Mount Olympus Day Trip from Thessaloniki

Mount Olympus is 97 km from Thessaloniki — about 85 minutes by car on a clear run. That's close enough to make it an ambitious but entirely feasible day trip, especially if you're not attempting the summit (which requires an overnight stay at a mountain refuge). The hiking trails start at Prionia, a car park 18 km above the town of Litochoro, at about 1,100 m elevation. From there, the most popular trails take 3–6 hours return depending on your target altitude.

Getting There

Take the E75 motorway south from Thessaloniki toward Athens. Exit at Litochoro (about 90 km from Thessaloniki, roughly 80 minutes). From Litochoro, follow signs up the mountain road to Prionia car park — 18 km on a paved but narrow road that takes about 30 minutes. Total drive: approximately 110 minutes from central Thessaloniki.

The Prionia car park fills by 9:00 in summer. Arrive before 8:00 or you'll be parking down the road and walking up. Alternatively, park in Litochoro and take a taxi to Prionia (around €20 one way).

Best Trails for a Day Trip

Prionia to Spilios Agapitos Refuge (E4 trail) — Easy-Moderate

The standard hike from Prionia car park up to Spilios Agapitos refuge (2,100 m elevation) takes 2.5–3 hours one way through beautiful beech and black pine forest. The refuge serves food and water. Return the same way for a 5–6 hour total hike. This is the most popular route and the one that non-experienced hikers should take.

Enipeas Gorge from Litochoro — Easy-Moderate

If you prefer a lower-altitude walk in spectacular scenery, the Enipeas Gorge trail starts from Litochoro town and follows the river canyon for about 6 km. The path passes waterfalls, old bridges, and the Agios Dionysios Monastery. Takes 2–3 hours return and requires no mountain experience. This is the best option if you're combining the mountains with a swim at Plaka Litochoro.

Summit Attempt

Mytikas, the highest peak at 2,918 m, is not a day trip from Thessaloniki — the mountain refuge stay is mandatory for safety (altitude change, weather changes, timing). If you want to summit, stay one night at Spilios Agapitos refuge, start at 4:00am the next morning, and summit by mid-morning before afternoon storms develop. June–September for summit attempts; winter climbing requires specialist equipment.

What to Pack

Even in summer: a warm layer (temperatures at 2,000+ m are 10–15°C cooler than the coast), rain jacket (afternoon thunderstorms develop quickly in July–August), plenty of water (2L minimum for a full day hike), solid walking shoes or trail runners. Sandals are dangerous on mountain trails. Start early — the mountain generates its own weather and afternoon visibility drops fast.

Combining with Plaka Litochoro Beach

The classic day itinerary: drive up to Prionia, hike to the refuge and back (5–6 hours), then descend to Litochoro for lunch, and end at Plaka Litochoro beach (3 km from town) for an afternoon swim. It's a full day but a rewarding one — you'll have done both the highest mountain in Greece and a beach in the same day.