SIGHTSEEING - ACTIVITIES

Koutsoupia is a seaside village in the Municipality of Melivoia, a village on the eastern slopes of Mount Kissavos, which was named after an important ancient city in Thessaly, also called Melivoia, which thrived during the reign of King Philoctetes, producing choice wine and exporting it to the whole then known world. Legend says that Philoctetes was the son of the mythical Heracles, he received the latter’s poisonous arrows and bow, participated in the Trojan War with seven ships, and as part of the crew in the Trojan Horse, using Heracles' arrows, slays Paris, thus signalling victory for the Achaean Greeks.
The main characteristic of Koutsoupia, and the broader nearby area, is the combination of mountain and sea, with trees shadowing the beaches, and waves crashing on boulders. You can discover the small and pristine beaches, or relax on organized beaches, walk and bike on the mountain and visit the monasteries dating back to the 11th - 14th centuries, spread around the slopes of Mount Kissavos, also known as “the Mountain of Cells”.

On foot and by bike
You can enjoy the splendid beaches of Koutsoupia, made of small pebbles and golden sand, which are within walking distance, and walk along the paths that criss-cross the mountain and admire the wild, dense foliage and the Falls of Koutsoupia.
Also within walking distance is a fishing harbour, where the fishing boats arrive daily, laden with fresh fish. Next to the harbour lies the monastery of Monopetra, built in the 11th century.
At 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) to the north of Koutsoupia lies Kokkino Nero village, where you can visit the “red water” natural source, which has beneficial qualities, either when drunk or bathed in, in small artificial pools. You can also visit the “fonts”, located outside the village, natural openings in the rocks, where natural cold water flows. Also, you can visit two 12th century temples within the village, and the castle of Kokkino Nero, overlooking the village. To the south, at 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) lies the village of Paliouria. Here, one can swim in the sea and enjoy the 500m long beach, made of sand and pebbles, and shaded by plane-trees.

By car
To the north of the village, at a distance of 25km (15.5 miles) lies the Tempi Valley. You can visit the temple of Saint Paraskevi, climb to Ambelakia and see the traditional village where the first cooperative in the world was founded, and visit the Douggou Winery in Itea (link possible) where you can enjoy their splendid wine made of 7 different varieties of grapes grown right next to the winery.
To the south of Koutsoupia, at a distance of 10 km (6.2 miles) lie Velika, Sotiritsa, and Agiokambos, three adjacent seaside villages that share 14km (8.6 miles) of continuous beach. At the end of that beach lies the former royal forest of Polydenerion. Formerly property of the king, now open to the public, it is ideal for a tranquil walk in the forest, which is rich in flora and fauna. In Velika, you can visit the castle of ancient Melivoia, and enjoy the view as well as the magnificent monastery of John the Theologian, located close to the castle. On the slope above Velika and at a distance of only 8km (4.9 miles) lies the village of Melivoia. It is built at an altitude of 450m (1476 feet) and offers an unbelievable view of the Aegean..

Organized
In cooperation with Hotel Bebis and Trekking Hellas ( www.olympusadventure.com ), you can visit the canyon of Calypso for rock climbing, located in Kokkino Nero, cross the Pineios River in rafts, or go rafting & canoeing and reach the Delta of the Pineios River, trek to the summit of Mount Kissavos and Mount Olympus, walk in the paths that connect the villages of Melivoia and Skiti and the beach, go boating and admire the area from the sea, and dive in the caves of Veneto.