Visit Mont Olympe

Are you in Greece to discover its archaeological and natural riches? Did you throw your devotee on the mountain and want to visit Mount Olympe? Discover our dedicated article!

Located north of Greece, Mount Olympe is the highest mountainous massif in the country. It is located near to Thessaloniki , the second most populous city of Greece, and famous especially for its rich Byzantine heritage. It is even considered the "co-capital" of the country because of its glorious past!

Mont Olympe, for him, culminates in 2 917 meters above sea level , with the summit called pic Mytikas . It enjoys great importance in the eyes of the Greeks, it is also a privileged place for travellers.

Indeed, you will see, Greece is not just a country with turquoise waters and ancient ruins! This article aims to show you in details how to visit this exceptional and unique place, with some excursion ideas.

Visit Mont Olympe, a dive in Greek mythology

Mount Olympe is a very important place of Greek mythology . Indeed, it is considered the residence of the twelve Olympian gods in the ancient religion of ancient Greece. Among these divinities are the most famous: Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Athena and Apollo.

The History of Mount Olympe is also marked by Macedonian Greece of Alexander the Great. His main historical vestige is old town of Dion , Macedonian religious centre. Living for nearly 1,000 years, the history of the city is beautifully recounted and preserved in the Dion Archaeological Museum.

Mount Olympe is also a centre of Greek Orthodox religion. On the mountain, we find the highest chapel in the Orthodox world , dedicated to the prophet Elijah, culminating at 2,803 meters above sea level! Monasteries, like Dionysos , Kanalo n or Sparmou , can also be part of a trip during a hike at Mont Olympe.

Visiting Mount Olympe is therefore going to wonder in a legendary place of Greek history, whether real or imaging!

Visit Mont Olympe, a magical and diverse natural place

Let us now forget mythology and history. Let us focus on the main reason for a trip to Mount Olympe: its natural beauty! Visiting Mount Olympe is going to a unique national park in Greece . Created in 1938 to protect the fauna and flora of the place, Mont Olympe National Park is declared " Biosphere Reserve » by Unesco in 1981.

Visit Mont Olympe is therefore a privilege for botanical lovers. Indeed, the national park houses twenty-three endemic plants, that is, they are not in any other place on the planet! This figure demonstrates success in preserving the biodiversity of the national park. As for the very rich fauna, it often lives hidden and remains difficult to approach.

At Mont Olympe, nature is queen and must be taken into account before any visit. The beauty of the landscape amazes us as soon as we see the peak Mytikas , Second highest Balkan summit (behind) Moussala Bulgaria. It is a dive in a Greece that is not always seen in the tourist guides... A Greece which is for a few days the paradise of hikers and climbers!

In summary: unforgettable moments for all those who will taste the happiness of Mont Olympe! What if it was your turn?

What to see and what to do at Mount Olympe?

Visiting Mount Olympe is first and foremost the possibility of doing beautiful hikes in the midst of sublime and magnificent landscapes!

Indeed, if the summits are not covered by the clouds, there are also sublime views on Mount Olympe, for example from the archaeological site of Dion or the refuge of Prionia . The gorges Enipéas , the waterfall Orlias and the archaeological remains are also places not to be missed!

Finally, we can also do original activities like paragliding , to discover Mont Olympe by taking the height!

How to visit Mount Olympe?

Guided tour with an agency from Thessaloniki

Do you want to travel in time while enjoying pretty views? So this ticket for Mount Olympe is especially for you! The departure is from the city Thessaloniki early morning, direction Dion archaeological site with a guide that gives you a smile. Once on site, the guided tour allows you to understand the importance of the city in Greek history!

You then have free time to explore the archaeological site, including its amphitheatre, still used today. The Archaeological Museum of Dion is also an obligatory passage to admire the statues and mosaics preserved.

After the archaeological escape, it’s time to recharge the batteries with a lunch in a traditional restaurant the modern village. On the menu, local specialties! Once the belly is full, direction it Mont Olympe , gorges_Enipéas_ and his breathtaking views.

The gorges are the starting point of a short hike in the foothills of Mount Olympe. You then have the possibility to admire nature, the river Enipéas , its cascades and the sublime mountainous panorama! The return to Thessaloniki then takes place around 15:30 / 16:00. On the bus, you can close your eyes and remember the magical moments you just lived!

Paragliding

Do you want to experience an original experience to visit Mont Olympe? So this paragliding trip above Mount Olympe and the Aegean is for you!

Your experience begins in the picturesque village Neos Panteleimonas south of Mont Olympe National Park. You then meet your friendly instructor, the one who will give you the instructions and will accompany you during the flight. Whether you're a sportsman or not, tandem flight requires no effort . Placed in front of the instructor, you give the impulse after it gave you the green light. Once in the air, he guides the paragliding and you only have to enjoy the breathtaking views !

Depending on the selected experience, the starting point is 600 or 1,300 metres above sea level. Of course, the higher the starting altitude, the longer the flight time to extend the pleasure! In the air, we enjoy the best view possible on Mount Olympe and its peak Mytikas . We also see the village Palaio Panteleimonas , the valley between Mount Olympe and the sea, a Byzantine fortress and the coast of the Aegean Sea. The experience ends with a smooth landing on the fine sand of the beach Platamonas.

Moreover, if the season is ready, don’t forget your beach business to enjoy the beach and its turquoise waters. The perfect finish of a magical experience!

Walk to the top of Mount Olympe

This ticket to Mont Olympe is the ultimate experience of a 3-day hike. If it is for all, this experience is especially reserved for mountain lovers and those who want to surpass themselves, for 7 to 8 hours of walking a day!

