Talk to most of the Eastern European travelers who vacation in Greece and they will most likely tell you: “I stayed in Paralia Katerini”. Due to being very close to Bulgaria and Romania, the Olympian Riviera is pretty much invaded by tourists from these countries every single summer. Add the fact that the prices are very affordable and you’ve got a recipe for success.

The Olympian Riviera is quite a magical place. The entire Riviera is guarded by Mount Olympus and Pieria Mountains. Here you are bathing in the blue Aegean Sea and looking at the mountains. That’s something you won’t find everywhere. Plus, the place plays an important role in the Greek mythology and is also home to several archeological sites.

Getting to the region

Its location and connections to the other parts of Greece make this region a good base for exploring the rest of the country. You can easily get to the Pieria region by car or bus from Thessaloniki and Athens.

The beaches

Paralia is a vibrant beach with shallow waters and clean sand. It holds the European Blue Flag for years (that means the beach is safe, there’s lifeguard present and there are all the facilities needed).

Although when booking a hotel you’ll be told it’s in Paralia Katerini, you have to know that Paralia and Katerini are two different beaches (and there’s about 8 km between them). And right there with them you’ll find Olympic Beach, which starts where Paralia ends. Just like Paralia, Katerini and Olympic Beach also hold the European Blue Flag.

Places to stay

There are plenty of places to stay: hotels, rooms for rent and even a campsite. If you really want a bargain make sure to book well in advance with a travel agency. It’s worth it to do some research of your own but make sure to do that ahead of time and avoid booking in July and August when the beaches are jam packed with tourists.

Interested to know how much it costs? Let’s say that the word “bargain” has a totally different meaning here. You can find packages for under €170 and which include: transport by bus (from Romania or Bulgaria) and 7 nights stay in a 3-star hotel. If you come from another country and are interested only in the accommodation price, you’ll still have a nice surprise: €130 per person for 7 nights in apartments or studios (excluding meals).

Nightlife

Many young travelers looking for a party atmosphere will characterize Paralia Katerini as downright ugly and boring. Yes, there are plenty of taverns and restaurants but they don’t live up to the party atmosphere in Mykonos, for example.

Personal opinions aside, Paralia, Katerini and Olympic Beach are probably still some of the locations where you can really stay for little money and enjoy Greece. It won’t be perfect and you will have to accept that, but if your budget is low and still want to travel, these are good places to check out.