Mount Olympus, about 60 miles (1.5 hours) southwest of Thessaloniki, is the highest mountain in Greece. On clear days, its snowcapped peaks are visible from many parts of the city — an inspiring sight not only as a majestic physical presence on the horizon but also as the home of the 12 Olympian gods of Greek mythology, including Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo and Aphrodite. The mountain is part of Olympus National Park, founded in 1938 as Greece’s first national park. Its 92 acres include steep gorges and eight high peaks rising to more than 9,000 feet, with the highest elevations covered in snow from November to May.

The sacred city of Dion, on one of the approaches to the mountain, was an ancient Macedonian holy city where King Archelaus held annual festivals beginning in the fifth century, with nine days of Olympic-type games honoring Zeus (Dias), the city’s namesake. Visitors will find remarkable ruins here as well as an archaeological museum in the village.

Every year, thousands of visitors drive or ride buses from Thessaloniki to hike the trails around the mountain, and primitive huts are maintained along the various climbing routes. Most travel first to the town of Litochoro, the beginning of the trailheads and the termination point for the annual Olympus Marathon. The park is known for a variety of microclimates, affording an amazing concentration of rare plants and flowers, including high-elevation Bosnian pine forests, and a diverse collection of birds and butterflies.