Day trips from Thessaloniki by car

Quick answer: the easiest day trips from Thessaloniki are Pozar Baths, Edessa, Vergina, Naoussa, Lake Kerkini, Mount Olympus and Litochoro, Chalkidiki, Prespes, Veria, Agios Athanasios Kaimaktsalan, Serres, and Amphipolis. All are within 40 to 180 km, which means 40 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes by car.

Thessaloniki, the ‘Bride of the Thermaic Gulf’, offers unique day trips to Northern Greece and beautiful, attractive destinations!

Located at a strategic, pivotal point, Thessaloniki has many beautiful places nearby for you to explore and spend quality time with friends or family!

Let's discover together nearby getaways from Thessaloniki by car!

A getaway to mountainous Chalkidiki

When we hear Chalkidiki, it's natural to immediately think of its emerald beaches!

However, beyond the summery, touristy Chalkidiki, there is the beautiful mountainous Chalkidiki which boasts picturesque villages and amazing places for you to discover!

A nearby trip from Thessaloniki is to Arnaia and Taxiarchis, with their unique fir trees that adorn thousands of homes every Christmas throughout Greece!

Arnaia is a traditional settlement, built at 600m above sea level. It is one of the most picturesque villages in mountainous Chalkidiki!

In the area, you will find traditional tavernas capable of fully satisfying your palate!

Another suggestion for a trip near Thessaloniki is the waterfalls of Varvara. If the weather is good (it's best to avoid it on cold winter days), after an 8-10 minute walk, you can find yourself in front of a unique spectacle!

The area has two distinct waterfalls located quite close to each other. In summer, you can even swim and cool off in the, admittedly, cold waters of the area!

A trip to Edessa

Edessa is one of the most beautiful places near Thessaloniki and is just 1 hour from the city centre.

The city combines the tranquillity of the countryside with the amazing location of its waterfalls. At this spot, you will usually find dozens of coaches carrying tourists eager to enjoy the spectacle and the flowing waters.

If you find yourself in the area, a nice day trip is also to the Kaimaktsalan ski resort, one of the best in our country.

Kilkis & Drama: Beautiful destinations near Thessaloniki

Kilkis and Drama are two beautiful cities near Thessaloniki that hide two unique treasures!

In Kilkis, you must definitely enjoy the Blue Lake (SKRA waterfalls). It is an emerald lake that you have surely seen in many friends' photos!

If you are travelling during the Christmas period, then Drama with Oneiroúpoli is one of the best day trips from Thessaloniki you can take with your family or partner!

Drama, during the Christmas period, attracts dozens of people due to Oneiroúpoli, which is visited by both young and old!

Nature trips from Thessaloniki

The 'Bride of the Thermaic Gulf' offers several options for nature getaways. If you want to stay close to the city, you can visit Seih Sou forest where you will have the opportunity to walk or have a picnic, always with the necessary respect for nature!

On the other hand, another beautiful place to visit from Thessaloniki, just an hour away, is Lake Kerkini.

A unique area where you will have the chance to see rare animals and enjoy a meal of buffalo sausages and lake fish!

Lake Kerkini is located outside Serres, and the travel time from Thessaloniki is approximately 1 hour.

All the above destinations are beautiful places that you should definitely visit if you live in Thessaloniki or the wider region of Macedonia. You will experience amazing landscapes and unforgettable places, while breathing fresh air and escaping the city's routine for a while!

These are Travelo's suggestions for trips near Thessaloniki. Places that we ourselves have visited and know how special and beautiful they are!

If you have your own suggestion for a day trip from Thessaloniki, then you can write it in the comments below the article!

Table with distances and times

Tolls on the above routes range from €1.80 to €6.80 for a single journey, based on 2026 prices. For longer options, start before 8 am to allow four hours at the destination without returning at night.

