09:00

Breakfast and orientation in Chalkidona

Spend the morning settling in and taking a short walk through the center of Chalkidona. The town is a practical base for regional excursions, but not a monumental one: use this stop to stock up and organize the car.

Indicative breakfast: 5–10 € per person.

10:30

Transfer to the Axios Delta

Drive to the delta area, allowing about 35–50 minutes depending on your access point and traffic. The network of secondary roads crosses fields and canals: drive slowly and do not take any unmarked tracks.

Fuel for the transfer: about €5–10.

11:30

Axios Delta National Park

Explore the accessible parts of the park, a mosaic of estuaries, reeds, lagoons, and farmland. Bring binoculars: the area is important for birdlife, and sightings depend on the season and the day’s conditions.

The outdoor visit is generally free; check locally for any regulated access.

14:00

Lunch and a walk in Chalastra

Stop in Chalastra for a relaxed lunch and a stroll through the center. In the local eateries, you can find Greek cuisine and fish dishes, with availability and prices varying according to the menu.

Indicative lunch: €12–25 per person.

16:30

Scenic return and evening in Chalkidona

Head back toward Chalkidona at a leisurely pace, allowing for brief stops only in permitted areas along the route. The evening is ideal for a simple dinner and rest before the archaeological day in Pella.

Indicative dinner: €15–30 per person.

08:30

Departure from Chalkidona

Drive to Pella, allowing about 35–45 minutes for the trip. Bring water and a hat: a significant part of the archaeological route is outdoors and shade is limited.

Indicative round-trip fuel: 8–15 €.

09:30

Archaeological Site of Pella

Spend about two hours exploring the ruins of ancient Pella, taking in the urban layout, the streets, and the remains of the houses. Look for the famous floor mosaics and check the information panels to piece together the city’s importance in the Macedonian era.

Approximate admission: 8–15 €; check for a combined ticket and seasonal opening hours.

12:00

Archaeological Museum of Pella

Visit the museum to put the finds from the excavations into context, including sculptures, everyday objects, and mosaics. Allow at least 75–90 minutes and check whether the site ticket also includes admission to the museum.

Indicative ticket price: 6–12 €, if not included in the combined ticket.

14:00

Lunch in the Pella area

Stop at a taverna or a place in the town center for a break before continuing. Timing is flexible, but it’s best not to run too late: Giannitsa is about 20–30 minutes away.

Indicative lunch: 12–25 € per person.

16:00

Giannitsa: clock tower and mausoleum

In Giannitsa, visit the clock tower and the Mausoleum of Gazi Evrenos, two reminders of the local Ottoman heritage. The outdoor stops take little time; check on site whether the interiors are accessible.

Outdoor visits are free; any interior openings may be limited.

08:00

Transfer to Vergina

Set off early from Chalkidona: the drive to Vergina usually takes about an hour, depending on traffic and route. Check the complex's opening hours in advance, as they can change with the season.

Estimated round-trip fuel: 12–20 €.

09:15

Archaeological Site of Aigai

Explore the archaeological area of ancient Aigai, the former capital of the Macedonian kingdom, lingering over the remains of the palace and the monumental structures. Allow about two hours and follow the marked paths without crossing the designated areas.

Estimated admission: 12–20 €; check the terms of the combined ticket.

11:45

Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai

Enter the museum built around the royal tombs and take in the funerary objects and decorations, presented in an intentionally intimate and evocative setting. The visit takes about 90 minutes; keep a respectful tone and check the rules on photography and bags.

Admission may be included in the site ticket; verify the applicable fee.

14:00

Lunch in Vergina and transfer to Veria

Have lunch near the site and then head to Veria, about 15–20 minutes away by car. A one-hour break is enough to rest before the afternoon museum visits.

Estimated lunch: 12–25 € per person.

16:00

Byzantine Museum and Archaeological Museum of Veroia

Spend the afternoon at the city's two museums, checking the closing time and the actual distance between the venues beforehand. The Byzantine Museum of Veroia showcases local Byzantine history; the Archaeological Museum of Veroia completes the picture with artifacts from the region.

Indicative entry fees: €3–8 per museum; cut it down to a single visit if the opening hours don’t line up.

09:00

From Chalkidona to Thessaloniki city center

Drive to Thessaloniki, allowing about 40–60 minutes depending on traffic and destination. Park in a garage or in an authorized area near the center, since the visit is mostly on foot.

Indicative parking: €8–20 for the day.

10:00

White Tower of Thessaloniki

Start at the White Tower, the symbol of the waterfront, and visit the interior exhibition to trace the city’s history. If the weather is clear, consider the panoramic terrace, reached by climbing the tower’s levels.

Indicative entry fee: €6–10; terrace availability and access may vary.

