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Kuala Lumpur to northern Greece: Thessaloniki and Mount Olympus

Kuala Lumpur → Thessaloniki → Litochoro (Mount Olympus)

Thessaloniki
"2006 July 30, Thessaloniki 32.jpg" by Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Tessaloniki BW 2017-10-05 18-22-47 (Thessaloniki)
Photo: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Byzantine churches & the mountain of the gods Best season (general guide): May–Jun, Sep–Oct

Northern Greece is less visited than the islands, but it offers a lively city and the country's highest mountain. This route spends three nights in Thessaloniki and three in Litochoro at the foot of Mount Olympus. From Kuala Lumpur you'll connect through the Gulf or Istanbul to Thessaloniki.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Thessaloniki: day one, the waterfront and White Tower; day two, Rotunda and Byzantine churches; day three, Ano Poli and the markets. Then spend days four to six in Litochoro (Mount Olympus): day four, drive to Litochoro, then Vergina on the way; day five, Enipeas Gorge walk; day six, hike toward the refuges.

Thessaloniki is Greece's second city, with a long seafront promenade and the White Tower as its landmark. UNESCO lists its early Christian and Byzantine monuments.

The Rotunda, a Roman building later used as a church and a mosque, has mosaics inside. Ano Poli, the upper town, has old houses and walls with views over the gulf.

The city is famous for its food, and bougatsa, a pastry with cream or cheese, is a breakfast favourite.

Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece, was believed to be the home of the gods. Litochoro is the village at its base, starting point for hikes.

The Enipeas Gorge trail follows a river into the mountain. On the way from Thessaloniki, the royal tombs at Aigai (Vergina), listed by UNESCO, include the tomb of Philip II of Macedon.

For Thessaloniki and Olympus, late spring and early autumn work best.

Thessaloniki is a lively city for food, and its waterfront promenade is the place for an evening walk. From the city, buses and trains run south to Litochoro, the village at the foot of Olympus. Climbing to the high refuges takes a full day and good fitness, so book a refuge bed ahead and start early. Easier trails follow the Enipeas gorge from the village for those who prefer a shorter walk.

Good to know: A car is easiest. Summit climbs of Olympus need fitness, mountain experience and a refuge booking. Lower trails suit most walkers.

Suggested outline

  1. Kuala Lumpur

    Start

  2. Thessaloniki

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    A seafront city of Byzantine churches and food.

  3. Litochoro (Mount Olympus)

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    A village at the foot of Greece's highest mountain.

    Litochoro (Mount Olympus)
    "Mount Olympus from Litochoro.jpg" by E.asphyx, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Thessaloniki — Arrive; the waterfront and White Tower· Kuala Lumpur → Thessaloniki (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Thessaloniki — Rotunda and Byzantine churches
  3. Day 3 · Thessaloniki — Ano Poli and the markets
  4. Day 4 · Litochoro (Mount Olympus) — Drive to Litochoro; Vergina on the way· Thessaloniki → Litochoro, Mount Olympus (overland)
  5. Day 5 · Litochoro (Mount Olympus) — Enipeas Gorge walk
  6. Day 6 · Litochoro (Mount Olympus) — Hike toward the refuges
  7. Day 7 · Litochoro (Mount Olympus) — Travel home from Litochoro, Mount Olympus· Litochoro, Mount Olympus → Thessaloniki (overland), then Thessaloniki → Kuala Lumpur (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Thessaloniki

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Litochoro (Mount Olympus)

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