The peninsula of Halkidiki is one of the most popular holiday destinations in mainland Greece. The reason is not only the endless beaches and variety of resort towns, but also the convenient location. From Halkidiki you can make excursions to the most iconic sights of Greece, that will fill the trip with unforgettable impressions.

Thessaloniki

From Chalkidiki, you can easily get to Thessaloniki - the second largest city in Greece. Here everyone will find something for themselves, whether it is the architectural heritage of different eras, shopping or leisurely walks along the promenade. There are several types of excursions:

  • A sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki is an ideal option for a first acquaintance with the city. As part of the tour, you will be able to visit Ano Poli (the old area with fortress walls), from the height of which panoramic views open; the temple of St. Demetrius; the embankment with the White Tower - the symbol of Thessaloniki. In your free time, you can buy souvenirs and walk around the city to see the Rotunda, the Roman Forum, Aristotle's Square, St. Sophia and the Arch of Galerius;
    Ano Poly Thessaloniki
    Agios Dimitrios Thessaloniki
    Thessaloniki seafront
    Rotunda in Thessaloniki
    Roman Forum in Thessaloniki
    Attractions Thessaloniki
  • A one-day pilgrimage to the churches of Thessaloniki is an opportunity to get to know the Orthodox heritage of the northern capital of Greece. In addition to the temple of St. Demetrius, the excursion program includes a visit to several monasteries in Thessaloniki and the surrounding area.

Do not forget about thematic excursions dedicated to the gastronomic secrets of the city, Thessaloniki during the Ottoman Empire and the Jewish pages of its history.

Travel time: depending on the remoteness of the resort in Halkidiki - from 40 minutes to 2.5 hours.
What to wear: comfortable shoes, appropriate dress code for visiting holy sites.
What to bring: money for lunch and souvenirs, a bottle of water.

Excavations in Thessaloniki
Embankment and sunset in Thessaloniki
Ladadika, Thessaloniki
Streets of Thessaloniki
View of Thessaloniki
Streets of Thessaloniki

Aridea and Edessa

A trip to Edessa and Aridea is a rest with benefits for body and soul. This tour is suitable for lovers of natural beauty and those who want to experience the power of the thermal springs of Greece. Since ancient times, the waters of Aridea have been considered healing. According to the legend, the soldiers of Alexander the Great healed their wounds in them. The water of the springs is famous for its strong therapeutic properties and is favorable for the treatment of diseases of the joints and the nervous system. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to swim in the outdoor pools, surrounded by lush forests and ancient caves.

Aridea springs
Loutra Pozar Springs
Loutra Pozar waterfalls
Large swimming pool in Aridea

A mandatory point of the excursion is a stop in the charming city of Edessa. It attracts with cascades of waterfalls. The largest of them is Koranos, whose history goes back 600 years. The waterfall is equipped with viewing platforms and benches for relaxation and contemplation. Another attraction of Edessa is the old district of Varos, where you can admire the traditional architecture of the city.

Travel time: 2-3 hours
What to wear: comfortable light clothing and comfortable shoes
What to bring: Sunscreen, swimwear, beach towel, money for a lunch and souvenirs

Edessa waterfall
Waterfall in Edessa
Waterfall park in Edessa
Waterfall in Edessa

Olympus and Dion

The whole history of Greece is permeated with myths about the gods. Therefore, many visitors to the country are so attracted by Olympus - the habitat of the gods and one of the most beautiful national parks, the nature of which has a special magnetism. From the height of the mountain range, views of the Pierian valley and the sea open up. A trip to Olympus is combined with a visit to the Vergina Museum - a large repository of ancient artifacts, including the golden burial chest of Philip II, a collection of royal jewelry and vessels. A busy sightseeing day ends in Dion. This is an open-air museum that has preserved ancient sanctuaries, the Odeon, Roman baths with mosaics, and the foundations of residential buildings.

Travel time: 3-4.5 hours to the first stop of the tour
What to wear: Loose attire, comfortable shoes
What to bring: a hat, money for entrance tickets and lunch

Archaeological Park of Dion
Tomb in Vergina
River in the Enipea gorge, Olympus
Dion, Vergina and the Paths of Olympus

Pella

Immersion in the history of Macedonia will give an excursion to Pella - the birthplace of Alexander the Great. Archaeological excavations here continued for almost a century, so that the secrets of the ancient city were revealed to visitors. On the territory of Pella, you can see the temples of Aphrodite and Demeter with superbly preserved mosaics. They are made of river pebbles and recreate the plots of Greek mythology. The archaeological complex also includes an agora, ruins of houses and the Archaeological Museum, which houses gold jewelry, vases, statues and mosaics.

Travel time: 1.5-2 hours
What to wear: Loose attire, comfortable shoes
What to take with you: money for entrance tickets, souvenirs and lunch

Archaeological area of Pella
Excavations at Pella, Greece
Pella

Athens

The cradle of European civilization, the city of contrasts and the guardian of the Greek national culture - all this is about Athens, the capital of the country, whose history goes back to ancient times. From Halkidiki, two-day excursions to Athens are conducted. During this time, you will see the maximum of the Athenian heritage and everything that Greece is famous for: the Acropolis with the Parthenon and the Erechtheion, the temple of Olympian Zeus, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Panathinaikos stadium and the process of changing the guard at the Parliament building, and then enjoy a walk along Plaka - the oldest area of the city. In your free time, you can independently visit the Acropolis Museum, whose collection is recognized as one of the largest in the world.

Parthenon on the Acropolis
Parthenon, Acropolis
Parthenon in Athens
Parthenon on the Acropolis

Travel time: 6-8 hours in Athens
What to wear: Comfortable and loose clothing, hat, comfortable shoes
What to take with you: money for entrance tickets, food and souvenirs, sunscreen, passport (if the tour is two days and you plan to check into a hotel)

Please note: the tour from Halkidiki to Athens is quite exhausting and not suitable for small children.

Plaka, Athens
Plaka, Athens
Streets of Athens
Excavations in Athens
Athens city center
Streets of Athens

Meteora

The classic route from Chalkidiki is to the Meteora monasteries. The complex is recognized as a UNESCO heritage site, and the rocks on which it is built are a geological wonder of Greece. For centuries, Meteora has been the habitat of monks who have decided to voluntarily give up the blessings of civilization and devote their lives to serving God. The monastery complex consists of six monasteries. As part of the tour, tourists usually visit 1-2 of them, where they get acquainted with church relics and inspect the "stone forest" of rocks from the observation deck.

Travel time : 4-4.5 hours
What to wear: closed clothes, comfortable shoes, hat
What to take with you: money for entrance tickets, souvenirs and food.

Meteora Monastery
Meteora Monastery
Rocks in Meteora
View in Meteora
Meteora Rocks