On the first day, you meet your mountain guide and the rest of the group to Litochoro , the city closest to Mount Olympe. The hike starts at Prionia , last village accessible by car, at an altitude of 1,100 meters. To the refuge Agapitos , located 2 100 meters and where you spend the night, the path is easy , surrounded by a forest of pines and fir trees.

The one everyone is waiting for is the second day. This is the day of the summit! If the weather conditions and physical condition of the group are at the meeting, you take the direction of the peak Mytikas . The trail is more difficult, narrow, and the end has a rope! For 150 meters it is indeed necessary to literally climb to the top, which can only be reached in this way. However, don't worry, the guides and the rest of the group are there to help in case of difficulties.

After resting up and taking some pictures, the descent begins to the Muses Plateau and the refuge, where you will spend the night after a beautiful day. The last day is the simplest of the three. To put you in the leg, it starts with one small climb to the famous chapel of the prophet Elie and its fabulous views on the summits . The suite is quieter, a descent to a refuge for lunch and then to the village of Gkortsia , where your journey ends.

If it is not open to all profiles, this experience will certainly remain engraved in your memory!

How to get to Mount Olympe?

To visit Mount Olympe, it is of course necessary to be in Greece! The nearest airport is Thessaloniki Airport. Unless the visit of Mont Olympe is part of a long journey in Greece, it is advisable to land from this airport.

It is served by many companies, even in low season. Do not hesitate to consult our partner’s website Skyscanner to find the right combination and the best offers.

By train

The train is only for those coming from Thessaloniki or, for the most adventurous, Athens . The train joins Litochoro, the closest city to Mount Olympe, a place where most travellers stay in the area.

From Thessaloniki, trains are scheduled and the journey lasts less One hour , for a cost of order 6 € . This is clearly the preferred means of transport to reach Litochoro!

From Athens, count a little more 4 hours to reach Litochoro, with a change in Larissa, for a price between 22 € and 25 € .

By car

The rental of a vehicle directly at Thessaloniki Airport is a excellent option for people wishing to visit Mount Olympe and its region!

It takes about 3 hours of travel to go to Mount Olympe, taking the E75 up to Katerini then it national road 13 up to Litochoro .

Being vehiculated allows above all to be able to quietly explore the region between Thessaloniki and Mount Olympe. It is indeed very rich in historical places, such as Macedonian sites Pella and Aigai . And the Aegean is very close with the beaches Korinos or Platamonas .

Are there combined visits?

As presented above, there are actually visits combined with Mount Olympe. In general, these visits are concentrated around historical remains the region, including the city of Dion. It is therefore quite possible to combine archaeological visits and hikes!

It is also possible to spend the beginning or (rather) the end of the day at the beach Platamonas very close to Mount Olympe.

The right addresses

To visit Mont Olympe, what better than a good accommodation, a succulent restaurant or a few spots to keep in mind?

With regard to accommodation in general, three options are available to travellers: Thessaloniki, Litochoro and Mont Olympe huts.

Thessaloniki

Staying in Thessaloniki is recommended for those who do not have much time to travel or who do not want to climb to the top.

The first excursions are also from Thessaloniki. Many housing units are available. To find yours, do not hesitate to consult a Compare hotels or Airbnb to experience a more authentic experience.

Litochoro

Litochoro is the ideal drop point for almost all travellers. No matter whether you want to go to the top or not, it is very often necessary to leave early in the morning or return late in the evening.

Located at the limit of the national park, the village is perfect in many ways! Wanderlix has selected for you two accommodations Airbnb to help you spend a great stay near Mont Olympe.

1. Accommodation for the night

A comfortable apartment for a quiet night. Well equipped and spacious, it is ideal for a family of four people and gives access to a garden!

2. The accommodation for a few days

If you like color, then this apartment in Litochoro is for you! In a very pleasant place, the accommodation can accommodate up to six people and has everything you need. With its large terrace, the apartment is ideal to share a moment with friends.

Apart from a large family or a group of friends, this apartment is especially intended for those who want to enjoy a home, which is not just a roof for the night!

The refuges of Mont Olympe and the campsite

The shelters are reserved for those who want to visit Mount Olympe by going to its summit. It is more than advisable to not do all the same day. On the one hand, even in the summer, you must avoid descending in the middle of the night. On the other hand, it is important to enjoy the view from above and not to descend 5 minutes later!

There are many shelters on the way. The refuge Agapitos is the most frequented and advised for those who want to meet with partners of cordée. However, it is closed from October to May, on the contrary Kakkalos refuge , open all year round. In general, nighting costs around 15 € .

The campsite is allowed around certain places, for 5 € per night.

Restaurants around Mont Olympe

On Mont Olympe, we recommend a restaurant: Priònia . Indeed, the restaurant enjoys an ideal location in the heart of the national park! Priònia is indeed located near the departure of the true ascent to Mount Olympe and the more difficult hikes. In addition, the restaurant offers quality local cuisine, which will delight you before your departure to the summits!

Other restaurants are all located in Litochoro . The one recommended is Meze Meze . Even if its name can at the outset make think of a Lebanese restaurant, it is well in mussaka or gyros that you will taste! One traditional Greek cuisine , which will also delight vegetarians since the restaurant offers several meatless specialties.

The spots of Mont Olympe

The pic Mytikas is clearly the spot of Mount Olympe. From above, when the weather is clear, you will find an extraordinary view ! Our eyes are marvelled and enchanted by the nearby summits and the villages we see in the distance. Moreover, if you have the envy, but also the physical condition to reach the summit, don’t hesitate!

Other spot, the Orlias waterfall , located north of Litochoro . This waterfall is famous for its sublime emerald green color!