Right on the foot of Mount Olympus, in a green area with swarming waters, just 5kms from the beach is the Holy City of Macedonia, Ancient Dion as an honor to the God of Olympus c. This sacred place is where King Philip celebrated his great victories, while Alexander the Great sacrificed in the name of Zeus before embarking on his major campaign. Shrines of the gods, a Hellenic and a Roman theatre, a stadium, baths, a comprehensive water supply and drainage system as well as remains from a prosperous city, are all to be found and admired at Ancient Dion. Other than the archaeological site, the area hosts a museum to exhibit the findings of the area where an exhibition on the everyday life in ancient Dion is on display. During the summer period the Holy City becomes the cultural centre of the area to host the Olympus International Festival featuring prominent representatives of the Greek and international art scene, emphasising on the ancient Greek tragedy or comedy, to attract thousands of spectators that experience the revival of the Hellenic spirit.

The post-ancient glory of the area is reflected on the Byzantine castle of Platamon, one of the finest and best preserved castles in Greece. Strategically situated on the top of a seaside hill to control over the Valley of Tempi, the shortest “passage” between Macedonia and Thessaly, the castle was initially built by Byzantines. Its construction was supported by Frank occupants of the area, later to be conquered by Turks and Venetians to finally become part of the 1821 Greek revolution against Turks and Albanians till its abandonment an bombing during the World War II. Currently the castle which is standing proud for 10 centuries is open for public visits, housing a church from the Middle Byzantine period and one of the Early Christian period, along with walls finely constructed and the tower to dominate the area, offering magnificent views of Mount Olympus, Thermaikos gulf and Halkidiki.

Archaeological sites and monuments of significant importance are scattered around the area of Pieria. The Neolithic settlements of Markigialos, as one of the largest hamlets in Greece, the Ancient Town of Livithra with an acropolis, separating the bottom from upper Olympus is the hometown of legendary Orpheus, the Folk Museum and the mansion houses on Kisavos, Ancient Pina with its remains of a caste and the well preserved the byzantine bishopric of Kitros, as well as Byzantine and post-byzantine churches and monasteries are among the most notable monuments and archaeological sites of Pieria.