12:00

Walk to the Arch of Galerius

Walk to the Arch of Galerius, taking in the reliefs celebrating the emperor’s campaigns. The walk from the waterfront to the monument takes about 20–30 minutes, with possible stops along the central streets.

Outdoor monument, normally free to visit.

13:00

Rotunda of Galerius

Visit the Rotunda, a monumental building transformed over the centuries into a religious space and now an important witness to the late antique city. Allow 30–45 minutes and check for any restrictions due to services or works.

Indicative admission: 2–6 €.

15:00

Church of Saint Demetrius

Continue to the church dedicated to Thessaloniki’s patron saint, taking in its basilica-style structure and the historical elements preserved in the crypt. Respect any services in progress and dress appropriately for a place of worship.

Access to the church is generally free; any museum areas may have separate opening hours.

09:00

Arrival and parking in the eastern city center

Head to the museum district, east of the old town, and leave your car in an authorized parking facility. The two main stops of the morning are close to each other, so you can avoid further transfers around the city.

Indicative parking: 8–20 € per day.

10:00

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Spend about two hours exploring collections that trace Macedonia from prehistory to the Roman era. Among the most interesting finds are objects from the region’s tombs and sanctuaries; follow the thematic route to help guide your visit.

Indicative admission: 6–12 €; check for discounts and opening days.

12:30

Museum of Byzantine Culture

Continue to the nearby museum, which illustrates Byzantine life and art through icons, mosaics, liturgical objects, and reconstructions. A visit of about 90 minutes lets you focus on the main galleries without rushing.

Indicative admission: 6–12 €.

14:30

Seafront stroll and the Alexander the Great Statue

Walk toward the seafront and stop at the statue of Alexander the Great, overlooking the gulf. It’s a pleasant outdoor break after the museums and offers views of the boats and the city’s waterfront.

Free exterior visit; light lunch nearby about 10–20 €.

17:00

Modiano Market

End at the covered market, among food stalls and small eateries, to observe the city’s everyday food culture and pick up products to take away. The opening hours of individual businesses may differ from those of the market.

Indicative snack or shopping: 5–15 €.

08:00

Departure for Edessa

From Chalkidona, allow about 1 hour and 15 minutes–1 hour and 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Fill up before you leave and bring a light jacket: near the waterfalls, the spray can get you wet even on warm days.

Indicative fuel round trip: 18–30 €.

10:00

Edessa Waterfalls

Follow the walking paths to the viewpoints over the waterfalls and take in the water flow, which varies with the season. Plan on shoes with non-slip soles and at least an hour to take photos and visit the area without rushing.

Access to the area is generally free; any additional attractions may require a fee.

12:00

Open Air Water Museum

Visit the open-air museum to understand how water once powered local activities and infrastructure. The route is partly outdoors and may take around 60–90 minutes; check the opening hours of individual facilities before visiting.

Approximate admission: free–8 €, depending on the areas open.

14:00

Lunch in the center of Edessa

Choose a local spot in the center and take a break before your walk in Varosi. For lunch, you can opt for traditional Greek dishes, keeping in mind that booking ahead is useful during busy periods.

Approximate lunch cost: 12–25 € per person.

16:00

Walk through the Varosi district

Explore Varosi on foot, Edessa’s historic core, with its alleyways, traditional houses, and views over the plain. Respect residents’ peace and allow about an hour for a leisurely walk without straying too far from the center.

Free walk; return to Chalkidona expected in about 1 hour and 15 minutes–1 hour and 40 minutes.

09:30

Transfer and parking in the city

Drive back to Thessaloniki and park near the western center to finish the day on foot. From the parking area to the museum and Ladadika the distances are short, but traffic can significantly extend the trip from Chalkidona.

Indicative parking: 8–20 €.

10:30

Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki

Spend about an hour at the museum, which documents the Jewish presence in the city and the history of the Sephardic community. Read the captions carefully and check opening hours in advance, any weekly closures, and entry rules.

Indicative admission: 5–10 €.

12:00

Walk through Ladadika

Stroll through Ladadika, a historic district tied to commerce and now full of restaurants and bars. Notice the facades and narrow streets, then choose a place here for a lunch break before continuing toward the port.

Indicative lunch: 15–30 € per person.

15:00

Thessaloniki Port

Head to the port area for a walk among the public spaces and historic port buildings. Access to operational areas may be restricted: stay on permitted routes and follow the signs.

Outdoor walk generally free.

16:00

MOMus-Museum of Photography Thessaloniki

Finish with a visit to the photography exhibitions, hosted in the port area. The length of the visit depends on the current exhibition; check the schedule and closing time so you do not arrive too close to the last entry.

Indicative admission: 4–8 €; return to Chalkidona in about 40–60 minutes.