Pieria is home of one of the most beautiful combinations of mountain and sea that you can find in mainland Greece, due to a long coastline from which the slopes of Olympus rise, leading to a 2,917 m peak, the tallest in the country, and the second tallest in the Balkans.
The natural landscape, combined with the international fame that ancient Greek mythology -Olympus being the home of the 12 gods – has given to Olympus, brings to the area thousands of visitors from all over the world each year (both in the winter and in the summer). Nevertheless, the tourist lodgings are not the most famed ones.
However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t exceptions. Below, we present 5 of the most beautiful accommodation choices in the shadow of Mount Olympus that are guaranteed to be a great base for a special escape in the wider area.
Mythic Valley, Litochoro
Mythic Valley is the most stylish accommodation option in the shadow of Olympus. It’s in the centre of Litochoro and it’s in total harmony with the area’s traditional architecture – after all one of its buildings dates back to 1930. It offers 9 rooms, each decorated differently, that are divided into 2 maisonettes, 2 houses ideal for families and 5 double rooms.
Some of them combine traditional style with more pop details, others are distinguished by their more noble style, while the rest have a more romantic décor. All of them are very well-kept, with a great ambience, minimal décor and spacious. The small indoor pool is a hot spot, ideal for after you return from an excursion to Olympus. Mythic Valley also offers accommodation packages that include activities like hiking or canoeing on the mountain.
Website: mythicvalley.gr
Bayiri, Litochoro
Bayiri guesthouse is housed in the paternal house of its owners: a historic mansion that dates back to 1880 that they have carefully restored highlighting all its special architectural characteristics. It has 6 rooms that combine traditional style with light youthful design. The warm colours, the stone and the wood, together with décor details – that add to the modern look – all create a very cosy environment, ideal for romantic escapes.
The shared living room, with the fireplace, the beautiful rugs, and the soft sofas that have been placed along the walls, is of a similar aesthetic.
Website: bayiri.gr
Agnadi Guesthouse, Paleos Panteleimonas
Agnadi is a beautiful guesthouse ideal both for families and couples. It’s stone-built with a strong presence of wood, painted in warm colours and fabrics. The 15 rooms are comfortable and in a traditional style, which means they all have a fireplace. So, if you’re craving for total relaxation during a cosy weekend, this is the place to be.
Agnadi also has a restaurant serving traditional cuisine prepared by Mrs Pinelopi, who uses local ingredients and meat from their farms. In addition, the hotel has a mini spa with a sauna, a hammam and a pool that is surrounded by arched stone walls, thus resembling a cave. On one of the walls there is also an energy efficient fireplace that takes the experience to another level. An added bonus is the beautiful view that reaches the sea.
Website: agnadihotel.gr
Dimatis, Agios Dimitrios
Dimatis is in Agios Dimitrios, at an 840 m altitude on the north-western side of Olympus – it’s the northernmost village of the region of Pieria. It’s one of the oldest hotels in the area, established in 1928.
It has 12 rooms, 3 of which are suites. It’s distinguished by its exceptional décor, the soft colours and the mixing of traditional elements with more modern décor choices. The hotel is also known for its restaurant that serves classic Greek cuisine and local traditional dishes, all prepared with local ingredients.
Website: dimatis.eu
Ktima Bellou, Agios Dimitrios
Just outside Agios Dimitrios, on 45,000 m² grounds, you’ll find Ktima Bellou, a beautiful guesthouse of Macedonian architecture comprised of 7 rooms and 5 stone houses. Natural materials like stone, wood, and handmade terracotta have been used for its construction, making it stand out.
The décor of the rooms and houses is elegant, in a lighter version of the classical style, while all the furniture and the rugs are handmade. The mattresses are three level Coco mat mattresses, there is a choice of pillows, while the rooms are heated by infrared ceiling radiator screens – an environmentally friendly method. Furthermore, the curtains are embroidered with traditional designs from the Benaki museum.
Finally, all the rooms have energy efficient fireplaces, while one of the houses is designed to be accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Website: ktimabellou.gr
