Northern Greece: The 7 Best Regions to Visit
So, what does Greece mean to you? Most people imagine beaches with clear waters, whitewashed houses, a chunky cut Greek salad and maybe even a friendly musician playing the bouzouki 😉. This is the beautiful Greece of the islands – but mainland Greece offers a completely different experience.
While it also has wonderful beaches, tranquility, charm, and exquisite Greek cuisine, there is more: breathtaking mountain landscapes, magnificent nature reserves, small authentic villages accessible via narrow winding roads on the mountainside. Expansive spaces, beautiful hiking trails, and a simplicity and atmosphere quite different from that of the islands.
Come and explore the most spectacular and unique regions and places in Northern Greece.
From the ancient stone bridges of Zagori to the hidden turquoise coves of Parga – experiencing the diversity of Northern Greece
1. Mount Olympus Nature Reserve
Some believe that a trip to Mount Olympus is only for extreme sports enthusiasts and experienced hikers. However, it is a stunning destination suitable for families, couples, adults, young people, and everyone in between.
Of course, a family trip does not mean climbing to the highest peak of the mountain, but there are plenty of other great activities that the area has to offer. For example, hiking trails in the mountains and valleys, turquoise waterfalls, picturesque towns and villages, historical sites, coastal towns, and more.
Mount Olympus is only about an hour and fifteen minutes drive from Thessaloniki. As it has hiking trails, scenery, and beaches, it is a destination that can serve as the center point of your trip.
On such a trip, you’ll experience a bit of everything: a wonderful walk in nature through wooded areas with dramatic views, enjoy hiking trails that climb and descend the mountain (of all difficulty levels), visit magnificent waterfalls with turquoise waters (you can drive right up to the waterfalls or opt for longer hiking trails), tour small towns and there is also a beautiful and pleasant coastline nearby.
Please note, while Mount Olympus is very close to Thessaloniki, if you are coming from Athens, it is about a 5-hour drive. So, if you want to explore Mount Olympus, it’s better to land in Thessaloniki.
Combine Olympus with Halkidiki or Pelion
You can combine a few days in Olympus with a few days in Halkidiki (also about an hour from Thessaloniki in the opposite direction) or Pelion (about a 2.25-hour drive south of Olympus and 3.5 hours from Thessaloniki).
2. Halkidiki
Halkidiki is a true Greek gem. It has everything you need for a wonderful and enjoyable beach and authentic village holiday, all at very reasonable prices (compared to the popular Greek islands).
It is a peninsula located east of Thessaloniki, shaped like a fist with three land tongues extending into the Aegean Sea. The westernmost “finger” is Kassandra, the middle one is Sithonia, and the easternmost is Mt. Athos.
The main attraction in Halkidiki is beach tourism, towns, restaurants, bars and light hiking and various water attractions can also be combined.
It is definitely possible to spend a week-long holiday in Halkidiki, exploring a different area each day by car, trying out various beaches, and more. Another option is to combine Halkidiki with a trip to Northern Greece.
Thanks to its proximity to Thessaloniki, you can combine Halkidiki into any trip
I recommend ending your Northern Greece trip with a few vacation days in Halkidiki. After a trip that includes lots of nature and hiking trails, there’s nothing like enjoying the wonderful beaches of Halkidiki for a few days.
3. Meteora Monasteries
The relatively short time most travelers spend at the Meteora Monasteries is in stark contrast to the impression this magical site will leave on you. Meteora is a cluster of isolated monasteries that appear from a distance to be hanging beneath the sky, as if taken straight from an unrealistic painting.
The monasteries are located on the outskirts of the Pindus Mountains in the Thessaly region, where by the way, Mount Olympus Reserve is also located.
There’s the option to stay in the nearby town of Kalambaka and to enjoy the magnificent sunset views. Or Alternatively, about an hour away in the iridescent town of Metsovo, which, despite being very touristy, still retains a lot of charm (and pleasant mountain air). Around Metsovo, there are several places to explore.
