Palaios Agios Athanasios

The cosmopolitan settlement of mountainous Macedonia

Agios Athanasios is perched at an elevation of 1,200 metres, at the foot of Mount Voras, also known as Kaimaktsalan, close to the border with North Macedonia. This is a beautiful village, built next to one of the best ski resorts in Greece. The village retains its tranquillity and charm throughout the year, while during the holiday season, it attracts many visitors from Thessaloniki and other cities.

The village of Agios Athanasios, or Tsegani, was founded in the late 16th century by farmers and builders from Epirus. During the Ottoman period, the settlement was self-sufficient, thanks to local production of cheese, meat, wool, textiles, wine, and tsipouro. The village remained inhabited until 1981, when a devastating earthquake destroyed most of the houses, leading to its abandonment.

As the Kaimaktsalan ski centre, adjacent to the hamlet, began attracting visitors, the village was revitalised and became one of the country's premier winter destinations.

The wider area offers stunning bird’s-eye views of Lake Vegoritida, spectacular landscapes with the surrounding mountains, whether or not snow-capped, and endless opportunities to connect with nature. The Kaimaktsalan forest is a significant habitat and an area of outstanding natural beauty, recognised as a protected area within the Natura 2000 network, while the surrounding nature is home to deer, roe deer, hares, wild boar, and even bears.

By Car

Old Saint Athanasios is a traditional mountain village in the Pella region and is best reached by car. From Thessaloniki, the drive takes about 2–2.5 hours (approximately 120–130 km), usually via Edessa and then up the mountain road toward Mount Voras (Kaimaktsalan). From Athens, the journey takes around 6.5–7 hours, with the final section involving steep and winding roads, especially in winter conditions.

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