Hotels in Katerini
Katerini, the main town of Pieria, is a base for travellers who move on by train or car, not a beach stay. Its station, in a residential area close to the centre, is served by Intercity trains on the Athens to Thessaloniki line and by the T1 regional trains between Thessaloniki and Larissa. That matters for Mount Olympus: Litochoro station lies about 6 km from the village, so many walkers ride the bus between Litochoro and Katerini and take the train here. Litochoro itself is 22 km south, and the archaeological park of Dion about 15 km away, on the same road. The sea is at Paralia Katerinis, 7 km east. The four places to stay listed on this page are small: Hotel Villa Sevasti has the best score, 9.4 out of 10 from 50 reviews; Orfeas Classic, at 8.2, is the most reviewed, with 429; Nikos Studio Apartments and Astro Studio Apartments are studios rated 8.8 and 8.0 from a couple of dozen reviews each. I would pick Katerini for one or two nights between Thessaloniki and Olympus. The trap: booking it for a seaside week, when every swim starts with a 7 km trip.
Stay in Katerini if you arrive by train or want a working Greek town with rooms in the centre, then reach the sea and Mount Olympus by car. The beach is at Paralia Katerinis, 7 km east, and Litochoro, the village at the foot of Olympus, is about 22 km south, so Katerini suits travellers who combine both rather than those who want to swim from the door.
Katerini in numbers
Hotel Villa Sevasti
Family-friendly hotel with sea views, an indoor pool, and a spa
Why guests love itVilla Sevasti is a four-star family hotel in the Katerini area with an indoor pool, so children can swim whatever the weather, and a sun terrace for warm days. Family rooms are air-conditioned with a private bathroom, and some look over the sea, the garden or the mountains. The restaurant serves Greek dishes and barbecue, simple to please children, and there is a bar for parents. I would choose it for a family stay in Pieria outside peak summer.
Nikos Studio Apartments
Family-friendly aparthotel with private balconies and a garden in Katerini
Why guests love itI would recommend Nikos Studio Apartments to families who want a self-catering base near Mount Olympus. Each air-conditioned unit has a private bathroom, a kitchenette, and both a terrace and a balcony, and there is a sun terrace, a garden and free WiFi. The Archaeological Museum of Dion is nearby, a good outing with children before or after the mountain. A rating of 8.8 from 22 reviews is good, from a small number of guests.
Orfeas Classic
Family-friendly hotel with spa facilities and city views in Katerini
Why guests love itOrfeas Classic is a two-star, family-friendly hotel in Katerini with air-conditioned rooms, balconies and private bathrooms. There is a bar, free WiFi and a terrace with city views, and a spa and wellness area with a hot tub, a sauna and a spa bath. It is a good base for visiting the archaeological sites nearby. Guests rate it 8.2 across 429 reviews. I would choose it for a simple stay with a spa corner.
Astro Studio Apartments
Family-friendly apartments with kitchens, balconies, and a garden
Why guests love itI would recommend Astro Studio Apartments to families who want a full kitchen in Katerini. Each studio apartment has a private bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen and a balcony or terrace, and there is a sun terrace, a garden and free WiFi throughout. It is a simple, self-catering set-up rather than a hotel with services, which keeps meal times flexible with children. A rating of 8 from 24 reviews is fair, from a small number of guests.
What to expect
- Even the fast Intercity trains between Athens and Thessaloniki stop at Katerini, which makes it the easiest rail arrival in Pieria.
- Paralia Katerinis, the nearest beach resort, is 7 km east of town, and Thessaloniki is about 71 km from Paralia.
- Litochoro, the village where most Mount Olympus hikes begin, is about 22 km south of Katerini.
- The archaeological park of Dion lies roughly 7 km north of Litochoro, an easy stop on the drive from Katerini to Olympus.
Local tips
- For Olympus by train, get off at Katerini: the Intercity trains stop there, while Litochoro station, served only by regional trains, is about 6 km from the village.
- If swimming is the priority, stay at Paralia Katerinis instead; from Katerini the beach is a 7 km drive or bus ride every day.
- For an early start on Mount Olympus, sleep in Litochoro the night before the hike; from Katerini add around 22 km before you even reach the trailhead road.
- Visit Dion on the way to Litochoro: the archaeological park sits about 7 km north of the village, so it fits into the same morning drive from Katerini.
- If you do get off at Litochoro station, plan onward transport before arriving: the nearest bus stop is about 1 km away and the village about 6 km.
- Use Katerini as a stop between Thessaloniki and Olympus rather than a beach base: its value is the train, the shops and the short drives in both directions.
Where to stay
FAQ
Is Katerini a good base for Mount Olympus?
A good one for train travellers: Intercity trains stop at Katerini, and Litochoro, where most hikes begin, is about 22 km south. For a very early start on the mountain, I would still sleep the night before the hike in Litochoro itself.
How far is Katerini from the beach?
Paralia Katerinis, the nearest beach resort, is 7 km east of town. It is a short drive or bus ride, but it is a daily trip: if the holiday is about the sea, stay at Paralia rather than in Katerini.
How do you get from Thessaloniki to Katerini?
By train on the Athens to Thessaloniki line, where even the fast Intercity services stop at Katerini, or by car on the A1 motorway in a little over an hour. Buses also link the two cities.
Is it worth visiting Dion from Katerini?
Yes, if you are heading towards Olympus. The archaeological park lies about 7 km north of Litochoro, on the way from Katerini, so it costs little extra time and fits a morning before lunch in Litochoro.
When is the best time to stay in Katerini for Mount Olympus?
From May to October. Spilios Agapitos, the refuge most hikers use on the route from Prionia, opens in May and closes in the last week of October. Outside that window the refuge is shut, and Katerini works better as a base for Dion and the sea at Paralia Katerinis.