Mount Olympus and the Vale of Tempe
From Thessaloniki to the sacred city of Dion, up the mountain of the gods to Prionia, then past Platamonas castle to the Vale of Tempe.
- Distance
- 145 km (90 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 00 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 7
- Countries
- Greece
- Updated
- June 9, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 145 km (90 mi) with 7 stops, from Thessaloniki to Ambelakia. About 2 h 00 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Greece · More road trips from Thessaloniki
Route description
The A1 motorway (tolls) runs south from Thessaloniki along the Thermaic Gulf with Olympus growing ahead. Leave it for Dion, the sacred city of the ancient Macedonians, whose ruins lie among springs and trees at the foot of the mountain.
Litochoro is the base for Olympus, a stone town at the mouth of the Enipeas gorge. A winding 18 km road climbs through forest to Prionia, where the main trail to the summit begins; even without climbing, the walk to the waterfall and along the gorge is rewarding.
Back on the coast, the Crusader castle of Platamonas stands on a hill above the sea. Then the road enters the Vale of Tempe, a narrow gorge between Olympus and Ossa, where a footbridge crosses the river to the cave chapel of Agia Paraskevi.
Finish in Ambelakia, a hillside village above the gorge with grand 18th-century mansions built on the cotton-dye trade. The summit of Olympus is only for experienced hikers and usually needs a night at a refuge; snow lingers until June.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Thessaloniki
Greece - 281 km
Dion Archaeological Park
HistoryDion, GreeceThe sacred city of the Macedonians at the foot of Olympus, with sanctuaries half-flooded by springs and fine mosaics. The museum in the village holds the best finds.
- 310 km
Litochoro
Greece - 410 km
Prionia
NatureLitochoro, GreeceThe end of the road into Mount Olympus at about 1,100 m, where the main trail to the summit begins. A short walk leads to a waterfall; the drive from Litochoro is 18 km of bends.
- 523 km
Platamonas Castle
HistoryPlatamonas, GreeceA Crusader castle on a hill between Olympus and the sea, with walls and a keep in good repair. It is visible from the motorway and easy to reach.
- 616 km
Vale of Tempe
NatureTempi, GreeceA narrow gorge of the Pineios river between Olympus and Ossa. A suspension footbridge crosses to the cave chapel of Agia Paraskevi and its spring.
- 75 km
Ambelakia
Greece
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Thessaloniki → Dion Archaeological Park · 81 km · 1 h 07 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Sylvia (8 km); Variko Beach (5 km).
- Day 2: Dion Archaeological Park → Prionia · 20 km · 0 h 17 minOn the way: Litochoro.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Sylvia (13 km); Heraklia Beach Camping & Apartments (17 km).
- Day 3: Prionia → Ambelakia · 45 km · 0 h 37 minOn the way: Platamonas Castle, Vale of Tempe.Overnight nearby, for example: Heraklia Beach Camping & Apartments (18 km); Castle (18 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. Hot in July. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Greece: Motorway tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Mount Olympus and the Vale of Tempe?
3-day road trip of about 145 km (90 mi) with 7 stops, from Thessaloniki to Ambelakia. About 2 h 00 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Mount Olympus and the Vale of Tempe?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 00 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Mount Olympus and the Vale of Tempe start and end?
It starts in Thessaloniki and ends in Ambelakia.
Which countries does Mount Olympus and the Vale of Tempe pass through?
Greece.
Where can you camp along Mount Olympus and the Vale of Tempe?
OpenStreetMap lists 25 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Sylvia, Heraklia Beach Camping & Apartments and Castle.
When is the best time for Mount Olympus and the Vale of Tempe?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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