Thessaly (Greek: Θεσσαλία, Thessalía) is a region in the center of Greecewith the Meteora-Convents, the Olympus, the peninsula Pelion and the archipelago of Northern Sporades and the beaches of the Olympic Riviera owns unique vacation destinations.
places
- 2 Trikala.
the capital of the northwestern regional district lies on a tributary of the Pineios also in the Thessalian plain. The Byzantine castle in the old town is worth seeing. - 3 Larisa
(Λάρισα). 
the capital of the north-eastern regional district of the same name lies in the fertile Pineios plain and offers some ancient sites that are well worth seeing. - 5 Seaside resorts: Stomio, Kokkino Nero, Agiokampos: Bathing resorts on the thermal gulf, on the slope of the Ossa massif
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Other goals
Monasteries
- 2 Agios Dionysios Monastery (Μονή Αγίου Διονυσίου εν Ολύμπω).Worth seeing monastery complex with a souvenir shop where various food and cosmetic products, which were made by the monks, are sold.
- 3 Ancient monastery of Agios Dionysios of Olympus. Half restored monastery in the middle of a national park. The monastery grounds and the church are very interesting. But the environment and the national forest are excellent! From here the path goes to the cave of Dionysus. Nearby is the interesting Ithakisios Cave, which can only be reached by trained hikers.
- 4 Agia Triada Monastery (Ιερά Μονή Αγίας Τριάδος Σπαρμού).Worth seeing monastery complex on Mount Olympus at 1000m with a shop where the monastery products are sold.
- 5 Panagia Megalomata Cave Church. It is a small church of Panagia Megalomata (Virgin Mary) in a cave with a hidden school next to it that operated during the Ottoman rule in Greece. The view of the sea and the cliffs is breathtaking. It is said that a monk lived here in the 17th century and taught children to write and read. There is a sign in the parking lot that will direct you to the footpath to the cave. The walk is very demanding, so it is recommended that you wear suitable shoes. The walk takes about 15 minutes.
landscape
- 5 Agios Dionysios cave. The cave and hermitage of Ag. Dionysius, in which a small chapel was built. The cave is half an hour from the old monastery of St. Dionysius. The cave is signposted from both the parking lot and the monastery. A magical path under the trees leads next to the river, where you can refresh yourself with a swim in summer.
- 6 Theopetra cave (Σπήλαιο Θεόπετρας).Interesting cave with many finds from prehistoric times. It is essential to inform before the visit whether it is open !!
- 7 Arch bridge waterfall. Old, photogenic stone bridge in front of a waterfall with a plane tree forest and bathing facilities.
- 8 Skepasmeno waterfall. Waterfall and small swimming lake in wonderful nature. The path is very easy and you don't need any special shoes or equipment.
- 9 Elatochori waterfall. A very relaxing walk in nature. The landscape is great, with lots of streams and small wooden bridges. Lots of small insects and animals to see (butterflies, frogs, salamanders). Walking along the creek is not difficult, it can also be done with normal shoes. The road rises and falls slowly.
- 10 Agia Kori waterfall. popular waterfall with small bathing lakes.
- 11 Urlias waterfall. Waterfall and small swimming lakes. Great place for families, including young children. Easy to reach. The waterfall and pool are better on the way to the right than at the end, but both are great.
- 12 Calypso Gorge. Beautiful gorge with impressive nature, wonderful panoramic views and the waterfall of the same name with a small swimming lake. The way there is difficult and you need good shoes. Not suitable for children.
- 14 Levithra magnetic field. Here it seems as if balls and water bottles are rolling uphill. A wooden cross on the roadside marks the place, which is not easy to find.
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Castles and archaeological sites
- 1 Platamon Castle (Κάστρο του Πλαταμώνα).The castle from the Middle Byzantine period (10th century AD) is strategically located at the exit of the Tempi Valley and controlled the route from Macedonia to Thessaly and southern Greece. It is located on the site of the ancient city of Heraklia and has had many owners (Lombard, Byzantine, Venetian, Turkish) in its history. During the Second World War, in April 1941, a New Zealand unit tried to defend Platamon, but had to withdraw after the Wehrmacht bombed the castle.
- 2 Fanari Castle (Κάστρο Φαναρίου)..Fanari Castle is 16 kilometers south of Trikala on a hill that can be seen from afar. It is one of the best preserved authentic medieval castles in Greece in a rather unexpected location.
- 3 Neolithic settlement Dimini (Διμήνι).The late Neolithic settlement and discovery site Dimini gave the Dimini culture its name, which lasted from 4300 to 3300 BC. Existed.
- 4 Dion Archaeological Park (Αρχαιολογικό πάρκο Διόν).The archaeological site is actually a large park with many different sites (old town, theater, temple, etc.). There are information boards in strategic places to guide you and show you pictures of the ruins. It takes visitors at least two hours to see it all. There is a café and a parking lot near the entrance. Best time in summer to visit the site early in the morning,
- 5 Leibethra (Λίβηθρα).was an ancient Macedonian city at the foot of Mount Olympus. Archaeologists found graves here from the late Bronze Age (13th – 12th centuries BC) with rich additions [1].
beaches
The as olympic riviera well-known beach pulls away from Stomio in the south are far behind Paralia in the north over 70 km. The beach is sometimes quite narrow and consists mostly of sandy beach, but also with sections with pebbles. Many beach areas are managed, especially in the area of the seaside resorts. The most famous seaside resorts are Paralia and Leptocaria, international hotels have also settled here.
Other bathing regions are the Pelion and the Sporades.
background
The region of Thessaly is traversed by the Pinios, who shaped the wide and fertile Thessalian plain and through the narrow gorge of the Tempe Valley flows into the Aegean Sea. Intensive agriculture is practiced in the Thessalian plain; an important product is - as in neighboring Macedonia - cotton, even if the jobs in processing have meanwhile migrated. The region and especially the beaches are popular with tourists from the Balkans, as they can easily reach the destinations by car.
getting there
Thessaly is in the west in a north-south direction from the now consistently well-developed motorway 
traversed, the two-lane country roads (EO, "Εθνικη Οδος") lead over Larisa to Trikala (near the meteor monasteries) and after Voloswhere from it to the Pelion- Peninsula goes.
It is worth mentioning that after the continuous expansion of the motorway, which is led in tunnels along the Tempe valley, to visit the Tempe valley and the castle of Platamonas you have to switch to the road EO1 and that this is also a toll road (in front of the toll station to observe interesting turning maneuvers every day by motorists who mistakenly think they are driving onto the autobahn).
mobility
Having your own vehicle makes the tour easier, especially of Pelion. It is true that many destinations can also be reached by bus from the coastal towns, but that is quite time-consuming.
activities
- Bathing possibilities arise on the beaches of the Olympic Riviera between Katerini and Agiokampos
- Mountain hikes are in the area of Olympus massif and des Ossa massif possible, the months April to June are particularly suitable for this.
kitchen
Since the region has been well visited by tourists for many decades, the cuisine is geared towards the tastes and expectations of the guests. Fast food, pizza, Greek restaurants - everything is in abundance, especially in the coastal area. Who the more authentic Eating and drinking in Greece want to experience must go to the non-touristic villages.
security
As in all of Greece, crime is very low. You can also be out and about at night without hesitation.
climate
The Mediterranean climate is inland at Larisa and Trikala hotter than near the sea; Cumulus clouds often form on the mountain ranges, which can lead to sudden weather changes and thunderstorms even in summer, but then on the coast it usually remains dry. Mount Olympus has its own mountain climate, so you should inform yourself well before climbing it. The tourist season starts in May and ends in October. The main season is June-August.
