Olympiaki Akti holidays

Holidays in Olympiaki Akti are your beachside base on the Olympic Riviera for a slice of chilled Greek living.

A quiet spot on the Olympic Riviera

Laidback, local and lapped by the Aegean, Olympiaki Akti is one of those places that quietly wins you over. Set in the eastern Pieria region on Greece’s mainland, it sits along the -70-kilometre‑long Olympic Riviera, known for its sandy beaches and a dramatic Mount Olympus backdrop. It might be a quiet spot, but you’re only 10 minutes from Katerini, the area’s main town. Locals even nickname the resort Katerinoskala, meaning ‘Katerini’s staircase’, because it once served as the town’s easy route down to the sea.

Blue Flag beach life

Olympiaki Akti’s main beach is the star of the show – it’s a wide curve of soft sand with warm, shallow Blue Flag waters that are perfect for easy swimming. Sunbeds and beach cafés line parts of the shore, with iced coffees and frappes on hand, but there’s plenty of room for towel-spreaders, too. The Olympic Riviera is made for beach-hopping, with livelier Paralia Katerinis just five minutes away by car – and thanks to the flat terrain here, it’s also easy to cycle between the resorts on the coastal bike path.

History in Olympus’ shadow

While Olympus makes the backdrop here – it’s around an hour away by car – the real history highlight sits closer to home. About 30 minutes’ drive from Olympiaki Akti, you’ve got the archaeological site of Dion. Once sacred to Zeus and the gods of Olympus, the site blends temple remains, baths, theatres and leafy paths that feel half-museum, half-park. There’s a museum, too, where you can check out all sorts of mosaics and artefacts that bring Ancient Greece to life.

Tavernas and a touch of buzz

Fresh seafood, grilled meats, tzatziki and Greek salads piled high with feta keep dining deliciously simple here, with most tavernas being family‑run and guided by whatever’s freshest that day. Expect warm welcomes, generous portions and that classic ‘you’ve got to try this’ moment from the owner. And if you’re after a livelier evening, Paralia – just five minutes by car – lines its beachfront with bars, cafés and shops, making it the perfect spot to dip into some buzz.