Kateríni Overview

Overview

Where to start from? Katerini is a beauty in itself residing at the mountain Olympus and looking towards the Aegea Sea . Its history goes back to the very beginning of the Greek history itself, as the city of Dion was one of the first Macedonian (Greek Macedonian of course!) cities. It is a small city located in the North East of Pieria Prefecture. There is a large number of villages that surround the city and which are unique to visit. Most of the people living in the village work in agricultural activities. There is a distiinct Greek warmth in these villages that you will not find in any other big city in Greece . The welcoming spirit, the openness and the hospitality that is now changing from the Greek culture has its remains in those small villages.

Litohoro and Leptokaria are must visit places during the summer as they are resorted areas. Very close to the beach, they offer a variety of tastes that vary from mountain climbing to early morning clubing! Litohoro is a special place because it is located just beneath Olympus . The famous and distinct mountain that the Greeks developed their religious ideology about their gods�and for what they represented. This is the place of Zeus and Apolon, Athina and Ermis, Poseidon, and the rest. The gods were indebted into the Greek thinking and living for what they represented. They offered a very distinct religious thinking and practices providing a different view of the world. This very Greek and early religious establishment will then be later copied by the Roman in changing the god's names but in keeping their identities.

On the other side of Katerini you have Paralia and Katerinoskala. They are about 7Km away from the city of Katerini and they get really busy during the summer. Their beauty resides in the fact that wherever you stay in that place you will be�located to a close distance from�the beach. Paralia is ideal for relaxing. It does not have many attractions in itself even though it is surrounded by other beauties as described.�There are some great taverns where you can enjoy fresh fish. You will also see the fishermen, at night, going to collect their�fish for selling it in�the next day(s).

Katerinoskala is about 3 km from Paraliaand it is another similar resort area. Located very close to the sea becomes just the right place to forget about everything else. A lot of people go for walks between Paralia and Katerinoskala at night.This is happening during the summer, most often, as it getsquite cold in the winter.

The city of Katerini itself has its own distinct character with its high-street that is only dedicated for pedestrians and full of shops and cafe bars. The city itself has grown dramatically in the last decade in all aspects. New building blocks are built daily and surround the city with its ugly concrete.

The city is also famous for its very best Dried Nuts (Hazelnuts, Almonds, Pistachio, etc), produced by a long established Family called Avakian. They are the best and most well known firm in the city and it is a must to find them and buy when visiting (located near the fire station - close to the private music school). If you find yourself there just ask of their name and you will find it.

Katerini representsa combination of the material and spiritual ideals. That is, the history, natual beauty, and a great holiday resort through its resort places Paralia and Katerinoskala.