Top 5 Thessaloniki Day Trips: Explore Greece
Thessaloniki, a city that just happens to brim with history and culture, very naturally makes a remarkable base for excursions. If you are there, and want to explore beyond its urban landscape, you’ll find that there’s actually a bunch of alluring day trip options close by. That’s right! From golden beaches and ancient ruins to really stunning natural wonders, the region around Thessaloniki totally has things for every traveler. You could be into soaking up the sun, very interested in uncovering Greece’s long story, or perhaps in search of some magnificent scenery; these five day trips should really give you a bit of something. So, lets uncover some cool adventures around Thessaloniki!
1. Halkidiki: Beaches and Blue Waters
Halkidiki, that popular three-fingered peninsula stretching into the Aegean Sea, definitely offers some of the most incredible beaches in Greece. So, if you just want some time on the sand, or to paddle in crystal waters, it might be ideal. Each of the three peninsulas – Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos – tends to boast a uniquely different atmosphere. That’s the interesting thing about it. Kassandra, actually the most developed of the three, often provides lively resorts and just a whole bunch of buzzing beach bars. You can try some other places, but it is like that. Sithonia, rather known for its untouched landscapes and secluded bays, typically appeals to those looking for a more relaxed escape. Mount Athos, a monastic state, actually offers something different. That’s right. Very known for its really spiritual vibe and amazing natural surroundings, you need special permission to visit. Though only men are permitted on its hallowed ground, cruises around the peninsula generally offer views of the monasteries clinging to the coastline. Anyway, Halkidiki’s beaches, like really famous Sani Beach and actually the more secluded Kavourotripes, usually cater to different tastes. Very naturally, this is a really good day trip option. Read our full review: Halkidiki Beaches Full Review and Details
Things to Do in Halkidiki:
- Soak up the sun on Kassandra’s lively beaches. So you get to relax.
- Find a secluded cove on Sithonia’s shoreline. Rather an escape.
- Take a cruise around Mount Athos. Just so you can gaze at the monasteries.
- Try the regional dishes at a seaside taverna. Because there’s actually some nice eating.
- Get active with some water sports. Anyway you might find something cool.
Travel Tip: Getting to Halkidiki from Thessaloniki is so easy, whether you are going by bus or you decide to rent a car, its accessible for anyone. Public transport is usually accessible and quite efficient. Just so you know. Renting a car is arguably the simplest way to just go around the peninsula. Very naturally, this does usually gives you the freedom to check the out-of-the-way beaches and villages.
2. Vergina: The Royal Tombs
Vergina, you may be interested to know, formerly known as Aigai, tends to hold enormous significance in Greek history as the first capital of the Kingdom of Macedon. So if you love this, that will impress. Today, arguably best known as the location of the Royal Tombs, actually it really includes the tomb of Philip II, Alexander the Great’s father. Apparently, these tombs are exceptionally well conserved. With the archaeological site acting as a very significant UNESCO World Heritage site. Actually a bit of a big deal then. Anyway you can explore the underground museum. You could discover the fabulous grave goods. Very impressive displays of gold wreaths, just incredible armory, and that amazing gold Larnax that just happens to house Philip II’s remains. This trip offers a really attractive window into the lives of the Macedonian royalty, plus this is very good. The town is often fairly quite, giving it actually an inviting place to spend some time to stop for lunch after all your cultural activities. Very inviting for people that are looking to relax a bit. Read our full review: Vergina Royal Tombs Full Review and Details
Things to Do in Vergina:
- Explore the underground museum at the Royal Tombs. Anyway you can learn the local lore.
- Marvel at Philip II’s gold Larnax and burial artifacts. So there’s things to look at.
- Walk around the archaeological site. Typically gives a bit of an amazing backdrop for pictures.
- See the Palace of Aigai ruins. Or some interesting places around there anyway.
- Grab local dishes in Vergina town after discovering and traveling. So you get a taste of Macedonian food.
Travel Tip: Vergina, so you might want to know, is quite accessible by bus from Thessaloniki, yet if you want more flexibility, renting a car could make life easier. When you get there, always get hold of some guided tours or some audio guides that arguably offer good info of the sites importance and its background.
