Mount Olympus – Height, Location, Mythology & Climbing Guide

Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and one of the most storied peaks on Earth. Known in antiquity as the dwelling place of the Greek gods, it remains a powerful symbol of nature, mythology, and human adventure. But the name “Mount Olympus” also refers to a water park in Wisconsin and a colossal volcano on Mars.

This article covers everything you need to know about Mount Olympus — from its exact height and location in Greece to how to climb it, its role in ancient mythology, and the surprising other places that share its name.

What is Mount Olympus?

Mount Olympus is a real mountain in northern Greece and the mythical home of the Twelve Olympian gods. It is the country’s highest peak, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and a major destination for hikers and climbers. The name also appears in completely different contexts — as a water park in Wisconsin Dells, USA, and as Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system on Mars.

Height
2,917 m (9,570 ft)

Location
Thessaly, Greece (near the Aegean Sea)

Mythology
Home of the Twelve Olympian gods

Climbing
Strenuous, 2–3 days, requires experience

Key insights

Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
It is the legendary home of the Greek gods, central to ancient Greek religion and mythology.
The mountain offers multiple climbing routes, with the most popular starting from Litochoro.
There are two other notable entities named Mount Olympus: a water park in Wisconsin Dells, USA, and Olympus Mons on Mars (the largest volcano in the solar system).
The first recorded ascent of the highest peak (Mytikas) was in 1913.

Snapshot facts

Field	Value
Elevation	2,917 m (9,570 ft)
Prominence	2,355 m (7,726 ft)
Location	Thessaly, Greece
First ascent	1913 by Christos Kakkalos, Frédéric Boissonnas, and Daniel Baud-Bovy
Peak	Mytikas
Designation	Olympus National Park (1938), World Biosphere Reserve (1981)

Where is Mount Olympus Located?

Mount Olympus is located in northern Greece, in the Olympus massif near the Aegean Sea. It straddles the border between the regions of Central Macedonia and Thessaly. The nearest major city is Litochoro, a town at the foot of the mountain that serves as the main starting point for climbers.

The mountain is approximately 260 km (162 miles) north of Athens. On a clear day, it is possible to see Mount Olympus from Athens, though the distance makes it a faint silhouette on the horizon.

How far is Mount Olympus from Athens?

The driving distance from Athens to Litochoro is roughly 260–280 km (160–175 miles), taking about 3.5 to 4 hours by car. Alternatively, visitors can take a bus from Athens to Litochoro or travel by train to Katerini and then take a local bus. The mountain is also accessible from Thessaloniki, which is about 100 km (62 miles) to the northeast.

How Tall is Mount Olympus?

The highest point of Mount Olympus is Mytikas, which stands at 2,917.727 metres (about 9,573 feet). This measurement is widely accepted and confirmed by modern surveys. The mountain has multiple other peaks, with Stefani and Skolio being the other major summits.

Mount Olympus is Greece’s highest mountain by a significant margin. The next highest peak in the country is Mount Smolikas at 2,637 metres (8,652 feet).

Precision note

The exact elevation of Mytikas has been refined with modern GPS surveys. While older sources often rounded the height to 2,917 m (9,570 ft), more recent measurements place it at 2,917.727 m (9,572.60 ft). The difference is negligible for most purposes, but it reflects ongoing improvements in surveying technology.

How to Climb Mount Olympus?

Climbing Mount Olympus is a serious but accessible mountaineering challenge. The mountain is commonly treated as a multi-day hike rather than a casual day trek, because the highest summit is steep and exposed. Most climbers take 2–3 days, staying overnight at mountain huts along the way.

The most popular route starts from the town of Litochoro, where hikers ascend to the Prionia trailhead (at about 1,100 metres). From there, the trail leads to the Spilios Agapitos refuge (2,100 m), which is the base for summit attempts. The final push to Mytikas involves scrambling over rocky terrain and some exposed sections.

Climbing routes

Prionia to Spilios Agapitos refuge: A 4–5 hour hike through forest and alpine scenery.
Refuge to Mytikas summit: A 3–4 hour climb with steep, exposed sections. Requires proper footwear and head for heights.
Alternative routes: Other trails exist from the western and southern sides of the mountain, but they are less commonly used and require more navigation experience.

Best time to climb

The best climbing season is from June to September, when the weather is most stable. Outside this window, snow and ice can make the ascent significantly more dangerous. Even in summer, climbers should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions, including strong winds and cold temperatures at the summit.

Practical tip

No permits are required to climb Mount Olympus, but it is strongly recommended to reserve a bed at the Spilios Agapitos refuge in advance during peak season (July–August). The refuge has about 100 beds and often fills up. Climbers should also carry warm clothing, plenty of water, and a headlamp.

What is the Mythological Significance of Mount Olympus?

In ancient Greek tradition, Mount Olympus was believed to be the dwelling place of the gods. It was especially associated with Zeus, the king of the gods. The PBS program “NewsHour” notes that the ancient Greeks believed the throne of Zeus stood on its highest peaks.

The mountain was considered sacred and was central to Greek religion and mythology. The Twelve Olympians — including Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, and others — were said to live in a palace complex on the summit, hidden from mortal eyes by clouds. It is important to note that no physical palace exists; the mountain itself is the symbolic home.

Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, composed around the 8th century BCE, mention Mount Olympus as the home of the gods. These epic poems helped cement the mountain’s place in Western cultural imagination.

Mount Olympus in Other Contexts: Wisconsin Dells and Mars

The name “Mount Olympus” extends beyond Greece into two entirely different realms: a water park in the United States and a volcano on Mars.

Mount Olympus Water Park (Wisconsin Dells)

There is a Mount Olympus Water Park in Wisconsin Dells, USA, a popular family resort destination. It is a real theme park with indoor and outdoor water slides, wave pools, go-karts, and a hotel. This is an entirely separate entity from the Greek mountain, sharing only the name.

Olympus Mons (Mars)

Olympus Mons is a massive volcano on Mars, located in the western Tharsis Rise. It is about 21.3 km (13.2 miles) high, making it the tallest volcano and one of the largest mountains in the Solar System. NASA has confirmed its height through space probes. Despite sharing the “Olympus” name, it is a completely different feature from the Greek mountain.

Common confusion

Many people confuse Mount Olympus (Greece) with Olympus Mons (Mars). They are unrelated — one is a terrestrial mountain rich in history and mythology, the other is an extinct Martian volcano named by astronomers drawing from classical mythology. The height difference is enormous: Olympus Mons is nearly 7 times taller than Mount Olympus.