Thessaloniki and Northern Greece: The Macedonian steps
Duration
8 days
Airports
Arrival and Departure: Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia
Transportation
Plane and rental car
An 8-day trip to Thessaloniki and northern Greece, the least known region, but with great historical and cultural importance in the country.
The city of Thessaloniki is named after the sister of Alexander the Great and wife of its founder, Cassander of Macedonia. It was founded in 315 a. C. and is the second largest city in Greece. Thessaloniki has always been a crossroads of civilizations, a place where the East meets the West and where great cultures and religions have been mixed. The entire city is an open-air museum and was one of the first centers of Christianity.
The importance of Thessaloniki in the past can be understood considering that fifteen of its Paleocristian and Byzantine churches and monuments have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites. The mosaics of the Rotunda, the church of Saint Dimitrios and Saint David of Thessaloniki are among the most important masterpieces of paleo-Christian art.
Thessaloniki today is a modern city, elegant and vibrant, its people are hospitable and very lively. Visitors to Thessaloniki fall in love with the city and Greek traditions. The compact size of the city and the proximity to the main attractions make Thessaloniki an ideal destination to relax, have fun and know the melting pot of cultures of this charming city and its surroundings, the main cities of the Macedonian kingdom, homeland of Alexander the Great.
Discover Thessaloniki in the most authentic way, specially selected by the trip designers of Trip Tailors. A truly unforgettable travel experience that will make you fall in love with the second largest city in Greece.
A truly inspiring 8-day journey following the ways of the Macedonians. Departing from Thessaloniki, you will head to Kavala and the archaeological site of Philippi, then continue to Vergina and Pella. The trip will take you to Meteora, the spiritual center of Greece! and then you will have plenty of time to explore Thessaloniki's treasures, both cultural and culinary!
By Trip Tailors
This trip can be adjusted to your specific needs. Fill out the contact form with the travel dates, your budget, number of travelers and anything else you consider essential for us in order to send you our personalized proposal.
- ITINERARY
Your steps
1
Thessaloniki - Kavala
2
Kavala - Philippi
3
Thessaloniki - Pella - Vergina - Thessaloniki
4
Veroia - Meteora
5
Thessaloniki
DAY 1
Thessaloniki - Kavala
Welcome to Greece! Arrival at Thessaloniki airport, pick up of the rental car and departure to the city of Kavala.
Accommodation: Kavala
DAY 2
Kavala - Philippi
Breakfast in Kavala and departure to Philippi, the ancient Crenides built by Philip II of Macedonia.
The impressive ancient theatre, dating from the Hellenistic period, hosts theatrical performances at the Philippi Festival each summer.
During Roman times, in 42 a. C., the Greek city became the battlefield when the democratic forces of Brutus and Cassius clashed with Marco Antonio, Octavio (later Caesar Augustus, the first Roman emperor) and Lepidus. The democrats lose, their leaders commit suicide, and thus begins the imperial period for Rome.
Nearly a century later, in AD 49, Saint Paul founded the first Christian church in Europe here. The early Christian monuments of Philippi are among the best preserved monuments of this type and from this historical period anywhere in the world.
Declared Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, the archaeological site contains archaeological remains: the Roman forum, Via Egnatia, the two basilicas, the octagonal temple and the cistern where, according to tradition, Saint Paul was imprisoned.
We continue to the city of Kavala, the ancient Neapolis, the port in which Saint Paul disembarked for the first time upon his arrival in Greece.
Accommodation: Kavala
DAY 3
Thessaloniki - Pella - Vergina - Thessaloniki
Departure from Kavala to Pella, as the capital of the Macedonian Kingdom, Pella was the habitual residence of the King, who had his Palace there.
Other buildings in the Macedonian city were the Sanctuary of Hercules, the meeting place of the Macedonian council (Sinedrion) and also the Bulefterion where the council met (Vouli). It was the capital of the Macedonian Empire. In it, Euripides premiered his last play and Aristotle taught his classes to Alexander the Great, born like his father Philip II, in this city. In the enclosure we will visit the blocks of buildings that were found after important excavations and in its museum we will see, among other finds, some fine pebble mosaics.
Next, we head to Vergina, one of the most important archaeological finds in Greece. It is a series of burial chambers belonging to Philip II, King of Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great, and various members of the royal family. One of the 3 tombs was intact, with all the grave goods and many other objects, in addition to the burials themselves. At present this tomb is considered the greatest treasure of antiquity after that of Tutankhamen and that of the Lord of Sipán. All the objects of the grave goods are in the original place of the tomb, in the Archaeological Museum of Vergina. After Vergina's visit we leave for Veroia.
Accommodation: Veroia
DAY 4
Veroia - Meteora
Breakfast at the hotel in Veroia and departure to the South and the Meteora area.
Meteora is one of the most unique sites on the planet. Meteora is a Greek word that means «rocks in the air», and it refers to a group of sandstone cliffs that originated under the sea 30 million years ago. These amazing historical structures were discovered as they sank below sea level. The monasteries are constructed into these rocks. Six of them are currently open to the public.
Accommodation: Meteora
DAY 5
Meteora - Dion
After visiting the Monasteries, the trip continues to the archaeological park of Dion at the foot of Mount Olympus.
Dion was the preeminent holy city of the Macedonians and the sacred place of Zeus (Dias in Greek). It reached great prosperity during Hellenistic times and also in Roman times, as it was one of the first Roman colonies in the Macedonian area. For the ancient Macedonian kings, Dion was their summer residence.
In the afternoon, back in Thessaloniki and delivery of your rental car.
Accommodation Thessaloniki
DAY 6
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki city tour. The city is a melting pot of cultures, an open-air museum where, among other things, you can visit Roman remains, Byzantine churches, markets and the promenade.
Accommodation: Thessaloniki
DAY 7
Thessaloniki
Full day in Thessaloniki to continue with the visit of the city.
Full day in Thessaloniki to continue with the visit of the city.
Accommodation Thessaloniki
DAY 8
Thessaloniki
Breakfast and at the appointed time transfer to Thessaloniki airport to board your return flight.
