Blue Flag Beaches in Pieria | The 2023 List & What It Means

How do you choose a beach in Pieria?

For some travellers, it is the sand. For others, the view of Mount Olympus, the space, the cafés and tavernas, water sports, easy access or simply the feeling of being by the Aegean.

One useful reference is the Blue Flag programme, which recognises beaches that meet specific criteria relating to areas such as bathing-water quality, environmental management, safety and services.

In 2023, 13 beaches in the Pieria Regional Unit were included in the official Greek Blue Flag list. This article preserves that 2023 list as a reference and introduces some of the beaches that visitors can discover along the coast of Pieria.

What Does the Blue Flag Mean?

The Blue Flag is not a ranking of beaches from best to worst.

It is an environmental and quality award based on a set of criteria concerning factors such as bathing-water quality, environmental management, safety and visitor facilities.

That distinction matters.

A Blue Flag does not tell you which beach has the most beautiful sunset, the quietest atmosphere or the best view of Mount Olympus. Those are different parts of the travel experience — and they are often exactly what makes one beach feel right for one traveller and less suitable for another.

Exploring the Coast of Pieria

The coastline of Pieria stretches between the foothills of Mount Olympus and the Aegean Sea, with a succession of coastal towns, villages and beaches.

Some areas are lively and highly organised, with cafés, restaurants, accommodation and water sports. Others feel more open and spacious, while several beaches offer a particularly strong connection between the sea and the mountain landscape behind them.

This is one of the reasons Pieria works well for beach hopping: you do not have to experience the coast in just one way.

Leptokarya Beach

At the foot of Mount Olympus, Leptokarya combines a long coastal setting with the infrastructure of a popular seaside town.

The beach has sandy sections with some pebbles and stretches for several kilometres. Along the waterfront, visitors can find accommodation, cafés, bars and other services.

One of its defining characteristics is the landscape: the Aegean is in front of you and Mount Olympus rises behind the town.

Best for: combining a beach day with Mount Olympus, restaurants, cafés and a lively coastal town.

Neoi Poroi Beach

Further south, Neoi Poroi offers a different coastal experience, with a broad beach and a spacious seaside setting.

The beach is close to the village and its local services, making it convenient for travellers who prefer to have shops, accommodation, food and other facilities nearby.

Best for: a classic seaside day, families and travellers looking for a broad beach with easy access to local services.

Olympiaki Akti

Olympiaki Akti, also known as Olympic Beach, lies close to Katerini and forms part of the Olympus Riviera.

It is a well-organised coastal settlement with hotels, accommodation, campsites, restaurants, cafés, beach bars and shops. The long beachfront also offers facilities such as changing areas, sunbeds and water sports.

Its location makes it practical for visitors who want to combine time by the sea with trips around Pieria, including Katerini, Paralia and Mount Olympus.

Best for: visitors looking for a lively, organised beach destination with plenty of services nearby.

Panteleimon Beach & Skotina

The coastal area around N. Panteleimonas–Skotina offers one of the more distinctive landscapes of southern Pieria.

Here, the beach sits beneath the slopes of Mount Olympus, with the historic Platamonas Castle nearby and the mountain villages of the area within easy reach.

The wider area is particularly interesting if you do not want your beach day to exist separately from the rest of your trip. You can combine the coast with Platamonas Castle, Palaios Panteleimonas, mountain routes and nearby waterfalls.

Best for: combining sea, mountain scenery, history and village experiences.

Platamonas Beach

Platamonas is one of the most recognisable coastal destinations in southern Pieria.

The beach is closely connected with the town, harbour, restaurants, cafés and accommodation, while the medieval Platamonas Castle provides a dramatic landmark above the coast.

For travellers, the attraction is the combination rather than the beach alone. A morning by the sea can easily become an afternoon exploring the castle or the surrounding villages, followed by dinner beside the harbour.

Best for: travellers who want to combine beach time with history, food, the harbour and Mount Olympus landscapes.

From Katerini to the Foot of Olympus

One of the pleasures of exploring Pieria’s coastline is how quickly the landscape changes.

Near Katerini, beaches such as Korinos, Paralia, Kallithea and Olympiaki Akti offer easy access and a wide range of visitor services.

Further south, the coastline moves towards Leptokarya, Plaka, Skotina, Panteleimonas, Platamonas and Neoi Poroi, where the relationship between the sea and the slopes of Mount Olympus becomes increasingly visible.

And this is where the idea of choosing a single “best” beach starts to make less sense.

The coast is varied enough for different kinds of days.

Which Pieria Beach Is Right for You?

• For easy access and plenty of services: explore the coastal towns around Katerini.
• For a long, spacious beach: Neoi Poroi is worth considering.
• For the sea with Mount Olympus behind you: look towards Leptokarya and Plaka.
• For history and scenery: combine the southern beaches with Platamonas Castle and Palaios Panteleimonas.
• For a more varied day: use the coastline as a starting point and continue inland towards Olympus.

Blue Flag Beaches Are Not a Ranking

The original title of this article described five beaches as the “best” Blue Flag beaches in Pieria.

We would frame that differently today.

The Blue Flag is useful information, but it does not rank the beaches against each other. And Pieria has far more to offer than a list of five.

For a traveller, the better question is not “Which beach is number one?”

It is:

“Which part of the coast fits the kind of day I want to have?”

A Note About the 2023 List

The Blue Flag information in this article refers specifically to the 2023 awards. Beach awards are updated annually, and the list can change from one year to another.

If you are planning a current trip, use this article as historical context rather than as confirmation of a beach’s current Blue Flag status.

For a broader and more current-oriented look at the coastline, continue with our main guide:

Best Beaches in Pieria, Greece | From Mount Olympus to the Aegean

Frequently Asked Questions About Pieria Beaches

How many Blue Flag beaches did Pieria have in 2023?

The official 2023 Blue Flag list included 13 awarded beaches in the Pieria Regional Unit.

Does the Blue Flag mean a beach is the best in Pieria?

No. The Blue Flag is an award based on specific environmental, safety and management criteria. It is not a ranking of beaches by overall visitor experience.

Which Pieria beaches were on the 2023 Blue Flag list?

The 2023 list included Korinos, Kallithea, Olympiaki Akti, Paralia, Peristasi, Variko, Leptokarya, Litochoro, Neoi Poroi, N. Panteleimonas–Skotina, Plaka and Platamonas, along with a separate Kallithea/Mediterranean Village award entry.

Can I combine a beach visit with Mount Olympus?

Yes. One of the distinctive features of Pieria is the proximity between the Aegean coast and Mount Olympus. Depending on where you stay, you can combine a morning or afternoon at the beach with Litochoro, Olympus trails, waterfalls, villages or archaeological sites.

Continue Exploring Pieria

The beach is only one part of the story.

From the Aegean coast, you can continue inland towards Mount Olympus, discover traditional mountain villages, follow forest trails and waterfalls, visit ancient sites, or simply find another part of the coastline that feels right for your day.

Explore Pieria at your own pace:
Explore Pieria