Holidays to Olymbiada

Activities in Olymbiada

Botany
The mountains of Stratoniko and Cholomontas surrounding Olymbiada to the west and northwest are rich in flora. Access is on foot or by car. The hotels can provide guests with information on how to access the areas and on the various kinds of plants in the area.

Bird Watching
The mountains of Stratoniko and Cholomontas, the lake Volvi (approx 30 kms away), the lake Kerkini (approx 80 kms) and the wetlands of the nestos River delta (approx 160 kms by fast motorway) have a huge variety of bird life and are on the main migratory routes. access is by hire car. The hotels can provide guests with information on accessing the areas and on the various kinds of birds inhabiting the areas mentioned.

Cycling
Olymbiada is ideal for bicycle lovers. the village is on the flat, there are easy cycle routes nearby on the plain, and a few more difficult ones up on the mountain. Mountain bikes are available free of charge to our hotel guests. There are no specific cycle paths but the hotels can provide information on possible routes around Olympiada.

Visit the nearby waterfall
This excursion is organised once a week. access is by car (provided by the hotel) and then on foot, walking for about 500m. We would recommend this for people with relatively good fitness levels as the final part of the route can be a bit difficult. The hotels provide free transportation by car for up to 4 people. They also offer a picnic option for 6 Euros, which includes a glass of tsipouro (local firewater!), traditional bread, Halkidiki olives, local cheese, tomatoes and tradional halva as a sweet.

Tour of Ancient Stagira
Ancient Stagira, birthplace of aristotle, is on a hill above the far end of the village the tour is organised once a week and includes walking to the area of ancient Stagira and a tour guided by the hotel’s owner, Dimitris Sarris.

Cooking with Loulou
Loulou, Dimitri's sister who runs the Liotopi hotel, is not only an excellent host, she is also a fine cook. once a week (and on request) the guests can join her in cooking a traditional main dish and sweet - then enjoy the results!

Olymbiada Festival
The whole village celebrates its main Saints day on 7th July. Following a procession from the church, the annual shindig includes unlimited free local mussels and wine. Worth catching we think!

For further information on what the area has to offer the Mount Athos Area Organisation has a useful website http://en.mountathosarea.org/

There are many possible hiking routes and trails around Olymbiada. Some new routes have recently been opened up, including the 26 km Aristotelian Trail which starts in Olymbiada, takes you up through the forested hills (under Natura 2000 protection) and ends at the inland village of Stageira. This walk (which of course does not have to be done all in one go if you have a car) and several shorter routes can be viewed in our useful Walking Guide. Shorter routes from Olymbiada are also possible. One can walk along the coastline on sand (around 4km, return) or a circular route around the plain surrounding Olympiada (map provided locally by the hotels). The hotels can provide further information locally of all the walks in the area.

For walking routes in Eastern Halkidiki, visit this website.

Please note we have no representative in Olymbiada. However, good English is spoken at our hotels, who are always happy to give local information and assistance and our local agent in Thessaloniki can always be contacted if required.