You might be tempted to drive right by Pieria on your way to Thessaloniki. Wait, slow down. There’s more to this district than meets the eye. You could call it the land of the unexpected, and it’s well worth making it a holiday destination at any time of year. From the bustling streets of Katerini, to the Elatohori Ski Centre and the famous Beaches of Korinos, Paralia, Olympic Beach, Gritsa, Plaka Litohoro, Leptokaria, Skotina, Panteleimon, Platamon and N. Poroi.

From the stunning archaeological sites in Old Dion and Old Pydna, where statues pose in watery shrines, to the wilds of the Enipeas Gorge and the cobbled lanes of old Panteleimon.

A world of surprises awaits you in the centre of mainland Greece under the peaks of the famous Mount Olympus and the sandy beaches of the Thermaic Gulf.

PARALIA

Paralia is a touristic seaside destination in the eastern part of Pieria. It’s a dreamful and famous place, with intense Mediterranean climate and ten kilometers of blue, spotless sea that creates a unique comparative advantage.

Paralia was founded by fishermen after 1922. Thanks to the exceptional geographical location, quickly became a popular touristic point with plenty of hotels and holiday apartments, beach bars with water sports activities, traditional Greek taverns and local shops for visitors who want not only to relax during their summer vacations but also to experience the local spirit.

KATERINI

Paralia is only a few minutes away from Katerini, the capital of the Prefecture of Pieria, a city full of life, with a large range of stores covering all needs, as well as plenty of Modern Greek cafes, bars and restaurants for all tastes. The residents are always happy to assist you with anything you may need and make your tour even more delightful.

On the flip side, the municipal park takes you into the natural world. Katerini hangs happily suspended between the city and the Macedonian countryside.

DION

Near Katerini, Dion is one of Greece’s most spacious and serene archaeological sites. Here, ancient history and natural beauty vie for your attention. In a setting crisscrossed by bubbling streams, you’ll find temples, Hellenistic and Roman theatres, flag-stoned streets, baths decorated with mosaics, Roman houses and villas, early-Christian basilicas and an odeon. Don’t miss the shrine to Isis, remnants of the grandeur of Ancient Greece. Built in a swampy area, its ruins and statues appear even more poetic surrounded by greenery and with ‘their feet’ in the water. Nearby, the shrine of Demetra was one of the earliest to be excavated in Macedonia.

PLATAMONAS CASTLE

The function of a castle is to dominate an area and Platamonas must have done this brilliantly as it overlooks a huge stretch of the coast of Pieria. The high walls and well-preserved central tower date from the 10th century. While excavations have unearthed Hellenistic remains from the 4th century BC, it is the Byzantine churches and traces of the 10th-century town and later that will grab your attention.

TREKKING THE ENIPEAS GORGE IN MOUNT OLYMPUS

Plan your route: take the path along the gorge from Mylous near Litohoro to Prionia on the edge of Olympus National Park. The scenery is stunning and you’ll feel as if it was made just for you.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF DION

On the ground floor you’ll find an exceptional trove of sculptures – statues, bas reliefs, funerary stelae, architectural elements – and other finds from the site, which was dedicated to Olympian Zeus. On the first floor you’ll hear the haunting – albeit reconstructed – sounds of the hydraulis, an extremely rare water- and air-powered instrument with percussive elements. You’re looking at the ancestor of the organ.

LITOCHORO

This picturesque town makes an excellent launch pad for your expedition up Mt Olympus, or for your dips into the sea, if you’re not in a climbing mood. Plaka is said to be the Aegean at its best but Gritsa beach is also wonderful. Litochoro, on the lower slopes of Mt Olympus, combines access to the sea and the mountain in a lovely green setting. Don’t forget to wander around and admire the marvellous Macedonian-style houses.