Climbing Mount Olympus: A Complete Guide with Transportation Options, Mountain Routes, Places to Stay and Important Safety Tips During the Expedition
Updated:
Mount Olympus in Greece has always attracted travelers. Olympus is one of the central symbols of Greek mythology. According to legends, it is a sacred place where the gods themselves lived, led by the mighty Zeus.
Today, Mount Olympus is a National Park that has become home to some of the rarest flora and fauna.
Of the 1700 species of vegetation on Mount Olympus, 23 are unique in their kind. That is, they are found only here, on the slopes of the majestic mountain of the ancient Greek gods.
In today’s article I want to tell about this place, about my impressions from climbing Mount Olympus, to give advice to those who want to conquer the mountain independently or as part of an excursion group.
Mount Olympus: key takeaways from this article
Mount Olympus is an amazing place that every lover of active travel should see at least once in their lifetime. The article about this natural landmark turned out to be quite long. So in this section I’ll briefly cover what awaits tourists during a climb up the mountain, how to get to Litochoro (the most popular starting point for ascents to Olympus) from Athens and Thessaloniki, and which organised tours or hikes are worth considering. Further into the article all of this and more will be covered in greater detail.
1. A brief overview of Mount Olympus: what can a tourist see here?
Olympus is not just a mountain but a legendary place — the cradle of the ancient Greek gods. Today it is also a national park offering tourists unique experiences. And there are several spots here that are definitely worth visiting. For example, the Mytikas summit — the highest point in Greece — whose conquest will be an unforgettable adventure for experienced (and not so experienced) climbers. In addition, the slopes of Olympus preserve ruins of ancient temples and sanctuaries, and there is also the Throne of Zeus and the Baths of Zeus.
Another must-visit is the ancient city of Dion. This archaeological complex was an important religious centre of the ancient Greeks. Ruins of temples dedicated to Zeus and other Olympian gods have been preserved here.
For me, visiting Olympus was a journey into the world of myths and legends — an opportunity to touch history and enjoy the beauty of nature. Regardless of fitness level, everyone will find a route suited to their abilities here. So, if possible, it’s worth setting aside at least 2–3 days (as a one-day ascent leaves far less vivid impressions) to visit Olympus.
2. How to get to Litochoro from Athens and Thessaloniki, and why an individual (even expensive) tour to Mount Olympus is better than travelling independently by bus
If travelling by bus from Athens to Mount Olympus, you’ll need to change in Thessaloniki. Two one-way tickets will cost at least 45 euro per adult. What’s more, you’ll need to set off early in the morning (ideally at 6:00), but even then you’ll only be able to spend a few hours in the Olympus area.
At the same time, it’s important to be at Litochoro station no later than 19:00 (that’s when the last bus to Thessaloniki departs). The return journey also requires a change, meaning you won’t be back in Athens until 3–4 in the morning at the earliest. In other words, you can spend just 2–4 hours at the foot of the mountain (not on the mountain itself), with the rest of the time spent on the bus.
As such, even a not particularly cheap individual tour from Athens or Thessaloniki to Mount Olympus will be better than travelling independently. And it’s not only about saving time. During a tour, travellers are accompanied by a professional guide who knows everything about the history and legends of Olympus. In addition, guides know the safe routes — and when it comes to mountain climbing, that’s crucial. Finally, tours include transfer from the hotel to the trailhead, which saves a significant amount of time.
For example, a good alternative to an independent trip to Mount Olympus is a full-day tour from Thessaloniki, during which travellers visit ancient Dion and then take a leisurely, easy walk through the Enipeas forest. This tour lasts around 5 hours. Price per adult — 65 euro (tours run from April to October). The price includes transfer by comfortable bus (picked up directly from hotels in Thessaloniki and returned, though if the hotel is outside the city an additional transfer fee may be charged), while lunch and museum entry tickets (8 euro) must be paid separately.
And if travelling from Athens, instead of making the journey independently by bus, you can choose a full-day guided trip to Mount Olympus. The programme includes visits to the Dion archaeological excavations, a hike to the Crusader castle in Platamon, the Olympus National Park, and the Baths of Zeus, as well as a walk around the village of Litochoro.
