10 Things to Do in and around Olympiada on a Spring Weekend Escape

Although Olympiada is an increasingly popular summer destination, arguably boasting some of the most beautiful beaches in Northern Greece, and welcoming every summer thousands of people from all over Europe, there is a side to it that still remains hidden from the average traveler. To capture the area’s true, authentic essence and gain the best insight into what this place is really all about, visiting Olympiada in spring, right before the tourist season starts, is the way to go. Dispel your doubts and expect to be surprised by the number of things our little village and the area surrounding it has to offer, other than going to the beach.

1. Explore Ancient Stagira

A visit to Ancient Stagira, the birthplace of Aristotle and the biggest pride of our little village, is definitely not to be missed. Walk among the ruins of a 2.600-year-old city, marvel at the walls stretching around the city and all the way down the hills to meet the sea, and immerse yourself in the history of the place that shaped the philosopher who influenced western thought and civilization like no other.

2. Experiment at Aristotle’s Park

If your visit to Ancient Stagira got you hooked on this land’s past and left you craving for a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Aristotelian way of thought, then Aristotle’s Park should be your next stop. Just a 30-minute drive from Olympiada, right in the middle of the forest,  this theme park is dedicated to Aristotle’s contribution to physics. By presenting its visitors with instruments that give flesh and bone to Aristotle’s theories, these exhibits help visitors grasp the complex ideas the philosopher discussed in his book series The Physics, by allowing them hands-on experimentation. A truly fascinating experience, for adults and children alike. This booklet will give you an insight into the instruments exhibited.

3. Visit Sidirokafsia Hamam

Right next to Aristotle’s Park, after following a 200-meter path into the forest, you will find yourself in an Ottoman Hamam dating back to the 15^th century, when the area was known as Sidirokafsia. Right behind this Hamam, you can still see the remnants of a Muslim mosque. The area got obliterated by the Turks during the Greek Revolution in 1821, and the Hamam and the mosque are some of the very few remnants of its Ottoman past.

4. Follow Aristotle’s Path

Starting right next to Sidirokafsia and connecting Aristotle’s Park with Ancient Stagira, Aristotle’s Path will take you on a trip through nature and history at the same time. Embark on a journey you are not soon to forget and trace the footsteps of one of the most influential personalities of all time in a 15 km route through sublime nature. It is recommended that you follow this trail in spring, first of all, because the temperature is just right for trekking, but also because the depths of the unspoiled forest are the best place to witness nature’s rebirth that comes with spring.

5. Discover Varvara’s waterfalls

One of the area’s best-kept secrets, these waterfalls are sure to awaken the pagan in you. It’s a 20-minute drive from Casa Alegria to the parking area on the mountain, where the paths to two mesmerizing waterfalls start. Once you get to the parking area, the road splits into two different paths, each one leading to a different waterfall. The path on the left is easy and the average person can follow it without any difficulty at all. The path on the right is easy as well for the biggest part, but the last few meters taking you down to this specific waterfall are a bit steep and it takes a little bit of climbing up and down. Nothing too demanding, but it may still be a bit hard or “scary” for some people to do. If feeling unsure, opt for the waterfall on the left. At the end of the day, they are equally beautiful.

6. Immerse yourself in the area’s past in Arnea’s Historical and Folklore Museum

Arnea, only 40 minutes away from Olympiada, is a village of unique beauty, characterized by its traditional architecture and its weaving tradition. A visit to the Historical and Folklore Museum of Arnea will give you an insight into its past and introduce you to the woven artifacts that, deservedly, made Arnea famous all over Greece. If you feel like diving deeper into the area’s loom-weaving past, a visit to Arnea’s Weaving Museum will not disappoint you. What is more, the advent of spring is greatly celebrated in this village, so you might as well run into some sort of spring festivities.

7. Visit Zygos Monastery, the only open-for-women monastery in Athos

Located in the area Frangokastro, 2 km east of Ouranoupoli and only 40 meters from the entrance to Mount Athos, Zygos Monastery is the only one in the peninsula allowing entrance to women. Built in the middle of the 10^th century and destroyed just before 1198, Zygos Monastery seems to be one of the oldest monasteries in the Athonite peninsula and a finding of great archaeological importance. According to the last excavation, the monastery was built on foundations dating back to the 4^th century B.C. Today visitors can admire the Castle, the Towers, and the Catholicon of the monastery, while the excavations are still being continued.

8. Witness the blood-curdling findings at the Cemetery of Ancient Akanthos

Ancient Akanthos was founded in 650 B.C. in the place where Ierissos is today, and was one of the most powerful colonies of its era. Although the biggest part of this once glorious city still lies beneath the earth, the excavations that are gradually bringing to the surface its necropolis have started since 1973. Up until now, more than 600 tombs have been discovered, of adults and children alike. Various kinds of tombs have been unearthed, from simple or clay-coated tombs to pot burials, which was the preferred method for burying babies and children.

9. Visit one of the area’s vineyards

Eastern Chalkidiki has a long history of winemaking, and the presence of several wineries in the area to this day proves that it has a future too. Treat yourself to an experience that is out of the ordinary by visiting a local winery, taking a wine-tasting class, or even a tour of the vineyards, which look their best during spring, as the new leaves start to sprout and the grapes form! You can also take a bottle of wine or two to gift to your loved ones or enjoy it back home and reminisce about your journey.

10. Savor the local cuisine

It should be illegal for anyone to leave Olympiada without trying its world-famous mussels! Fried, steamed, with feta and tomato, or mixed in a risotto, Olympiada’s mussels are something you have to taste before heading back home. What is more, as mussels need clear and cool waters to grow, it is said that they taste their best during spring, before the waters get too hot during summer. Pair them with a nice white wine and let the magic of simplicity blow you away.

Do you still need more reasons to visit Olympiada in spring? Here’s another one! Accommodation prices at Casa Alegria are at their lowest during spring! Book your stay with us and treat yourself to an authentic experience and an unforgettable spring break for a super affordable price!