Things to do in Mount Olympus

Best time to visit Mount Olympus

• a note or something on   ✦ an occasion worth the trip

• June to September

  The climbing season; refuges open, snow usually gone from main routes by late June

• May and October

  Shoulder; refuges may be closed, snow possible on the tops

• November to April

  Winter mountaineering only; the Prionia road can close

What's on

• Olympus Marathon late June

  The skyrace from Litochoro to the summit; the town fills

Best things to do in Mount Olympus

• Mount Olympus Information Center

  Free

  Trail conditions, weather and refuge advice; start every climb here.

• Archaeological Park of Dion

  $

  Sanctuaries and mosaics of the Macedonians; the rest day from hiking.

• Archaeological Museum of Dion

  $

  Statues and the water organ from the park; do it after the walk.

• Old Monastery of Agios Dionysios

  Free

  Ruined 16th-century monastery in the gorge, on the Enipeas trail.

• Paleos Panteleimonas

  Free

  Restored stone village with sea views; lunch and the lanes.

• Litochoro

  Free

  The base town; old neighbourhoods and the hikers' taverna strip.

• Castle of Platamon

  $

  Crusader castle on the coast; the half-day when legs need rest.

• Spilios Agapitos Refuge

  $

  The main staffed refuge at 2,100m; book ahead, bring cash and a liner.

Best restaurants in Mount Olympus

• Gastrodromio En Olimpo

  $$

  Creative Greek cooking; octopus with saffron, ten-page wine list.

• Ta Mezedakia

  $$

  Traditional meze since 1995; pork chop and seafood pasta.

• Meze Meze

  $$

  Meze and Mediterranean; zucchini balls and Greek salad.

• Erato Wine Restaurant

  $$

  Wine restaurant with Olympus views; grilled fish.

• Hairi

  $$

  Tavern and steakhouse; the grilled meats.

• Veranda Seaside Restaurant & Lounge

  $$

  Seaside at Plaka; seafood pasta with the view.

• Taverna Olympos

  $$

  The village taverna; lamb and local pies.

• Sunday's Pizza Kouzina Bar

  $$

  Italian and pizza; the break from Greek food.

Best bars in Mount Olympus

• Kenzo

  $$

  Bar with Mexican food; the late drink in town.

Outdoor things to do in Mount Olympus

• Mytikas

  Free

  Greece's highest point at 2,917m; short exposed scramble, good weather only.

• Skolio

  Free

  The 2,911m summit without the scramble; the sensible top for most.

• Prionia

  Free

  The trailhead at 1,100m; the E4 forest walk to Refuge A starts here.

• Enipeas Gorge

  Free

  Waterfalls and forest pools on the descent; the most beautiful section.

• Plateau of the Muses

  $

  High plateau and the small refuge; the mountain's sunset spot.

• Plaka Litochorou

  Free

  Long sandy beach below Litochoro; the swim after the mountain.

Best hotels in Mount Olympus

• Olympus Mediterranean

  $$$

  Boutique hotel with indoor pool, sauna and mountain views.

• Guest House Papanikolaou

  $$

  Central guesthouse; good value.

• Hotel Afroditi

  $$

  Well-rated town hotel; a solid climb base.

• Villa Pantheon

  $$

  Family-run, spotless, with an impressive breakfast.

• RiverBed Traditional Guest House

  $$

  Traditional guesthouse in the village centre.

• Xenonas Bountola

  $$

  Traditional building with shady garden and kitchenettes.

• Christos Kakkalos Refuge

  $

  Small refuge on the Plateau of the Muses; the quietest night.

• Litohoro Olympus Resort Villas & Spa

  $$$$

  Villas and spa on the outskirts; comfort after the climb.

Is Mount Olympus expensive? What a day costs

A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room

What to book ahead

• Spilios Agapitos Refuge: weeks ahead
• Plateau of the Muses: weeks ahead
• Gastrodromio En Olimpo: a few days ahead
• Olympus Mediterranean: weeks ahead
• Guest House Papanikolaou: weeks ahead
• Hotel Afroditi: weeks ahead
• Villa Pantheon: weeks ahead
• RiverBed Traditional Guest House: weeks ahead

• Refuges: book bunks ahead in July and August; Refuge A fills
• Guided Mytikas ascents: book the guide before arriving in season
• Gastrodromio: book dinner ahead on summer weekends

Is Mount Olympus safe?

• Olympus is a serious mountain. The Mytikas scramble is exposed and fatal falls happen; check weather and refuge advice every morning, turn back in cloud or snow, and carry water, layers and a headtorch. Emergency number 112; the refuges have radios.

Mount Olympus travel tips: tourist traps to skip

• Summit-in-one-day tours: possible for the very fit, miserable for most; take two days
• The Mytikas scramble in a big group: the gully is one at a time; go early
• Buying all your gear in Litochoro: fine but pricey; bring broken-in boots

Getting around Mount Olympus: public transport and more

• Taxi to Prionia: 30 minutes above Litochoro; arrange the evening before
• KTEL buses and the train station connect Litochoro to Thessaloniki and Katerini
• Walk the town: restaurants and the information centre are central
• A car helps for Dion, Paleos Panteleimonas and Platamon; not needed for the climb

Who Mount Olympus suits

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