Tsangkarada is not only one of the most beautiful tourist villages of Pelion but throughout all of Greece. It is the most sparsely inhabited village, which reaches out over two slopes and because of this peculiarity its houses are ‘lost’ amongst the lush green cobbled streets that are filled with flower filled gardens. Tsangarada is found on the slopes of Pelion and is built at an altitude of 450m.
The trademark of the area is the huge plane tree at the center of the Agia Paraskevi Square. The width of the trunk exceeds 15m, whilst its shade during the summer embraces the entire square. The roots reach down 3-4m below the stone paved square. Here the beautiful mansions, the traditional neoclassical houses, stone paved cobbled streets, the elaborate fountains, the centuries old plane trees and the chestnuts trees are a central attracting factor for the many walkers. It is an ideal destination for though who love nature and hiking.
It is divided up into 4 districts, which take there names from the respective churches in each area; that of Agion Taxiarchon with the Venetian icon, of Agia Paraskevi, of Agios Stefanos with its ancient throne and particularly interesting icon, and the lowest region, Agia Kyriaki.
It is very contradictory as to where the name of ‘Tsagkarada’ comes from and there are many versions. The most simplified being that it was related to shoe-making based on the fact that the village was once named ‘Tsagkarades’ because of this particular profession. Another version is the name supports the etymology of foreign words, mainly Slavic, which in the dialect they belong to, mean nice view. Another version supports the notion that the place name comes from ‘Tsagkaria’ which in the itinerant Gypsy dialect means “Tsantiria’ or tents. One last version says that the name is founded from the Arabic work ‘tsagkar’ which means ‘rock’. It was rumored that the Centaurs once lived in the mountain of Tsangarada during ancient times.
There was also the field where the “Gigantomachi’ took place, or the battle between the giants and the Olympian Gods, who favored the resort.
A particular sight worth seeing is the famed Nanopoulos School; a fine example of Pelion and neoclassical architecture at the beginning of the 20th Century which started out as a financial high school but now houses the elementary school of the village. During the summer months the school is used for the organisation of theatrical productions, exhibitions, concerts and various other cultural events. Nicholas Nanopoulos was the founder of the Nanopoulos School but he also funded the completion of the road, which joined the rail station of Milies and Tsagkarada.
Also from here are the Achilopoulos brothers who donated to the foundation of Volos Hospital (Achilopouleio Hospital).
Yet another benefactor from the area was Ioannis Ant. Kartalis who generosity built the Kataleio Elementary School. Another site worth seeing is the aqueduct of Agion Taxiarchon.
In the beginning of the village of Tsagkarada you will find the oldest and most well known stone singled arched bridge. With the arch reaching 12m in length and a height of 6m, it is known as ‘the old bridge’ as it was built in 1728. The bridge crosses the gorge of Milopotamou joining the villages of Tsagkaradas and Xourichti, the length is 18m across and it is located amongst the plane and chestnut tree forest. You will reach the border of Xourichti-Tsagkaradas, following the small, wooden signs in a few minutes along the cobbled footpath.
On the 26th July, the feast day of Agias Paraskevis, there is a festival in the main square. This also applies on the 7th July when Agia Kyriaki has the feast day, and the 2nd August for Agios Stefanos and 6th September for Agio Taxarches.
Tsagkarada is well known for its impressive beaches with turquoise waters and crystal clear waters. One of these is Milopotamos with is huge rock in the sea and course shingle, Fakistra, 
and the most inaccessible beaches with wild and enchanting beauty, Karabostasia and Karabotsakstia, both stony beaches as opposed to sandy.
The most famous route is the one starting from the district of Agias Paraskevis that, down old footpaths crossing the forest and bridges past many springs, ends up at Damouchari.
Another beautiful route is the Tsagkarada-Damouchari-Fakistra and the more classical route is Milies-Xourichti-Tsagkarada.
The Tsagkarada Mountaineering and Marine Sports Festival is an institution who’s intention was to create and promote Tsangkarada as a village ideal for the development of alternative tourism, intending to extend environmental knowledge of the area, but, parallel for the protection of it.
During the time of the festival there are 10 athletic events;
Adventures available;
Gorge climbing
Climbing
Mountain Biking
Sea Canoeing (Kayak)
Flying Fox (120m)
Horse riding
Archery
Trekking
Coastal Cross Country
7 km Mountain Run
19km Mountain Run
The International Festival of Pelion is an expression of educational and artistic tourism enabling its participants and their families to visit this unique place of beauty that combines green mountain areas with stunning and easy accessible beaches.
The events are organised every summer in Tsagkarada, Zagora and in Kisso. They include musical concerts, screenings, documentaris and much more.
https://www.facebook.com/tsagarada.escape.festival/