This trip lasts around 13 hours and is accompanied by a guide. Price per adult — 160 euro (tours run year-round), which includes a train ticket from Athens to Katerini and back, a Mount Olympus guidebook, bottled water, and minibus transport. Lunch and entry tickets to the Dion archaeological excavations must be paid separately.
3. Tours we recommend for climbing Mount Olympus
In this section I’d like to share information about the various types of tours that head to Mount Olympus. Such trips come in different forms: single-day, two-day, private, or in a small group. I’ll cover each of these in a little more detail.
- When it comes to two-day tours, make sure to check out the tour for groups of up to 8 people departing from Athens.
The first stop will be the village of Agios Pandeleimonas, where you can have lunch (lunch is not included in the tour price). From there, tourists head to explore the Dion archaeological excavations. Towards the end of the day, the group travels to the town of Leptokarya, where travellers are given free time for walks, shopping, or relaxing on the beaches. An overnight stay is planned in this town.
The following day, the group sets off on a hike up Mount Olympus with a local guide. This hike takes approximately 6 hours. After the hike, tourists are taken back to Athens, where the trip concludes.
The price of this experience is 1,600 euro for a group of up to 8 people. It’s worth noting that this is a private trip — meaning if you book for two, you’ll travel as a pair, but the full price must still be paid. Included in this price: hotel pickup and drop-off in Athens, a professional driver with historical knowledge, professional guide services during the Olympus hike, transport by air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi, and bottled water.
- For those who prefer individual tours, I recommend considering this option: a single-day ascent along the Secret Trail to the “Pantheon” of Mytikas at 2,918 m, where you’ll have the opportunity to sign the climber’s book. The tour lasts 1 day and is accompanied by a guide. However, I should note straight away that the route is quite challenging and is not suitable for everyone.
Price for 2 adults — 1,392.42 euro (696.21 euro per person); booking for at least two people makes sense, otherwise 1,392 euro would have to be paid for one person alone. Included in the price: transfer, protective equipment (helmet, safety harnesses), guide services, and photos and video from the hike. Tours run from April to October.
- For those choosing to travel in a small group, I can recommend considering the following two options:
A private tour with an Olympus ascent for both small and larger groups. The tour includes not only climbing the mountain but also rock climbing. The tour lasts around 7 hours and is accompanied by an experienced guide. A major plus of this trip is that tourists receive all necessary equipment (included in the price). And what I consider the biggest advantage of this hike is the ability to customise the route according to your own wishes (the route is discussed with the guide before the hike begins). Price for 1 adult — 395 euro; for 2 adults — 430 euro for both (the more people, the cheaper per person). Tours run from April to October.
The second option I chose is a tour to Mount Olympus along a lesser-known but beautiful route. The trip lasts around 9 hours and is conducted for groups of up to 8 people, accompanied by a guide. During this tour, a climb to the highest point of the mountain — the Mytikas summit (2,918 m) — is planned. Tours run from April to October; price per adult — 320 euro (but it’s better to book for two, as the price then comes down to just 170 euro per person).
4. Four tips for those who want to visit Mount Olympus
- Before the trip, I strongly recommend checking the weather forecast for the time of the ascent and never setting off into the mountains immediately after rain.
- Don’t forget to pack warm clothing and gloves (it can be quite cold in the mountains, especially closer to the summit).
- If making an independent ascent, allow 2–3 days for it, with a stop in the village of Litochoro.
- If travelling from other cities in Greece and planning to spend several days in the mountains, it’s worth considering renting a car.
This is one of my favourite ways to travel around Greece. For example, at Athens Airport — even in season — for 27–37 euro per day (when booking for a week) on Discovercars.com you can get a perfectly decent VW Golf and enjoy an unforgettable trip through Hellas. Good options can also be found on Economybookings and AutoEurope (though we book the overwhelming majority of our trips on Discovercars).