Which season suits each destination

Winter for Pozar, Kaimaktsalan, and Edessa with the waterfalls in full flow. Spring for Kerkini, when the pelicans nest, and for Prespes. Summer for Chalkidiki and Olympic Coast. Autumn for Naoussa, grape harvest, and the colours in Enipeas. The archaeological sites of Vergina and Amphipolis are open all year round, with shorter hours during the winter months.

Chalkidiki in one day

The first 'leg' is the easiest for a day trip. Nea Fokaia, Afytos, and Kallithea are sixty-five to eighty kilometres away, have organised beaches, and tables right on the water. For a quieter swim, head up to Sithonia, to Vourvourou and Kalogria, adding forty minutes to the journey.

Naoussa, Agios Nikolaos, and wineries

Agios Nikolaos park, with its plane trees and running waters, is ideal for a picnic, and within ten kilometres are the Naoussa wineries, famous for their Xinomavro wine. Visits are by appointment and cost ten to twenty euros per person for a tasting of three labels. Decide beforehand who will be the designated driver.

Kaimaktsalan and Agios Athanasios

The ski resort is located at 2,050 metres, and the village of Agios Athanasios below has stone accommodations and fireplaces. In winter, chains are required for the car, while in summer, the route to the lake at the summit involves a one-hour hike.

Serres and Amphipolis

The Alistrati Cave with its stalactites, the Aggitis Gorge, and the Lion of Amphipolis can be combined on a 140 km route. A good choice for a rainy day, as most of the visit is underground or sheltered.

Practical tips for the journey

Fill up with fuel before leaving Thessaloniki; petrol stations on Egnatia are five to eight cents per litre more expensive. At the Egnatia and A1 tolls, use the lane with a transponder on weekends. Download the map of the area before you leave, as mobile signal can be lost in Prespes and Kaimaktsalan. If you are returning on a Sunday afternoon, start before six to avoid traffic at the city entrance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best day trips from Thessaloniki?

Pozar Baths, Edessa, Vergina, Lake Kerkini, Litochoro, and Chalkidiki are the most tried-and-tested options.

Which trip is the closest?

Chalkidiki at 65 km and Vergina at 80 km, which is about an hour's drive.

Are there day trips without a car?

Yes, by KTEL (bus) to Edessa, Veria, Litochoro, and Serres, but you lose flexibility with return times.

How much does a day trip by car cost?

For a 200 km round trip, estimate €28 to €35 for fuel and tolls, which is €8 per person with four passengers.

Which option is suitable for children?

The waterfalls of Edessa, a boat trip on Kerkini, and the Pozar Baths, as they have short distances and amenities.

What should we do in winter?

Kaimaktsalan for snow, Pozar for warm water, and Naoussa for wineries.

Is advance booking required?

Yes, for wineries and boat trips on Kerkini. Not for archaeological sites and thermal baths, except on long weekends and public holidays.

Also read

• Seven day trips from Thessaloniki with detailed costs
• The best thermal baths in Greece
• Where to stay in Thessaloniki

Destinations one by one

Pozar Baths and Aridaia

Sulphurous water at 37 degrees Celsius in outdoor pools within the gorge, an inhalation cave, and paths along the Thermopotamos river. Best time is in the morning or after five, when the pools are less crowded.

Edessa

The waterfalls within the city, the park, and Varosi with its old houses. Easily combined with Pozar on the same day, as they are only twenty-five kilometres apart.

Vergina and Veria

The tomb of Philip II in the museum of royal tombs is one of the most important monuments in the country. Fifteen kilometres further up, Veria offers the Jewish quarter and dozens of Byzantine churches.

Lake Kerkini

A boat trip among water lilies, pelicans, buffalo, and Mount Belles in the background. Requires advance booking for the boat and binoculars if you are interested in birds.

Litochoro and Enipeas Gorge

The gateway to Mount Olympus. The route to Prionia is a four-hour round trip, with small bridges and water all year round. For something more relaxed, stay at Loutra and Plaka beach.

Prespes

The furthest option on the table and the quietest. Requires an early start at seven, a stop at Agios Achilleios, and fish at Laimos. In winter, check the weather, as the route passes through mountainous terrain.