
A greeting call, somehow from the Düsseldorf art scene.
Lafkos would have ceased to exist long ago if people didn’t sing and dance here all year round.
Up by the little chapel of the Prophet Elias, there is an airfield for model aeroplanes. From there, you can take off to visit Aristophanes’ City of Birds.
The school building with the sports field open for everybody.
The little village Lafkos is still one of the most authentic places in the Pelion and also in Greece.
Of course the children prefer to play near the village square in the shade around the church, instead a little further out beyond the school, where the road leads to the sunlit and the road to Milina.
Lafkos as starting point in the middle of South Pelion
To the west, the Pagasitic Gulf beckons.
To the east, the Aegean.
Beautiful beaches invite you
Lush nature is calling
Enjoy great walkin or cycling routes
Visit peaceful coastal villages
Explore enchanting mountain villages
More than 40 mountain villages, many built by master stonemasons from Epirus, are scattered across the slopes of Pelion. Even under Ottoman rule, these largely self-governing communities flourished, trading olive oil, olives, fruit, chestnuts, silk and timber. Ancient mule paths linked the villages to the coast, where small beaches and natural harbours served as gateways to the wider world.
Visit Volos, where the Argonauts lived
The large port city of Volos is also only about an hour’s drive away and leads through the beautiful landscape of the entire peninsula and the exciting legend of the Argonauts.
The old port of Lafkos – Milina
Even the seagulls here sway more on the water than in the air, and everyone has only one need: to stretch out the legs in Milina.
More about our personal accommodation, the lovely village, events, hikes and other tourist excursions like the Pelion train is reachable searching the web or within our personal guide’s. Everything about arriving or booking is here. We are also glad about a message or your contribution in our guestbook.