Discover Mount Olympus & Dion, Private Day Tour from Thessaloniki

The Archaeological Museum of Dion, inaugurated in 1983, offers a thorough picture of the daily life and culture of the inhabitants of ancient Dion, from the Iron Age (1000-700 BC) to the early Christian centuries. The exhibits originate from the archaeological area of Dion and the wider area of Pieria. The three rooms of the museum feature grouped exhibits such as statues, tomb sculptures, architectural members, inscriptions, vessels, mosaics, coins and other items found mainly in the wider area of Dion. In the spacious ground floor, there are findings from the Roman baths and the sanctuaries of Demeter and Isis. The visitor can also admire an exquisite finding dating to the 1st century BC, a unique musical instrument of antiquity, the famous hydraulis (water organ) of Dion, brought to light during archaeological excavations in 1992. The bronze tubes of the instrument and the entire sound-producing system have survived.

The archeological excavations in Dion, the holy city of the Macedonians, led by Professor Dimitris Pantermalis, brought to light many findings, which prove the existence of a brilliant civilization and one of the most important Macedonian cities.

The Archaeological Park of Dion, includes important findings, as well as the Ancient Theater, where during the Olympus Festival, the ancient tragedy and other performances are revived. To the south of the Municipality are the Ancient Livithra, the burial place of the mythical Orpheus, the most gifted musician of antiquity.

Also, in the south the visitor will see the Castle of Platamonas, one of the most beautiful and best preserved castles in Greece, which dates back to the Frankish era. It is built on the site of ancient Heraklion, the first city of Macedonia.

In eastern Olympus, west of Dion, there are two unknown places, except the locals, as we found out during our recent visit. We are referring to the waterfalls of Orlias (Urlias) and the Koromilia shelter.

According to tradition, the river Elikonas or Vafyras or Orlias (so named from the noise, the roar of the water) is an ancient river of Pieria which was lost from its shame refusing to purify them – when the Mainades wanted to wash their hands there of their blood of Orpheus after they had killed him in Dion, he disappeared from the ground and re-emerged there just outside Dion, where he forms his waterfalls, two of which are accessible. In the river Elikonas, the Mainades tried to cleanse themselves from the blood of Orpheus, after they killed him in Dion.

The Picturesque Town at the Foot of Mount Olympus
It stretches up the mountainside of Olympus’ highest peak (Mytikas, 2,918 m.), yet Litochoro is only a few kilometres away from the sea and that makes it the perfect tourist destination any time of the year! This picturesque town was built following the traditional architecture of Macedonia and the variations of lush vegetation surrounding it enhance the area’s aesthetic harmony. Litochoro is the favourite point of departure for mountaineering trips up the abode of the Olympian gods. The settlement dates back to the 14th century. Following descriptions by foreign and Greek travellers at that time, the majority of residents were mariners and there were also a good many textile workshops in town.
(Coffee Break)

Based in Litochoro, a town built at the eastern end of Olympus, travelers have the opportunity to discover the magnificent gorge of Enipeas. According to mythological tradition, Enipeas, the most beautiful of the river gods, son of Oceanus and Tithios, fell in love with Tiro, the daughter of King Salmon and Alkidiki. The god Poseidon, who saw Tiro and fell in love with her, took the form of Enipeas, so that he could conquer her. She was deceived and accepted Poseidon. Then, the god Poseidon revealed his identity to Tiro and announced to her the birth of their twin children, Pelias and Nileas. Besides, according to the mythology, Lito, the mother of Apollo and Artemis, bathed in the waters of Enipeas, while the gorge of Enipeas was the place where the Mainades devoured the hero Orpheus, poet and famous musician.

The Monastery of Agios Dionysios in Olympus is a Greek Orthodox monastery on the slopes of Mount Olympus, the most important monastery in the Pieria Prefecture. It is located at the Enipeas ravine at an altitude of 850 m. The original monastery, established in 1542, was destroyed by the Germans in 1943.

Stavros Refuge at an altitude of 930m, 9 km from Litochoro on the road to Prionia.

Inside the stunning natural beauty of Enipeas Gorge, through which passes the most popular mountaineering path of Olympus, the old monastery of Agios Dionysios was built. The monastery suffered several destructions, especially in 1828, when it was set on fire by the Ottomans, and during the German Occupation, when it was blown up by the Nazis, because it housed Resistance fighters. After the damage it suffered in 1943, the monks created the new, today's Monastery at a lower altitude.

The monastery was founded by Agios Dionysios in 1542, 17 kilometers from Litochoro, at an altitude of 900 meters. It gained a huge reputation for the work that’s been done there, while the founder himself practiced in a mountain cave, a short distance from the Monastery. His tomb is located in the Katholikon, while restoration works aimed to highlight the monument, through numerous visitors pass daily on the hiking route from Litochoro to the place "Prionia".

Not far from the Old Monastery of Agios Dionysios of Olympus, in the Gorge of Enipeas, is the Cave of Agios Dionysios, in which there is a small church. It is a common attraction for travelers, as the route that passes through the cave is the most popular mountain trail. The founder of the monastery Agios Dionysios practiced in the cave in 1542.

Agios Dionysios used to pray outside the monastery he had built and equipped, 17 kilometers from Litochoro. He preferred the quiet of the caves and the landscapes of Olympus, before returning to his spiritual work and the place is the third point of the area for the exploration of his personality, together with the old and the new Monastery, which is located lower, outside Litochoro. Among other things, it is an impressive landscape for relaxing hiking, a fort among the lush forest.

Prionia is literally the last point where someone can reach by car, so it is officially the getaway to the most important National Park of Greece that covers an area of 3933 acres. It was declared as the first National Park of the country in 1938 and is a refuge for many different species of plants and animals.

Many hikers and mountain bikers start their activities from here, while someone can have a gorgeous meal at the very famous traditional taverna of the area.
(Lunch Break, optionally)