09:30

Departure from Chalkidona

Drive to Pella, usually in about 20–30 minutes, checking the route for the day. A car is the most flexible option for this stop; alternatively, check intercity buses and connections in advance.

Plan for fuel and parking: together, roughly €5–15.

10:00

Pella Archaeological Museum

Spend about 1.5–2 hours among the sculptures, mosaics, and finds from the houses and public buildings of the ancient city. The mosaics are among the most remarkable pieces in the collection and help you imagine the wealth of the Macedonian capital. Indicative admission: €8–15.

Check the official schedule: days and opening hours may change.

12:00

Lunch break in Pella

Stop at a local taverna for a simple Greek meal before visiting the excavations. Allow about an hour and budget roughly €12–22 per person, depending on dishes and drinks.

13:30

Archaeological site of Pella

Explore the excavation area on foot, where you can make out the city layout, public spaces, and the remains of houses. Take your time and bring water: the site is exposed to the sun, and the visit takes about 1.5–2 hours. Indicative admission: €8–15, to be checked along with any combined ticket options with the museum.

Wear comfortable shoes and plan your visit to avoid the hottest hours.

16:00

Stop and return to Chalkidona

Wrap up with a coffee break or a refreshing drink nearby, then head back to Chalkidona with a short drive. Keep the late afternoon free to rest or have dinner in town; a casual dinner costs around €15–25 per person.

08:30

Departure from Chalkidona

Drive to Vergina: the trip is about 50–60 km and may take roughly an hour, depending on traffic and the route. Plan the day in advance, as the visits take place in several areas but all in the same location.

For fuel and parking, budget around €10–20.

09:45

Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai

Spend about 1,5 hours at the museum, built around the burial mound that houses the royal tombs. The layout protects the monuments and lets you see the artifacts and decorations in a particularly evocative setting. Indicative admission: €12–20, to be checked for any combined tickets.

The visit takes place in dimly lit spaces: allow time to get your bearings at a relaxed pace.

11:30

Polycentric Museum of Aigai

Continue to the museum dedicated to the broader history of Aigai and the Macedonian kingdom, useful for putting what you saw in the tombs into context. Allow around 60–90 minutes; access may be included in combined tickets or have different conditions depending on opening times.

13:00

Lunch in Vergina

Stop at a village tavern before visiting the archaeological site. A lunch with a main dish and a drink costs roughly €15–25 per person; ask whether the kitchen is still open, especially outside the high season.

14:30

Archaeological Site and Palace of Aigai

Allow about two hours for the archaeological areas and the palace ruins, which give a sense of the political and ceremonial importance of the ancient capital. The two points are close together, but the outdoor route calls for suitable shoes and sun protection. Access may depend on the ticket and the site’s opening hours: check at the entrance.

If the heat is intense, reverse the order of the visits and reserve the middle of the day for the museums.

17:00

Return to Chalkidona

Drive back, allowing about an hour of travel, and end the day with dinner near your accommodation. For a tavern dinner, budget roughly €18–30 per person.

09:00

Transfer to Thessaloniki

From Chalkidona, allow about 40–60 minutes by car, depending on traffic and parking. Alternatively, check the intercity services available for the chosen day and any urban connections you may need once you arrive in the city.

If you are traveling by car, choose all-day parking and continue on foot or by public transport.

10:00

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Spend about 1.5–2 hours on the collections devoted to ancient Macedonia, with funerary finds, sculptures, and everyday objects. It’s a great introduction to regional history before moving on to the monuments in the center. Indicative admission: €8–15.

Check in advance for any weekly closures or seasonal changes.

12:00

White Tower

Reach the tower with a walk of about 15–20 minutes, or a short bus ride. If it’s open, the interior visit and panoramic climb take about an hour; indicative admission €6–10. From the outside, you can still admire the monument and the waterfront.

The climb involves stairs: check timing and accessibility before going in.

13:15

Lunch on the waterfront or in the city center

Stop at a taverna or a casual spot along the route to the center. Budget around €15–25 per person for lunch, or less if you choose a quick meal.

14:30

Aristotelous Square

Stroll along the square and enjoy the open view toward the sea and the architecture of the arcades. It’s a free, convenient stop for a coffee break; for a drink, expect roughly €3–6.

15:30

Arch of Galerius and Rotunda

Continue on foot to the Arch of Galerius, visible along the street, then reach the Rotunda in a few minutes. Set aside about 45–60 minutes for the whole area: the arch can be viewed from the outside, while access to the Rotunda may require a ticket or specific opening hours. Allow €0–8, depending on the day’s entry conditions.

Check on-site whether the interior is open and leave some time for any services or events.

17:00

Final walk and return

Wrap up with a stroll in the center or along the waterfront, then return to Chalkidona by car or public transport. For dinner in the city before heading back, budget roughly €18–30 per person; check the last connection times if you’re not traveling by car.