Welcome to Pieria

Olympus Riviera, in Pieria, is the Greek Riviera.

Below imposing Mount Olympus and the evergreen Pieria Mountains, is serenity unfolds to the crystal blue waters of the Aegean Sea.

It is the land of Mythology, the Gods and the Muses, the cradle of civilization, with a strong cultural past. It is tantamount to cornucopia and wealth, a blessed place and a center of attraction, with an abundance of all the individual elements, which together, form its splendor. Archaeological findings from ancient cities, monuments and antiquities bring out the entire spectrum of hostorical eras, which were the landmarks of the Hellenic nation(Livithra, Pimplia, Dion, Pydna, Methoni, Makrygialos).

Here, in this land, your senses vividly perceive the spell of the scenery and the integrity of nature. The mountain and the sea, green and blue, myth and reason, blend together in remarkable harmony.

Pieria, the poetic and erotic land which has so often been praised and painted, invites you to live dreamed holiday at a place which will captivate you with its warmth and beauty; and this beauty besieges you from all sides. Its abundant nature and vast beaches, with crystal clear blue waters, give it a special touch and colour. The picturesque fishermen's villages, with their seaside strewn with taverns wich serve seafood delicacies, breed a very special sensation and a new impulse of life, since the vastness of the sea brings a feeling of exaltation as well as of emotional tranquility.

Holidays in Pieria is a real escape when you want to relax from daily routine and regain strength. At Olympus Riviera, Pieria's coasts, the well - organized tourist infrastructure provides a string of options and opportunities for a creative holiday. You may enjoy the sea, indulge in the unique nature of Pieria, entertain to the sound of traditional and modern music, go shopping, visit art and cultural events and discover new ways of living and thinking.

Pieria's location, the national road and railway network which serves the area and the perfect local road network, make Pieria an ideal base for visitors who wish to take day - tips to other parts of greece and return to the hotels in Pieria to spend the night.

Most people know Pieria and olympus from Greek mythology. Others have heard about it from tales told by visitors to the area.

However, no matter how enchanting the myth is, no matter how flattering the information is, the Pieria that you, the visitor, will discover is the most beautiful.

Few places combine endless stretches of beach with golden sands, excellent tourist infrastructure, affordable prices and above all excellent public transport bringing transport time down to a matter of minutes.

Few places combine so many different types of holiday along 70 kilometers of coastline from quiet,family resorts to weekend outings for the young and restless.

Few places can combine completely different forms of entertainment, leisure and cultural activities like Pieria can, thanks to its geographical diversity, long history and the friendly, hardworking and reliable nature of its people.

Destination Pieria is for all. A place where dreams come true, a place where reality isn't virtual, a place where life is beautiful. Olympus Riviera satisfies every wish.

Olympus Riviera, below Mount Olympus, with golden beaches, is just irresistible. A pleasant and safe coastline with lots of groves and pinewoods.

Along this coast there are fully equipped hotels, bungalows, campsites, rooms for rent and furnished apartments. The facilities they provide will satisfy even the most complex needs.
The enchanting crystal clear sea waters and beaches awarded and certified by Blue Flags, offer to visitors endless opportunities to indulge in the pleasure of its waters, whether by participating in the action of aquatic sports and games, or by relaxing with a cool drink in the comfort of the shade of a straw umbrella.

Olympus Riviera combines life, beauty, ecstasy and a world of dreams. Tourism in Pieria is a part of its culture and this is seen in the way services are extended in a well - organized and systematic approach but at all times, with a smile and as a labor of love. Modern touristic units provide accommodation with hospitality.

The endless golden sandy beaches, blue, blue - green waters and warm and friendly people form a warm and hospitable embrace. Hospitality, for the people of Pieria, is a tradition they inherited from Xenios Zeus. The visitor is bound to experience a warmth and friendliness, which seem to derive from a different culture and way of life. Wandering off from anxiety and stress, you lead to Olympus Riviera.

There, where the mountain slopes fade out at the Aegean Sea, you see dreamt images at the coasts of Platamonas, Litochoro, the OLympiaki Akti, Paralia and Panteleimonas. You see the genuine charm of Nei Pori, Skotina, Leptokarya, Korinos , Methoni.
You see the infinite blue expanse of Makrygialos, Pydna and Agathoupoli. Unbelievable contrasts in a scenery with fascinating variations of images.

There are at least 16 reasons that make Pieria's 16 beaches unrivalled:
The length of the sea front, the ubundant, golden sand the quality of the water the unrepeatable combination of coastline and mountainous massifs, changes in landscape, easy road and rail acces, facilities for small craft, the alternation between quiet and cosmopolitan life, the diversity of flora and fauna, hotel infrastructure, the range of cuisine and entertainment, the weath of sporting activities available, countless sites of cultural and ecological interest, well organized shopping facilities and the range of towns dotted along the coast.

