09:00

Departure and transfer to Pydna

Reach the site by car from Aiginio or Katerini: the distances are short, but local signage can be patchy. Allow about 30–45 minutes for the archaeological visit and bring water; free entry or a reduced fee may depend on the access available.

Check opening times and site conditions in advance.

10:00

Archaeological Site of Pydna

Explore the remains of the ancient city, linked to the Battle of Pydna in 168 BC, and take in the relationship between the settlement, the plain, and the sea. The route can be sunny and uneven, so closed-toe shoes are recommended; allow 45–75 minutes and an estimated entrance fee of 0–8 €.

Do not cross the marked-off areas: maintenance may vary.

11:30

Makrygialos and a stroll along the seafront

Head to Makrygialos for a short walk by the sea and a break in town. It’s a great chance to try fish or meze at a taverna, with lunch typically costing 12–25 € per person.

In summer, ask whether the catch of the day is locally sourced.

14:30

Kitros Salt Pans

Set aside about an hour for the Kitros salt pans area, a coastal habitat of interest for birds and lagoon landscapes. Stop only at accessible points and observe from a distance, without entering the processing basins; the outdoor visit is normally free.

Binoculars and a telephoto lens are useful, especially in the morning or at sunset.

17:00

Methoni and return along the coast

End with a stop in Methoni for a relaxed stroll and a swim if the season and sea conditions allow it. The coast alternates between equipped stretches and simpler areas: allow 1–2 hours and budget for any snacks or rentals at around 5–15 €.

Check the sea quality and whether services are available on site.

09:00

Breakfast and a stroll in Aiginio

Start in the center of Aiginio with a walk through the shopping streets and a stop for coffee and baked goods, costing roughly €3–7. The town is a practical base for exploring the area: spend about an hour soaking up the daily rhythm of the market and the squares.

Shops may keep reduced hours during the hottest part of the day.

10:30

Scenic transfer to Kolindros

Reach Kolindros by car in about 20–30 minutes, climbing into a more hilly landscape. Park near the center and take your time to orient yourself on foot; taxi transfers may require advance arrangements and a variable fare.

11:00

Walk through the center of Kolindros

Explore the village streets, traditional houses, and views over the plain, keeping an eye out for slopes and uneven surfaces. The visit is free and takes about 1–1.5 hours, with café stops for a drink costing €2–5.

13:00

Church of Agios Georgios and lunch break

If it is open, visit the Church of Agios Georgios while respecting the silence and dress code expected in places of worship. For lunch, choose a local taverna or ask residents for recommendations; allow around €12–22 per person and remember that church opening hours may change.

16:00

Kolindros Municipal Park and return

Finish with a stop at the municipal park, ideal for resting after your walk and watching local life. The park is usually accessible without an entrance fee; head back to Aiginio or your chosen accommodation by evening, allowing about 30 minutes for the journey and an indicative dinner cost of €15–30.

09:00

Katerini Municipal Park

Head to Katerini and start with the municipal park, a pleasant spot for a shaded stroll and a break before the heat. Admission is free; allow about 45–60 minutes and a coffee for 2–5 € nearby.

10:30

Eleftherias Square and central Katerini

Continue on foot to Eleftherias Square and the central streets, where shops, cafés, and services are concentrated. There is no entrance fee; set aside about an hour for the square and for any snack or purchase, with spending ranging from 3–15 €.

12:00

Transfer and lunch toward Korinos

By car, reach the coast of Korinos in about 15–20 minutes, or check local buses, whose frequency changes with the season. Have lunch at a taverna by the sea: a simple meal can cost roughly 12–25 € per person.

14:00

Korinos Beach

Spend the afternoon swimming and strolling along the beach, alternating between equipped sections and quieter areas. Access to the shoreline is free; an umbrella and sunbeds may cost about 8–20 € for a set, depending on the period and the beach club.

Bring sunscreen: natural shade may be limited.

17:30

Paralia Katerinis and evening walk

Head to Paralia Katerinis, a livelier resort, for a walk along the seafront and an ice cream or drink, around 3–8 €. You can stop for dinner before heading back; plan on 15–30 € per person and extra driving time on summer evenings.

08:30

Transfer to Dion

Leave early by car for Dion, allowing about 35–50 minutes from Katerini or Aiginio depending on your starting point. Before you arrive, check the park and museum opening hours; combined tickets or entrance fees may vary, with an overall estimated cost of 6–15 €.

09:30

Archaeological Park of Dion

Explore the archaeological park at a leisurely pace, among remains of roads, baths, public buildings and sacred areas surrounded by greenery. The visit takes at least 2–3 hours: bring water, a hat and comfortable shoes, because the terrain is extensive and mostly outdoors.

