Olympus Nature Reserve: 12 Wonderful Places to Visit
Mount Olympus: The Home of the Gods
Just an hour and fifteen minutes from Thessaloniki, you’ll find a magical forest filled with diverse hiking trails alongside a turquoise river. Explore charming small towns and enjoy some of the region’s best beaches.
The Mount Olympus Nature Reserve in Greece is more than just a stop along the way – it is a destination in its own right. Whether you visit for a few days or a full week, you won’t find a single dull moment.
Here are Tiulist’s recommendations for 12 must-do experiences when visiting Mount Olympus.
To make your trip even easier, I’ve linked the exact Google Maps locations for every spot in this post – just click and go!
From the deep green forests to the endless blue of the Aegean – the magic of Mount Olympus
1. Swim in the Orlias Waterfalls
At the foot of the Olympus mountains, just a short and accessible drive away, lies one of the most wonderful spots in Greece. Orlias Stream is a chain of flowing waterfalls spilling into stunning turquoise pools where you can swim (The water is very cold!).
Two of the waterfalls are easily accessible by car, just a short walk from the parking area. The third, known as the Red Rock Waterfall, can be reached via a moderate-level hiking trail. The path continues past the falls all the way to the Koromilia Refuge.
The water originates from the slopes of Mount Olympus, making the falls even more impressive in spring and early summer, as the melting snow feeds the river.
This is one of the region’s most popular destinations. You can opt for a quick visit and a refreshing dip, or embark on a longer hike from the falls up to the Koromilia Mountain Hut.
2. Visit the Town of Litochoro
Litochoro is a pleasant town located at the foot of Mount Olympus in Greece and serves as the gateway to the mountain. Several hiking trails to Mount Olympus start here.
The town offers a variety of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and shops. You can set up a base here for your Olympus adventure and stay a few nights.
Litochoro is situated about 400 meters above sea level. A short drive will take you to the beach areas at the foot of the mountain, which are also good places to stay in the area,
especially during the bathing season when the coastal towns are busy with holiday makers.
3. Drive the Winding Road to Prionia
Prionia (Priònia) is located about 20 km from Litochoro, accessible via a relatively narrow and winding road that cuts through a dense, lush forest.
This is the highest point reachable by car on this side of Mount Olympus, sitting at an elevation of 1,100 meters above sea level.
From Prionia, the main hiking trails to the peaks of Olympus begin, but the area is highly recommended even for those who don’t plan on climbing to the top. For instance, you can visit the Enipeas River, which flows right through Prionia, or set out on less demanding hikes, such as the trail to the Old Monastery of St. Dionysios.
Prionia is not a village; it consists primarily of a large parking area and a cozy mountain restaurant with very reasonable prices. Even if you aren’t hungry, you can enjoy a refreshing drink or a modest serving of Greek yogurt with honey—the mountain air seems to give them a special, unforgettable flavor.
4. Visit the Old Monastery of St. Dionysios
The Old Monastery of St. Dionysios is a beautiful, historic site located just a few kilometers before reaching Prionia. Founded in the 16th century, it has a rich history of destruction and reconstruction, with the current structure dating back to the 19th century.
A short hike from the monastery leads to the Holy Cave of Saint Dionysios, where the saint lived as a monk in the 15th century. While it is a popular pilgrimage site, international travelers will also enjoy the spectacular and relatively easy hike from the monastery to the cave (approximately a 2-hour round trip, including stops).
The monastery is set in a stunning environment, surrounded by lush vegetation and towering peaks. The trail winds through a dense pine forest, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Olympic landscape.
For those interested in a 3-hour hike, you will thoroughly enjoy walking the trail from the Old Monastery to Prionia. The outbound leg is uphill and therefore more strenuous, but the return journey will be particularly easy. The round-trip route covers approximately 7 kilometers (slightly less).
This trail is fantastic, and I highly recommend it! Additionally, you can take a well-deserved break at the restaurant in Prionia or by the waterfalls.
The trail is considered moderate, suitable for hikers with a reasonable fitness level.
5. Have Lunch at Prionia or Stavros
The road from Litochoro to Prionia passes by the Stavros Refuge (Stavros Refuge – Shelter D). This is the only refuge on the mountain accessible by asphalt road.
Located at an elevation of 930 meters above sea level, the refuge has a small, cozy restaurant with a great panoramic view. If you’re there, try the vegetarian bean soup.
Sometimes, the refuge is shrouded in mist, adding an almost mystical quality to the experience. The refuge is named after a renowned Greek alpinist and hiking guide who died in an avalanche in 2004.
Another option is to dine at a restaurant in Prionia. Note that these are small, simple restaurants with a limited menu, but that’s exactly what you need after a successful hike on the mountain.
6. Visit the Picturesque Village of Palaios Panteleimonas
The village of Palaios Panteleimonas is one of the most picturesque and
Instagrammable villages in Greece. Located about 500 meters above sea level, it offers a breathtaking view of the sea. The village is paved with narrow stone paths, has stone houses, and impressive panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Aegean
Sea.