Olympus the mountain of the gods of Ancient Greece
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain peak in Greece with an altitude of 2917. Officially, Mount Olympus belongs to the region of Thessaly, but serves as the natural border of the region with Greek Macedonia.
It is about 20 kilometers from the Aegean coast. The city of Dion, located on the northern slope of the mountain, is a sanctuary of the Macedonians and translates as the city of Zeus.
Mount Olympus itself comprises an array of four major peaks, more than 1,700 canyons, and a plateau on the border of Thessaly and Greek Macedonia.
The highest of the Olympic peaks, Mount Mytikas (2917 meters), is also the highest point in Greece. Slightly lower are the peaks of Skolio (2912 m) and Stephani (2905 m).
View from Mount Olympus
Stephanie has a second, equally beautiful name – “The Throne of Zeus”. It is especially interesting to look at it from afar. If you stand relative to this peak at a certain angle, the mountain strikingly resembles the back of a huge throne or chair. In 1938, this part of the mountain range was the first in Greece to receive the status of “National Park”.
Much later, in 1981, the entire Olympus was declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, and in 1985 it was included in the list of “Archaeological and Historical Heritage”.
And it is not surprising, because Mount Olympus is a real reserve of flora, fauna and one of the most valuable ornithological sites in Europe.
While climbing this protected land, you can easily meet rare birds and animals, make incredible photos, admire rare plants, and be filled with the energy and inspiration of this place.
The national park delights with unique views from the heights, no matter what point you could reach – any route is interesting in its landscape and will leave impressions for years to come.
During the climb up Mount Olympus, new and increasingly impressive views gradually open up – at one point you can even see the sea
How to climb Mount Olympus (specifically the Mytikas peak) with an experienced guide?
In Litochoro there are many different guides offering Olympus ascents that can be booked on the spot. That said, I personally believe it’s better to find out all the details about the climb well in advance and plan everything carefully (look through the route, ascent details, timing, compare prices, and so on).
Good options for such hikes can be found on the GetYourGuide website (we always search there for various tours and activities — Mount Olympus was no exception, and Yulia and I found some interesting ascent options there, which I’ll list below). What’s more, the advantage of booking in advance is that any questions that arise can be put to the organisers and resolved before the trip, simply by emailing them.
Now let’s return to the Mount Olympus tours that Yulia and I liked:
1. The first was a wonderful hike to the Olympus summit for travellers who value independence. The programme includes an ascent to the legendary Mytikas peak — the highest summit in Greece — and the opportunity to try rock climbing (equipment included in the price). At the summit there will be plenty of time to rest, have a snack, and admire the breathtaking views and surrounding peaks.
Price per adult — 395 euro (for 2 it’s 430 euro, for three — 480 euro, so this option is especially worth considering if there are two or more of you). Tours run from April to October. The price includes a certified guide, climbing equipment, and photo and video coverage during the ascent.
2. The second option is a private mountain ascent — Olympus–Mytikas, covering 2,918 m in a single day, starting from the Secret Trail. The ascent includes climbing to the highest peak of the legendary Mount Olympus, a rest at Christakis along the way to admire the views, and the opportunity to sign the climber’s book at the impressive height of 9,572 feet.
Price: 1,385.33 euro for a group of up to 2 people (meaning if you go alone you pay this full amount, and if you go as a pair it’s 692.67 euro each). These private tours run from April to October and are always accompanied by a certified instructor. The price also includes private return transfer, protective equipment (helmet, safety harnesses), and photo and video coverage. Food and drinks, and hiking equipment, are paid separately (hiking boots 20 euro, backpack 15 euro, waterproof jacket 10 euro).
This ascent option can be recommended to those who value privacy, don’t like large groups of strangers, and want to conquer Olympus at their own pace.
3. The last one that caught our attention is a tour along a lesser-known route with a summit ascent in a single day for groups of up to eight people. Travellers accompanied by a guide follow the European E4 route, visiting two Olympus peaks — Skolio (2,911 m) and Mytikas (2,918 m). The tour lasts around 9 hours in total.