Holidays in Olympus Riviera means relax in style, freedom of choice, days in quality and nights with endless fun till morning.

ENTERTAINMENT EXCURSIONS
From the golden sandy beaches to the summit of Olympus, the mountain of the Gods, the unique beauty of nature unfolds and overwhelms the visitor with the colours aromas and sweet taste of the scenery in the land of Pieria. Wherever one may be, whatever time of year it may be, Pieria offers a hospitable shelter and unfailingly satisfies one's desires.

The market and entertainment are the next surprise for the visitor. In Katerini, the hospitable capital of Pieria, ths shopping center whithin and around the beautiful pedestrian precinct provides opportunities for goods buys from attractive stores. That part of the town and the park of Katerini, with their little outdoor cafes, create a pleasant and friendly urban environment.

Moreover, all the villages along the coast have their own well - organized shopping centers with a wide variety of goods. All kinds of stores, greengroceries with motley products, groceries little bars, cafes, clubs, taverns and ouzo - bars are all scattered in the same area and are ideal for buys, entertainment and strolls until late in the evening. This merry atmosphere is then carried to other clubs which provide lively entertainment until the early hours.

Pieria lies at a junction of roads and is a perfect base for short trips to significant historical and cultural sites and monuments in Greece. Besides, exploring Pieria itself, with hikes on Olympus and the Pierian Mountains, is a unique experience.

Setting off from Pieria, you may visit Delphi, Meteora, Volos, Pilio and the Sporades, with a short and  pleasant rest in the Tempi Valley.

Thessaloniki, only 35 minutes from Katerini, provides a wonderful opportunity for a visit. This beautiful town, the capital of Macedonia, is the cultural center as well as an important commercial center of Europe with many monuments, museums, Byzantine castles and churches, a comprehensive market and vivid nightlife.

Vergina, with the tombs of the kings of Macedonia, and Pella, the capital of the ancient state of Macedonia, are also very near. A day - trip will take the visitor to Mount Athos, the heart of Orthodox Christianity.

Pieria has its own archaeological, historical and ecological journeys. Setting off archaeological tour, Dion, the sacred town of the Macedonians,  whose divine name is linked to Zeus(Dias), father of Gods, is a good place for the first stop.

It is situated in an area of unique beauty, where the visitor can admire many findings, which have shed light on history and life in ancient Greece. Next, the areas of Pydna and Makrygialos show traces of man's presence ans civilization from prehistoric times when the Byzantine Empire was prospering.

Other towns and places of interest in Pieria, which reflect the history of the Hellenic nation include Livithra, the birthplace of Orpheus, the mystic, at the foot of Mount Olympus, Iraklia, close to the magnificent castle of Platamonas, Pimplia and the straits of Petra. Byzantine and more recent monuments are to be found throughout Pieria.

Modern Pieria is no less attractive and offers the visitor beautiful sports and unforgettable moments. The small traditional villages, which are scattered on the slopes of Mount Olympus and of Pieria Mountains, are a challenge of morning or afternoon hikes or rides you will never forget. In Petra, Agios Dimitrios, Milia, Ritini, Elatochori, Riakia, Kastania, Lofos, Vrondou and Karitsa, the visitor can see what life in Pieria is like, indulge in local hospitality and savor the unique delicacies at the picturesque little taverns.

At old settlements of Palios Panteleimonas and Morna, the visitor can see the traditional architecture of the area. The more modern towns of Litochoro, Eginio and Kolindros have their own special architectural style.

Tourist agencies in Katerini and on the coast offer to visitors attractive proposals in reasonable prices, which introduce Pieria, as it is today and as it used to be in the past.

OLYMPUS - PIERIA WETLANDS
Mount Olympus is the mountain of Gods, the legend of the people, whici manifests the Creator. Within its beauty and indescribable magnificence, thi sense of color assumes a new dimension. Colors and waters form the divini garden of the universe. In the eyes oftheirfantasy, the ancient Greeks sawthi twelve Olympian Gods make their home at the summit of this mountain which is wrought by the wind and so often veiled by clouds.

The holy mountain is awe-inspiring. Nature is in perfect harmony. It; magnificence, volume and shape make Olympus an unbelievable sight. It; numerous and varied undulations present a combination of the unique beauty of nature and the glory of the myth. The height of the mountain adds splendo to the unspoiled and bright scenery, which radiates with spirituality ammysticism.

Olympus is known throughout the world for its special geologies features and its unique nature. In 1938 it was proclaimed a national natun reserve and in 1981 UNESCO proclaimed it a protected part of the globa biosphere, which shows its significance for humanity. In 1985 it was further proclaimed an archaeological and historical site, since the natural environment of the mountain contains extensive evidence of man's history.

