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Pella, Greece

Pella, Greece: Our most recommended tours and activities

Vergina & Pella: Day Trip to the Greek Kingdom of Macedonia

1. Vergina & Pella: Day Trip to the Greek Kingdom of Macedonia

Enjoy a beautiful day in Pella, learning about the ancient past of this area. You depart from Thessaloniki to Pella by a modern bus at 08:00 AM. The distance is about 50 km and the trip lasts about 45 minutes. Reach Pella, where you'll visit the new, modern museum, as well as the Archaeological site with the unique mosaics. Continue to Vergina and visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai, which is situated within the borders of the village. Board the bus and drive to a fantastic restaurant for lunch. Savor Greek traditional homemade dishes, before the bus takes you back to Thessaloniki at approximately 3:30 PM. 

From Thessaloniki: Pella, Edessa and Naoussa Full-Day Tour

2. From Thessaloniki: Pella, Edessa and Naoussa Full-Day Tour

Following early morning pick-up from Thessaloniki, journey by luxurious air-conditioned bus to the village of Pella. Visit the archaeological site and museum to see the stunning remains of the historical capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedon and the birthplace of Alexander the Great. A whole city was revealed after excavations in 1957, well preserved in time, giving you the opportunity to use your imagination and along with history knowledge to picture the predominance of the Ancient Kingdom of Macedonia. Your next stop is the City of Water”, the magnificent Edessa. At your own pace, stroll around and admire the breathtaking waterfall “Karano”, the frothy rivers with over 47 bridges, and the cute little parks. All combined creates a fairytale scenery of an outdoor water museum. During your free time, don't miss enjoying a local lunch at a local restaurant of your preference. In the end, a unique wine-tasting experience at one of the many local wineries is waiting for you. Naoussa, a small town near Edessa, is famous worldwide for the “Xinomavro” wine variety. The local producers guide you through the wine-making process, answer any of your questions and offer you their wine along with some snacks before your way back to Thessaloniki.

From Thessaloniki: Vergina & Veria Full-Day Tour

3. From Thessaloniki: Vergina & Veria Full-Day Tour

Following early morning pick-up from Thessaloniki, enjoy your trip by luxurious air-conditioned bus to the archaeological site of Vergina, best known as the site of Aigai, the first capital of Macedon. Explore the tomb of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, protected by Unesco and considered one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century. Our knowledgeable guide will escort you on a journey through the Hellenistic period, visiting the museum, where artifacts of incredible beauty excavated from the archaeological site are on display. After a short coffee break, we will continue our day in Veria, the capital of Imathia municipality, a town well known for its wealthy religious history as St. Paul preached there on his 2nd tour. Admire the interesting Byzantine and Meta-Byzantine churches, stroll around the old quarters among which, the Jewish one and of course taste the local sweet called revani. After our last visiting point and the departure, you will be dropped off at your accommodation at the estimated time of arrival.

Macedonian Treasures from Thessaloniki

4. Macedonian Treasures from Thessaloniki

A day that combines Hellenistic Period of conquerors and prosperity with the most important pilgrim route of Greece! Our tour will star early in the morning from Thessaloniki center, heading towards the Ancient Vergina or 'Aegae' as per its ancient name. You will get the opportunity to enter into the Tomb of Kind Philip II the father of Alexander the Great. Accompanied by our professional guide you will explore the Hellenic period, starting from the museum where you will admire all the Macedonian treasures and golden art findings form the royal tomb. After a short coffee break, we will continue our day in Veria a town full of religious history. There will be free time to explode the local cuisine during your lunch break. Moving on to our last stop the Ancient city of Mieza , the school of the great philosopher Aristoteles, here you can explore the place where Alexander the Great started to receive his first and most important lessons about Philosophy, Morals , Religion and Art.

Day Trip to Pella and Vergina from Thessaloniki

5. Day Trip to Pella and Vergina from Thessaloniki

Visit Pella and Vergina, the two most important archaeological sites of the Macedonian Empire. Here in these two sites unfolds the great history of two great men and of a great ancient kingdom. Start your day tour from Thessaloniki. After 60 minutes driving you will arrive at Vergina. Vergina was the first capital and was called Aiges in ancient times. Here you will visit the royal tombs of King Philip II father of Alexander the great. Inside the museum/tomb complex burial artifacts such as gold jewelry, weapons, religious artifacts and the Gold Larnax found at the tomb containing the remains of King Philip are on display.   Discover the museum of Pella at the next stop of your trip. Here is the place of birth of Alexander the Great and the capital of the great Macedonian Kingdom. At the newly build museum admire thousands of gold and silver artifacts, mosaics, weapons, statues and maps. Next to the museum is the archaeological site where you will comprehend how big the capital was once when you walk around the 4000 hectar site.  

From Thessaloniki: Private Road Trip to Pella and Vergina

6. From Thessaloniki: Private Road Trip to Pella and Vergina

Start your day with a beautiful landscape of Macedonia. Your first stop is Pella, the ancient capital town of Macedonia and native town of Alexander the Great. After this, visit Vergina, the place of the Royal Tombs, to see the King’s mausoleum and the famous museum with relics of the Tombs of King Philippos II, father of Alexander the Great. Visit the most important remains of the monumental palace of the Kingdom of Macedonia, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world.