Price per adult — 320 euro, but for savings it’s better to book at least two places, as the price then comes to 340 euro (170 euro per person). The larger the group, the lower the per-person cost (check when booking). The price includes a guide, SUV transfer from Kalivia to the Christakis mountain hut and back, necessary equipment, a light snack, and a passport-information guidebook with discounts at some local shops.
Where Mount Olympus is located and how to get there
Mount Olympus is located in the northeast of Thessaly in the village of Litochoro. This mountain system once served as the border between Macedonia and Thessaly.
Location of Mount Olympus on the map
By bus
For those traveling without a car, there is a convenient option to get to Litochoro by bus. There are daily bus services from the bus stations of the two cities of Athens and Thessaloniki.
- From Athens there are only 3-4 flights a day;
- but you can catch a bus in Thessaloniki every half hour.
In the past, to get to Litochoro you had to transfer to Katerini, but now many flights go directly to the foot of Olympus. We recommend leaving early in the morning, so that you can get a piece of the route in the morning.
There is also a train station in Litochoro, but it is located 6 km away from the town, in a clear field. Therefore, the bus service remains a favorite among independent travelers.
By car
Thessaloniki is the closest city to Olympus. If you decide to drive from there, stay on the E75 highway and take the Lithochoro exit. The length of the route will be just under 100 km. On the way, it is always useful to have a good navigation, which knows exactly all the small settlements and junctions leading to Mount Olympus.
Then you can choose to leave the car in Litochoro or drive it along the serpentine to the next point, the shelter of Prionia, a mountain village at an altitude of 1100 meters.
It may be useful: I have a great article on my website about renting a car in Greece, I suggest you take a few minutes and read it if you want to use this service.
Sign with map and information on the road to Olympus
From which cities do tourists usually travel to visit Mount Olympus?
If you’re specifically looking to climb one of Olympus’s peaks, you need to head to one of the villages at the foot of the mountain — for example Litochoro or Prionia. But Olympus is not just about trekking to its peaks — it also has a considerable number of various attractions located at different altitudes on the mountain. So if Olympus interests you not as a mountain to conquer but as part of Greek culture and mythology, there are many interesting trips available from other cities in Greece.
As a rule, visits to Olympus on such tours begin from Thessaloniki and Athens. These cities are major tourist centres in Greece, but Thessaloniki is located much closer to Mount Olympus than Athens. This is why many tourists choose it as the departure point for a trip to Olympus.
For example, the following trip departs from Thessaloniki, with a planned visit to the village of Dion, Mount Olympus, and the village of Litochoro, as well as the Enipeas Gorge. In Dion there will also be the opportunity to walk through a three-storey museum that houses a wealth of archaeological finds related to the 12 gods of Ancient Greece. The trip lasts around 8 hours and is accompanied by an English-speaking driver.
Price for a group of up to 8 people — 340 euro (meaning the more places you book, the lower the cost per person). The price includes transport and an English-speaking driver. Museum entry is paid separately, and local guide services can be booked additionally.
There is also another tour option from Thessaloniki to Olympus, with a visit to the village of Dion, located at the foot of Mount Olympus in the Dio-Olympos municipality. The programme also includes a trip to the small village of Litochoro, from where a gentle walk through the Enipeas valley forest begins.
Price per adult — 65 euro; per child — 37 euro (tours run from April to October). Included: transfer, air-conditioned transport, and an English-speaking driver. Lunch and the museum entry ticket (8 euro) are paid separately.
There is also a good tour option from Athens — a full-day guided trip to Mount Olympus. In addition to incredible scenery, just as with the previous options, visits to the ancient village of Dion and Litochoro are planned, as well as a visit to the Olympus National Park with the chance to see the Baths of Zeus.
The tour lasts around 13 hours; price per adult — 160 euro; tours run year-round. The price includes a train ticket from Athens to Katerini and back, bottled water, and travel by modern bus. Entry tickets to the Dion archaeological excavations and lunch are paid separately.
What to see on Mount Olympus: my impressions from visiting this place
Mount Olympus has many peaks of different levels. Here are the three largest:
- Scolio, with an altitude of 2,912 meters.
