15 Best Things to Do in Paralia Katerinis (Greece)

Paralia Katerinis is the best place to spend your summer vacation on the popular Olympic Riviera in Greece.

It offers tens of kilometers of superb golden sandy beaches that extend south to Thessaly and the Sporades Islands.

This is a favorite destination for tens of thousands of people from all across Europe, especially from neighboring countries such as Bulgaria and Romania.

What attracts tourists to this part of Greece is the great variety of things to do.More from Greece:

1. Start your holiday with some sunbathing and swimming

The summer tourist season in Paralia Katerinis lasts six months, from early May until the end of October.

The average daytime temperatures vary between the mid 20es at the beginning and at the end of the season and reach the high 30es in July and August.

On the beach you can find both organized and unorganized zones, but if you need an umbrella or a sunbed, prices are always affordable.

Since the sea is very shallow, many people come here with their kids.

Beaches are always busy but seawater is still clear and limpid.

The color of the sea is sky blue, and the sea surface is usually very smooth.

Temperatures vary between 20 degrees in May and 25 – 27 in August.

2. Cycling to Olympiaki Akti

One of the most exciting experiences in Paralia Katerinis is to get to know the surroundings by bicycle.

Thanks to the flat terrain, even the most inexperienced cyclists can deal with the challenge.

You can rent a bike and ride to the neighbouring village.

It is located about two kilometers south of Paralia Katerinis and is called Olympiaki Akti.

Beautiful, clean and tidy, the village is smaller than Paralia Katerinis but is also a very attractive place to visit.

Both villages are connected with a special coastal cycling path.

3. Walk to Mount Olympus National Park

Mount Olympus National Park is one of the biggest landmarks in Greece.

It covers an extensive mountainous area south and southwest of Paralia Katerinis, combining unique geological formations with extremely rich biosphere reserves.

Among the mountain ridges are nestled deep and fertile forested plains and canyons.

High-water rivers and spectacular waterfalls will captivate every connoisseur of natural beauty.

During the winter months, most of the precipitations over the higher parts of the National Park fall as snow.

4. Visit the Monastery of Saint Dionysius

Located less than half an hour drive in the south direction from Paralia Katerinis, the Monastery of St. Dionysius is a very important landmark.

The old monastery was built in the mid 16th century.

However, it was destroyed by Germans during World War II.

The monastery was rebuilt after the war.

However, its current location is 5 km away from the old one.

It is recommended to visit both the new monastery and the old ruins.

Coming here, you should visit also the Chapel of Saint Dionysius, which is located in the forest, not far from the ruined monastery.

5. Visit the Municipal Park of Katerini

While on your regular stroll around the main city of Katerini, be sure to spend some time at the Municipal Park.

Located in the heart of the city, it is within easy reach of all local attractions.

The green oasis is a great place to relax in the summer heat, enjoying the shade under the crown of a tree.

With its lakes, fountains and Japanese-style gardens, the park is the most beautiful place in the small but lively city.

6. Try some Jet Ski

If you want to feel the spirit of extreme sports, but without putting yourself at risk, riding a jet ski is a really good idea.

In fact, jet skiing is considered to be one of the safest water sports, which, however, creates stronger feelings because of the high speed.

Since the sea here is very calm and smooth, the place is perfect for this purpose.

Not to mention the opportunity to see the town from a different angle from the sea.

Jet skiing is also a great way to escape the crowded beach while enjoying the cool coastal breeze and refreshing water.

7. Visit Saint Paraskevi Church

With its snow-white walls, two fine and elegant bell-towers and red tiled roof, St. Paraskevi Church rises right next to the beach of Paralia Katerinis.

Situated in the most central part of the tourist village, the church is close to all the other local attractions.

If you are a person who really loves beautiful architecture, you should definitely spend some time admiring the building from outside and inside.

Visiting Agia Fotini (as they call it) is an experience that will make you find your inner peace and tranquility.

8. Day trip to Meteora

Located about 2 hours and 40 minutes drive to the southwest of Paralia Katerinis, Meteora is considered one of the most interesting rock formations in Europe.

