Slowly rising from the sea around Thessalay are islands big and small, welcoming all sailors with bays and coves where you can stop cruising and enjoy the sun. The flickering of the sea`s surface against the contrast of miles of pristine sandy beaches is the first thing a sailor sees from the deck of his boat, sailing around Thessalay region. Bareboat or skippered, a sailing holiday in the Thessaly region is a once in a lifetime experience.
Where to start? Charter locations in Thessaly region
Islands around Thessalay offer some of the best and well-equipped ports in Greece and combined with natural beauties and modern services, means a well-rounded yachting holiday. The coastline around Thessalay is made up of long sea promenades which are lined with all sorts of restaurants, bars, clubs and shops, with palm trees gently swaying in the breeze. The colors of the sea and the smell of the summer wind is what awaits any seafarer sailing in the Thessalay region.
Located in the northwestern part of the Aegean Sea, Skiathos is considered to be part of the Sporades archipelago and is known as a paradise on earth, with beautiful beaches, an exciting nightlife potential, rich history and culture and an atmosphere of relaxation. The harbor of Skiathos incorporates modern maritime facilities with natural protection, raising the safety standard to above-average for Skiathos marina. In Skiathos town, there is some sightseeing to be done, primarily focused on many old churches and monasteries. In the vicinity there are several small isles, waiting just off the coast, like Skopelos and Alonissos. More than 50 beautiful beaches await all seafarers who make port around Skiathos, with Koukounariés beach being one of the most beautiful and famous throughout entire Greeece. Among the plethora of other beaches, worthy mentions include Banana beach, Mandráki, Eliá, Agkistros and Small and Big Asélinos beaches. Nightlife in Skiathos is experienced in some of the huge open-air clubs scattered across the coastline. Besides this, there are plenty of organized cultural events, concerts and art exhibitions.
Overlooking the Pagasetic Gulf, Volos is located at the base of Mount Pelion. Being a top commercial port in Greece means Volos is a city popular with tourists, but also a modern city built on ancient roots, with mythical history. One of the great heroes of Greek sagas, Jason, set sail with his Argonauts from the Pagasetic Gulf, looking for the golden fleece. Being a wealthy city with a long history, Volos features numerous villas, temples, churches and museums. Sightseeing in Volos means visiting Volos castle, a once mighty fortress west of old-town. There is also the church of Agioi Konstantinos, The Achilleio cinema, the Tsalapatas Museum and the Archeology museum, one of the oldest in Greece. During hot summer days in Volos, refreshment on land is best sought in the large park of Agios Konstantinos. After a day in the sun, one must indulge in gastronomical needs. Fortunately, Volos cuisine is known far and wide as being a blend of tantalizing flavors and locally grown produce. Traditional taverns and modern restaurants offer pepper sausages, wild artichokes and cuttlefish with wild fennel, served with natural herbs and homemade pasta. The most common culinary acquaintance you will see in Volos will be tsipouro (a strong spirit) combined with mezes, meaning delicious starters. With full bellies, it becomes easier to set sails in a chartered yacht. Sailing the coastline, it is hard to miss Alikos beach or the neighboring islands of Skiathos, Skopelos, or Alonnisos.
Sailing season - When to charter in Thessaly region?
The sailing season in Thessalay starts in late May and lasts until late September. Most of all touristic infrastructure, including beach bars, taverns and accommodations are only open between June and September. Chartering a yacht or hiring a skipper is near impossible after mid-September. In July and August you may have trouble finding a room or a berth if you don't book early. After settling in either Volos or Skiathos, there are many things to look forward to. Diverse history and rich cultural heritage, in form of architecture, history, culture, nightlife and forested parts of the island, hiding spectacular beaches.