On the eastern side, access to Olympus is via Litochoro, a modem town at the foot of the mountain, only 5 km from the coast. It is imperative for hikers, who are planning to climb Olympus to follow the instructions and advices of the experienced members of the Mountaineering Clubs.
Other accesses to Olympus are via Dion and Petra.
On the northwestern side of Olympus, the Pierian Mountains open their evergreen embrace to the land of Pieria. The ancient Greeks marveled at the beauty of these mountains, the serenity of the scenery and the harmony of their ridges and chose to make them the home of the 9 Muses of Pieria, inspirers of art and culture.

On the Pierian Mountains the spell of nature blends well with tradition. The human presence and activities merge in harmony with the natural scenery in an ideal co-existence. Totally integrated into the natural color, settlements in evergreen surroundings nests and hives of life and tradition, provide a poetic ambience with a panoramic view. A whole string of traditional settlements, with their very own architectural style, extends throughout the Pierian range. Agios Dimitrios, Petra, Morna, Milia, Ritini, Elatochori, Riakia and Kolindros, offer the visitor the opportunity to follow tracks of beauty in nature.

At Elatochori there is an organized ski center with a central piste of 2.300 meters, a peripheral piste 4.800 m long and a beginner's one 250 m long. You must also visit the ecological heaven of the wetlands: Alykes Kitrous on the northern side, which forms an integral part of the ecosystem of the delta of Aliakmonas river and Nei Pori on the southern side, which forms an integral part of the ecosystem of the estuary of Pinios river. The fauna includes 215 species of birds and the flora counts 600 species, which add color and poetic beauty and bring out man's ancient feeling of absolute communication and harmony with Earth and its creatures.


ARCAEOLOGY - CIVILAZATION
Pieria is sheltered by the shadow cast by Mount Olympus, the Gods and the Muses. It is full of monuments and sacred spots, which are eternal travel links with the mythology, history and culture of the Hellenic nation.

Livithra, the birthplace of Orpheus, the mystic, lies at the foot of Mount Olympus, above Leptokarya. The ancient settlement at Makrygialos manifests that this rich area had been inhabited thousands of years ago. Dion, whose divine name was a link with Zeus (Dias), lies below Olympus, only 6 kilometers from the coast of Pieria.

The sacred town of the Macedonians, were the Olympian Zeus was worshipped, saw days of glory during the reign of King Archelaos with contests, sports and drama performances. It was here that Euripides Bacchae was first performed. It was also here that Alexander made his offerings and held the contests before he set out on his journey to the east, after which he was called 'the Great'.

The Macedonian tombs from Korinos to Makrygialos show a considerable cultural development in the area during this period. The last battle between the Hellenic and the Roman forces was actually fought in Methoni.

Throughout Pieria, the findings of ancient settlements (Petra, Iraklia, Pydna) showthatthis rich and fertile land had always been inhabited. Consistent with its leading part in Macedonian history since antiquity,
Pydna continued to flourish during Byzantine times. Together with Petra and Platamonas, they were the town-fortresses, which provided a strategic boost to the powerful administrative character of the area.

The temples of Dion, Kontariotissa, Petra, Eginio, Skotina, Kolindros and Litochoro and the monasteries of Agios Dionysios in Olympus. Agios Georgios in Ritini and the Virgin Mary of Makryrachi in Kolindros evidence the splendor of the spiritual Christian history of Pieria. There are many options for historical and cultural trails in Pieria. Taking into consideration his own interests and available time, the visitor can consult the Tourist Agencies of Pieria and select the journey, that meets best his preferences. Moreover, you may trace a route on the map and choose to use your own car and the good and safe road network.

Pieria is renowned for its natural beauty and monuments, which constitute an eternal attraction and evidence of its long history. It further combines a rich artistic and cultural background and provides the visitor with the opportunity to experience unforgettable moments in the land of the Gods. Throughout summer, Pieria is transformed to a nucleus of artistic and cultural events with the participation of famous members of the Greek and international global art scenes.

The International Olympus Festival, a well-known and established event throughout Greece, invites the most notable local and foreign drama and music groups to the ancient Dion odium and to the Castle of Platamonas. Large audiences see the Hellenic spirit and drama revived in a truly imposing ancient theatre.

Other notable cultural events include the International Folklore Week, with the participation of traditional music and dance groups from all over the world, pop concerts, modern drama performances and art exhibitions. The variety of events enhances the cultural life of Pieria and responds to the interests and sensibilities of the most demanding audiences.

Olympus Riviera in Pieria, Greece is expecting you.

Source: Prefecture of Pieria