5 Days Tour Northern Greece (Thessaloniki & Macedonia)
The White Tower in Thessaloniki city
The tholos of the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia in Delphi
The Church of the Rotonda in Thessaloniki
Statue of the Spartan King Leonidas in Thermopylae
Orthodox church of Saint Paul in Thessaloniki
Main entrance to Ancient Olympia
The Holy Monastery of Varlaam in Meteora
The charm of the city of Thessaloniki is evident in every corner
Aerial view of the valley of Meteora
Treasury of Sifnians in Delphi
The Temple of Apollo in Delphi
Treasury of the Athenians in Delphi
The Ancient Theater of Delphi
Ancient Greek script in Delphi
Explore Northern Greece and visit Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki, Pella and the towns of Macedonia.
Join this unique five day tour where you will be able to explore Northern Greece and its rich history, from the ancient city-states, to the Byzantine Empire and up until modern times. Starting from Athens, the capital of Greece, you will take the scenic route through the plains of Beotia until you reach Delphi, 'the navel of the world', according to ancient Greeks. There you will see the ruins of the great Oracle, before reaching to final destination for the day, Kalambaka. Just a breath away from this cozy town of central Greece, you will find Meteora, an incredible spectacle or massive rock pillars rising up from a valley to form a truly rare sight. On top of the pillars, Byzantine monasteries have stood for centuries, adding yet another layer to the sense of wonder that fills any visitor. Time to head north to Macedonia, the land of Alexander the Great. You will establish your base at Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city and a place that was second only to Istanbul during the Byzantine Empire. Remnants of that era are still about, in the form of architecture, art and archaeological sights. From Thessaloniki, excursions to nearby towns will give you a rare insight on a side of ancient Greek history most visitors don't get the chance to experience.
Starting point: 5, Georgiou Souri, Athens (G.O. Terminal) Starting time: 08:20Itinerary
- Day 1 - Athens to Kalambaka via Thebes, Levadia and Delphi
We will pick you up from select spots in Athens (departure at approx 8:45) and drive through the scenic plains of Beotia, passing by the town of Thebes, which was an important city-state in the Hellenic world, as well as the picturesque village of Arachova. Not long after we'll arrive in Delphi, known the world over for the Oracle which the ancient Greeks used to consult before starting a war campaign. We will visit the archaeological site, which houses the Temple of Apollo, the ancient Theater, the Stadium which hosted the Pythian Games and many different Treasuries from various city-states among many other sites. Afterwards, we will depart for Kalambaka, a cozy town in the heart of Greece, situated right at the foot of the astonishing rock complex of Meteora.
Overnight: Kalambaka
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner - Day 2 - Kalambaka to Thessaloniki and a visit to Meteora
After a fulfilling breakfast, we will head for Meteora, a place of immense religious importance which encapsulates the very meaning of the word numinous.Meteora is a geological marvel since vast, rock pillars rise up from the valley below to create a unique spectacle that is a testament to wonders of nature. On top of the pillars, stand Byzantine Monasteries, build over many decades during the Middle Age, and against adverse conditions. We will visit at least two monasteries and take in the stunning scenery before we bid adieu to Thessaly and proceed through the valley of Tempi to Macedonia, passing in view of the iconic figure of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and home of the 12 Gods of Greek Mythology. We will arrive at Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, where you will have free time to explore the city's nightlife at your own pace.
Overnight: Thessaloniki
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner - Day 3 - Explore Thessaloniki's Byzantine Heritage
Thessaloniki is a city of immense historical importance, serving as one of the most prominent cities of the Byzantine Empire, second only to Constantinople. We will take a walking tour to explore its rich history through a series of monument that highlight the city through various eras. The spirit of Byzantium is ever-present in the architectural style of the many churches decorating Thessaloniki and the Museum of Byzantine Culture can serve as a jumping off point for you to familiarize yourself with it. A visit to the Arch of Galerius and Rotunda will elucidate early Byzantine art and it will immediately become clear why it was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Once you've had your fill of history, you can soak in the modern aspects of the city at your leisure. Make sure to sample as many treats as you can, as the culinary tradition of Northern Greece differs significantly from the rest of the country!
Overnight: Thessaloniki
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner - Day 4 - Explore Macedonia
Time to explore the historical grounds of Macedonia through a series of excursions! We'll start heading west, through beautiful and diverse landscape until we reach the town of Edessa. Picturesque and quaint, Edessa has been a beloved vacation destination for locals due to its waterfalls, which augment its natural beauty. We will then we proceed to the town of Naoussa to visit the School of Aristotle. The Lyceum -as it is better known as- was famous for its Peripatetic school which was established in 334 BCE by the great philosopher Aristotle, and it is a place in which Socrates and Plato taught. Continuing south on the same route we will reach Vergina, or Aigai as it was known during antiquity. There we will visit the museum created in the Great Tumulus, covering the Royal Tombs of Macedonia. This is the house of the astonishing findings in the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander's father, one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century. Close by we'll find the town of Veria, our fourth and final stop for the day. Known as Beroea in biblical times, it is the place where the Apostle Paul taught and it is there that we will find Saint Paul's Bema. Afterwards we'll stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the town's colorful market area. The return to Thessaloniki will be filled with musings about the multitude of diverse destinations your day entailed.
Overnight: Thessaloniki
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner - Day 5 - Visit Pella and Return to Athens
A morning trip to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great's empire is the perfect segue to concluding your trip and saying goodbye to Northern Greece. We will admire the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century B.C. villas, in situ as well as in the Archaeological Museum of Pella. On our way back we will stop at the Archaeological Park of Dion on the foot of Mount Olympus. A religious center for Macedonians during antiquity, Dion eventually developed into an ancient Greek city of its own. Continuing our drive back to Athens, through the plains of Thessaly, we will pass by Thermopylae, where you will have the chance to see the Leonidas' monument, before arriving in the capital late in the afternoon.
Overnight: -
Meals: Breakfast
Important notes
- This tour includes a complimentary pick-up / drop-off service from / to your hotel or other predefined spots in Athens and surrounding areas. Maximum duration of this service to gather / distribute tour participants is approximately 1 hour. Thus, pick-up time may vary for each guest and will be provided during the booking process.
- Clients staying at the coast will depart for their hotels, from G.O. terminal around 19:30hrs.
- Appropriate clothing is required to visit the Monasteries. Long skirts below the knees for the ladies and long trousers for the gentlemen. The monasteries, also, provide long skirts before every entrance. The ladies can choose and wear a long skirt over their clothing, during the tour, and return it, prior to their departure.
- The tour is implemented only in English.
