Litochoro is famous for its location, which is at the foot of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece. It is also known for combining the impressive mass of Mount Olympus and the sea, which is only 5km away, which makes Litochoro an ideal holiday destination throughout the year. Specifically speaking, Litochoro is located south of Pieria Prefecture, 90 km from Thessaloniki and 22 km from Katerini, and its population is estimated at about 7,000 permanent residents. Its rich history is lost in the depth of the centuries, as it existed since the ancient times as a place of worship for the Muses, while today’s town is said to have been created in the 14th century.
Sight-seeing in Litochoro
Clearly, there are many and different things to see during your stay in Litochoro. Start your tour from the old traditional settlement with its narrow streets and houses with the typical Macedonian architecture. In many places, between the old houses, there are the Bayria or in other words small neighborhood squares.
At the entrance of the town there is an organized park called Katunia, which has, among other things, a sports and cultural center, as well as the Maritime Museum, where the rich maritime traditions of the place are presented in a great way.
In addition, Litochoro is also suitable for religious tourism, as there are several noteworthy religious monuments. For example, on the west side of Litochoro is the picturesque chapel of Agia Paraskevi. Also, in the grove of the Holy Apostles you will find the homonymous church and it is a great opportunity to taste the water of Olympus at the fountain there. Finally, at the highest point of this route is the chapel of Prophet Elias, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the area.
Admiring the famous and imposing Mount Olympus
Litochoro is the starting point for those who wish to try to climb Mount Olympus, as all efforts to conquer the peak of the mythical mountain begin here. Many climbing clubs make appointments in Litochoro often in order to practice their hobby.
The National Park of Olympus, which has landscapes of unparalleled beauty, is the first National Park of Greece (declared in 1938) and contains 45,000 acres with rich flora and fauna. In 1981, Olympus was declared a protected part of the world biosphere by UNESCO.
Also, a significant number of tourists are attracted by the famous Enipeas Gorge, one of the most beautiful natural areas in Greece. The 10 km long gorge extends from Prionia Station at 1,100m altitude (18 km from Litochoro), passes north of Litochoro and ends at the sea. The waters of Enipeas Gorge, descending from Mount Olympus, form small lakes, which is a magnificent natural landscape. After several hours of hiking, you will come across the historic monastery of Saint Dionysios and the Holy Cave, where it is said that the Saint Dionysios cloistered.
Excursions in the surrounding area
Litochoro can very easily be the starting point for several nearby excursions, both to sites of remarkable natural beauty and sites of high historical and archaeological importance.
Specifically, ancient Dion, just 9 km from Litochoro is a very popular destination for visitors of Litochoro. Dion has been the sacred city of the Macedonians, the center of Macedonia’s religious life from the 5th century BC. to 5th AD century. The archaeological park of Dion is a place where someone can discover and study the cultural heritage of the area, while in the museum there are many valuable excavations.
Further south, the castle of Platamonas is one of the most important Byzantine monuments of the wider area, while it is undoubtedly worth visiting the traditional settlement of Paleos Panteleimon. There, expect to be mesmerized by the stunning panoramic views and taste fine and traditional flavors.
Rent your car from Alpha Drive Rent a Car and plan a trip to the beautiful and picturesque Litochoro.