12:30

Archaeological Museum of Dion

Spend about an hour in the museum to see artifacts and objects that help make sense of what you have just observed at the site. Any ticket may be included or separate depending on the type of visit; allow roughly 0–8 € and check weekly closing days.

14:00

Sanctuary of Isis and lunch in Dion

If the route and access allow it, linger in the area of the sanctuary of Isis to appreciate the variety of cults in the ancient city. Have lunch in town with an estimated budget of 12–25 € per person, then set off for Litochoro with a journey of about 20–30 minutes.

16:30

Walk around Litochoro

Stroll through the streets of the town center and the little squares of Litochoro, taking in the stone architecture and views toward Mount Olympus. Exploring is free; stop for a coffee or a sweet for about 3–8 € and consider dinner in town before heading back.

08:00

Olympus National Park Information Centre

Check trail conditions, weather and hiking information on site, without planning demanding climbs on a coastal sightseeing day. Opening hours may be seasonal or variable; admission is usually free or low-cost for any services.

For long treks, preparation, proper equipment and an official check of conditions are required.

09:30

Walk around the area of Litochoro

Choose a short accessible stretch in the area around the village, sticking to marked trails suited to your level. Allow 1–2 hours, walking shoes and water; any taxi transfers to access points should be arranged locally and have variable fares.

12:00

Old Monastery of St Dionysius

Reach the monastery via a scenic drive, checking road conditions and opening status beforehand. The visit takes about 45–60 minutes; admission is often free or by donation, and respectful clothing is required.

14:30

Platamon Castle

By car, continue to Platamon, then visit the medieval castle perched above the coast, allowing about 1–1,5 hours for the battlements and views. A ticket may cost roughly 0–8 €; the ground is uneven and not always suitable for strollers or reduced mobility.

Check the opening hours, which may vary depending on the season.

17:00

Platamonas Beach and Nei Pori Beach

Finish with a stop in Platamonas and, if you want a larger beach, continue to Nei Pori, just a short drive away. Swimming is free; sun loungers and umbrellas may cost around 8–20 €, while dinner and drinks are roughly 15–30 € per person.

08:00

Departure for Aigai

Leave early: the drive from Katerini or Aiginio usually takes about 1–1,5 hours, depending on traffic and route. Alternatively, check train and bus connections with transfers; budget for variable transport costs and confirm return times before setting off.

09:30

Archaeological Site of Aigai

Explore the site of the ancient Macedonian capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site, following the marked paths and interpretive signs. Visiting the outdoor area can take 1–2 hours; the total fee depends on the ticket and the sections open, with an estimated budget of 10–20 € for the main entrances.

12:00

Royal Tombs of Aigai Museum

Enter the Museum of the Royal Tombs, built around the burial mounds, to view the funerary artifacts and understand the context of the Macedonian dynasty. Set aside at least 1.5–2 hours and check in advance the rules for photography, access, and tickets, as these may change.

14:30

Lunch in Vergina and transfer to Veria

Stop in Vergina for a simple lunch, typically 12–25 € per person, then continue to Veria in about 20–30 minutes. If you are traveling by bus, check the connection carefully: service may be limited compared with going by car.

16:00

Byzantine Museum of Veria

Visit the museum to trace the city’s Byzantine history through icons, mosaics, and liturgical objects, section by section. Allow about an hour and an estimated admission of 0–6 €; finish with a short walk through the center before heading back.

08:00

Transfer to Thessaloniki

Leave early by car, allowing about 1–1.5 hours of travel from Katerini plus extra time for parking and traffic. Alternatively, consider the train or a bus from a station reachable from your base; costs vary depending on the transport and booking, typically 5–20 € per leg.

09:30

White Tower of Thessaloniki

Start at the White Tower, one of the city’s main symbols, and visit the exhibition spaces if they are open. The climb and visit take about an hour; admission may be around 4–10 €, but both prices and opening hours should be checked before you go.

11:00

Stroll along the seafront

Walk toward the center along the waterfront, taking time to enjoy the views over the gulf and the pedestrian areas. This is a free visit of about 45–60 minutes; in intense heat, look for a break in the shade or in a café, with a drink costing 3–8 €.

12:30

Aristotelous Square and lunch

Make your way to Aristotelous Square, the monumental heart of the city, and take in the layout of the buildings and the visual link to the sea. For lunch in the nearby streets, budget around €12–25 per person; allow extra time if you stop at the venues overlooking the square.

15:30

Rotunda of Thessaloniki and return

Continue to the Rotunda, a Roman-era monument with a long history of religious use, and set aside about 45–75 minutes for the visit. Admission can vary roughly from free to €6; after the visit, head back toward Pieria, leaving a margin for traffic, connections, and a rest stop.