The Odyssey effect? This towering Greek landmark is finally a UNESCO World Heritage site

Mount Olympus is the historic seat of Zeus, but now, it’s taken on new meaning (Picture: Getty Images) If you know even the slightest thing about Greek mythology, you’ll know that Mount Olympus is the home of the gods. The highest mountain in Greece, all of the major gods and goddesses supposedly ruled from here: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, and Aphrodite, giving them the nickname ‘Olympians.’ It’s about 50 miles away from Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city after Athens, and has loomed over the skyline for the last 200 million years. While Olympus has always been a significant place in Greek society and mythology, and still is, it’s never been officially recognised until now. The historic site has just been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, which includes places offering ‘outstanding universal value’ to humanity. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. It’s not just a label, though: it protects historic locations, unlocking emergency funds and expertise during crisis, and committing the host country to doing all it can to preserve the site. Mount Olympus has been waiting for the last 12 years (Picture: Getty Images) As it stans, the most famous UNESCO locations include the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef, the Taj Mahal, and the Acropolis, also in Greece, which plays host to sites of historic significance, such as the Parthenon, which was built for Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Mount Olympus has been on the waiting list for the last 12 years, but it’s now been made official after a review at a UNESCO committee meeting in South Korea. Greece’s UNESCO delegation in Busan, Georgios Koumoutsakos, said the decision ‘reaffirms our unwavering commitment to safeguarding Mount Olympus for the benefit of present and future generations.’ According to The Guardian, he added: ‘As Greek mythology wisely reminds us, it is always best to remain on good terms with the gods.’ It’s not just its place in Greek mythology that makes Mount Olympus so important. The World Heritage Convention has also noted that the microclimate is responsible for a diverse terrain, vegetation, and climate. Zeus and all 12 Olympian gods lived on Mount Olympus (Picture: Getty Images) The website reads: ‘The property features striking landforms, including glacial cirques, limestone cliffs, karstic sinkholes, and olistolith fields, while sharp ridges like the Mytikas-Stefani complex and deep gorges such as the Enipeas illustrate ongoing neotectonic activity. ‘Mount Olympus has served as a glacial refugium for forest species and is also a Mediterranean plant biodiversity and endemism hotspot.’ As such, there are a few wineries found in the area, producing wine fit for the Gods (arguably particularly Dionysus, who was the God of Wine). Deep red wines, made all the more fruity by the fertile land, use grapes like the Xinomavro, Krasato, and Stavroto, and are available at Olympus Wines and Navitas Winery. The area also boasts very fertile land for producing wine (Picture: Getty Images) Elsewhere, Greece boasts a tonne of UNESCO-protected sites, including the Temple of Apollo, the archaeological site of Delphi, the Acropolis, Mount Athos, the Medieval City of Rhodes, and Corfu’s Old Town. Mount Olympus isn’t the only site that’s been inscribed onto the list. The D-D landing beaches across Normandy in northern France have also been added, as have the ancient Japanese capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara. It’s all fitting timing, too, considering Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey is currently inspiring something of a renaissance in Greek mythology. Ithaca, which has a starring role as the birthplace of Odysseus, is where he returns following the end of the Trojan War. Our Top Shopping Picks Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin The Odyssey tells the 20-year story of a king’s journey back to his homeland, and so, the island, off the coast of Kefalonia, with all its legend and magic, has been drawn back into the spotlight. The unspoiled Greek island with ’23 untouched beaches’ and no crowds Tucked between the islands of Samos and Leros, Lipsi is part of the Dodecanese island group. There are 15 in total, including more popular names such as Kos and Rhodes, and they’re most famous for boasting more than 300 days of sunshine each year. This makes it the sunniest spot in Greece. And with no less than 23 secluded beaches free from rows of sunbeds, Lipsi has certainly managed to dodge the overtourism bullet. Better still, there’s not a sunbed in sight, and the local community have deliberately chosen a different path to other popular islands, prioritising policies that protect the environment (such as a push towards reducing plastic use) over large-scale tourism. Lipsi might not be a party island (there are around 800 permanent residents, and the island is only about 5 miles long), but it does have everything you need for some serious R&R. Hidden coves, quiet beaches, traditional tavernas, and a slower pace of life are all awaiting visitors seeking that authentic Aegean experience. The surrounding islets, including beautiful Aspronisia, are great places to explore, whether by boat, kayak, or organised tour. Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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