Thessaloniki is a very nice city that has a lot to offer but after some time it can get quite overstimulating with all the people and the noise. So if you are looking for some calm places that you will leave relaxed and recharged, this list is for you. I assembled some of my favourite places around the city that I discovered during my 7 months long volunteering project in Thessaloniki.
Mount Olympus
Picturesque landscapes, blue rivers and incredible nature. A trip to the biggest mountain in Greece gives you a break from the noise of the city and calms you with a mix of soft sunrays and mystical fog while you are following the path of Ancient Greek gods.
You can discover the national park while hiking through the woods and passing by some refreshing streams. If you want to keep it more chill, you can visit the village of Litochoro and enjoy your coffee in one of the cafés with a panorama view of the surrounding nature.
My personal favourite spot is close to the village when you follow the Enipeus river upstream for a bit until you reach water basins with turquoise water.
Some hiking routes also cross that spot, I always like to check on Komoot or All Trails for tours that match my desired length and level.
You can reach the village of Litochoro by car or by train, several hikes are starting from there and it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the views with a coffee.
The train departing from New Railway Station in Thessaloniki takes you to the train station of Litochoro in one hour. To get to the village you can either walk 5km along a rather big street or take a taxi for around 10 Euros.
Meteora Monasteries
Monasteries that seem to be one with the rocks rise above scenic views that already served as the filming location and inspiration for several movies.
In total there are 6 monasteries that are still active and can be visited. In most of them you can explore the Chappells, the ancient mechanisms that transported people and objects up onto the rocks, the space and gardens outside and in some also the Celler with exhibitions.
While it is definitely very interesting to visit the monasteries, the nature around it is just as impressive and breathtaking no matter the weather or season.
From Thessaloniki it takes three hours to get to the monasteries by car so if you want to do it in one day it is a quite long but doable ride. If you do not want to rent a car, there is the option to book a guided tour that takes you to some of the monasteries, viewpoints and a taverna.
Seih Sou Forest
The Seih Sou forest offers a nice opportunity to escape the noise and hustle of the city without spending a lot of time in the car or bus.
Between pine trees, clearings and little treks you can reconnect to nature while hiking or just by taking a picnic at one of the designated spots or one of the meadows.
While I do really like this place especially because of its accessibility by public bus, the nature can not be compared to the one in the Olympous national park or in Meteora. The proximity to the city is still noticeable but the silence and tranquility on the paths make up for that.
Kalochori Lagoon
If you want to see flamingos in nature, then this is your spot to check out. A gravel path leads around the two basins of the lagoon allowing you to take a walk in a wildlife refuge. In the winter months, find their refuge here, but also during the rest of the year a variety of birds and other animals can be seen there.
You can easily access this place by public bus or by car, there is a big parking lot directly in front of the lagoon.
Beaches
If you crave the sound of waves and the feeling of sand between your toes you can discover a more remote beach or a small vacation town.
Pereia beach is located in the village of Peraia with a busy promenade that is lined with taverns and cafés. It’s quite touristic but it has the typical “beach vacation feeling“ with umbrellas, volleyball nets and a rather busy beach.
From Thessaloniki it takes around one and a half hours to get there by public bus or half an hour by car.
If you are looking for a more isolated spot, I can recommend the hidden beach. It`s just a bit further away but has a completely different vibe.
Once you arrive in the village of Aggelochori you walk for around 20 minutes and end up at a dirt road. At this point you can’t see the beach yet, but when you continue to walk and go around a little cliff you can soon see the bay which is normally only visited by a few people.
If you come by public transport you should check when the last bus is leaving as the village is not that frequented.The exact location of the beach can be found on google maps where you can simply search for “hidden beach“.
Posar Hot springs
The Posar Hot springs are one of my personal highlights. In the mountains, you can relax in natural hot water springs. Even though the pools were man-made, the experience still feels very connected to nature as you are bathing between a river and the rich green of the trees from the mountains.
Unfortunately this place can only be reached by car or with a guided bus tour but if you have the opportunity to go it is definitely worth it. If you go by car you can perfectly combine this trip with a visit of the waterfalls in Edessa which are on the way.
Overall, the areas around Thessaloniki have a lot to offer and even though you can access quite a lot of places by bus, it is definitely worth it to rent a car to access places that are further away.
If you are relying on the public buses in Thessaloniki, I can recommend you to use the „OSETH bus“ app and always plan some extra time so longer waiting times won’t kill the mood.
However you decide, I am sure you will have a good time as Thessaloniki and the surroundings have a lot to offer.
Enjoy your stay!