7-Day Grand Tour of Greece: from Prehistory to Modern Times

7. 7-Day Grand Tour of Greece: from Prehistory to Modern Times

Day 1 Leave by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then proceed to the town of Nafplio (short stop), drive on to Mycenae and visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then depart for Olympia through Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Arrive at Olympia, the cradle of the ancient Olympic Games (dinner and overnight). Day 2  In the morning visit the archaeological site with the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the ancient stadium, the spot where the torch of the modern Olympic Games is lit and the Archaeological Museum. Then drive on through the plains of Ilia and Achaia until the magnificent bridge that crosses the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea, arrive in Delphi (dinner and overnight). Day 3 In the morning visit the archaeological site and the Museum of Delphi, the most famous oracle of the ancient world. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town located at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, the gigantic rocks that rise steeply from the plain of Thessaly (dinner and overnight). Day 4 Visit the Meteora: perched on top of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Depart from Kalambaka to Thessaloniki, driving through the astonishing valley of the longest river in Greece, Aliacmon. Arrival at Thessaloniki, the second largest and the most vibrant city in Greece (dinner and overnight). Day 5 In the morning visit the city that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire was the “co-reigning” city, second in population and prestige after Constantinople. Visit unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world as well as the Museum of Byzantine Culture. The rest of the day is free to enjoy time in the lively center of the city (dinner and overnight). Day 6 Depart in the morning for a unique approach to historical Macedonia. First stop at picturesque Edessa to see the town's famous landmark, the Waterfalls. Then proceed to Naoussa, a site of exceptional beauty and importance: Aristotle's School. This is the picturesque site where the great philosopher taught the doctrines of morals and politics to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth. Then drive to Vergina (ancient Aigai), to experience a visit to the unique museum, created in the Great Tumulus covering the royal tombs of Macedonia. See the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander's father, and feel the thrill of the greatest discovery of the 20th century. Only a few miles away is Veria (Biblical Beroea) to visit Saint Paul's Bema, and then stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the colorful market area. Return to Thessaloniki (dinner and overnight). Day 7 Drive to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great. See the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century B.C. villas, in situ as well as in the new museum. Then proceed and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion (sacred city of the Macedonians, at the foot of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and house of the 12 gods of Greek mythology). On the way back to Athens, drive through the striking plain of Thessaly and the Valley of Tempi, admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympus, pass by Lamia, Thermopylae (see the Leonidas' Monument) and Thebes, arrive in Athens late in the afternoon.

Athens: 5 Days in Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki & Macedonia

8. Athens: 5 Days in Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki & Macedonia

Day 1: Drive through the fertile plains of the Beotia region, passing the towns of Thebes, Levadia, and Arachova. Arrive in Delphi and visit the archaeological site, the most famous oracle of the ancient world. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town located at the foot of the astonishing Meteora complex, whose gigantic rocks rise steeply from the plain of Thessaly (dinner and overnight). Day 2: Visit Meteora and admire the ageless Monasteries perched on top of huge rocks, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Depart from Kalambaka to Thessaloniki, driving through the valley of the longest river in Greece, the Aliakcmon. Arrive in Thessaloniki, the second largest and the most vibrant city in Greece (dinner and overnight). Day 3: In the morning visit the city that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire was the “co-reigning” city, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople. Visit unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world as well as the Museum of Byzantine Culture, awarded with the Council of Europe's Museum Prize in 2005. The rest of the day is free, to enjoy time in the lively city center (dinner and overnight). Day 4: Spend the day exploring the highlights of Macedonia, first with a stop in picturesque Edessa to see the town's famous waterfalls. Then proceed to Naoussa to learn about Aristotle's School, the site where the great philosopher taught the doctrines of morals and politics to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth. Next drive to Vergina (ancient Aigai) to visit the museum created in the Great Tumulus covering the royal tombs of Macedonia. See the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander's father, and feel the thrill of the greatest discovery of the 20th century. Continue a few miles further to Veria (Biblical Beroea) to visit Saint Paul's Bema, and stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the colorful market area. Return to Thessaloniki (dinner and overnight). Day 5: Drive to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great. See the exquisite floor mosaics decorating the villas from the 4th century B.C. and visit the new Museum. Then proceed and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion, a city sacred to the Macedonians and situated at the foot of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and house of the 12 Gods of Greek Mythology. On the way back to Athens, drive through the striking Thessaly Plain and the Valley of Tempi, admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympus, and stop in Thermopylae to see the Leonidas Monument. Arrive in Athens late in the afternoon.

Other Sightseeing Options in Pella, Greece

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What people are saying about Pella, Greece

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 203 reviews

Outstanding guide, Janis. with archaeological degree, very congenial and informative, excellent driver, flexible for the group. Good visitation times for Pella and Vergina. Tour or archeological site. Answered all questions. Fascinating visit to the tombs of King Phillip II of Macedonia and his grandson. Special real non touristic Greek restaurant for lunch. Greet gift shop there, Museum books snd… interesting drive back to Thessalonki. Learned about agriculture here. Highly recommend this tour with a smaller group as we had.

Great tour to Ancient Greece. The guide Yannis was super friendly and was happy to answer all questions. During the trip he explained a lot in advance and he was always available in the museums and at the excavation sites. The restaurant at the end was not a must, as you can organize your time freely. There are also several restaurants there. However, we were happy to use it and everything tasted great and the operators were also very friendly. All in all, an absolute recommendation to do this tour.

Your tour guide was excellent he really knew his history of Makedonia and being a historian myself I know Sincerely ZOONEY of ARKADIA...

I couldn't expect more than such nice, well organised trip. Thanks

It was a great experience, Nikos is an excellent guide. Thank you!