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Things to do in Central Macedonia

Our most recommended things to do in Central Macedonia

From Thessaloniki: Pozar Thermal Baths and Edessa Day Trip

1. From Thessaloniki: Pozar Thermal Baths and Edessa Day Trip

Depart Thessaloniki and journey to the natural hot springs of Pozar Thermal Baths to relax in the healing waters while nature and Mount Voras provide a stunning backdrop. Benefit from the healing properties of water naturally heated to a temperature of 37° Celsius. Known for its amazing taste, the water is said also said to help with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions, poor circulation, respiratory problems, and kidney disease, including kidney stones. Enjoy lunch at a pretty village next to Pozar and taste the traditional flavors of Greece. Visit the local market and marvel at the goods on display. Continue to the city of Edessa, famed as the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedon. Get some free time to visit the spectacular waterfalls before returning to Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki: Full-Day Bus Trip to Meteora

2. Thessaloniki: Full-Day Bus Trip to Meteora

Embark on a full-day bus trip to Meteora from Thessaloniki. Explore this UNESCO world heritage site and admire the unique landscape. Depart Thessaloniki in the morning and journey to the amazing monastery complex of Meteora to visit 2 of the 6 holy monasteries, depending on their operating schedule. Get access to holy sites such as the women's Monastery of Agios Stefanos with its impressive wood-carved iconostasis, or visit the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, perched on the top of a rocky precipice over 400 meters high. Alternatively, discover the tower of the old preserved net at the Monastery of Varlaam, or explore the largest of the monasteries at the Monastery of Great Meteoron. Take in panoramic views of these incredible structures and the stunning landscape. Enjoy a traditional Greek lunch in Kastraki, near the city of Kalampaka, before heading back to Thessaloniki.

Ouranoupoli: Mount Athos Peninsula Sightseeing Cruise

3. Ouranoupoli: Mount Athos Peninsula Sightseeing Cruise

Board a sightseeing boat cruise and explore the southwest side of the Mount Athos peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and important center of Eastern Orthodox monasticism. Marvel at the rugged landscape and be amazed by the legacy of those who, over a thousand years ago, managed to construct these spectacular buildings. During the cruise, see 8 monasteries from a close distance from the boat, including the Holy Monastery of Dochiariou, the Holy Monastery of Xiropotamou and the Holy Monastery of Panteleimonos, amongst several others. Learn about the history of these religious sites from the onboard commentary. Discover more about the restrictions on entering this sacred area, as well as more information about the monastic lives of its inhabitants If you are lucky, you may also spot some dolphins throughout the cruise. Enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of the coastline and the Aegean Sea throughout the journey.

From Thessaloniki: Day Trip to Dion and Mount Olympus

4. From Thessaloniki: Day Trip to Dion and Mount Olympus

Discover the archaeological park of Dion and Mount Olympus on this tour from Thessaloniki. Travel in an airconditioned bus and take a nature hike along the Enipeas river to admire views of the Enipeas gorge.  Depart from a centrally-located meeting point in Thessaloniki and head to the archaeological park of Dion. Take some free time to explore the exterior archaeological site.  Purchase a ticket to the site to see the Hellenistic-era theatre which was known for hosting plays by the ancient philosopher Euripides in the past and now hosts the Olympus Festival. Visit the museum of Dion to see statues and admire mosaic work in of the House of Dionysus. Stop to purchase lunch in one of the traditional restaurants in the village before continuing to Olympus. Uncover the secrets of the mythological house of the 12 Greek gods.  Take a short trek through the foothills of the mountain. Go along the Enipeas gorge and keep any eye out for local wildlife. Capture pictures of mountain views, before going back to Thessaloniki by bus in the afternoon. 

Thessaloniki: OTE Tower Rotating Experience with Light Meal

5. Thessaloniki: OTE Tower Rotating Experience with Light Meal

Visit the top floor of OTE Tower and enjoy the view with a light meal. See the sea and Thessaloniki's landmarks as the tower rotates 360 degrees every hour. Ascend to the top of the OTE Tower and be welcomed to an elegant dining room with panoramic views. Take a seat at your booked table to delight in your food menu. Choose between a glass of wine with a fruit platter, a club sandwich with a beer, or a bottle of wine with a cheese and fruit platter. You can always order more for purchase once seated at your table. Depending on the time slot selected, treat yourself with a view of the sunset, or visit in the evening when there is usually live piano music.

From Athens: Train Trip with Guided Tour to Mount Olympus

6. From Athens: Train Trip with Guided Tour to Mount Olympus

Be one with nature on this trip from Athens to Mount Olympus. Board a train to Katerini and see ancient and historical sites such as the site of Dion, the Platamon Castle, and the Bath of Zeus. Start your day by taking the morning train from Athens to Katerini. Be immersed in a scenic trip through mainland Greece and then meet your guide at the Litochoro station. Head over to the archaeological site of Dion where you will see where the ancient Greeks worshipped the gods of Olympus. Then, go back in time as you visit the grounds of the medieval Platamon Castle and marvel at the magnificent view of the Aegean Sea. Next, explore the natural landscape of Mount Olympus on your way to see the Bath of Zeus, which is found in the gorge of Enipeas. Finally, you will have some free time to discover the village of Litochoro and see the locals' lifestyle before boarding the train that will take you back to Athens.

