Last updated 09 March 2008

Pilion

The Pilion peninsula has a ridge of high mountains down its central spine, Khorefto is on the Eastern greener side, and we suspect gets some mixed weather outside of the main season. The whole area is cris-crossed by old cobbled donkey paths, kalderimia, along which my correspondents enjoyed several wonderful walks. The sea, like everywhere in Greece, was crystal clear - a snorkeler's paradise. Even in August there were only a handful of foreigners, Khorefto is a small Greek village where the Greeks go on holiday. The Pilion being such a gem, make sure you visit it before the package tour rush!

A Barefoot reporter's visit in August coincided with the start of the start of the apple picking: the Pilion is the main apple growing area of Greece. Each day more apple crates were pilled up along the edges of the road. Kagora, 20 minutes back up the mountain from Khorefto, is the main town for the area and apple growing capital of Greece. Kagora boasts a bank, a good selection of shops, and a wonderful old town square lined with bars and tavernas. All shaded by huge 100 year old pine trees, under which the old men sit gossiping and smoking. My reporter rated it 90%; sounds wonderful.

Khorefto, four hours north of Athens, offers two beaches. The main village beach has a few shops, several tavernas, rooms to rent, and a campsite with good facilities. Over the headland to the north (5 mins) the northern beach is clothes optional and home to the free campers. Even in August Khorefto was quiet and relaxed. This beach was large, much less crowded than Studland and perhaps about 50% nude. The village was lively but not crowded and the Tavernas always had room - even for a family of five. My correspondents particularly recommend the Milo tis Eridhos Taverna run by the Apple Growers Co-Operative, it was right on the beach and offered a wide range of good quality traditional Greece dishes many freshly cooked that morning. In true Greek style, the waiter would take you over to the kitchen to show you what was on the menu that night.

South of Koropi ,just before Afissos is beautiful beach at the "cape". Last part is totally nude. Easily access from Koropi: Take the small way to the right at the point where the road begins to climb in direction Afissos.  However reports from June 2007 suggest that the beach is now textiles only.

Another Barefoot reporter, who visited in June 2007, was not very successful in finding beaches suitable for nudism.  Mylopotamos (east side), Plaka (Aghios Ioannis, east side) were all textiles only, and at Damouchari the main beach was textiles only; my reporters got naked only on the cliff that separates the two beaches.