Self drive Tour to the Greek Region of Macedonia 10 days

As you step onto Athenian soil, you're walking into a city where legends were born. A Greca representative will be waiting to take you comfortably to your hotel, where you can settle in and begin soaking up the Hellenic spirit.

Later in the afternoon, one of our team members will meet with you to give a personalized presentation of your upcoming journey and answer any questions you may have.

The rest of the day is yours. Stroll through timeless streets, enjoy local delicacies, and let the pulse of this lively capital introduce itself in its own unique rhythm.

Greca Tip: Enhance your experience by easily extending your stay. Add more nights during the booking process!

This will be a free day in Athens, where, after a delicious breakfast, you will have the chance to visit some of the famous attractions and places of interest in the city. Alternatively, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll in the city center and make your own discoveries as you go along.

In the evening you will join a walking tour through the most stunning districts of Athens, such as Anafiotika, Thisio, Monastiraki, and Plaka.

Greca Tip: Enjoy a tasty souvlaki in one of the taverns in and around Monasteraki Square.

After collecting your rental car, you will head towards the Peloponnese peninsula. 

The first stop will be at the Corinth Canal, a great engineering feat first devised in 630 BC by Periander, a tyrant and one of the seven sages of antiquity, and completed by the French in 1893. This channel, about 6 kilometers long, facilitates the passage from the Ionian Sea to the Saronic Gulf and thus saves days of navigation around the Peloponnese peninsula.

On the route, you can make a detour to Kalavryta, a city with magnificent views and steep slopes, river springs, and pine forests. At a distance of about 17 kilometers from Kalavryta, you will come across the Cave of the Lakes. The cave extends for 2 kilometers underground and has 15 lakes inside. The combination of the colors and waterfalls together makes an impressive spectacle.

Alternatively, you can drive to Diakofto and from there catch the train known as "Odontotos" towards Kalavryta. This train rises to a height of 750 meters above sea level and crosses the entire Vouraikos Gorge. The views are splendid, with lush forests, waterfalls, and tunnels carved into the rocks. This is the tour of such striking beauty, that you should not miss out on the chance of taking it. 

After these two compulsory stops, you will arrive at the destination of the day, Olympia. There, you will visit the site of the former Olympic stadium, where the first Games were held (776a.C). The importance of the Olympic games was such that all Greek cities ceased hostilities and participated on a large scale.

Olympia was also the most important sanctuary of the Ancient Greeks, a place to worship Zeus, the king, and father of all gods. Here also stood his gold and ivory statue, a gigantic sculpture made by Fidias himself and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Total distance: 285 kilometers

Greca Tip: Relax and make the most of your hotel's amenities or hike through the beautiful surrounding countryside.

After a delicious breakfast, you will leave Olympia and cross the Corinthian Gulf over the Rio-Antirio Bridge, the longest cable bridge in Europe and one of the great jewels of modern European engineering. 

You will continue to Nafpaktos, the town known as the location of the naval battle, where Miguel de Cervantes, the man who would one day write the great novel, Don Quixote, also took part. Here you can visit the old port and the castle of Nafpaktos with incredible views of the Gulf of Corinth. 

Your next stop will be Galaxidi, a picturesque fishing village with beautiful beaches. Finally, you will arrive at Delphi, a World Heritage Site and the center or 'navel' of the ancient world, where the renowned Delphic Oracle was located (consulted by kings and pilgrims alike). When all your prayers and petitions to the Delphi Oracle have been made, you will enjoy a well-deserved rest at your hotel! 

Total distance: 212 kilometers

Greca Tip: In the evening, we suggest taking a leisurely walk in the neighboring and picturesque town of Arachova.

Today, after a tasty breakfast, you will leave Delphi on the slopes of Mount Parnassus and head towards the plains of Thessaly, where the city of Kalambaka is located.

Once in Kalambaka, you will visit Meteora, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It combines the natural beauty of the region with the eternal monasteries, hanging or 'meteora' on top of the huge rocks. The first monastery, "the Great Meteoro," was built by Saint Athanasius, where he arrived to escape from his pursuers, after being expelled from Mount Athos. Nowadays, only six of them remain in use: five for the monks and one for the nuns.

Dress code in monasteries: Sleeveless shirts, shorts, or skirts above the knee aren’t allowed. Trousers, sarongs, and other articles are available at the entrance of the monasteries for those visitors who do not have spare clothing to cover themselves with.

Total distance: 237 kilometers

Greca Tip: Visit Kalambaka's old picturesque district and buy religious icons, hand-made wood-carved objects, and local homemade pies.

After a delicious breakfast, you will leave Meteora to drive north through the fertile plain of Thessaly and the Tempi Valley. You should not overlook the opportunity to admire the imposing mass of Mount Olympos, the highest mountain in Greece and home to the twelve gods of Greek mythology.

You will finally reach Macedonia and the city of Thessaloniki, the second-largest and the most important center in the area. Thessaloniki, whose name means "the victory of Thessaly," is a city with a glorious past and the cultural and economic center of the Macedonian region for centuries.

During the Byzantine era, it was the "co-reigning" city, second in population and prestige after Constantinople (current Istanbul). You will have the opportunity to visit several of its unique monuments, such as the White Tower, the Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda, or The Museum of Byzantine Culture, awarded the Council of Europe's Museum Prize in 2005.

Total distance: 227 kilometers

Greca Tip: Explore the historical quarter of Ladadika and take a long stroll along the waterfront from Aristotelous Square to the White Tower, one of the city's hallmarks.