- Mitikas, 2917 meters high.
- Stephani or “Throne of Zeus”, 2905 meters high.
Stephani was considered in ancient times to be the dwelling place of the supreme god Zeus. Indeed, if you look closely, the shape of this mountain resembles a throne. Therefore, it is the “Throne of Zeus”.
Scolio is the most popular among tourists, climbing which is not difficult even for a child. There are many comfortable hiking trails.
If you want to conquer Mount Olympus, you need to climb Mitikas, because it is the highest point of the ridge. The mountain route is easy to follow with the help of maps and signs. There are a great number of them on the way to the summit.
On the mountain you can even spend the night in a mountain shelter (rifuji). A bed costs 12 euros, and to pitch your tent in a designated place costs 4.2 euros.
Vegetation in the forests at the foot of Olympus
Briefly about the route of climbing Mount Olympus
The town of Litochoro (293 m above sea level) is located at the foot of the mountain and some travelers choose it as the starting point of their ascent. Here you can find the tourist center, where you will be provided with all the basic information necessary for the ascent.
For those who did not have time to stock up on water and snacks for a snack on the way, experienced travelers recommend to do it in the city. On the way there will be natural springs to fill empty bottles and wash up, but the climb is not the easiest and it is better to always have everything important for it (especially water!) with you.
The city of Litochoro at the foot of Olympus
The next significant point of ascent is the point “Prionia”, located at an altitude of 1100 meters. Those who choose to walk from Litochoro will cover the way on a hiking trail in no less than 4 hours, so many who are limited on time or save their energy choose to reach Prionia by cab. This is the highest point that can be reached by transportation.
Prionia has a good infrastructure for a break in the journey: there are toilets, a parking lot for those arriving by car, you can have lunch in a restaurant or stay overnight in the monastery of St. Dionysius.
A square in Litochoro town, where you can rest and take a small rest stop
Next, travelers take a course to the Refuge, Spilios Agapitos (2100 m), where the next island of civilization and resting point is located.
To get from Prionia to the Refuge, Refuge A (Spilios Agapitos) will take about 3.5 hours. Once there, you will find yourself on a cozy island in the middle of a forested area that will shelter you from the elements, be it windy or scorching heat.
And this is Refuge A (Spilios Agapitos). Nestled on a cliff
The shelter is a small complex built of stone, where there are sleeping places for travelers, as well as all amenities: reception, toilets and showers.
You can choose to stay in a room (they are arranged here on the principle of a hostel – a common space with several beds) or pitch your own tent in a specially designated area. There is also a small local restaurant with simple but hearty food.
The next morning you can continue your climb to one of the peaks. From here it is possible to climb up to the top of Skala, and from here you can take a course to Scolio and Mitikas. It is important to know that climbing Mitikas is not an easy way, and old-timers do not recommend climbing this peak at night or in bad weather.
If a walking tour isn’t enough for you, try a boat tour in the Olympus Canyon, a canyoning course in the same area, or simply swimming in a mountain river
Canyon descent is an active pursuit that will deliver a rush of emotions and adrenaline. During the descent you can overcome obstacles, jump into natural pools, and abseil down waterfalls. Overall, it’s a unique opportunity to combine active leisure, connection with nature, and new experiences — we once tried something similar in the Cetina River canyon in Croatia and highly recommend it if you’re looking for active adventures. Yulia and I liked the following options for trips to the Olympus canyon, which we suggest you also consider:
1. A half-day canyoning tour to Mount Olympus from Thessaloniki. It begins with a short walk to the canyon entrance and a practical lesson in jumping, sliding, and abseiling technique. The entire trip lasts around 6 hours, is accompanied by an instructor, and includes transfer. However, you must bring a towel and swimwear.
Price for 2 adults — 170 euro (85 euro per person); minimum booking for two people. The price includes transfer, full canyoning equipment, ICOpro certified instructors, and a digital photo album from the trip for download. A very popular tour — rated 5 out of 5 based on 207 reviews on GetYourGuide.
