Three launching points for excursions to the Olympus region are Litochoro, Elassona and Katerini.
Litochoro is a popular accommodation option for those wishing to explore Olympus. The route Litochoro-Prionia is one of the favorite travel points to Olympus year-round and it’s also accessible by car. There are scenic beaches with quaint taverns nearby, rendering Litochoro an ideal setting throughout the year.
Katerini is an ideal destination for a vast array of activities. Situated near Olympus and adjacent to numerous lengthy and sandy beaches, such as Katerini Paralia, it features a vast selection of hotel accommodations and hosts a great number of visitors and tourists all year round. Also nearby are the archaeological park of Dion, one of Greece’s most significant sites, the Castle of Panteleimonas, not to mention beautiful villages such as Paleos Panteleimonas and Paleoi Poroi, famous for the local meats and fresh seafood featured in the local taverns.
Elassona is the southern gateway to Olympus. Starting from Kalyvia – 20 km from Ellasona – begins the shortest route (by car) to Mytikas, the highest peak of Mt. Olympus. One can discover quaint villages such as Tsaritsani and Tyrnavos, as well as Pythio with its immense archaeological significance. The area is famous for its repertoire of local meats and wines!
91 km from Litochoro
143 km from Elassona
Car Route
All Seasons
Since the early prehistoric period, Olympus has been the centre of Greek mythology and philosophy, which attempts to interpret the historical events and represents the exploration of the ancient Greek spirit up to the present. What is more, the holy mountain and the area near it, has been connected with many events that played a decisive role on Greece’s future, from the antiquity to the Second World War.
154 km from Litochoro
109 km from Elassona
Car Route
All Seasons
At the northwestern edge of the Thessalian plain, between Chasia and Pindos, emerges the imposing rock complex of Meteora. Impressive monasteries, nestled upon cliff rocks, reflect the place’s spirituality and long-standing monastic tradition. Ever since being declared by Unesco, a World Heritage Site, in 1988, Meteora attract over 2 million visitors yearly. The distance between Litochoro and Meteora is 158km, while from Elassona, it is 90km.
68 km from Litochoro
40 km from Elassona
Car Route
All Seasons
Full of
life and energy, Larisa, one of the largest cities in Greece and capital of the
Thessalian plain, is a modern and full of history metropolis composing an
interesting mosaic for the visitor. The most impressive testimony of Larisa’s
3000 years of history is Ancient TheatreI, located in the heart of the city. This splendid monument, which was dedicated
to god Dionysus, dates back to the 3rd century B.C.
Nearby, there is Ancient Theatre II, dating back to the Roman times. Further to
the North, at Fortress Hill, there are the remains of the basilica of Agios Achilleios
(6th century A.D.) and Bezesteni, the most significant Ottoman monument
surviving in Larisa since the 15th century. For almost 100 years, Alkazar
Park, with its amazing greenspace running alongside Pineios river, cools down
hot summer temperatures. The park consists of acafeteria, mini-golf, open-air theatre, a bike-lane, an artificial lake, footbridges
and park benches, altogether creating an environment ideal for relaxation,
activities and well-being.
96 km from Litochoro
69 km from Elassona
Car Route
All Seasons
The road distance between Katerini-Elassona is 69 km, lasts approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes and goes by picturesque villages with great historical interest. The first village is Agios Dimitrios, at an altitude of 800 m. Situated between the mountains of Olympus and Pieria, the village is surrounded by fir, beech, oak and pine treεs. Southwest of Olympus, at an altitude of 720 m., there is Pythio, known from as early as the Homeric times. Excavations have brought to light the temples of Apollo Pythio and Poseidon, the ruins of which you may admire in the archaeological site of Pythio. The villages of Pythio, Azoro and Dolichi, which are located in short distance from one another and on the right side of the Katerini-Elassona highway, formed in antiquity the first Amfiktionia: the ancient Perraevian Tripolitida.
46 km from Litochoro
143 km from Elassona
Car Route
Summer | Autumn
Departing from Litochoro and heading to the shores of Thessaly, just 46km away, you will be awestruck by the region’s wondrous nature. Stomio, which is the first in line, is a place of stunning beauty where trees seem to caress the sea. Combining the mountainous (Kissavos) with the aquatic element, it is a great summer spot and very popular among families who are looking for a safe sandy beach with swallow waters for kids to play at. Stomio is, also, a famous fishing ground. So, don’t miss out on the opportunity to try some delicious fish and seafood. Located close to Stomio, the Byzantine Monastery of Agios Dimitrios, which was founded before 1492, is surrounded by lush nature, while the new monastery, built next by, is famous for its miraculous icon of Virgin Mary (Panagia Odigitria).
160 km from Litochoro
70 km from Elassona
Car Route
Summer | Spring | Autumn
70 kilometers overflown with intense, alternating nature separate Elassona from Velvento (in the region of Kozani). History is in equal abundance and begins to unfold as soon as you reach the 20th km of the Elassona-Kozani road. This is where Hatzigogou’s Chani is located. The building was used by the troops of the Greek successor to the throne, Constantine, as headquarters in the Battle of Sarantaporo. It is here that on October 1912 the Greek armed forces defeated the Turks. This was a decisive victory as it led, a while later, to the liberation of Western and Central Macedonia. Nearby, a museum exhibits material evidence surviving from the battle (armature, military uniforms, etc.) and a memorial monument has been raised to commemorate those who died.
95 km from Litochoro
130 km from Elassona
Car Route
All Seasons
Counting over eight thousand years, Veroia has a rich history being the crossroads for various religions and civilizations, architectural traditions, groundbreaking nature and an abundance of waters. The welcoming city, situated at the foothills of Vermio and 98km. away from Litochoro, has a plentiful to offer to visitors. On the one hand, Aiges, the first city of ancient Macedons, shines through the centuries with a historical wealth that is verified by astonishing archaeological evidence, the excavated royal tombs. Sightseeing begins with a tour at the city’s traditional quarters: that of Kyriotissa, Panagia Deksia and the Jewish quarter. Wonder around the narrow alleys and churches of Kyriotissa, the stone-cobbled streets with the traditional houses and the Synagogue of “Barbouta”, as the Jewish quarter is known, to end up walking along Tripotamos river, where the quarter of Panagia Deksia is located. The picturesque bridges of the river flatter the city’s urban landscape.
158 km from Litochoro
217 km from Elassona
Car Route
Summer | Autumn
Halkidiki, a large peninsula between the Thermaikos and Strymonikos Gulfs, which ends in three smaller peninsulas, Kassandra (Phlegra or Pallene) to the west, Sithonia in the middle, between the Toroneos and the Sigitikos Gulfs, and finally Agion Oros (Holy Mountain, also called Athos or Akte) to the east.
The peninsula of Halkidiki has a rare beauty. All shades of green of the vegetation set off the colours of the deep blue see. Its peculiar geographic shape with its protrusions far into the Aegean Sea, makes Halkidiki the peninsula with the longest coastline (more than 550 km). Vast sandy beaches alternate with hidden little bays sheltered by tall pine trees, creating a landscape of great beauty.
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