If you are looking for a mountain destination in Greece that combines natural beauty, cultural heritage and outdoor activities, you might want to consider Mount Kissavos. Also known as Ossa, this mountain is located in the Larissa regional unit, in Thessaly, between Pelion to the south and Olympus to the north. It is separated from the latter by the Vale of Tempe, a scenic gorge that connects Thessaly with Macedonia.
Mount Kissavos is 1,978 metres high and has dense forests of chestnut, beech and pine trees, canyons, streams and waterfalls. It also offers a stunning view of the Aegean Sea and the opposite Mount Athos. On its slopes, you can find charming stone-built villages that have preserved their traditional character and architecture. Moreover, you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, canyoning, rafting and paragliding.
But how can you get to this hidden gem of Greece from Athens or Thessaloniki? Here are some options for you to choose from:
By car
The easiest and most convenient way to reach Mount Kissavos is by car. You can rent a car from Athens or Thessaloniki and drive along the national road that connects the two cities. The distance from Athens to Kissavos is about 400 km and it takes around 4 hours to cover it. The distance from Thessaloniki to Kissavos is about 150 km and it takes around 1.5 hours to cover it.
Depending on which village you want to visit, you can take different exits from the national road. For example, if you want to go to Skiti, Melivia or Polydendri, you can take the exit for Agia and follow the signs for these villages. If you want to go to Sotiritsa or Karitsa, you can take the exit for Omolio and follow the signs for these villages.
Here is a map of the area with some of the main villages marked:
By bus
If you don’t have a car or prefer not to drive, you can also take a bus from Athens or Thessaloniki to Mount Kissavos. There are frequent buses that run between these cities and Larissa, the capital of the Larissa regional unit. The bus ride from Athens to Larissa takes about 5 hours and costs around 30 euros. The bus ride from Thessaloniki to Larissa takes about 2 hours and costs around 10 euros.
From Larissa, you can take another bus or a taxi to reach your desired village on Mount Kissavos. The bus service is operated by KTEL Larissas (https://www.ktellarisas.gr/en/) and you can check their website for timetables and fares. The taxi service is available at the bus station or by phone (2410-661111) and the cost depends on the distance and time of day.
By train
Another option to get to Mount Kissavos from Athens or Thessaloniki is by train. There are regular trains that run between these cities and Larissa, operated by TrainOSE (https://tickets.trainose.gr/dromologia/). The train ride from Athens to Larissa takes about 4 hours and costs around 25 euros. The train ride from Thessaloniki to Larissa takes about 1 hour and costs around 8 euros.
From Larissa, you can take a bus or a taxi to reach your desired village on Mount Kissavos, as described above.
By plane
The last option to get to Mount Kissavos from Athens or Thessaloniki is by plane. There are domestic flights that connect these cities with Nea Anchialos National Airport (VOL), which is located about 100 km south of Kissavos. The flight time from Athens to Nea Anchialos is about 45 minutes and costs around 50 euros. The flight time from Thessaloniki to Nea Anchialos is about 30 minutes and costs around 40 euros.
From Nea Anchialos, you can take a bus or a taxi to reach your desired village on Mount Kissavos. The bus service is operated by KTEL Magnisias (https://www.ktelvolou.gr/en/) and you can check their website for timetables and fares. The taxi service is available at the airport or by phone (24280-76800) and the cost depends on the distance and time of day.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to get to Mount Kissavos from Athens or Thessaloniki, depending on your budget, time and preference. No matter which option you choose, you will be rewarded with a wonderful experience of nature, culture and adventure on this beautiful mountain. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready to explore Mount Kissavos!
