The 12 Best Day Trips from Thessaloniki

1.Pozar Thermal Baths and Edessa Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,243 reviews · 10 hours · from $58Our pick

Leave Thessaloniki for Pozar’s warm mountain springs, with about two hours to bathe and explore. Stop for Greek lunch in Orma, then visit Edessa’s waterfalls. English-speaking guides such as Eleni, George, and Eva add history and practical help during the long but comfortable day.

“Amazing unique experience. Breathtaking views at the Edessa waterfalls, pozar natural baths were very relaxing and in the beautiful surroundings and the lunch at the local village was delicious and authentic. The travel guide was very knowledgeable and made the day very pleasant and interesting.”

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2.Day Trip to Dion and Mount Olympus Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,046 reviews · 10 hours · from $58

Spend 10 hours with an English-speaking guide such as Eva, Sisi, or Giannis, combining an easy but sometimes steep Agia Kori walk, a swim beneath Mount Olympus, ancient Dion, the park information center, and lunch in Litochoro.

“Konstandina_perfect guide. re improvement i think the road in Olimous park is not rrally easy. though enjoyable. but the level of difficulty musymt be stated. Dmirri verj good driver:) thank to both”

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3.Vergina and Pella Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 673 reviews · 8.5 hours · from $58

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Thessaloniki to Pella and Vergina with an English-speaking guide. See Alexander the Great’s ancient capital, Philip II’s royal tombs, golden grave goods, Macedonian weapons, and two modern museums. Allow €40 for site admission and bring cash.

“The trip was exactly as described. The only improvement is if it could include the palace above Vergina but there was insufficient time and even giving up lunch was unlikely to give time to walk around the excavated foundations. I liked that we were given a general description by the guide then time to ourselves, and Yiannis was happy to answer questions”

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4.Full-Day Trip to Meteora from Thessaloniki

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 542 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $59

Travel from central Thessaloniki to Meteora in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking escort such as Eleni, Eva, or Konstantina. Visit two monasteries, stop at superb viewpoints, eat lunch in Kastraki, and return the same day. Expect a long ride, stairs, strict dress rules, and extra cash costs.

“It's was an amazing tour. I was very impressed by Meteors! Eleni was a wonderful and very friendly tour guide. I only wish we could spend more time in monasteries. Thank you Ammon tours!”

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5.Full Day Trip to Meteora

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 184 reviews · from $63

Travel from Thessaloniki to Meteora by air-conditioned bus, visit two cliff-top monasteries with an English-speaking guide, enjoy free time in Kalambaka, and return the same day. Guides such as Dimitra, Julia, and Francisca have received praise for clear explanations of the area’s faith, geology, and history.

“I travel a lot, and often take day trips, but this one was one of my best experiences. Julia and Androniki are well informed, and very professional guides, and Vasilis is a great driver. I will warmly recommend this Meteora day trip to everyone!”

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6.Private Day Trip to Kerkini Lake

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 120 reviews · 8 hours

Travel from Thessaloniki to Lake Kerkini in a private group of up to eight. With guides such as Nikos or Jannis, you will watch pelicans and flamingos, visit buffalo near the lake, take an optional boat ride, and eat in Vironia village.

“This day trip was absolutley fantastic! The place was gorgeous and we were able to see a great variety of animals. Our guide Nikolas was very passionate about birds and all the informarmation he was giving us, which made the whole experience even better. We truly raccomend going to Kerkini lake!”

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7.Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 10 hours Top rated

You’ll travel privately from Thessaloniki to Meteora in a small group of up to eight, with hotel pickup, Wi-Fi, water, monastery visits, photo stops, and time in Kalabaka. Drivers such as Yannis, George, and Constantinos are praised for safe driving and flexible local guidance.

“Our driver/guide, Constantinos picked us up from the cruise port and took us to Meteora for the day. It is a lovely my drive, < 2 hours each way. We were on a Thursday in February which meant the 1st famous Monastery, was closed. We went to several others nearby for the same experience. Constantinos escorted us up each monastery and ensured we saw everything. If you don’t like heights, or have difficulty climbing steps don’t go. The car was a new Skoda, which was acceptable but not as nice as other recent tour, thus less stars for the vehicle. It was an old expensive day compared to tours thus…”

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8.Kavala, Philippi, and Beach Full Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 85 reviews · 10 hours · from $46Best value

Travel from Thessaloniki to Philippi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then pause for a two-hour swim near Kavala before exploring Panagia and Kavala Castle. An English-speaking guide such as Georgios or Constantina adds historical context, while free time lets you set your own pace.

“Visiting the archaeological ruins of Philippi and the other sites was SPECTACULAR. Constantina was very friendly and Dimitris did a good job driving us there and back. Excellent plan!”

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9.Day Trip to Dion, Litochoro &Mount Olympus

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 45 reviews · from $68

Travel from Thessaloniki with an English-speaking guide such as Dimitra to Ancient Dion, its museum, the Enipeas Gorge, and Litochoro. Expect archaeology, mountain views, and a 40 to 60-minute walk, with entrance fees and lunch extra.

“Very interesting tour and Dimitra was absolutely a perfect guide.”

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10.Aigai Royal Tombs & Pella Museum Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 40 reviews · 5 hours · from $129

Travel from Thessaloniki to Aigai’s Royal Tombs and ancient Pella in a private car or van. Alexandros often leads the drive, adding vivid stories about Philip II and Alexander the Great. Expect about five hours, small groups of up to eight, walking, and €20 in entrance fees beyond the $129 price.

“Most interesting visit! The museums of Pella and royal tombs were AMAZING. Our driver/guide Alexander was extremely well versed on the subject and made this visit all the more fascinating. We highly recommend! Can’t imagine being in the area and not seeing these sites.”

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11.Meteora Small Group Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 9 hours · from $176

Travel from Thessaloniki to Meteora with a small group of up to six people. Visit Great Meteoron and a second monastery, stop at photo viewpoints, hear local stories from guides such as Tassos, Sotiris, and Anastasis, and pause in Kalambaka for a drink or snack.

“Our guide Anastasis was excellent. Very knowledgeable and easy to understand. He even went above and beyond the expected service to plan a surprise for a guest’s birthday. Thank you for the enjoyable trip. It was a pleasure meeting you. The pick up and drop off from the hotel was very convenient. Meteora is a must visit place for its wonderful landscape and beautiful details of the monasteries.”

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12.Pella and Vergina Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 8 hours

Take a private eight-hour trip from Thessaloniki to Pella and Vergina with an English or Greek-speaking driver. You’ll see Pella’s mosaics and museum, Philip II’s royal tombs, and Aristotle’s School. Guides such as Athanasia or Patty may be added, but entrance fees are separate.

“This was an excellent trip. The driver was very helpful and went out of his way to be sure that we saw everything and that we were safe and comfortable. For history buffs this is a great trip. The cost for it to be a private trip for the two of us was worth it.”

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