Part of the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it is well known for its centuries old monasteries.

Over the centuries, more than 20 monasteries were built in the area.

Most of them date back to the 14th and 15th century. Nowadays, six of them are functional.

Located at a height between 350 and 550 meters above sea level, they are still difficult to reach.

9. Explore the nightlife

Paralia Katerinis is an attractive destination for families with kids.

However, as the prices are quite affordable, the area attracts a number of young people from across Europe too.

As you can expect, most of them like to party until the morning hours.

Cozy and safe, the tourist town offers many nightclubs and restaurants that remain open late after midnight.

The nightclubs are quite diverse, and you can easily find places offering different styles of music.

10. Try some of the best restaurants in the area

Paralia Katerinis is a place where you can find all kinds of specialities from the traditional Greek cuisine.

Of course, seafood is the most popular, and most tourists choose to try grilled fish and squid with Greek salad first.

There are other excellent options, such as moussaka and tzatziki, and if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, you can try a cup of traditional yogurt with natural bee honey, which is both healthy and tasty.

Paralia Katerinis is a place where you will find a huge variety of restaurants to visit.

While the quality is practically always above average, the most popular places are:

Amaltheia

The restaurant is located in the main city of Katerini.

It offers a wide variety of specialities, and is one of the top restaurants in the area according to travelers;

Nautilos Taverna

Nautilos Taverna is one of the best opportunities to try traditional Greek meals.

The restaurant offers local style Mediterranean specialities of top quality and in addition, it is located very close to the sea;

Pacmam Gyros

One is not always in the mood to eat too complex dishes, and sometimes we just need to try something quick and simple, but very tasty.

If you want to mix high quality and great prices, Pacmam is one of the best places to visit. In addition, it is located right next to the beach.

11. Pedal Boat Ride

Riding a pedal boat along the coast is a great way to combine the required healthy amount of physical activity with fun and entertainment on the beach.

This is a great activity if you are traveling with a friend, partner or the whole family.

The calm sea in this part of Greece offers the ideal conditions for this type of activity, not to mention the affordable prices.

Pedal boat riding resembles the bicycle riding but with the difference that it gives you more options, and you can even have a small picnic on board.

12. Take a walk to Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is considered by many to be the most beautiful city in Greece and for good reason.

With its magnificent architecture and numerous cultural and historical sites, the city is a must stop for every traveler in Greece.

A summer vacation in Paralia Katerinis is a good opportunity to visit Thessaloniki.

The distance is about an hour, allowing you to spend the whole day in the second largest Greek city.

Don’t miss to visit the White Tower, Aristotelous Square or the popular Archeological Museum.

13. Don’t miss the Watergamepark Kariba

Much of Paralia Katerini’s entertainment is connected to water in one way or another.

Watergamepark Kariba is a good example of what we mean.

Located in the vicinity of the tourist town, the water park offers a huge variety of activities for children and adults.

It is a great opportunity for fun if you are traveling with the whole family.

This is a pretty good alternative if you want to cool off in the water, but if you are still looking for something more than just lounging on the beach.

14. Join a cruise to Halkidiki

Covered with dense deciduous and coniferous forests, Halkidiki is one of the biggest landmarks in Greece.

Located in a unique area in the northern part of the country, the peninsula is a cultural and natural crossroad.

The opportunity to visit this place should not be missed while in Paralia Katerinis.

Many travel agencies arrange boat trips and mini cruises to the peninsula.

The place is famous for its unique monasteries and small villages with old history.

Not to mention that the beaches here are among the most beautiful in the world.

15. Visit the Platamon Castle

Built during the early 13th century, Platamon Castle is a popular tourist attraction in this part of Greece.

Today, this impressive stone structure is still preserved in perfect condition, and nothing issue its centuries-old age.

The castle is well-known for its unique location.

To the east stretches the lush greenery of the Aegean coast with its incredible beaches.

The landscape to the west is dominated by the snow-capped peak of Mount Olympus.

Source: https://www.touristmaker.com/