The 8 Best & Easiest Day Trips From Thessaloniki
Amazing Day Trips From Thessaloniki For Everyone!
Thessaloniki, Greece’s vibrant second-largest city, is not only a treasure trove of history, culture, and culinary delights but also a perfect gateway to explore the diverse landscapes and attractions of northern Greece.
Whether you’re a nature lover, history buff, or adventure seeker, the surrounding areas offer a variety of captivating day trips from Thessaloniki that promise unforgettable experiences.
Here are eight of the best and easiest day trips to take, including the stunning site of Meteora, the majestic Mount Olympus, the magnificent peninsulas of Chalkidiki, and more!
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1. Meteora
Recommended by me
Renowned for its surreal rock formations topped with ancient monasteries, Meteora is one of the most stunning landmarks in Greece and a popular destination for day trips from Thessaloniki.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is located a 3-hour drive away and the easiest to reach via car or guided bus tour from Thessaloniki.
At Meteora, you can explore six active monasteries, each offering unique historical and architectural insights.
Highlights include the Great Meteoron Monastery, the largest and oldest, and the Monastery of Holy Trinity, known for its stunning views and role in the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Only.”
Entrance fees are modest, typically around €3 per monastery.
Make sure to wear appropriate clothes: long pants for men and skirts for women. Don’t worry if you’re not dressed properly, skirts are provided at the entrance.
The area also offers various hiking trails and viewpoints that provide spectacular views of the monasteries and the surrounding landscape.
Recommended Experience:
Full-day bus trip to Meteora from Thessaloniki 🚌
2. Mount Olympus
Recommended by me
Mount Olympus, an iconic symbol of ancient Greek mythology, is another great day trip destination from Thessaloniki, located about 100 kilometers to the southwest.
This majestic mountain is Greece’s highest peak, standing at 2,917 meters. It is part of the Olympus National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve renowned for its biodiversity, including rare flora and fauna.
You can explore numerous hiking paths, some leading to stunning waterfalls and caves, such as the Enipeas Gorge.
For those not keen on hiking, the area also offers picturesque villages like Dion, where you can visit ancient ruins and archaeological sites.
Getting to Mount Olympus from Thessaloniki is pretty straightforward.
You can drive via the E75 highway, which takes about 1.5 hours, or take a train or bus to Litochoro, a charming town at the foot of the mountain. From Litochoro, various trails lead into the national park, catering to different levels of hiking experience.
Alternatively, you can opt for a tour combining the Archaeological Park of Dion and Mount Olympus.
Tours you might find interesting:
3. Pozar Thermal Baths
Recommended by me
Around 110 km northwest of Thessaloniki lies the town of Loutraki Aridaias which is home to the Pozar Thermal Baths.
The Pozar Thermal Baths are popular for their therapeutic hot springs, naturally heated to a soothing 37°C (98.6°F).
You can enjoy the rejuvenating effects of the warm waters in both outdoor and indoor pools while being surrounded by the stunning backdrop of the Macedonian landscape.
The complex also offers private baths for those seeking a more intimate experience, along with wellness facilities such as saunas and hammams.
Entrance fees are quite affordable, typically around €3–5 per person for the public pools, while private baths can cost around €15 for a 30-minute session.
Apart from the baths, the area boasts hiking trails, waterfalls, and the scenic Agios Nikolaos canyon, perfect for exploring before or after your soak.
The journey to Loutraki Aridaias takes around 1.5–2 hours by car and the easiest route is via the E90 highway, leading you through picturesque landscapes.
Traveling by train or bus requires some additional transfer in Edessa increasing the total travel time to between 2–3 hours.
Moreover, you can join a guided tour to the Pozar Thermal Baths & Edessa from Thessaloniki.
4. Museum of The Royal Tombs of Aigai
Recommended by me
The Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai, located in Vergina, is another great day trip destination from Thessaloniki.
Situated about 75 kilometers west of the city, the journey by car takes roughly an hour via the Egnatia Odos highway.
Alternatively, you can take a bus or train to Veria and then a short taxi ride to Vergina.
The museum, built around the burial site of the ancient Macedonian kings, offers a fascinating glimpse into Greece’s rich history. Most notably, it houses the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.
Upon entering, you can explore the underground museum, which showcases the royal tombs and an array of artifacts, including exquisite gold jewelry, weapons, and ceremonial items.
The tombs themselves are incredibly well-preserved, offering an insight into ancient burial practices and Macedonian culture.