The village is quite touristy, evident in its well-maintained guesthouses, restaurants, and a variety of souvenir shops. A pleasant afternoon can be spent exploring the village. At the entrance of the village is a car park where cars are left to continue by foot.
7. Tour the Platamon Castle and the Nearby Coastal Town
The Platamon Castle (Byzantine Castle of Platamon) is a medieval fortress located in the town of Platamon. Built in the 13th century by the Crusaders, it sits on a hill
overlooking the Aegean Sea and offers fantastic views of the surrounding area. It’s worth
visiting the area; cars are parked below and a walk up the path leads to the well-preserved fortress.
Platamon is a relatively central resort town in the area with a selection of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and shops.
If you’re staying in Olympus in the summer, you’ll likely enjoy visiting and staying in the town, which can serve as a base for your travels.
Outside the bathing season, there’s less to do by the beach.
8. Visit the Agia Kori Waterfalls
The Agia Kori Waterfalls are a beautiful waterfall located on the eastern slopes of Mount Olympus, about 20 km from Litochoro. There are several hiking trails leading to the waterfall for more adventurous hikers, however, it’s also possible to get very close, park, and visit the waterfall within just a 2-minute walk.
The surrounding area has several short, beautiful trails suitable for the whole family.
9. Complete a Short and Easy Hike
If you’re looking for an easy hike (suitable for young children), here are two options from Litochoro:
The most popular trail is the one known as “Zeus’s Baths” (Bythos) and starts from the town of Litochoro. The trail starts from the eastern entrance of the mountain. It’s a short trail on a concrete path; note that in some parts of the trail there is no guardrail, so children must be supervised at all times. To reach the trailhead, navigate on Google Maps to: Myloi Restaurant.
Another trail along the Enipea River starts from the center of Litochoro. You can walk to the bridge and back, or if you’re more experienced, you can continue to the Stavros Refuge (Stavros Refuge – Shelter). The trail is well-marked and signposted. To reach the trailhead, navigate (on foot) on Google Maps to: Start of red hiking trail to Stavros.
10. For Experienced Hikers: A Variety of Trails
For experienced hikers, Mount Olympus in Greece offers a wide range of excellent trails.
The highlight is the climb to one of the mountain’s peaks. Information on how to prepare
for the Mount Olympus trek can be found in this post, but this trail should only be undertaken with a guide.
If you’re hiking without a guide, you can climb from Prionia to the A hikers’ hut, at an elevation of 2100 meters, known as Spilios Agapitos Refuge. This is an intense 3-hour climb, gaining 1000 meters in elevation. This trail is not suitable for children, though some parents do take their children on this route. Some parts of the trail are steep and
narrow.
Priònia – Litochoro Trail (or vice versa) – Another option is a relatively difficult trail from Prionia to Litochoro (or vice versa). Keep in mind it’s a 6-7 hour hike with many ups and downs. The end point for those starting from Prionia is Myloi Restaurant mentioned above.
Personally, I recommend doing only part of this route: the hike from the monastery to Prionia and back. This is the most beautiful part of the trail and is challenging enough.
Also, you won’t need a taxi to take you to the trailhead or pick you up at the end.
It’s worth parking at the monastery and starting from there (there’s a sign with a junction: cave to the left and Prionia to the right). The return route is downhill and relatively easy (be cautious with children in some short sections).
Another shorter option is to walk from the Old Monastery to the cave and back. This trail
is also suitable for children. If you have a few hours, you can do both trails. Enjoyment guaranteed!
11. Visit the Western Side and Experience Real Life
Since the ascent to the summit of the mountain is mainly from the eastern side, the western side of Olympus remains much less touristy. This is evident in the experience: if
you really want to feel like a local, visit the western towns. For a day tour of a few hours, drive to the wonderful town of Livadi. The experience begins right on the scenic road that climbs. Park at the entrance to the town and walk through the main street, which is lined with small cafes. This is a great way to experience the local culture, as the Greek town is lively and bustling.
Sit in one of the cafes or buy some pastries from a bakery and enjoy them in the well-kept municipal park with a panoramic view.
Walk Along the "Path of Wishes"
While there are several mountain villages in the region besides Livadi, my recent visits found some of them less inviting, with many local cafes closed. If you are looking for a great place to stay in this area, the village of Agios Dimitrios is an excellent option.
For those seeking a more off-the-beaten-path experience, the northwestern slopes of Mount Olympus offer a magical escape with very few tourists. A beautiful and serene hiking trail starts from the peaceful village of Ano Milia—it’s a hidden gem that is well worth the visit.
12. Visit the Archaeological Site of Dion
If you want to learn about the Greek god Zeus, you can visit the archaeological site of Dion. This archaeological site, located north of Mount Olympus, is the site of an ancient Macedonian city dedicated to Zeus. Founded in the 5th century BC, it became a major religious and cultural center of the Macedonian kingdom in the 4th century BC. It was also a site for the Olympic Games held in honor of Zeus and the Muses. Dion was abandoned in the 7th century AD and rediscovered in the 19th century. Excavations have been ongoing since the early 20th century, uncovering several important monuments and artifacts.
The site is partially shaded and pleasant to walk around, with paved paths.
