Planning Your Time

Thessaloniki makes a great base for a trip to Northern Greece. Most of the city's sights are concentrated within the easily walkable center, and the city is also the main hub for regional buses and rental cars. There are wonderful museums and a great counterculture vibe. You could easily spend days exploring Greece's second-largest city, especially if you're an ecclesiastical buff (the five-aisled basilica Ayios Dimitrios is Greece's largest church) or a foodie (Thessaloniki has outstanding restaurants). From Thessaloniki, go west to Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great. Then go south to the town of Vergina, home of the magnificent Royal Tombs, and the ancient city of Dion, tucked into the lush foothills of Mount Olympus. You'll need at least two days to hike the great summit of the gods, including an overnight stay in the pretty village of Litochoro.