Mythology, history and a lot of nature

Southwest of Thessaloniki, at the foot of Mount Olympus, you will find the coastal area of ​​the Olympic Riviera. In Pieria, as the locals call it, you will find the variety you are looking for on vacation: the blue of the sea, the green of the mountains and the gold of the sandy beaches. There are also mythical sites and interesting excavations to discover, as well as the wonderful nature below the seat of the gods. The approx. 70 km long coast with long, gently sloping beaches and charming fishing villages, rare flora and fauna, important historical and cultural sites and the traditional, picturesque mountain villages in the hinterland with warm, hospitable people - all of this needs to be discovered.

Mount Olympus, the highest mountain range in Greece, is particularly attractive (summit of Mytikas 2.918 m high). On its cloud-shrouded peaks, the ancient Greeks imagined the abode of the twelve gods of antiquity. Legends and myths weave around its slopes, criss-cross its forests and gorges. Of course, the seat of the gods was also described in Homer's Iliad.

Mount Olympus is also a meeting place for mountaineers and nature lovers and was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1981. The diversity of plants includes oak, cedar, beech, fir, spruce and pine trees, among others. In addition, there are 23 rare plant species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Chamois, jackals, foxes and deer are also native to Olympus. The gods were once worshiped in Dion, the holy city of the Macedonians at the foot of Mount Olympus. Sports competitions were held here and well-known personalities such as Alexander the Great made offerings to the Greek gods. Today Dion is a very interesting place to visit. Particularly noteworthy are the sanctuaries of Asklepios, Isis and Demeter as well as the ancient thermal baths, some residential houses and the villa with the mosaic of Dionysus. Every summer there are performances in the ancient theater of Dion.

Let yourself be surprised by the diversity that the Olympic Riviera offers you: sacred places, mythical sites, living history and a diverse nature. In short: everything a (vacationer's) heart desires. There's a lot to discover. And maybe a vacation isn't enough for that!