Top 10 things to do around Thessaloniki

Top 10 things to do around Thessaloniki

Sandy beaches of Thermaicos

Just a breath away from Thessaloniki, you can find irresistible blues. Choose among "potamos", "fanari", "agelaradiko", "Aggelochori ", "Aghia Triada" , Baxe Beach" or "Perea". In dozens of taverns, literally on the beach, you can enjoy fresh seafood and traditional dishes accompanied by excellent local wine and raki made by local producers in the traditional way, born and transferred from generation to generation.

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Lake Kerkini National Park

In the North‑West part of Serres perfecture, about 100km from Thessaloniki , the National Park of Lake Kerkini awaits you. With the Kroussia Mountain range to the west and Mt. Beles to the north, Lake Kerkini is an ideal destination for nature and physical activity lovers. During your visit, don’t miss the chance to participate in various outdoor activities that will refresh your mind and soothe your soul. Be sure that you take a break and taste the Lucullian meals at local villages followed by sweets made with buffalo milk.

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The dam of Thermi

From the southeastern shores of Thermaikos to the mountain range of Chortiatis and Holomontas, the municipality of Thermi can be the ideal getaway for those who search to explore unknown corners of special natural beauty. Head for the dam of Thermi. With its artificial lake, the dam of Thermi (Fragma Thermis) is an oasis of coolness for the locals. Walk among lush pine trees, discover paths and trails, take a deep breath and feel the brisk forest air fill your lungs. From there you can follow the marked path of Vathilakkos that will lead you to Platanakia in Panorama.

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Mt Olympus

It’s the imposing mountain of Gods; the 70 kms of unspoilt, sandy beaches; the cosmopolitan environment and the vibrant nightlife; the sporting activities; it’s Pieria that composes the most beautiful picture that every visitor will always keep in his memory. Whether you want the challenge of reaching Greece’s highest peak or fancy exploring some of the hiking paths along the lower slopes, Mt Olympus lives up to its legend as home of the 12 Olympian gods.

 

Halkidiki

They say that nowhere in Greece can boast beaches like those of Halkidiki. The region has the perfect combination of that distinctive Greek light, unspoiled landscapes, colours and fragrances. And the glorious natural setting is complemented by the rich culinary fare of the region and the living religious traditions of its people, manifested in a host of feast days and other ceremonies and rituals. This is a place where all your senses will come to life, whether on the endless expanses of sand of the fashionable, cosmopolitan beaches, or in the intimacy of the many secluded bays and coves. The scent of the pine trees and the salt brine of the sea combine to relax the body and spirit, leaving you at peace to enjoy the grandeur of the regions famed sunrises and sunsets.

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The western side of the coastal front

Just a few kilometers away from the beating heart of Thessaloniki, there is an unknown to many, extensive wetland, natural ecosystem of spectacular natural beauty, integrated in the Natura 2000 areas. The area of ​​Kalochori is the "gate" to the protected area from Thessaloniki. Starting from the Kalochori Lagoon and the estuary of the Gallikos River that hosts the water buffalo, enjoy a 28 km coastal route to the estuary of the Axios Delta, where wildlife declares its presence. Here, we meet the authentic beauty of the west side of the coastal zone of Thessaloniki.

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Ancient Dion

At the foothills of Mt Olympus there is the ancient Dion, sacred town of the Macedonians where at the shrine of Olympian Zeus, Alexander the Great offered magnificent sacrifices before starting his campaign in Asia. The city of Dion, the ancient theater of the Hellenistic period, the Roman theater, the walls, large baths, the villa of Dionysus, the necropolis, the sanctuaries of Zeus, Demeter and Isis and the Archaeological Museum are included in the archaeological site of Dion and can be visited.

 

Vergina

Aigai, located in the place of the current Vergina, is the first city of the Macedonians and the core of the ancient Kingdom. The place where for more than three centuries reigned the family of Philip II and Alexander the Great. Here Alexander was proclaimed king and decided to start in the spring of 334 BC his great campaign that sealed the fate of the ancient world. The archaeological site with the Royal Tombs Museum is an impressive underground construction which is externally in the form of an earth mound and is listed as UNESCO World Heritage site with huge radiation.

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Pozar Thermal Baths

At the foot of Mt Kaimaktsalan, the Pozar Thermal Springs is an ideal destination for those who want to combine contact with nature, relaxation and the benefits of hydrotherapy. In the historic district of Pella, the capital of the Ancient Greek Kingdom of Macedonia, the beauty of Greek nature will add to your desire for wellness.

 

Monasteries of Meteora

Meteora offer a unique perspective of nature’s grandeur in conjunction with history, architecture, and man’s everlasting desire to connect with the Divine. The area today is the largest archaeological site of Greece in terms of the area that it covers. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989 and an official holy place for Greece since 1995. A vast complex of giant rock pillars with monasteries made on the picks of the sandstone cliffs centuries ago creates a truly surreal landscape found nowhere else in the world!

 

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