3. Mount Olympus: Home of the Gods
Mount Olympus, very usually wrapped in Greek myths and legends, actually stands as Greece’s tallest mountain, attracting hikers and nature lovers everywhere. That’s right. If that’s your bag, then get yourself up there. That said, the surrounding national park provides just a varied ecosystem of stunning natural beauty that you can check out for sure. So. A bit of a playground. Very popular Olympus has hiking trails for just a bunch of abilities, from short, soft walks at its foothills to more fairly serious climbs to its main peaks. It actually gives people from every walk of life something. Along your trek, you’ll very likely come across great plants, tons of wildlife, plus magnificent views of the local region. So cool, I hear. You know what’s arguably very good after exploring the outdoors? Stop by Litochoro, arguably the gateway town to Mount Olympus. Check its quite traditional charm and sample the local flavors, giving this trip an enticing combination of outdoor adventures and cultural discoveries. A two-fer, some say. Read our full review: Mount Olympus Greece Full Review and Details
Things to Do at Mount Olympus:
- Hike one of the mountains trails. Argly there’s one for everybody.
- Stop and stare at some wildflowers and area wildlife. Enjoy.
- Admire magnificent views as you hike, stopping and taking shots. Really see the world.
- Wander round Litochoro town. You know. So get a bit of history.
- Taste classic Greek foods. Yum.
Travel Tip: Litochoro happens to be fairly easily reached from Thessaloniki by bus or train. Now you know! The actual best time to visit the mountain, anyway so I have heard, is often from late spring to early autumn to often avoid unpleasant weather. You can also arrange hikes from one of the many tourist offices in Litochoro so be certain to find what suites you. What suites you and not that suit…nevermind. Also make sure to often have enough gear, very sound footwear, and many litres of fluids, as conditions found within mountain regions might sometimes vary swiftly.
4. Meteora: Monasteries in the Sky
Meteora, arguably showcasing really breath taking scenery, usually features age-old monasteries on high rock cliffs. Very naturally, that means that’s going to draw people in. Now, the term “Meteora” tends to literally mean “suspended in the air.” Typically fitting! Because the monasteries are definitely high on rock structures. Usually thought of to have very first been built in the 14th century, these clifftop havens just provided religious monks someplace quite safe amid a backdrop of societal problems. Anyway of the twenty-four or so main monasteries, just six remain accessible now, actually accepting site visitors. When you visit, there will be many views with just exceptional artistic displays and that calming ambience. A treat for everybody there and then. Now I would mention, if there is a location around to which takes only more or less a 2 1/2 to 3-hour travel by road away from Thessaloniki that’s definitely worth going to, then surely it has to generally be the wonderful geological spot of the Meteora monasteries. Read our full review: Meteora Monasteries Full Review and Details
Things to Do in Meteora:
- Check some great clifftop monasteries and get amazing looks from the location. Basically be in awe.
- See Byzantine art inside places and get a little education while you are at it. Education that is awesome and actually useful, anyway!
- Trek near the rock pillars that looks great around dusk to see it. Actually stunning at night.
- Just drop into the village near Kalambaka for your lunch. Mmmm.
Travel Tip: In the event that going from Thessaloniki for this site on each day can sometimes be challenging you might go there simply through either booking in the day trips offered through your area that you are located at to. When exploring these religious landmarks don many outfits in some ways to simply respect, and simply dress in or bring that sort of clothing for being modest for certain events.
5. Edessa: City of Waterfalls
Edessa, really rather less crowded in comparison to common places I am talking about on right now, actually draws individuals utilizing the special component the community owns this amazing waterfalls. Right. This wonderful area used that will serve quite greatly at Ottoman principle actually providing its very very own historical location plus magnificent perspectives really simply from this region’s waterfall on top of one which actually may make this simply exceptional towards this destination. Any place quite most remarkable usually has for you this actually becoming a big and also wonderful flow inside you might even take that you’ll find yourself in really a lot for that, which might be particularly very enjoyable and really enjoyable plus a really awesome experience. What is really amazing too with most this location will actually come for folks which definitely take into account or will be needing of taking time for the time which in the most well regarded neighborhood location; be certain you can actually simply appreciate to simply explore nearby there just. Take a little wander so! Take a good break after your trek right onto standard and local place or spots over to the area as. Right you will not have nearly really whatever thing of really simply simply just wasting to travel to that fantastic town within place to actually that place I would be sure it that usually takes you. Read our full review: Edessa Waterfalls Full Review and Details
Things to Do in Edessa:
- Look at The view on of water and so so just for people who like looking it really good in the sight; It doesn’t stop with this place right but they would find also much pleasure so.
- Wander some part from a section’s and even on by to The old place here and also be familiar the of very long years ago so this for them.
- Try new and a very common cuisine so! That should give all in that destination an chance just be aware that actually the way that their just community may.
Travel Tip: Making to that place usually easy and really just just so straight by either or not any public ones the means which are quite less or sometimes and in contrast driving you. But always you make plans what season to arrive to what so and often a good season mostly arrives sometimes just through warm period.