Entrance fees are €15 for adults, with reduced rates of €8 for students and seniors. The museum is open year-round, with different seasonal opening times. Check the official website for up-to-date opening hours.
Tours you might find interesting:
5. Sithonia
Recommended by Ossama of Awesome Traveler
Sithonia, a peninsula and part of the larger peninsula of Chalkidiki, is 120 km from Thessaloniki, which takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes by car.
Sithonia is especially known for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. One of the best activities to enjoy is horseback riding on a beach, for example, Lagomandra Beach, Sarti Beach, or Kalamitsi Beach.
You can rent a bike to cycle around the Sithonia circuit. There are many places waiting to be discovered and you’ll find lots of great photo opportunities in this area. It’s also possible to rent a mountain bike, so you can discover the isolated parts of Sithonia.
For an even more fun adventure, rent a boat and roam around Diaporos Island in Vourvourou. It’s a beautiful island with rich flora and fauna where you can find good snorkeling spots and discover its marine ecosystem.
Make sure to take a stop at its many isolated beaches for a picnic or swim and stay there until the evening to witness an amazing sunset.
Recommended Experience:
Sithonia beaches & scenic villages tour 🏝️
6. Kassandra
Recommended by Lavina of Continent Hop
It is worth including Thessaloniki on your Europe itinerary as it is one of the most underrated places in Europe.
Once here, plan a day trip to Kassandra Peninsula from Thessaloniki, and you will be in for a day marked by powdery sand beaches such as Possidi Beach, a coastline dotted with beach bars, happening nightlife, and quaint villages.
Reaching Kassandra from Thessaloniki is easy. Buses leave every two hours from the KTEL Chalkidikis bus stop. The regular ticket costs €10.20, and it takes around two hours to go from Thessaloniki to Kassandra.
You can also choose to drive yourself, book a taxi, or opt for a private day trip tour.
Take a leisurely stroll through the charming stone-paved lanes of Athitos village, a place that has preserved traditional Greek charm. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Folklore Museum of Athitos, a treasure trove of local history.
Kallithea village and the picturesque Lake Mavrobara are also must-see sites on the peninsula.
Agia Paraskevi is known for natural thermal springs that are believed to have healing properties. If you visit Thessaloniki in summer, Siviri is the place where the Kassandra Festival will entertain you with cultural performances and art events.
Recommended Experience:
Scuba diving for beginners in Kassandra 🐠
7. Mount Athos
Recommended by Lavina of Continent Hop
Looking for other day trips from Thessaloniki? Start your day early and head to Mount Athos.
You can take a bus to Ouranoupoli, which is around 130 kilometers away from Thessaloniki. The bus ticket is €13.70 per person, and it usually takes a little more than two hours to cover the distance.
Ouranoupoli is known for its historic Byzantine Tower of Prosforion and the ruins of the Monastery of Zygos. From this port, you can take a cruise to Mount Athos.
Keep in mind that Mount Athos is a male-only destination, and female travelers are not allowed on the mountain.
There are several cruise tours that take tourists around Mount Athos to give you a glimpse of the magnificent Monastic Republic of Mount Athos.
Spend some time strolling along the sandy Ouranoupolis beach before heading back to Thessaloniki.
Tours you might find interesting:
8. Kavala
Recommended by Maria of MapAndCamera
Kavala is located approximately 150 km east of Thessaloniki.
The most convenient and fastest way to reach Kavala is by car on the A2 Egnatia Odos highway. The trip will take you 1.5-2 hours, depending on the traffic.
If you don’t have a car or are on a budget, you can take a bus from Thessaloniki to Kavala. Buses run all day between the two towns and the trip takes 2.5-3 hours.
Visit the fortress of Kavala, which sits on a hill above the town. In addition to immersing you in the city’s medieval past, the fortress offers fantastic views of Kavala and the Aegean Sea.
On the way to the fortress, you will pass through Panagia, the old town of Kavala with narrow streets and houses with traditional architecture.
Head to the Ottoman aqueduct, built in the 16th century, and if you like museums, don’t miss the Archaeological Museum. It has artifacts from different eras, from the Neolithic to the Roman period.
When it’s time for a break, sit down at one of the restaurants on the promenade and end the day with a typical Greek dish and a glass of cold white wine as the sun sets over the harbor.
Check out:
16 Best Things to do in Thessaloniki For First-Timers
Where to Stay in Thessaloniki – Elisabeth Boutique Hotel
20 Beautiful & Famous Landmarks in Greece Worth Seeing
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Flights: I prefer using CheapOair to book flights. I often search for “Anywhere” to uncover the best flight deals!
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