Stari Pantelejmon — The Stone Village at the Foot of Mount Olympus

Stari Pantelejmon (Paleos Panteleimon in Greek) is a beautifully preserved traditional village on the slopes of Mount Olympus, approximately 15 km from the coast at Katerini and the Olympic Riviera. The village is little known to foreign tourists but deeply loved by Greeks — a showcase of traditional northern Greek stone architecture with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and Mount Olympus.

What Makes It Special

• Traditional stone architecture — virtually every building in the village centre is made of local stone; the village has been preserved largely intact
• Byzantine church of Saint Panteleimon — the 18th-century stone church is the village centrepiece and worth seeing from inside for its woodwork
• Views — from the village square you can see both the Aegean Sea (on clear days) and the upper slopes of Olympus
• Tavernas with local cuisine — traditional oven-cooked dishes, local game and excellent grilled meats in stone-walled tavernas
• Cooler temperatures — at approximately 500 m altitude, the village is significantly cooler than the coast in July–August

Getting There

Stari Pantelejmon is approximately 15 km from Katerini (on the Olympic Riviera coast) by a winding mountain road. By car: from Katerini, follow signs to Panteleimon / Paleos Panteleimon. The road is good but narrow in places. No public transport.

Combining with the Olympic Riviera

The village makes an excellent half-day excursion from any base on the Olympic Riviera (Paralija, Leptokarya, Platamon). Morning beach, afternoon mountain village, evening back by the sea. A reminder that Greece is not just coast.

Nearby

• Dion — 12 km from Stari Pantelejmon; the ancient sacred city with outstanding museum and site
• Litochoro — the trailhead town for Olympus hikes, 20 km away
• Platamon Castle — Byzantine coastal castle, 25 km away