Car Rental Thessaloniki - Exploring Thessaloniki

There are enough historical and natural sights in Macedonia to keep a visitor occupied for weeks, but further exploration of other parts of the province, such as nearby Edessa, the capital of Kavala, and the country’s highest mountain, Mount Olympus, is also worthwhile.

Edessa lies only a short distance from Thessaloniki but remains unvisited by most tourists. This is a shame for those who miss it, but a blessing for those who make the effort to get here, as it is a very peaceful spot. The town, which sits on a ledge overlooking a vast agricultural plain, is very pretty itself, but it also has waterfalls, streams, bridges and parks nearby that are worth visiting.

Kavala is the capital of the prefecture of the same name, and occupies a dramatic position, with its beautiful harbour crowned by a huge Byzantine fortress. It was built on the ancient city of Neopolis, and today is divided into the modern west side of the city with spacious squares and shopping centres, and the traditional east side where the old houses and tiny gardens border flagstone streets. After walking around the harbour, take a look at the old city walls and the Kamares aqueduct.

One of the greatest attractions in all Greece is Mount Olympus, which at 2,917m is the country’s highest mountain and thus a magnet for climbers. The best village from which to begin a trek up the mountain is Litohoro, which can be reached from Thessaloniki by car, bus or train. It takes a minimum of two days to climb the mountain, though many climbers spend longer on its slopes.