National park · Greece
Olympos National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Όλυμπος
Enter Olympos National Park for a day hike: pay the entry fee (≈ €8 adult, €4 child), take the E4 trail to Mytikas in 6‑8 h, visit in May‑Jun or Sep‑Oct to avoid crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
90 km² (35 sq mi)35 sq mi (90 km²)
approximate
Established
1938
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Greece ↗Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Greece ↗Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
- Greece ↗Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.
- Greece ↗Acropolis tickets are sold for one-hour entry slots on the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr); in peak season slots sell out days ahead, and you cannot enter outside your hour.
- Greece ↗Businesses must give a receipt (apodeixi) for every sale; ask for one, and do not accept a handwritten note in place of it.
At a glance
- Country
- Greece
- Area
- 90 km² (35 sq mi)35 sq mi (90 km²)
- Park area is about 90 km², but some sources split land (≈ 70 km²) and marine zones (≈ 20 km²); figures vary by definition.
- Established
- 1938
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Olympos National Park protects Greece’s highest mountain, Mount Olympus, and its surrounding alpine ecosystems, cultural sites, and historic monasteries, offering marked long‑distance trails and several mountain refuges for hikers.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1988Mount Olympus mixed natural-cultural site.
Size and age
90 km² (35 sq mi)35 sq mi (90 km²) · national park since 1938
Park area is about 90 km², but some sources split land (≈ 70 km²) and marine zones (≈ 20 km²); figures vary by definition.
Why go
- Hike Greece’s highest peak, Mytikas (2,918 m).
- Explore diverse alpine flora, waterfalls and historic monasteries.
- Experience well‑marked long‑distance trails like the E4.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible snow on high routes.
- FebSnow persists; limited refuge access.
- MarMelting snow, lower trails open.
- AprSpring, wildflowers, moderate weather.
- MayClear skies, comfortable temperatures.
- JunDry, good for summit attempts.
- JulHeat in valleys, thunderstorms possible.
- AugHeat, occasional storms.
- SepCooler, fewer hikers.
- OctAutumn colors, pleasant weather.
- NovCool, early snow possible.
- DecSnow, limited trail access.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine flora (edelweiss, gentians)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Golden eaglesApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| ChamoisMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Thessaloniki
KTEL intercity bus (€9.30 (≈ US$11)) to Litochoro; also train to Katerini then bus.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Athens
Intercity train to Katerini (≈4 h) then KTEL bus to Litochoro.
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Thessaloniki Airport (Makedonia)
Taxi or bus to Katerini, then bus to Litochoro.
≈2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Litochoro entrance | Visitor centre, ticket office, trailheads to E4 and other routes. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Refuges area | Nine mountain refuges for overnight stays. | Open June‑Oct; reservation recommended. |
| Summit zone | Mytikas peak and surrounding high‑altitude terrain. | No special permit beyond park entry; weather dependent. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata for the park centre; points are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | EUR 8 (≈ US$10) | person | 2026 estimate; official site not available. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs allowed on leashes only on marked trails.
- Camping
- Only in designated refuges or camp sites; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use stoves in refuges.
- Drones
- Prohibited without special permission.check
- Guides
- Not required for day hikes, but recommended for winter routes.
Where to stay
Near the park
Litochoro hotels
Various guesthouses and small hotels 5 km (3.1 mi) from park gate.Various guesthouses and small hotels 3.1 mi (5 km) from park gate.
In the park
Mountain refuges
Basic dormitory accommodation on the summit trail.
Safety
Sudden weather change high
Altitude sickness medium
Limited mobile coverage medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car with parking.
- Short, paved paths to information centre suitable for limited mobility.
- Summit trails steep and not wheelchair‑accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in designated refuges; avoid littering.
- Use marked trails to protect fragile alpine vegetation.
- Support local guides and accommodations.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Olympos National Park?
The entry fee is about €8 per adult and €4 per child (2026 estimate). Tickets are bought at the park information centre in Litochoro.
What are the best hikes in Olympos National Park?
Top routes are the E4 trail to Mytikas (6‑8 h), the Ourlias Waterfalls walk (2‑3 h), and the Barba‑Kolokythia scenic trek (5‑6 h).
When is the best time to visit Olympos National Park?
May‑June and September‑October offer clear weather and fewer crowds; spring and early autumn are also good.
Do I need a guide to hike to the summit?
No guide is required for the standard E4 route, but a guide is recommended in winter or for less marked paths.
Are there places to stay inside the park?
Yes, nine mountain refuges operate June‑Oct; basic dormitory rooms cost €10‑€18 per night.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go