The area around Platamonas
Coast, mountains, plain and ancient sites lie close together here – an overview of the Pieria region and its destinations.
Four landscapes lie close together around Platamonas: the Aegean coast, the wooded slopes of Lower Olympus, the wide plain of Pieria and the high mountains behind it.
This page gives an overview of the region – which destinations there are, how they relate to one another and where to read more about them. If you would rather plan a single day, the practical details are on the page excursions from Platamonas.
- Coast and high mountainsthe Aegean and Olympus within sight of each other
- The Pieria regionCentral Macedonia, between Katerini and Thessaly
- Destinations within reachfrom a mountain village to UNESCO World Heritage
Four landscapes over a short distance
The area around Platamonas is so varied because the terrain changes completely within a few kilometres. By the sea there is a flat, broad sandy beach. Immediately behind it a wooded ridge rises, with the castle on top. To the north the plain of Pieria opens up with its villages and fields; to the west the massif of Olympus stands in front of everything.
For a holiday this means you do not have to choose between the beach and the mountains. Both are within reach on the same day, and the way there almost always follows the same coast road.
Few regions of Greece place sea, forest, plain and high mountains as close together as Pieria does.
The region at a glance
Three directions to set out in from Platamonas.
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Along the coast
The Olympic Riviera runs north and south: sandy beaches, stretches of shingle, small resorts and quiet bays follow one another.
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Up into the mountains
Behind the coast the Olympus National Park begins, and between the two lie mountain villages such as Palaios Panteleimonas, looking back over the sea.
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Back into antiquity
In the plain lie the ancient city of Dion at the foot of Olympus and, further north, the royal tombs of Vergina.
Destinations with their own page
These destinations we present in detail – the landscape, the history and what makes a visit worthwhile.
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Coast
Olympic Riviera
The coastal region Platamonas belongs to: long sandy beaches, small bays and several resorts between the Aegean and Mount Olympus.
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Mountains
Mount Olympus
The highest mountain in Greece, with a national park, gorges and deep forests – the seat of the gods of Greek mythology.
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Mountain village
Palaios Panteleimonas
A restored stone village on the slopes of Lower Olympus, with cobbled lanes, tavernas and a wide view over the Thermaic Gulf.
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Day trip
Meteora
Monasteries on sheer rock pillars above the Thessalian plain, UNESCO World Heritage since 1988 – the most rewarding long trip in the region.
More destinations in the region
Destinations without a page of their own that are easy to reach from Platamonas.
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Ancient Dion
The sacred city of the Macedonians at the foot of Mount Olympus, with an extensive archaeological park and a museum of its own.
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Litochoro
A mountain town at the entrance to the Olympus National Park and the starting point for walks into the Enipeas gorge.
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Katerini
The capital of Pieria: shopping streets, cafés, restaurants and a weekly market – everyday life in the region.
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Vergina
The royal tombs of Aigai, among them the tomb of Philip II of Macedon – also UNESCO World Heritage.
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Thessaloniki
The second largest city in Greece, with the White Tower, the waterfront and the old town of Ano Poli.
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Castle of Platamonas
The landmark of the village itself: a Byzantine fortress above the coast, a venue for events in summer.
How far is what?
All figures are approximate values for the drive by car from Sokratous 6. The coastal villages and the destinations in the plain are close together; only Meteora is a genuinely long trip.
How to turn that into a holiday day – which destinations suit half a day and which a whole one – is on the excursions page.
The village itself
Not everything worth seeing lies outside. Platamonas has a long sandy beach of its own, a promenade with tavernas, a small harbour and, in the Byzantine castle, a landmark you can walk to.
The surroundings are the reason to stay longer – the village itself the reason to come back.
Check availability, no obligation
Tell us your travel dates and the number of guests – we will come back to you with the available apartments, prices and all the details. In Greek, German or English.