Getting from Santorini to Katerini

If you are heading to Katerini from Santorini you are making your way to a city at the foot of Mount Olympus on the Pierian coast of northern Greece. Katerini is the capital of Pieria and sits between the Aegean coast and the highest mountain in Greece, which gives it an unusual combination of beach and mountain in close proximity. The beaches around Paralia Katerinis are among the most popular in northern Greece for Greek families in summer. The slopes of Olympus above the city have serious hiking trails leading to the summit at Mytikas, the highest point in Greece at 2,917 metres. The archaeological site of Dion, the sacred city of the ancient Macedonians, is just south of the city and one of the finest in the country.

Take the ferry

There is no ferry to Katerini. It is a mainland city with no ferry connections to the islands. Getting there from Santorini means flying.

What about flying?

Katerini has no airport of its own. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, around 70 kilometres to the north. Santorini has a direct flight to Thessaloniki operated by Aegean Airlines and Sky Express, making this one of the more straightforward connections from the island without going through Athens. The flight takes around 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes and from Thessaloniki Airport, Katerini is around 1 hour by car or bus to the south.

Your best option

Fly direct from Santorini to Thessaloniki and take the bus or drive south to Katerini. The KTEL bus from Thessaloniki to Katerini runs regularly and takes around 1 hour. If you are planning to hike Olympus, Katerini is the base town and the trailhead at Litochoro is a short drive further south.