It’s possible to stay for more than just a few hours in Meteora.
While a visit for a few hours is possible, it’s definitely worth staying a bit longer to enjoy the dramatic views, tranquility, and charm of the area. One can stay overnight and explore one or two hiking trails around the monasteries.
4. Tzoumerka
Far from Greece’s classic tourist destinations, you’ll find Tzoumerka. With its mountains, small villages, dramatic landscapes, and wild nature.
Tzoumerka is a mountain range located between the regions of Thessaly and Epirus. The area is characterized by small, isolated villages connected by narrow mountain roads.
In the north-central part of Tzoumerka, you can visit the Kouiassa Waterfalls, the Kipinas Monastery, the village of Kalarites, and many other beautiful places. The Arachthos River runs through Tzoumerka, and you can enjoy a breathtaking rafting route (click here for more details).
Important to know: The terrain is mountainous, and two villages may be very close on the map, but it could take an hour to drive from one to the other.
The village of Pramanta is a good base for exploring the area. It has a few taverns and is a pleasant place to stay.
5. Zagori Villages
The charm that the small villages of Zagori will cast on you is hard to describe in words. The mountainous region of Zagori is the heart of the Epirus region. The area is characterized by small villages with stone houses, flowerpots, and cobbled paths. The access to these villages is via narrow, winding mountain roads. Between the mountains runs the impressive Vikos Gorge (don’t miss visiting one of the viewpoints). Along the way, enjoy the sight of beautiful ancient bridges and wonderful hiking trails, including along the Voidomatis River. (You can also enjoy rafting!).
The closest major city to the Zagori villages is loannina, which also has direct flights to Israel (seasonally); this can be very convenient for those who want to focus on a trip in this area or don’t have enough days to venture to other regions.
In the Fall, the Scenery is Even More Spectacular
The Zagori villages offer a unique experience that will leave a lasting impression. The scenery is spectacular and magical all year round, but autumn is the peak. The fall season starts early in the area.
6. Kastoria and Prespa Lakes
Prespa Lakes are two beautiful lakes within a unique nature reserve. This is the northwestern corner of Greece, right at the border with Albania and North Macedonia.
Great Prespa Lake – Most of it is located in North Macedonia, with another part in Albania and the lower section belonging to Greece.
The Small Prespa Lake – Most of it is located in Greece.
This area is one of the most unique in Greece. You can visit a small island connected by a floating pedestrian bridge, take a boat tour, choose from plenty of hiking trails, and explore several small villages.
Don’t Settle for a Day Trip
Keep in mind that the pace of the area is slow and the atmosphere is relaxed. You can fill your days with hiking, boating, and sitting in cozy tavernas.
Kastoria is a suitable base for a star shaped trip
About an hour’s drive from Prespa, you’ll find the beautiful and pleasant city of Kastoria. You can visit or use it as a base for exploring most of Western Macedonia, as driving distances from there to most sites are not long.
From Kastoria, it’s easy to reach the picturesque town of Nymfaio and visit the bear sanctuary, where bears rescued from abuse (like circuses) are raised.
On the way back to Thessaloniki, you can pass by four beautiful lakes and stop at the Edessa waterfalls.
7. The Western Coast: Parga and Syvota
About an hour’s drive from Ioannina, lies the stunning resort area of Epirus. The lively town of Parga is located here and nearby the small and charming town of Syvota.
In the region, there’s a selection of wonderful beaches with turquoise bays, the Acheron River where you can enjoy a short boat ride or a walking trail through the water, the city of Preveza, and even the island of Lefkada with its magical white beaches, all within a short drive.
Don’t miss the water taxi ride
Parga, Syvota, and other nearby towns offer various types of boat excursions. One option is a water taxi that departs from Syvota’s port. For a relatively low price (around 12 euros per adult), you can enjoy a boat trip that takes you to two excellent beaches and returns to pick you up whenever you wish (the taxi runs every hour). This is a highly recommended experience.
Another option is to take a boat trip to visit the wonderful islands of Paxos and Antipaxos.
