When planning your vacation in Thessaloniki , chances are you’d want to take some day trips as well. There are several nice places located close to Thessaloniki and which can be easily reached by bus or ferry.

Kavala

Kavala is a major port city in Northern Greece. It can be reached Thessaloniki by bus. The city has a long history having been built in the 6th century BC. The Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras all left a print on the city’s history and buildings. The Old Town is an incredible site to visit while the panoramic views towards the port are just breathtaking.

If your time (and budget) allows it, you might consider spending several days here in order to explore the beautiful sites. Plus you can also plan for a day trip to the near-by island of Thassos.

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Meteora

Visiting the monasteries perched atop the cliffs in Meteora is a very popular day trip among tourists. If you want to do it on your own, you need to get to Trikala first. The ride takes about 3 hours and there are 6 buses each day from Thessaloniki. Then you need to catch a bus to Kalambaka, which is a village located at the base of Meteora. That’s another 30 min drive. Make sure to check the timetables before planning your day. There are buses every ½ hour from Trikala to Kalambaka and they run until late at night.

Meteora is famous for the monasteries located on top of the hills. The views are breathtaking and learning about the Orthodox monastic life is interesting, as well.

Climbing is also possible here, whether you are a beginner or an advanced climber. Do book a climbing tour though and don’t attempt to go on your own.

>> more information on Getting from Thessaloniki to Meteora

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Vergina – the Archaeological Site of Aigai

Vergina, a small town located at just 90 km from Thessaloniki, suddenly became famous when a Greek archeologist discovered the burial site of the kings of Macedon, including what he claimed to be the tomb of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great.

Currently, the Archaeological Site of Aigai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and comprises a museum built to protect the tombs and the archeological finds.

There are buses from Thessaloniki to either Veroia (13 km from the site) or Vergina. Do check the schedule before planning your day trip.

Edessa waterfalls, Pella

Located at just 1 ½ hrs by bus from Thessaloniki, the Edessa waterfalls are the most spectacular in the entire country. You can walk beneath the waterfalls, enjoy the views from the bridge over the big waterfall, check out the “Pools” and visit the waterfall park.

If you get hungry, don’t worry as there is a restaurant within the park as well. All tours are on foot but the hike is not challenging.

There are buses available from Thessaloniki. Make sure to check the schedule before planning your day.

The beaches of Halkidiki

The beaches of Halkidiki are famous mostly among European travelers. There are plenty of small resorts here which offer incredible places to stay and eat for excellent prices. The Halkidiki beaches spread over quite a large area. The best beaches are in the Mount Athos peninsula but, unfortunately, these are not available to public.

Other incredible beaches are located on the Cassandra and Sithonia peninsulas making it a little hard to choose where to head if you are not planning to stay here longer than a day. Fourka is located at only 105 km from Thessaloniki which makes it a good choice if your time is limited. There are buses available but you need to check the schedule before planning your day.

>>more information on Getting to Halkidiki

Mount Olympus

Located at just 100 km from Thessaloniki, Mount Olympus is a great day trip choice for those who want to explore the nature. Known as the place where the Greek Gods reside, Mount Olympus is home to several endemic species. Hiking here allows the traveler to discover incredible sights, as well as colorful flora. If you plan to climb the mountain, you should know that the road starts in the town of Litochoro, also known as the “City of Gods”.