It is made up of the districts of Agia, Elassona, Turnavos, Farsala and Larissa, which is also the capital of the county. This county covers 38% of the total area of Thessaly and contains 37% of the population. Mount Olympus (2,917m), the highest peak not only of Greece but also of the Balkans, is located here and stands at the border with the county of Pieria.

The huge plain of Larissa is characteristic of the county. The main river of the area is the Pineio, which flows between Mount Olympus and Mount Ossa (Kissavos) and through the Temby valley. The aforementioned valley, as well as the villages around Olympus are the best known tourist attractions in this county.

During the years of the Turkish occupation the county experienced a financial boom due to the developed industries here. Signs of past prosperity still exist in the form of the churches of the 16th and 17th century.

There is an abundance of wonderful locations for outings both summer and winter and one can visit areas praised for their greenery and crystal clear waters. The northern and eastern coastlines are ideal for relaxing summer holidays spent on the clean sandy beaches. Of course, there are a variety of alternative types of holidays available too, as the county offers the best possible combination of sea and mountains.