Palaios Panteleimonas – a mountain village above the coast
About seven kilometres above Platamonas, at some 700 metres: stone houses, cobbled lanes, tavernas on the village square and a wide view over the Thermaic Gulf.
Only a few kilometres above Platamonas lies Palaios Panteleimonas, one of the finest traditional villages in the Pieria region.
Set on the slopes of Lower Olympus, the village combines historic stone houses, cobbled lanes, traditional tavernas and a striking view down over the coast and the Thermaic Gulf.
If you want to escape the beach for a few hours and get to know another side of Greece, this is one of the loveliest destinations around Platamonas.
- Around 700 mabove sea level
- About 7 kmfrom Platamonas
- Lower Olympusa mountain village with a sea view
A traditional village on Olympus
Palaios Panteleimonas lies at about 700 metres on the north-eastern slopes of Lower Olympus. The village is regarded as one of the characteristic examples of traditional Macedonian architecture in northern Greece.
Stone houses with wooden balconies, cobbled paths and old trees shape the village. Many buildings have been restored without losing the historic character of the place.
Today Palaios Panteleimonas is a popular destination for visitors who want to experience traditional Greece alongside the sea and the beach.
A village with a history
The history of the village goes back several centuries. Palaios Panteleimonas grew up on the slopes of Olympus and was for a long time home to many families of the region.
In the course of the 20th century many inhabitants left the mountain village and settled nearer the coast. Part of the early population of present-day Platamonas came from Palaios Panteleimonas.
Later the historic village was restored and brought back to life. Today the traditional architecture and the historic townscape are at the centre of things.
Strolling through the old lanes
The particular charm of Palaios Panteleimonas is that no fixed sightseeing programme is needed. The nicest thing is simply to discover the village on foot.
Narrow cobbled lanes lead between traditional houses, small shops, tavernas and courtyards. As the historic centre is largely given over to pedestrians, a quiet atmosphere arises that differs markedly from the lively coastal resorts.
Palaios Panteleimonas is a place you discover on a walk rather than visit as a sight.
The village square
The heart of the village is the traditional central square. Here stands the church of Agios Panteleimon, surrounded by old trees, traditional buildings and tavernas.
The square is an excellent place for a coffee break or a meal. In the late afternoon and the evening in particular the atmosphere here is especially fine.
Tavernas and regional cooking
A visit to Palaios Panteleimonas combines very well with a meal. Around the village square and in the lanes there are traditional tavernas and small eating places.
Typical dishes include:
- grilled meat
- mezedes
- regional dishes
- cheeses and local products
- sweets
- wine and tsipouro
A visit in the late afternoon is especially good: first stroll through the lanes, then eat in a taverna and let the evening end with a view towards the coast.
A view of the sea and the coast
Thanks to its elevated position, Palaios Panteleimonas offers striking views over the coast of Pieria and the Thermaic Gulf. On clear days the view reaches far across the sea and the surrounding landscape.
The contrast is particularly striking: below the Aegean and the coastal villages, beyond them the open sea – and around the village the wooded slopes of Olympus.
From the mountain village you look down on the very coast where, a few kilometres away, Platamonas lies.
From Platamonas to Palaios Panteleimonas
From Platamonas, Palaios Panteleimonas is quickly reached and therefore ideal for a spontaneous trip.
The combination of a beach day in Platamonas and a visit to the mountain village in the late afternoon or evening is particularly appealing.
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Around 700 m above the sea
Palaios Panteleimonas lies on the slopes of Lower Olympus and offers a wide view over the coast.
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Traditional architecture
Stone houses, wooden balconies and cobbled lanes make the village one of the characteristic historic places of the region.
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Only a few kilometres away
It is roughly seven kilometres from Platamonas to the historic mountain village – ideal for a short trip.
Our tip
Visit Palaios Panteleimonas in the late afternoon.
By then the greatest heat of the day has passed, the light over the coast softens and the village is perfect for a walk. Afterwards you can spend the evening in one of the traditional tavernas around the village square.
Nature and activities
The area around Palaios Panteleimonas also suits visitors who want to do more than walk through the village. The landscape of Lower Olympus offers scope for:
- walks
- hiking
- mountain biking
- time in nature
The region is also known for paragliding. Take-offs are made in the area of Palaios Panteleimonas, while landings are possible on the coast.
Easy to combine
Palaios Panteleimonas combines well with other destinations in the region.
From the sea into the mountains
Only a few kilometres lie between the beach of Platamonas and the historic lanes of Palaios Panteleimonas – and yet the two places feel completely different. It is exactly this contrast that makes a visit so appealing.
Swim in the Aegean in the morning, stroll through a traditional mountain village in the afternoon and sit under old trees in a taverna in the evening.
Palaios Panteleimonas shows how varied a holiday around Platamonas can be.
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