The Olympic Riviera
Long sandy beaches, small bays and coastal villages between the Aegean and the highest mountains in Greece.
The Olympic Riviera combines long sandy beaches, small bays, lively resorts and quieter stretches of coast with the striking backdrop of the highest mountains in Greece.
Platamonas lies in the middle of this landscape and is an ideal base from which to discover the various beaches and coastal villages of the Pieria region.
- Aegean and Olympusthe sea in front of the highest mountains in Greece
- The Pieria regionbeaches, bays and coastal villages
- Platamonasa base right in the middle
Between the sea and the mountains
What is special about the Olympic Riviera is its position. Directly behind the coast the foothills of Olympus rise, while in front of them the blue water of the Aegean stretches out.
As a result, beach, nature, mountains and traditional villages lie unusually close together. In a single day you can swim in the sea in the morning, stroll through a coastal village at midday and be in the mountains by the afternoon.
Hardly anywhere in Greece do sea and high mountains lie so directly side by side.
A coast with many faces
The coast of Pieria is not one continuous beach. Instead, long sandy beaches, smaller bays, shingle stretches and organised beach areas follow one another.
At the same time there are always quieter stretches where the landscape takes centre stage – no rows of sunbeds, no music, just the sea, pebbles and the slopes of Olympus behind you.
The coast at a glance
Three things that define the Olympic Riviera as a holiday region.
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Many kilometres of coast
From Nei Pori far into the north of Pieria, long beaches, bays and various coastal villages follow one another.
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Olympus always close by
The massif accompanies large parts of the coast and creates the region’s characteristic landscape.
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Perfect for beach hopping
From Platamonas, several different beach resorts can easily be combined.
Platamonas – a base on the coast
Platamonas is one of the best-known resorts on the southern coast of Pieria. Here the beach, the harbour, the tavernas, the medieval castle and the closeness of Olympus all come together.
The coast consists of several consecutive stretches of beach with sand and fine gravel. Many areas are freely accessible, others organised.
Villages along the coast
South and north of Platamonas, coastal villages follow one another that differ markedly from each other.
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Nei Pori
south of PlatamonasThe village is known above all for its long, broad sandy beach. The open coastline makes the beach feel generous and it is well suited to long walks by the water.
A good alternative for visitors who prefer a classic, wide sandy beach.
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Panteleimon Beach
below the castleHere beach, wooded slopes and the historic castle come together in a particularly striking way. The setting makes this one of the scenically most interesting parts of the southern Olympic Riviera.
The picture at the top of this page shows exactly this stretch of coast.
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Skotina Beach
between Platamonas and LeptokaryaThe beach runs for around two kilometres and offers broad sandy areas, clear water and both organised and free stretches.
From here you look out over the coast and the foothills of Olympus. The beach is regularly awarded the Blue Flag.
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Leptokarya
a little further northOne of the best-known resorts in the region. The long beach offers sand, clear water and numerous organised and free areas.
Along the coast visitors find cafés, tavernas and shops, plus various water sports – suited to anyone who wants to combine a beach holiday with a somewhat larger tourist offering.
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Plaka Litochoro
towards LitochoroHere the landscape is increasingly shaped by the closeness of Olympus. Plaka Litochoro combines the coast, stretches of beach and the immediate proximity of the massif.
Well suited to combining a day at the beach with a trip afterwards to Litochoro or into the mountains of Olympus.
Further along the coast
Driving further north, you reach more well-known seaside resorts of Pieria.
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Olympiaki Akti
A long sandy beach with tourist infrastructure and a promenade.
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Paralia Katerinis
One of the livelier coastal towns of the region, with restaurants, cafés, shops and a long beach.
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The coast of Pieria
Between these places there are always smaller stretches of beach and quieter areas – from Platamonas and Nei Pori up to the more northerly resorts.
Which beach suits you?
Four different stretches of the Olympic Riviera – and what each is best for.
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For a long sandy beach
Nei Pori – broad, spacious and ideal for long days by the sea.
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For a special backdrop
Panteleimon – beach, forest and castle in a small space.
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For more life
Leptokarya – beach, cafés, tavernas and tourist infrastructure.
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For the best mix
Platamonas – sea, harbour, tavernas, castle and Olympus.
Blue Flags and bathing quality
Many beaches on the coast of Pieria are regularly awarded the Blue Flag. The award is only given when a series of requirements is met.
Platamonas and Skotina are among the beaches of the region that carry the Blue Flag.
Our tip
Simply try out different beaches
If you are spending several days in Platamonas, do not go to the same beach every day. Many of the coastal villages lie relatively close together and still differ markedly.
- Platamonas for the harbour and the atmosphere
- Nei Pori for a long sandy beach
- Panteleimon for the landscape and the castle
- Skotina for a relaxed day at the beach
- Leptokarya for the beach and more tourist life
That is the best way to get to know the Olympic Riviera.
More than just a beach
The Olympic Riviera is especially attractive because a day at the beach combines easily with other experiences.
The coast below Olympus
The Olympic Riviera brings together two landscapes that could hardly be more different. On one side the warm water of the Aegean, beaches, beach bars and tavernas. On the other, forests, gorges and the peaks of Olympus.
Platamonas lies exactly between these worlds and is therefore an excellent base from which to discover the whole coast.
Platamonas today, a new beach tomorrow – that variety is exactly what makes the Olympic Riviera so special.
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