Mount Athos Glassbottom Cruise with Ammouliani Island visit

7. Mount Athos Glassbottom Cruise with Ammouliani Island visit

Take part in a guided sightseeing cruise around Mount Athos bay in Halkidiki to view the imposing western part of the Holy Mountain Athos in a Glassbottom vessel. On Tuesdays, the tour stops at the center of the village of Ammouliani, while on Thursdays and Sundays, it stops at Alykes beach. After getting the chance to see 6 out of 9 of the local monasteries, take some fantastic photos as your boat passes the gorgeous Drenia islets or Donkey Islands as the locals refer to them.  Explore the majestic island of Ammouliani by stopping there for 1.5 hours where you'll have the opportunity for swimming or to have lunch. 

Vourvourou: Guided Half-Day Kayak Tour in Diaporos Island

8. Vourvourou: Guided Half-Day Kayak Tour in Diaporos Island

Begin your adventure at Mikro Karydi beach in Vourvourou. Upon meeting you, your guide will ensure that you have all the equipment necessary for an enjoyable kayaking tour. The guide will also show you some basics about the kayak to ensure your safety throughout. Each double kayak has a portable cool-box containing sandwiches, fruit, bottles of water, and juice. Set off from Karydi beach, the most famous beach of Halkidiki, to see even more beautiful beaches along the way. Your first stop will be on the South beach of Diaporos island. Here, you will have some free time to explore the beach, take photos, swim, snorkel, and relax. You will also have the chance to discover the eastern side of Diaporos island Then, pick up your paddles again and head to Mirsini beach. After some free time here, you will make one more stop on a very small and wonderful beach on Kalamonisia island. Finally, return to Mikro Karydi where you will take a commemorative group photo and receive a surprise gift.

Thessaloniki: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Meteora Option

9. Thessaloniki: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Meteora Option

Explore the beautiful port city of Thessaloniki on a convenient hop-on hop-off bus tour. With unlimited access to the bus route for 1 day, you can see all of the key sights in your own time-frame, hopping on and off as much as you please. Listen to the on-board tour commentary to learn all about Thessaloniki's fascinating history, which dates back thousands of years. From the open-top deck, enjoy stunning panoramic views of the natural landscape, as well as the beautiful architecture (such as the Church of Agios Dimitrios, and the Church of St. Sophia). Discover the White Tower of Thessaloniki, an impressive historical structure (and one of the most iconic landmarks in the region). Also be sure to hop off at Ano Poli (Upper Town), and the Port of Thessaloniki, to take an even closer look at this Greek city, and to immerse yourself into the local culture. There's so much to see, and this sightseeing tour ensures you experience all of the major points of interest from the comfort of a double-decker bus. Bus Stops: • Archaeological Museum • Church of Agios Dimitrios • Ano Poli (Upper Town) • Port of Thessaloniki • Lefkos Pyrgos (White Tower of Thessaloniki) • Makedonia Palace Hotel

Thessaloniki: Culinary Walking Tour for Food Lovers

10. Thessaloniki: Culinary Walking Tour for Food Lovers

In three hours you will walk to several traditional market places like the Kapani and Modiano markets. You will visit the best local culinary shops where you will taste local delicacies and other Greek products.  This culinary walking tour is a relaxing and tasteful tour that will teach you many Greek table manners and food traditions that ends with a lunch of different mezedes (small shared dishes). Food is not the only thing on the menu for this tour. The English/Dutch-speaking guide will also show you several sights in the city. In short, you will return at the end of this tour with a great deal of culinary knowledge and a full belly.

Frequently asked questions about Central Macedonia

What top attractions are a must-see in Central Macedonia?

The must-see attractions in Central Macedonia are:

Other Sightseeing Options in Central Macedonia

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What people are saying about Central Macedonia

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 3,298 reviews

This day trip was amazing. I enjoyed every moment and it is a must for anyone travelling to Thessaloniki. Our guide Lazaros was superb. He was friendly , professional and taught us so much and made the trip very interesting and enjoyable . We discovered places you would never have found without without expert knowledge. Extremely good value for money. Schedule was well planned and we stopped at a beautiful cafe for lunch.

It was amazing, we received many nice tips from our guide and she even gave us an insight about the history, culture and not only about the gastronomy of Thessaloniki. We walked through the market and if we liked something, she bought it to us and explained the story behind. We tasted Greek coffer, many pastries, sweets, olives, feta, fish egg cream etc. I totally recommend it, it is worth the money, definitely!

Meteora is a beautiful place. I recommend to visit. Our guide and driver were very nice and spoke excellent English. I also really appreciate Dimitris' effort to help us, because our train back to Thessaloniki was cancelled. He was amazing and very helpful. I plan to visit Meteora during another season (maybe early summer) and will definitely choose this agency again. Thank you very much

The actual excursion is a must if visiting Thessaloniki Only complaint I had was with our driver drove way too and dangerous

The trip was well-planned and we had an excellent experience with the skilled guide. Highly recommended!