Portaria, Mount Olympus and the tomb of Philip of Macedon: Greece, myth and the road under your wheels
Some journeys are not measured in kilometres, but in emotions. Greece is one of those places where every bend tells a story, every stop is scented with myth, and every road seems made to be ridden on two wheels. This time our journey takes us to the true heart of the country: Portaria, then the slopes of Mount Olympus, all the way to one of the most powerful places in ancient history, the tomb of Philip of Macedon.
Portaria: the perfect starting point
Arriving in Portaria is like entering a Greece that is in no hurry. This stone village, set on Mount Pelion, welcomes travellers with narrow streets, traditional houses and a view that opens onto the Pagasetic Gulf. Here the engine is often switched off, not out of necessity, but for the sheer pleasure of stopping to look.
Portaria is the ideal place to start exploring: cool in summer, quiet in winter, genuine all year round. The tavernas serve simple but intense dishes, like home-made moussaka or the tsipouro that warms you up even after a long day of riding. It is one of those places that makes you think: “Yes, I could stay here a few more days.”
Towards Mount Olympus: the road of the gods
With Portaria behind you, the road starts to climb, and the excitement grows with it. Mount Olympus is not just a mountain: it is a symbol. It is the throne of Zeus, the home of the gods, but also a paradise for those who love to ride.
Wide bends, changing tarmac, views that suddenly open onto the sea and the green valleys: riding here is a total experience. It is not a road to race on, it is a road to live. Every stop is an excuse to take off your helmet, breathe deeply and imagine the legends that for centuries have lived on these peaks.
Mount Olympus commands respect. Even if you do not climb to the top, its presence is constant, powerful, almost mystical. It is one of those places that remind you why travelling by motorcycle is different: you are exposed, vulnerable, but incredibly free.
The tomb of Philip of Macedon: a journey into history
From myth to history is a short step. Continuing towards Macedonia, you reach Vergina, home to the tomb of Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. Here the journey changes pace: from the roar of the engine to a reverent silence.
The archaeological site is extraordinary. The tomb, discovered in 1977, is perfectly preserved and holds frescoes, weapons and objects that tell of the power of the Macedonian kingdom. Walking under that burial mound is like stepping through a time portal. You realise that the road you rode today follows, in some way, that of armies, kings and conquerors.
For those who travel by motorcycle, this place has a special value: it makes you understand that travel is not just movement, but connection. Connection with the land, with the past and with yourself.
Greece: a destination that goes beyond the journey
This itinerary – Portaria, Mount Olympus and Vergina – concentrates everything that makes Greece unique. Nature, myth, history and roads that seem drawn for those who love to explore.
It is a journey that does not need to be fast, nor spectacular at all costs. It is a journey that gets under your skin, that stays with you even when you get home. Just like every adventure worth telling, perhaps over a beer, with the dust still on your boots and the urge to set off again.
