Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Thessaloniki
You'll arrive at Thessaloniki Airport and meet your guide for the transfer to your hotel. Check-in happens right after you get settled. If your flight lands on Sunday, note that only airport transfers run that day with no organized tours available.
- Start point
- Thessaloniki International Airport Makedonia (SKG) Διεθνής Αερολιμένας Θεσσαλονίκης Μακεδονία, Λεωφ. Αεροδρομίου, Neon Ryssion, Central Macedonia 570 00, Greece (Arrival Transfer)
- Day 2
Thessaloniki
Start in Ano Poli, the upper town, where Byzantine walls still stand from centuries past. You'll walk through the Paleochristian church of Saint Demetrios and head down into its catacombs. From there, head to the city center to see the Rotunda and Arch of Galerius. By afternoon, you're at the waterfront checking out the White Tower and the statue of Alexander the Great. Before the day ends, wander through Kapani Local Market to try local Greek foods and see traditional architecture up close.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ano Poli (Upper Town) and Byzantine walls
- Visit to Church of Saint Demetrios and catacombs
- Tour of Monument of Rotunda and Arch of Galerius
- Visit to White Tower and Alexander the Great statue
- Walk through Kapani Local Market with local food tastings
Optional Activities
- Visit to Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki (entrance fee: 8€)
Landmarks Ano Poli (Upper Town) Church of Saint Demetrios Monument of Rotunda Arch of Galerius White Tower Statue of Alexander the Great Kapani Local Market Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki - Day 3
Mount Olympus - Litochoro
Head out to the ancient city and sanctuary of Dion, which was dedicated to Zeus. Walk through temples and explore unique mosaic floors, ancient baths, and ruins scattered around. The Dion Museum comes next, where you'll see ancient statues and relics. After lunch, drive to Stavros Viewpoint for panoramic views of Mount Olympus. Later, you'll check out the charming village of Litochoro with its traditional shops and local tavernas. If you're up for it, there's an optional short hike available through Enipeas Gorge with impressive rock formations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided archaeological tour of Dion sanctuary and temples
- Visit to Dion Museum with ancient statues and relics
- Views from Stavros Viewpoint overlooking Mount Olympus and valleys
- Exploration of Litochoro village with traditional architecture and local shops
Optional Activities
- Short hike and visit to Enipeas Gorge with rock formations and crystal-clear waters
Landmarks Ancient City and Sanctuary of Dion Dion Museum Stavros Viewpoint Mount Olympus Litochoro Enipeas Gorge - Day 4
Edessa - Wine Tasting
Start at Ancient Pella, the old Macedonian capital where Alexander the Great was born. You'll see about 2,500 square meters of well-preserved 4th century B.C. mosaic floors and symposium rooms showing how grand the ancient kingdom really was. Then travel to Edessa, known as the 'City of Water,' where you can see the Karano waterfall and frothy rivers with over 47 bridges. Grab lunch during your free time, then experience a wine tasting at a local winery where producers guide you through Xinomavro wines.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Free time for local lunch in Edessa)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ancient Pella archaeological site with mosaic floors and symposium parlors
- Visit to Karano waterfall and parks in Edessa
- Wine tasting experience at local winery with wine and snacks
Landmarks Ancient Pella Karano Waterfall Edessa - Day 5
Meteora Monasteries
Visit Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's great treasures. You'll explore two of the six most important monasteries built on dramatic rock pillars that took about 60 million years to form. Inside you'll see impressive frescoes, icons, and ecclesiastical treasures in the monastery museums. After the tour wraps up, you'll have a lunch break in the village of Kalambaka at the base of the rock formations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch break in Kalambaka village)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of two Meteora monasteries with frescoes, icons and relics
- Exploration of monastery museums with ecclesiastical treasures
Landmarks Meteora Kalambaka - Day 6
Vergina Royal Tombs
Start in Veria, a town important to religious history where St. Paul preached on his 2nd missionary journey. Walk through Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches and explore the old quarters including the Jewish quarter. Try the local sweet called revani before heading to Vergina (ancient Aegae), the first capital of Ancient Macedonia. Tour the newly opened Nea Museum of Aegae to learn about Macedonian history through ancient weapons, pottery, and jewelry. After lunch in Vergina Village, you'll enter the Royal Tombs to see funerary monuments and golden treasures of Philip II, Alexander the Great's father.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch stop in Vergina Village)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches in Veria
- Guided tour of Nea Museum of Aegae with focus on Macedonian history and culture
- Visit to Vergina Royal Tombs with funerary monuments of Philip II and golden treasures
Landmarks Veria Nea Museum of Aegae Vergina Royal Tombs - Day 7
Stagira - Mount Athos Cruise
Leave Thessaloniki heading east past the Thermaic Gulf and two important wetland lakes, Koronia and Volvi. Drive through the scenic Castle of Rentina where the tragic poet Euripides spent his final years. Enter the Halkidiki region on beautiful coastal routes and spot small Kapros island. Check out the Acropolis of Ancient Stagira, birthplace of philosopher Aristotle. From Ouranoupolis port, sail south toward the Athos Peninsula viewing 8 monasteries from the boat. You'll return for free time and lunch in Ouranoupolis with views toward the Singitic Gulf and Athos Peninsula.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Free time for lunch in Ouranoupolis with views toward Singitic Gulf, Athos and Sithonia Peninsulas)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Acropolis of Ancient Stagira
- Sailing cruise viewing Mount Athos and 8 monasteries from the sea
- Coastal route exploration through Halkidiki region
Landmarks Lake Koronia Lake Volvi Castle of Rentina Kapros Island Acropolis of Ancient Stagira Ouranoupolis Mount Athos Singitic Gulf Sithonia Peninsula - Day 8
Departure
Transfer to Thessaloniki Makedonia Airport for your departure flight.
- End point
- Thessaloniki International Airport Makedonia (SKG) Διεθνής Αερολιμένας Θεσσαλονίκης Μακεδονία, Λεωφ. Αεροδρομίου, Neon Ryssion, Central Macedonia 570 00, Greece (Departure transfer)
