DION – PLATAMONAS
Archaeological Site of Dion, Platamonas Castle & Old Railway Tunnel

Duration: 5–6 hours
Starting time: 08:00 a.m.
Every Saturday and Sunday

We begin our tour with a comfortable, air-conditioned private van and head towards the Archaeological Site of Dion, the sacred city of the ancient Macedonians, dedicated to Zeus.

You will be accompanied by a professional licensed guide, who will help you discover the history of Dion in depth. Walk among ancient theatres, temples and sanctuaries, in a lush natural environment with rich vegetation that creates an atmosphere of complete peace and relaxation.

Afterwards, we continue to the impressive Platamonas Castle, one of the most important medieval castles in Greece. There, you will enjoy panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and explore a place full of history and unique energy.

The experience continues with a special walk along the old railway line and tunnel, offering an authentic sense of exploration in a truly unique setting.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Impressive view of the Aegean Sea
• Historical journey through ancient and medieval Greece
• Stress-free program
• Away from mass tourism
• Hidden natural spots, such as the walk through the old railway tunnel

INCLUDES

✓ English-speaking and Greek-speaking escort-driver
✓ Historical guided tour in English, German and Greek
✓ Pick-up and transfer from your hotel
✓ Transportation by air-conditioned van
✓ Civil liability insurance
✓ Coffee / Water / Snack
✓ All taxes
✓ Hiking poles
✓ First aid kit
✓ Child seats available upon request

✕ Tips

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TOUR

• The tour is low difficulty
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Suitable for ages 4 to 85
• Hiking shoes are recommended
• Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen are recommended
• Not suitable for pregnant women
• Not suitable for people with heart problems

For availability, please contact us.

LEARN MORE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF DION

The Archaeological Park of Dion is the most important archaeological site near Mount Olympus and is located in the village of Dion. In the area of the park, sanctuaries from the Hellenistic and Roman periods have been discovered.

The park highlights the importance of ancient Dion in the history of Pieria. Once located only seven stadia from the shores of the Thermaic Gulf, Dion was the sacred city of the Macedonians.

It reached great prosperity during the Hellenistic period and also during Roman times, as it was one of the earliest Roman colonies in the Macedonian region. However, although Dion had walls with a perimeter of 2,550 meters, it never developed beyond the level of a small city, neither in the time of Thucydides nor later during the Roman period.

Although the archaeological site of Dion is quite extensive, its organization is excellent, offering visitors clear routes to walk among the monuments and explore the area with ease.

PLATAMONAS CASTLE

Platamonas Castle is a castle from the Frankish period, built on the site of a fortified city from the Middle Byzantine period. It is located southeast of Mount Olympus, close to the modern town of Platamonas, in a strategic position that controlled the route from Macedonia to Thessaly and southern Greece.

It is one of the best-preserved castles in northern and central Greece, with its impressive central tower standing above the national road and dominating the landscape.

OLD RAILWAY TUNNEL

The railway tunnel was constructed by a French company in 1915, with the purpose of connecting liberated Macedonia with the rest of Greece.

In 2004, a new high-speed railway line was created, passing through the Platamonas area via a tunnel approximately 4 kilometers long. As a result, the old railway line from Platamonas to Panteleimonas was abandoned.

In 2005, by decision of the Ministry of Culture, the old railway line of Platamonas, with a total length of 2.876 kilometers, was declared a historic site because of its particular historical, technical and scientific interest. It is considered a characteristic and unified area formed in the early 20th century, within a rich natural environment.

Right in front of the tunnel stands a stone tower, which operated in 1940 as a machine-gun post for the protection of the tunnel.