2. Not just a tour but an opportunity to discover the hidden corners of the Olympus National Park far from tourist routes, and to see a pristine river gorge. During the walk you’ll enjoy beautiful scenery and crystal-blue waterfalls.
This is a group tour for up to 8 people, lasting around 3 hours and accompanied by a guide. Price per adult — 70 euro (minimum booking for 2 people); tours run from May to September only. The price includes transfer, transport, and a professional guide.
3. A canyoning course at the Olympus canyon — suitable even for those with no previous experience. Guides will teach the necessary skills: abseiling, trekking, jumping, sliding, anchoring, and more. And of course, throughout all these activities there will be constant opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the waterfalls and local scenery.
Tours run for groups of up to 8 people, accompanied by an instructor. Minimum booking for 2 people; price — 226.50 euro (113.25 euro per adult). Such courses run from April to October. The price includes return transfer, a professional guide, specialist equipment, and photo and video material from the walk. Canyoning shoes are paid separately (10 euro).
My ascent of Mount Olympus
It was Monday, July 14, morning, and the streets of Thessaloniki were still covered by the saving shade, but the anticipation of the heat of the day was already making itself felt. Even at such an early hour on a working day, the street cafes were filled with people. Greeks smoked, talked and drank their strong coffee with ouzo or ice water. I decided to follow suit.
Further my way lay in the direction of the sacred for many – not only Greeks – Mount Olympus. There, at the foot of this mountain, in the small town of Litochoro, I had booked accommodation for two nights.
I got to Litochoro quickly, on a good, but toll road, in just an hour and a half. But it took another hour and a half to find the address I wanted.
Litochoro is quite a popular town for tourists who dream of conquering Olympus. Beautiful, neat and unique houses, narrow streets.
It was in these streets that I got lost, having just entered the city. Having lost hope to find the right street by car, I decided to leave my car at the first free parking place and went on foot.
It turned out that finding the right street and address was not only difficult for me, a tourist, but also for the locals. They simply do not know the names of the streets.
But Greeks are very responsive. My question about where this street was attracted five people. They discussed for a long time, argued, waved their hands, asked to show the address on paper, asked the name of the hotel, the name of the owner.
Finally, one elderly Greek said he would show me the way. It was already past noon. The sun was blazing, and I was drenched in sweat. It was good that my luggage was in the car.
After walking me around the city for about 10 minutes, my guide met an acquaintance, discussed my problem with him and said that he would take me further.
After half an hour and a half of searching I found the house I needed. I met with the owner and told him how difficult it was for us to find it. He showed me the apartment.
Now I had to find my car! But that was easier. During the two and a half days I spent in Litochoro, I gradually learned to navigate around it.
One of the squares of Litochoro, where I stayed
The next day, July 15, we were scheduled to climb Olympus. I thought to get up early, at 6 am, before it was hot enough to start climbing, so that I could descend in the evening. In fact, the flight, fatigue and the desire to sleep on vacation – took their toll and I went to meet the peaks only around 11 am.
On the way it is impossible not to stop by the monastery of St. Dionysius of Olympia. This is a new monastery. The old one was destroyed during the Second World War by the Germans for the fact that the monastery sheltered partisans, and stood in ruins until the 80s, until it began to rebuild.
So, the new monastery of Dionysius of Olympia is a very beautiful, quiet and peaceful (when there are few tourists), place. Here you can drink cold water from a spring and fill a water bottle.
The Monastery of Dionysius of Olympia
Then the way lies along mountain serpentines to the final point, where everyone leaves their cars – the place of Prionia. As I wrote above, it is located at an altitude of about 1100 meters above sea level.
Despite the time, and it was about noon, the surrounding landscape gave me a mystical horror. The thing is that the clouds were thickening and I was driving through thick gray fog on a forested mountain road.
It seemed that a monster or some wild beast would come flying towards me! But everything turned out safely and I reached Prionia.
Here you can stop for a snack at a local tavern. Then you walk on foot, or if you want, you can order a mule.
Mules on the mountain path of Olympus
Traces of these animals are found all the way to the top of Olympus. A little higher is the Blue Waterfall.
