For generations, the Gatzas family has cultivated the land and lived out their lives in the ancient foothills of Mount Olympus. The family patriarch, Pantelis Gatzas, grew up in the rural village of Agios Panteleimon and fought the N***s as a courier in World War II. After narrowly escaping death, he returned from the war with a dream to settle the wild and fertile lands in the picturesque seaside haven now known as Platamon. Back then, the area was covered with scraggly woods and a few tiny farms, but Pantelis Gatzas’ 20-hectare parcel soon began to flourish with plump and juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, oranges, peaches and apples, and word about his extraordinary gardening skills soon traveled far beyond Platamon. Later, he channeled his creative talents into boat building and to this day his legacy lives on in the local marina, where many of the rustic fishing vessels are the result of his labour.
Eventually, Pantelis Gatzas sold some of his land to other settlers, carefully growing the village one family at a time. In the 1980s, he and his wife Ourania divided the remaining land among their five children, who each in their own way helped transform the once quaint fishing hamlet to a bustling tourist destination that still stays true to its humble roots.
In 2000, two of Pantelis Gatzas children, Efrossini Vardali and Dimitri Gatzas, built an apartment hotel on the family land, and the next year the first renters arrived. Pantelis Gatzas grandchildren, Ranja Maria Vardali, Dimitris Vardali and Alexander Gatzas joined the business in 2019 and under their helm the apartments have been modernized to meet the needs of the modern traveler, while preserving the cozy ambiance of the past. They renamed the hotel White Bluebell in a salute to the white stucco exterior of the apartment building as well as Pantelis Gatzas’ favourite flower. Together, the cousins continue to further the dreams and hopes of their grandparents by inviting travelers from all over the world to take in the natural beauty of Platamon.
Platamon is regarded as one of the most significant tourist destinations in northern Greece. The town is home to numerous restaurants, cafeterias, hotels and beaches. During summertime the population reaches approximately 120,000.
Here you will find information about our apartment hotels, how to find us, Platamons nearby locations, directions to the beaches, info about the nightclubs and about other exciting places and activities.
Platamon, or Platamonas as the locals affectionately call it, is located in the lush and sun-kissed foothills of Mount Olympus on the Greek mainland. Here, a cool, gently blowing breeze tempers even the most sizzling summer days, from the craggy, pale mountains in the west to the rolling waves of the Aegean Sea in the east. Pristine water trickles down from the top of the mountains and nourishes the fields and forests at their base. Below ground, countless natural springs provide water so clean that villagers drink it straight from the source.
Platamon only has 2,000 permanent residents but grows to 120,000 people in the summertime, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in northern Greece. Modernity and history are at a confluence in this quaint seaside village, where you can walk through a contemporary marina and wander up to the mighty medieval fortress Platamon Castle in the same day.
In Platamon, the ocean air is always fresh, the beach spotless and the local restaurants abounding with some of the most delectable seafood Greece has to offer. Still small and authentic compared to destinations on the Greek islands, Platamon is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
ACTIVITIES
Platamon Castle – This medieval fortress has towered over the area for over 800 years and is believed to stand on top of the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Herakleion. It was originally built to control the exit of the Tempe Valley and the main road connecting Macedonia with southern Greece. Today it is the number one attraction in Platamon, according to Tripadvisor.
Beach life – Swimming and sunbathing are a must in Platamon; just walk along the shoreline to find your own favourite hangout. The most popular beach is Kalamaki, which is located a short walk south of town and filled with beach bars, restaurants and live music. Cue the vacay vibes!
Paragliding – Get a bird’s eye view of Platamon and its beautiful surroundings through a unique paragliding experience with a professional pilot. Propelled by nothing by the wind, soar high above the ground, fly all the way from the ocean to the beach and have a GoPro video to show for it at the end. The paragliding flights start in Neos Panteleimon, near Platamon Castle.
Litochoro – Rent a car and drive 25 minutes to Litochoro, a historic town featuring traditional Macedonian architecture. Litochoro is the gateway to the Olympic mountain range and several trailheads originate here, including one that leads to the highest peaks. Besides hiking, activities like canyoning, dirt biking, climbing and off-roading are popular in the mountains around Litochoro. There are also many significant religious sites in the area, like the 16th century ruins of the Greek Orthodox monastery Agios Dionysos, which was destroyed by the Germans in WWII, and the new monastery that replaced it.
