Papa Nero sits on the eastern, Aegean side of the Pelion peninsula, roughly halfway between Athens and Thessaloniki. If you only know the Greek islands, it helps to picture it as the mainland shoulder just across the water from Skiathos, which you can see from most of the villages up the hill.
Getting here is easier than the map suggests, and there is usually more than one way to do it.
Flying
Volos has its own airport at Nea Anchialos, and in recent summers it has taken direct flights from Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Munich and Vienna. It is the shortest transfer by a long way.
The alternative is Skiathos, which is served from a long list of British airports, among them Luton, Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham. From Skiathos you take the ferry across to Volos or Agios Ioannis. Athens and Thessaloniki are the other obvious arrival points, both around four hours away by road.
Driving from Volos
The road most people take climbs out of Volos and runs through Milies and Tsangarada at about four hundred metres above the sea, with the Aegean appearing and disappearing through the trees the whole way. Keep going until you reach Mouresi.
At the first junction in Mouresi, turn right and follow the road down towards Damouchari. We are on that road, above the beach, before you reach the water. If you would rather we sent you the exact route, ask and we will.
By bus and taxi
KTEL runs the intercity buses into the Pelion villages from the station in Volos, and the timetable thins out considerably outside the summer months, so it is worth checking before you commit to it.
Taxis from Volos can be booked through the city taxi centre on +30 24210 27777. For a family with luggage arriving late, this is often the simplest last leg.
When you arrive
Check-in is from 14:00. If you get here before your room is ready, leave your bags with us and go down to the beach, which is five minutes away on foot.
One thing worth knowing in advance: the path from the house down to the sand is a proper old stone path with steps, and it is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Tell us what you need before you book and we will be straight with you about what works.
