Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Refuges
Accommodation on Mount Olympus itself is
better organized than on any other mountain in Greece.
There are two staffed refuges: the EOS-run
Spilios Agapitos
at 2100m, commonly known as Refuge A (May-Oct,
reservations recommended in summer;
T
23520 81800,
W
www.mountolympus.gr), and the SEO-managed
Yiosos
Apostolidhis
hut at 2700m (July-Sept, though its
glassed-in porch is always available for climbers in need;
T
2310 224 710). Both charge around €10 for a bunk and
you can camp at Refuge A for around €5, including use of
their bathroom; lights-out and outer door locked at 10pm,
so bring a torch.
Meals
at either shelter are relatively expensive, and
mandatory since no cooking is allowed inside; bring more
money than you think you'll require, as bad weather can
ground you a day or two longer than planned. For
sustenance while walking, you'll need to buy food at the
well-stocked grocery stores in Litóhoro, though water can
wait until you're in the vicinity of the main trailhead at
Priónia (see opposite).
Litóhoro
By far the best base for a walk up the mountain, if only part of the way for the views, is
the small town of
LITÓHORO
on the eastern side. A fairly pleasant garrison town with
two huge army camps on the approach road, its setting, in good weather, affords
intoxicating vistas into the heart of the range. Facilities have also improved greatly in
recent years, as it has become a popular weekend getaway for Thessalonians.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
LITÓHORO
By train
The train station is 5km away, down by the
motorway, where you'll find taxis are sometimes waiting or
you can walk 500m and pick up a bus just west of the
motorway. There are 13 trains daily from Thessaloníki.
By bus
There are frequent buses to the central platía KTEL
from Thessaloníki (5 daily; 1hr 30min) or the nearby market
town of Kateríni (hourly; 30min).
By car
Litóhoro has its own motorway turn-off. Parking is
not a problem.
4
ACCOMMODATION
Litóhoro has a range of reasonable accommodation and there's a seaside hostel not far away. The nearest campsites are on
the beach at Varikó, 11km away:
Stani
(
T
23520 61277) and
Niteas
(
T
23520 61290), both open all year round.
Enipeas
right behind Xenios Dias
T
23520 84328,
W
hotel-enipeas.gr.
Very welcoming and spotless place,
its upper rear rooms have i
ne
views, while attic rooms with
skylight only are cheaper.
€40
Olympus Mediterranean
Dhionýsou 5
T
23520
81831,
W
olympusmed.gr.
Boasting a smart new lobby in
modernist style and twenty beautifully refurbished r
oom
s,
this is the town's poshest option; breakfast included.
€75
Seaside Hostel, Griítsa
T
23520 81800,
W
summitzero.gr.
Set right on the beach only 5km from
Litóhoro, this friendly family-run hostel provides bunk-
beds for 20 people
in f
four rooms and spotless shared
facilities. Dorm beds
€15
Villa Drosos
Arheláou 18
T
23520 84561,
W
villadrosos
.gr.
Tucked away behind Ayíou Yeoryíou church, two or
three streets back from Ayíou Nikoláou, the
Villa
boasts
smart rooms, an enticing swimming pool and a
n op
en fire in
winter, plus parking space; breakfast included.
€65
Xenios Dias
On the main square
T
23520 81234,
W
hotel-xeniosdias.gr.
With views to equal those of the
Enipeas
, this place
has
smarter rooms and a cosy bar.
Breakfast included.
€60
Ì
Xenonas Papanikolaou
N E Kítrous 1, signposted
100m from square
T
23520 81236,
W
xenonas
-papanikolaou.gr.
Very central but tucked in a quiet
side street, this friendly and excellently appointed hostel
offers modernized, yet traditionally decorated en-suite
rooms
wit
h central a/c/heating and cable TV. Superb
value.
€40
EATING
Ì
Gastrodromio “En Olymbo”
Main square
T
23520
21300,
W
gastrodromio.gr.
Main courses such as rabbit or
suckling pig cost €8.50-18 and there are starters like
potato salad with herring and apple in a mustard yoghurt
dressing. Fine wine list too.
Daily 12.30-11.30pm.
Meze Meze
Ayíou Nikoláou 40
T
23520 82721.
Bright
and colourfully decorated new restaurant serving a range
of tasty mezédhes and some baked items like lamb with
potatoes.
Daily noon-1am.
Neromylos
By the start of the path into the canyon
T
23520 84141.
The food at this place is solid taverna fare,
with salads, dips and grills, but the spectacular setting,