Palios Pandeleimon– The beautiful mountain village Palios Pandeleimon can easily be reached by scooter from Platamon. This old village is located 460 meters above sea level and is full of cozy restaurants and cafés close to the old Church of Saint Pandeleimon. Enjoy really good Greek cuisine with some of the best red and rosé wines, or perhaps just a nice cup of green mint tea, wildly grown and hand-picked in the area.
FOOD & DRINK
Platamon is an old fishing village and is renowned for its fresh and delectable seafood. The culinary center of the town is Main Street, where you can experience fine dining featuring grilled fish and seasonal, locally grown vegetables, as well as convenient casual restaurants serving Greek fast food favourites like gyros. Enjoy your meal with a side of juicy, salty Greek olives and a glass of rosé, and finish with an exotic, sweet cocktail of your choice.
NIGHTLIFE
If Platamon is a cozy beach town by day, it turns into party central at night. Platamon’s vibrant nightlife attracts tourists from all over Greece and Europe, and the hip clubs along Main Street play music all night long. When you’re in the mood for more, continue your nightly exploits in the neighboring town of Nei Pori or the other surrounding villages.
WHITE BLUEBELL APARTMENTS
White Bluebell is located in the heart of Platamon, a quaint fishing village turned flourishing tourist haven located in the southern part of Greek Macedonia. From our apartments, the beach, mountains, restaurants and nightlife are never far away. Enjoy the aroma of freshly baked pizza from the restaurants down the street, watch as the local fishermen unload their fresh catch in the quaint marina and sink your feet deep into the sand on the popular Kalamaki Beach just south of downtown. Then come home to your airy and comfortable apartment to watch the sunset and cool off in the salty breeze on the balcony.
We have 16 modern and newly renovated apartments for rent from May to October. Each apartment sports a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious bathroom, air conditioning, a furnished balcony, TV and free wi-fi. Each room can comfortably accommodate 2-4 people.
White Bluebell is run by the Gatzas and Vardali families, on land that has been in the family for three generations. We take pride in our clean facilities, and our cozy and friendly atmosphere. In fact, at White Bluebell, we’re all family.
HOW TO GET THERE
WHEN TRAVELING FROM OUTSIDE GREECE
Platamon and White Bluebell Rental Apartments are located 100 kilometers south of the City of Thessaloniki and Thessaloniki Macedonia Airport, along the mainland coastline. From the airport, you can get to the apartments either by bus, train, or taxi.
FLIGHTS FROM SWEDEN
Low-cost fares are available with Ryan Air from Stockholm Skavsta Airport straight to Thessaloniki Macedonia Airport. Regular flights to Thessaloniki are available with all major airlines. Check www.airtours.se for up-to-date fares from Stockholm Arlanda Airport and Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Thessaloniki Macedonia Airport.
FROM OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Contact your travel agency for more information.
TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT TO BUS OR TRAIN STATION
Airport buses No 78 and 78N both stop at the bus station and train station, and operate regularly from the airport from 05.00 until 23.00. Taxis are also available and cost approximately €25 to the train station and €35 to the bus station.
BUS OPTION
The bus from Macedonia InterCity Bus Station (KTEL MAKEDONIA) to Platamon costs approximately€20 and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes along a scenic route. The bus stops in downtown Platamon, which is a 3-minute walk from the hotel.
TRAIN OPTION
The train from the New Thessaloniki Railway Station to Nei Pori, which is 3km from Platamon, costs approximately €10 and takes 1 hour. From the Nei Pori train station, a taxi to White Bluebell Apartments takes around 5 minutes and costs around €5. There are taxis waiting at the train station.
TAXI OPTION
Plenty of taxis are available at the Thessaloniki Macedonia Airport for fast and comfortable door-to-door transportation to White Bluebell Rental Apartments. The journey takes approximately 1 hour, depending on traffic, and costs €120-150. We recommend the taxi option for parties of two people or more.
CONTACT US
ADDRESS
White Bluebell Rental Apartments
Egnatias 63
Platamonas 60065
GREECE
PHONE
Information in Greek and English
+30 693 8939868
OR
+30 694 5185580
Information in Swedish and English
+46 709 424 101
EMAIL/WEB
Email: [email protected]
www.platamon.se
