At 2,917 meters high, Mount Olympus is the most imposing peak in Greece, on the border between Macedonia and Thessaly. Today it is a UNESCO National Park and Biosphere Reserve, beloved by hikers and spiritual travelers. But long before it became a trekking paradise, Olympus was already legend: in ancient times it was the home of the Greek gods.
Homer, in the Iliad, gives us an image that still enchants today:
“On bright Olympus the immortal gods have their home: never wind shakes it, nor rain bathes it, nor snow falls there, but a snow-white serenity spreads.” (Iliad, VI, 41-46).
An eternal, pure place, outside of time, inaccessible to mortals.
Why is Mount Olympus the home of the Greek gods?
Mount Olympus is not only the highest peak in Greece, but a millennia-old symbol of power, sacredness and mystery. Its high peaks often shrouded in clouds have always evoked the idea of a place separate from the human world, an inaccessible realm where time seems to flow differently.
The gods could not dwell among men: they were immortal and perfect.Mount Olympus represented the ideal heavenly abode, where storms, rain and wind never disturbed eternal peace.
Homer describes Olympus as a “luminous palace” suspended in the clouds, while Hesiod in the Theogony considers it the heart of divine power, where Zeus and the Olympian gods establish cosmic order after the titanomachy. Symbolically, from the top of its peaks the gods could “see” the whole earth, manifesting their supremacy and separating the divine and human realms. Shrines and altars around the mountain reinforced this sacredness, making Olympus both a mythical place and a center of royal worship.
Fact: Some scholars believe that the gardens and divine halls described in the myths may have been inspired by the fertile plains of Thessaly observed from above, transforming real landscapes into mythical visions of immortal perfection.
The celestial palaces of Zeus, Apollo, Mars and the other mythological deities of Greece
Imagine ascending into the clouds, until the stone paths give way to corridors of golden light. Olympus is no longer a mountain, but a palace suspended in the sky, where every deity has its home.
In the center stands the throne of Zeus, majestic and glittering. Columns of light support the hall, and the king of the gods watches the world with the stern gaze of one who rules lightning and destinies. Beside him, in his palace adorned with veils and jewels, sits Hera, proud queen and guardian of marriage, a symbol of power and pride.
Continuing on, you enter Athena’s abode: white marble walls guard weapons and shields, but also scrolls and books of ancient knowledge. It is a place where wisdom and strategy coexist, an arsenal that is also a library.
From the back of the corridors comes a melody. It is the zither of Apollo, leading you into a hall bathed in light. Around him dance the Muses, inspirers of song, poetry and art. Not far away, Aphrodite’s gardens spread sweet, enveloping scents: roses, myrtle and crystalline fountains transform her palace into an oasis of love and beauty.
But not all is harmony. The palace of Ares resounds with metallic clangors: helmets, spears, and shields adorn the walls in a dark, warlike atmosphere. Not far away, the workshop of Hephaestus burns with sacred flames: the echo of anvil blows accompanies the creation of divine weapons and extraordinary jewelry.
Higher up, nestled in a heavenly forest, is the home of Artemis, goddess of hunting. Deer and sacred animals run here. And finally, in a hall of blue columns decorated with shells and corals, is the abode of Poseidon, who brings the breath of the ocean to the clouds of Olympus.
Thus, in room after room, Olympus is revealed as a heavenly court, a divine city suspended between heaven and myth, where each god reflects his own nature in the dwelling that welcomes him.
The real places on Mount Olympus where to remember the gods
Visiting Mount Olympus today, some points directly evoke mythological imagery:
- Mytikas (2,917 m) – the highest peak, considered the Throne of Zeus.
- Stefani (2,909 m) -a semicircular peak dominating the horizon, also called the “Throne of Zeus.”
- Plateau of the Muses (2,600 m) – an evocative basin, now home to hiking refuges.
- Prionia (1,100 m) – starting point of the trails, almost a symbolic gateway between the human and divine worlds.
The deity Pollon and the irony of gods in cartoons
In the 1980s, Olympus stopped being just myth and became pop culture as well, thanks to the Japanese cartoon Pollon.
- Zeus was a good-natured and absent-minded father,
- Apollo a vain young man with a guitar,
- Aphrodite the most “pop” goddess of antiquity,
- Pollon, the little protagonist, was causing trouble by dreaming of becoming a goddess.
- The Italian theme song – “There’s a cloud in the sky, there’s just one cloud…” – has remained in the hearts of an entire generation.
Pop curiosity: this is how many children in the 1980s came to know the names of the Greek gods.
Mount Olympus today: between culture, sports and nature
Today Mount Olympus is no longer just the realm of the gods, but one of Greece’s most fascinating nature destinations. Hikers and trekkers can take trails that wind through beech and fir forests, rocky gorges, and scenic peaks.
The most famous route starts from Prionia (1,100 m) and leads up to the Spilios Agapitos refuge (2,100 m), an ideal stop before tackling the summit of Mytikas (2,917 m), the “throne of Zeus.” For those who do not want to climb to the top, the Plateau of the Muses offers breathtaking views and an immersive experience in myth, with shelters and rest stops along the way.
To arrange a visit, the main starting points are the villages of Litochoro and Dion, easily reached by car or bus from Thessaloniki. It is advisable to approach the trek with hiking boots, layered clothing, enough water and a good physical workout.
The best months for hiking are from June to September, when the trails are clear of snow and the weather allows the natural beauty of the mountain to be fully enjoyed.
Insider Tip: Plan at least one overnight stay in a mountain lodge if you want to ascend to the peaks, so you can leave at dawn to enjoy the light on the peaks and have a truly magical experience.
- Useful Links: Mount Olympus National Park official website
The climb up Mount Olympus to discover the mythology of the gods of Greece
A trip to Mount Olympus is not just trekking. It is nature, history and collective imagination: from the solemn verses of Homer to the laughter of Pollon.
We may not find Zeus at the summit, but each step reminds us that Olympus is a universal symbol of quest, adventure, and wonder. “Blessed Pollon, you are the laughing goddess of Olympus!”
- Are you a history buff and interested in travel itineraries from the past? Also read our article on the adventurous voyages of the privateer explorer Francis Drake
