Northern Greece, with its lofty mountain ranges, deep rivers, wide plains, and profusion of little-known archaeological and historic monuments, is rapidly losing its status as one of Greece’s few remaining “undiscovered” regions. Although the monasteries of the Holy Mountain of Mount Athos are still off-limits to women, improved roads mean that Athos is no longer a difficult trek from Northern Greece’s largest city, Thessaloniki (Salonika).
In addition, the formerly difficult-to-reach sites connected with the mighty warrior Philip II of Macedon and his famous son, Alexander the Great, are now linked by good, new roads. Furthermore, the National Road from Athens to Thessaloniki makes it possible to drive between Greece’s two most important cities in 6 to 8 hours. Thessaloniki is the best place to begin your explorations of Northern Greece - andyou’ll find plenty to explore both in and around Greece’s “Second City.” In 1997, Thessaloniki was the European City of Culture, and much of the waterfront and many monuments were repaired and restored. One very pleasant legacy is the Ladadika District, many of whose old warehouss were smartened up and turned into cafes, restaurants, and galleries.