It took me about three and a half hours to climb to the height of 2100 meters, where the small hotel Spilios Agapitos is located. Many tourists make a stop here to climb to the top by dawn in the morning.
I didn’t plan to spend the night here, but I rewarded myself with a jug of Greek wine with bread and olives. The views along the way are amazing.
These were the views I had while climbing Olympus
It is difficult to get lost, the trail is marked with the sign E-4. In general, Olympus is not a mountain, but a mountain range of four main peaks and more than 1700 canyons and plateaus on the border of Thessaly and Macedonia. The highest of these peaks and the highest point in Greece is Mount Mytikas (2917 meters). It faces a deep abyss called Kazania (“Cauldron”).
Bizarre trees during the climb to Olympus
The descent was much easier, although my legs were starting to shake a little from fatigue by the end of the way. It took me two and a half hours to descend.
There was almost no one in Prionia, only a few mules were quietly munching hay, recovering their strength to take tourists up the mountain again the next day.
Before sunset, I still had time to stop by the old monastery of St. Dionysius, near which there is a spring, to get some delicious water here again.
Old Monastery of St. Dionysius
2–3 day and longer tours to Mount Olympus: are they worth it?
If you want to spend more time on Olympus, try as many activities as possible, and see more of its corners — then in my view it’s better to choose tours to Mount Olympus lasting 2–3 days (these exist too) rather than day trips. There are several reasons: deeper immersion, the opportunity to walk different trails, less rushing, more comfortable conditions, and the development of climbing and mountaineering skills, among others.
When choosing from multi-day Olympus tours, I recommend considering the following activities:
1. Two-day tour to the Olympus summit from Thessaloniki. A hike with a mountain guide, climbing equipment, and an overnight stay in a mountain shelter is something you’ll remember for a long time. The tour runs for mini-groups of up to 8 people and is accompanied by a local guide.
Price per adult — 170 euro (sometimes available with a discount), which includes an experienced mountain guide, all necessary equipment, ascent to the summit with certified climbing instructors, accommodation in the shelter, souvenirs, and insurance. Food and drinks can be brought along or purchased at the mountain refuge (paid separately).
2. 3-day VIP tour from Athens to Mount Olympus. The trip includes a summit ascent with a private guide, an overnight stay at the highest mountain refuge in Greece on the Plateau of the Muses, views from the Prophet Elias Chapel (the highest chapel in the Balkans), and a visit to the Throne of Zeus.
Minimum booking for two people; price — 1,530 euro (765 euro per adult). Tours run year-round. The price includes return transfer, the tour itself, air-conditioned transport, and comfortable overnight accommodation. You’ll need to bring sunglasses, a change of clothes, comfortable footwear, water, a sleeping bag, a jacket, a backpack, medication, and trekking equipment.
3. Another popular option — a 2-day private tour from Athens to Mount Olympus. During the trip you’ll see the archaeological monument at Dion, the village of Agios Panteleimonas, Platamon Fortress (optional), and the Enipeas Gorge. But the highlight of the programme is a 6-hour hike into the mountains from the Prionia base at an altitude of 1,100 metres.
Minimum booking for 2 people; the tour then costs 1,600 euro (800 euro per adult). Tours run year-round. The price includes transfer, driver, professional guide, air-conditioned transport with internet, and bottled water. Everything else is paid separately. Entry tickets to the ancient sites and museums of Dion — 8 euro each; lunch costs around 20 euro per person.
Practical advice for those who want to climb Mount Olympus
- Before traveling, check the detailed weather forecast for the time of your ascent. It is very dangerous to climb the slopes during or after rain.
- Take warm clothes, hats and even gloves with you, as there is a penetrating wind at the summit.
- When traveling independently, it is better to plan a hike for a few days with a stopover in the village of Litochoro.
- In the village of Litokhoro you can have a budget vacation by booking a place in a tent camp near the beach.
- There are regular buses from the local bus station towards the beach.
You may find it useful: see all hotels and apartments in Litochoro at this link