The sheltered bay
A rock spur making a natural mooring on an exposed coast.
**The only natural harbour on the whole eastern coast of Pelion** — a small rocky bay below Tsagarada, unlike any other point on this exposed shore. Pelion's eastern coast **faces the open Aegean** with no shelter — except here: a **rock spur** runs out and curls round to make a **protected bay** where fishermen and small boats moored for centuries. Above it are the **remains of a small Venetian fort**. The village is **very small**: stone houses on the water, a quay, two pebble beaches and a few tavernas. ✅ From here a **kalderimi** — an old stone path — climbs through the forest to **Tsagarada**. ⚠ Scenes from the film **Mamma Mia!** (2008) were shot here, which raised its profile considerably. ⚠ And the road down is **steep and narrow**.
A rock spur making a natural mooring on an exposed coast.
Houses on the water, tavernas and small boats in a little bay.
A stone kalderimi climbing to Tsagarada through the chestnuts.
Damouchari, 37012 Magnesia, Greece
**A 2008 British-American musical, parts of which were shot on Pelion and Skiathos, and which raised the region's profile considerably.** ✅ **What it is**: a film built on **ABBA** songs, set on a fictional Greek island called Kalokairi. **It was genuinely shot in Greece** — mostly on the neighbouring island of **Skiathos** (close to Pelion by ferry), **and partly at Damouchari** here: the quay, bay and village scenes. ✅ **Its effect**: the film measurably increased **international awareness of the region**, and many visitors now come specifically. ⚠ **Calibrate your expectations**: **there is no organised «film location» here** — no plaques, no official tours and nothing in the village referring to the film. **What you see is the village itself** as it is, used as a backdrop. ✅ **And the famous clifftop church from the film is not here** but **on Skiathos** (Agios Ioannis sto Kastri on its rock) — which confuses many people. ✅ **So treat Damouchari as a beautiful village**, with the film as a footnote.
**Downhill, not up — and that changes the trip entirely.** ✅ **The path**: an old stone **kalderimi** linking village and beach through **chestnut and oak forest**, past streams and small stone bridges. **About an hour** one way. ✅ **⚠ The right direction: from Tsagarada down to Damouchari** — because the height difference is considerable, and climbing back is **real work** after a day on the beach. **Start at the top and descend**, ✅ **and arrange for someone to meet you by car at the bottom**, or a taxi — that decision determines whether your walk is a pleasure or a slog. ⚠ **What to take**: **gripping soles** — the paving is **very slippery**, especially after rain, and Pelion is rainy; **water**, since there is nothing en route; and **a trail map** on your phone, as waymarking varies. ⚠ **Do not walk it after heavy rain** — the streams rise and the stone becomes dangerous. ✅ **Its best seasons are spring and autumn** — the forest at its finest and the temperature moderate.
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