Today you will dedicate this entire day to one of the most beautiful and imposing cities in northern Greece. Right after a filling Greek breakfast, you will depart for Kavala, located about 150 kilometers away from Thessaloniki.

The city was founded in the late 7th century BC by settlers from the island of Thassos and was originally called Neapolis. Later, when it was conquered by Philip II of Macedonia (father of the renowned Alexander the Great) it reached great prosperity until the decline of the Macedonian State in 49 AD.

One of its distinguishing features is the aqueduct, a symbol of the city. This conduit, although Roman in appearance, was built by Suleiman the Magnificent to supply the Turkish baths with water. You can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Kavala, with collections from Ancient Neapolis, and the Municipal Museum of Folklore, with exhibitions of costumes, jewelry, and handicrafts. 

On the outskirts of the city, there is the Archaeological site of Philippi, with Roman and Byzantine ruins. In the 2nd century BC the Via Egnatia, one of the largest military and commercial roads of the ancient world, was built through Philippi, making the city a focal point of the region. Here, every summer, the ancient theatre of Philippi plays host to productions of Theater, Music, and Dance during the Philippi Festival.

Saint Paul arrived at Philippi in 49-50 AD and founded the first Christian Church on European territory. Right next to the Ancient City of Philippi, there is the unique and monumental Baptistery of St. Lydia. This modern architectural monument is located exactly at the place where the Apostle Paul baptized the first Christian in Europe, Lydia.

After visiting this beautiful northern Greek city, you will return to Thessaloniki for a well-deserved rest. 

Total distance: 300 kilometers

Greca Tip: We recommend adding extra nights in Thessaloniki to trace St. Paul's journey by either taking a tour to Pella and Vergina or a tour to the Hot Spring of Pozar and Edessa.

After enjoying a delightful breakfast, your journey will take you from Thessaloniki to the captivating Chalkidiki Peninsula, also known as Halkidiki to the locals. This region boasts breathtaking natural beauty, with its prongs extending into the Aegean Sea, resembling the trident of Poseidon.

Kassandra, the westernmost peninsula, stands out with its stunning golden beaches, crystal-clear waters, and abundant entertainment options. The accommodations offered here are spacious, diverse, and of the highest quality. Nea Fokea, Haniotis, and Possidi are among the most popular bays in Kassandra.

Sithonia, situated between the cosmopolitan Kassandra and the monastic retreat of Mount Athos, strikes a perfect balance. Its mild climate, pine forests, sandy beaches, and charming islets just off the coast make it a favorite among nature enthusiasts. Along the coastline, you'll find traditional seafront guesthouses, marinas, and archaeological sites like Ancient Olynthos and Stageira, the birthplace of Aristotle. Sarti, Kalamitsi, Karidi, Lagonisi, and Tigania are some of the beloved beaches in this area.

The final peninsula is the revered Mount Athos, also known as Agio Oros, which serves as a unique male monastic society. In the heart of this peninsula, a long range of hills and mountains rises, culminating in the majestic Mount Athos itself, towering 2033 meters above sea level.

This autonomous and self-governed territory of Greece is restricted to monks and male visitors, providing them with an opportunity to experience the Byzantine era's way of life and spirituality for a few days. They can immerse themselves in the mysticism of Orthodox religion, appreciate exquisite hagiographic artwork, and revel in the untouched beauty of nature. Each day, up to 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox men are permitted to enter this enclave for a visit, while women are forbidden from accessing the area.

Just outside the boundaries of Agios Oros, you'll discover the town of Estagira, the birthplace of the renowned philosopher Aristotle.

It is highly recommended to spend the night in Sithonia, allowing you to fully savor its charm.

Total distance: 200 kilometers

Greca Tip: Indulge in the renowned table olives, savor the local wine varieties such as mavrotragano and xinomavro, delight in the seafood delicacies, and experience the exceptional quality of the local honey.

After a hearty breakfast, you will depart from Chalkidiki and drive southwards through the fertile plain of Thessaly and Tempi Valley. You will have the opportunity to admire the imposing mass of Mount Olympos, the highest mountain in Greece and home to the twelve gods of Greek Mythology.

You can then drive to Thermopylae, where the statue of the Spartan king Leonidas I is to be seen. Leonidas was the intrepid leader who confronted the Persians and perished in the homonymous battle.

In the same area, you can also have a rejuvenating bath in the sulfurous thermal springs, from which Thermopylae takes its name. Admission to the spring waters is free.

Back in Athens, you will return your rental car to the station and your adventure through Greece at our own pace will have come full circle. Now it is time to have a well-deserved rest with the memories of all the places you have seen and all the people you have met still fresh in your mind.

Total distance: 600 kilometers

Greca Tip: Visit the Center for Historical Information in Thermopylae and find out about the historical events and the protagonists of the battle.

At the agreed time, our driver will transfer you to Athens Airport to board your international flight back home or to your next destination. You will check in your luggage and benefit from the tax return resulting from any last-minute tax-free shopping for family and friends.

Undoubtedly, and after spending a few fantastic days with Greca, we hope to see you again soon to create new and extraordinary moments that will be lovingly etched in your memory.

Have a nice trip! Or, as Greeks say: "Kalo taksidi!".

Greca Tip: As a going-away gift, you can choose from a wide range of brightly colored flokati rugs, handmade sandals, embroidered covers, and Greek honey, or olive oil.