Sailing from Volos – The Greece tip 2025 for spontaneous people
This year, I took a two-week break with my family and friends – no extensive planning, just sailing, sunshine, and the authentic Greece. Our destination: Volos, the charming port city on the Gulf of the same name, with a flight from Vienna to Thessaloniki. Our long-time Pitter charter partner and friend Alex Karakostas runs the Nautic Alliance Base Volos there – and I can say: A true insider tip, especially for those who want to set sail spontaneously and effortlessly in 2025.
All Information on Destination VolosWhy Volos is the Ideal Starting Point
In Greece, we also offer the areas of Corfu and Lefkas – but Volos captivated me with its authenticity and pleasantly surprised me again this year.
Away from the crowded charter ports, you experience an authentic, friendly, and relaxed Greece here. The Gulf of Volos and the Northern Sporades – Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos – are stunningly beautiful, with pleasant winds and ideal for families.
The distances are manageable, the water crystal clear – and the bays? Quiet, sheltered, and often deserted. Perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and an unforgettable night at anchor. Back to the roots!
And the best part: the value for money when dining – affordable, diverse, and simply fantastic! The appetizers are a highlight: In Greece, it's traditional to order together, place several small dishes in the center of the table, and everyone samples everything. Often, you're already full after the many delicious appetizers – so depending on the crew size and appetite, you can order just half of what you initially think you need.
We were 7 people dining – all adults or teenagers with good appetites, and we paid between 130 and 250 euros on average. And fish and seafood were always included!
Conclusion: What you spend on flights and transfers for a sailing holiday, you easily save on dining and mooring fees, which I'll discuss later.
Two Weeks with Friends – Sailing as It Should Be
Our journey took us from Volos out into the island world of the Northern Sporades. The islands are green, diverse, and full of stunning beaches and anchorages.
Skiathos and Skopelos delighted us with their vibrant old towns and charming café bars – perfect places to mingle after a quiet day in the bay. The mix of relaxed bay hopping and urban flair was ideal.
Alonissos is a chapter of its own – simply a natural paradise. Quieter, more authentic, with beautiful landscapes and crystal-clear waters.
In between, we deliberately had days without long distances: just anchoring, swimming, cooking together – exactly what sailing means to us.
Greece is Quite Different from Croatia
While in Croatia you find a perfectly developed infrastructure with marinas and mooring fields, as well as comprehensive services like water, electricity, and sanitary facilities, Greece impresses with its authenticity and serenity.
Instead of high mooring fees, you often pay just a token amount here: For our Bavaria Cruiser 46, we docked three times in larger ports over two weeks – each time for just 5 euros.
At small harbor quays or restaurant piers, mooring is free. And when docking in larger ports, you simply buy a prepaid card for around 10 euros to use water and electricity – the system is modern and straightforward.
Sanitary facilities are hard to find – so you need to be sparing with water and refill wherever possible. A bit of advance planning is helpful here.
We never had a power issue: Our yachts are equipped with modern solar lithium battery storage systems – and Greece is known for having more than enough sunshine.
Side note: Sunscreen is particularly important here – even if you don't feel the heat as much due to the constant, pleasant breeze.
Our Local Partner: Genua Yachting
In Volos, Alex Karakostas and his team at Genua Yachting ensure a perfect start to the journey: personal, competent, and warm. Alex speaks German, English, and of course Greek, and is happy to share his extensive local knowledge and numerous insider tips with the crews.
The yachts are moored directly at the harbor quay on the promenade with numerous café-restaurants – ideal for a relaxed arrival on vacation.
The Genua Yachting office is just around the corner, in the second row parallel to the promenade. Right next to it is a 24-hour, well-stocked supermarket – perfect for quick and stress-free shopping before setting sail.
My Tip for 2025: If You Want to Be Spontaneous, This is the Place
Volos is perfect for last-minute or late bookers because:
- Easy access by flight to Thessaloniki – with transfers organized by us
- The area is not overcrowded even in summer
- The region is suitable for all experience levels – whether a beginner or an experienced skipper
Whether a family vacation, a trip with friends, or a romantic getaway for two – everything is possible from Volos. And: If you want a truly authentic Greek experience, you'll feel right at home here.
If you're still undecided about where to go and prefer to sail off the beaten path, include Volos in your plans. Just contact us – we are happy to advise you personally, even if it's on short notice.
Our team knows the area and will help you find the right boat.
Sailing Weather in Greece – Volos and the Northern Sporades
The sailing weather in Greece, especially around Volos and the Northern Sporades, is characterized by stable wind conditions in summer. The prevailing wind is the north wind, and in July and August, the well-known Meltemi usually blows.
This typical summer wind often starts in the early morning, steadily increases until noon, and reaches its peak in the early afternoon. From late afternoon, the wind subsides, usually calming down completely in the evening – before picking up again around 4:00 to 5:00 a.m.
In this region, the Meltemi usually blows as a moderate, constant wind – ideal conditions for sailing. However, during occasional bad weather fronts, it can significantly increase, so – as always when sailing – you should keep an eye on the weather.
Compared to Croatia, Greece has significantly higher waves. Therefore, proactive route planning is particularly important to avoid sailing against wind and waves.
With a bit of planning, Greece – and especially the area around Volos and the Northern Sporades – offers perfect wind conditions for an enjoyable and sporty sailing holiday that will make every sailor's heart beat faster.
Sailing Area Volos and the Northern Sporades
This year, we deliberately returned to Volos because the area had already thrilled us on our last sailing trip. We wanted to repeat the tour in a similar form to see what had changed – and whether Greece had managed to preserve its authenticity.
We were not disappointed! The region around Volos has remained untouched by mass tourism and has retained its authentic charm. With the exception of the cities of Skiathos and Skopelos, little has changed since our last visit.
Therefore, I take the liberty of referring you to my detailed trip report with a detailed route description from 2019. Of course, there will also be a detailed report with maps and information from our Volos trip in 2025 – as soon as I get around to it.
Volos Trip Report 2019 (PDF)Until then, I invite you to discover highlights of this year's trip in a small photo gallery (at the end of the blog) – perhaps it will also spark your interest in Greece!
Our Route Through the Island World of the Sporades from Volos
- Gulf of Volos: The wide Gulf of Volos offers sheltered conditions – ideal for the first or last sailing days. Hardly any waves, pleasant breezes, and numerous anchorages make it perfect for a relaxed arrival on board.
- Skiathos: Skiathos is the liveliest of the Sporades islands. The city of the same name offers Mediterranean old town alleys, boutiques, and bars. Ideal for an evening with city flair – without missing out on a maritime atmosphere.
- Island of Skopelos with Skopelos Town: A real highlight! The old town nestles picturesquely on the slope above the harbor, with white houses, colorful doors, and winding alleys. Skopelos Town is lively but not overcrowded – ideal for strolling through the taverns in the evening and enjoying local specialties.
- Alonissos – Pure Nature and Dreamy Bays: Alonissos is the quietest and most authentic of the three large Sporades islands – ideal for those who appreciate nature, tranquility, and crystal-clear water. The coast is rugged, with many small bays perfect for anchoring, swimming, and snorkeling.
- Kyra Panagia – Solitude and Monastic Silence: About ten nautical miles northeast of Alonissos lies Kyra Panagia, a small, almost uninhabited island – a lonely natural paradise – ideal for overnight anchoring under a starry sky.
Enjoy the following photo gallery and let yourself be inspired by the authenticity of Greece! - Yours, Klaus Pitter
