Agios Ioannis

The Pirate’s “Skala” For most of its history, the area now known as Agios Ioannis did not exist as a village. It served merely as the “Skala” (port/landing place) for the mountain village of Agios Dimitrios, located high on the ridge above. Until the late 19th century, the fear of piracy was so prevalent that no one dared to build permanent homes on this exposed coastline. It was a place of temporary wooden huts where fishermen and traders would hastily load timber and fruit onto ships before retreating to the safety of the mountains at dusk.

The Namesake Church The village takes its name from the small, unassuming church of Saint John the Baptist (Agios Ioannis), which has stood near the shore for centuries. Historically, this church was the only stone structure on the beach, serving as a landmark for sailors navigating the treacherous Aegean currents. Today, while surrounded by modern hotels, the church remains the spiritual anchor of the community, reminding visitors of the settlement’s humble, pious beginnings before the tourism boom.

The Tourism Explosion In the mid-20th century, as the road network improved and the threat of piracy vanished, Agios Ioannis transformed rapidly. It became the first village in Eastern Pelion to fully embrace tourism, evolving from a fishing outpost into a premier holiday destination. Wealthy merchants from Egypt and Volos built summer homes here, and by the 1980s, it was the “place to be,” celebrated for having the first organized amenities on the savage eastern coast.

The Trinity of Beaches The village’s enduring popularity is dictated by its unique geography—it is the nexus of three distinct beaches. To the south lies Papa Nero (the golden sand camping haven), and to the north lies the dramatic Plaka Beach, famous for its turquoise waters and massive white pebbles. Agios Ioannis sits in the center, connecting them all via a walkable coastline. This “trinity” allowed the village to dominate the region’s economy, as it offered a beach for every type of traveler within a 10-minute walk.

Agios Ioannis Today: The Summer Hub Presently, the village acts as the logistical hub for the entire eastern side of the peninsula. It is the starting point for boat excursions to the famous “Sea Caves of Poseidon” at Veneto and hosts the vibrant “Revival of the Flower” (Lugaria) festival every June, an ancient custom celebrating the rebirth of nature. While it quiets down significantly in winter, during the summer months it remains the beating heart of Pelion’s Riviera, balancing its role as a modern resort with the preservation of the stunning natural landscape that surrounds it.