Arrival in Thessaloniki (MK-01)
After your arrival at Thessaloniki airport, you will be transferred to your hotel per private taxi. You can indulge in this vibrant city and enjoy your first dinner in one of the local taverns.
City walk in Thessaloniki (MK-02/ GR00443)
Today you will discover the city of Thessaloniki on foot.
Explore Thessaloniki, a city with a rich history at the crossroads of the Via Egnatia and the road from Athens to Northern Macedonia. Enjoy a stroll along the seafront and visit historical sites from both Ottoman and Roman times.
Take a trip to the old town up the hill and see the ‘Eptapyrgion’ (‘Seven Towers’), a Byzantine and Ottoman-era fortress situated on the north-eastern corner of the Acropolis of Thessaloniki, where you can enjoy a lovely panoramic view of the city.
For a modern experience, visit the Museum of Illusions nearby the hotel.
walking time/distance: 9.5km
ascent/descent: 205m
start/finish: Thessaloniki
From Agios Vasileios to Loutra Volvis: birdlife natural park (MK-03/GR00419)
Today's journey begins with a taxi transfer to Agios Vasileios (or Scholari if you prefer a 15 km walk instead of 28.5 km).
From Agios Vasileios, situated by Lake Koronia, you’ll walk along the lake and through scenic agricultural fields to Lake Volvi. This area is part of a natural park known for its birdlife. The final 5 km of the walk follow the shores of Lake Volvi, leading you to Loutra Volvis.
Loutra, meaning “natural springs” in Greek, was once a popular spa destination but is now a quieter spot with a few pensions and local residents. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Loutra Volvis!
As there is no more accommodation available in Loutra Volvis, you’ll take the public bus to Stavros.
walking time/distance: 7h / 28.5km
ascent/descent: 140m / 170m
start/finish: Agios Vasileios / Loutra Volvis
From Loutra Volvis to Nea Madytos: a scenic stroll through time (MK-04/GR00388)
After taking the bus to Loutra Volvis, you will set off on a scenic walk to Nea Madytos. Your route will take you along the lake, where you will pass the remains of an ancient bath, a reminder of the area's long history.
Next you will reach Apollonia, once a bustling Roman station and a lively city during the Ottoman era. Here you’ll find a charming church and a plaque noting that the Apostle Paul visited and mentioned the city in his travels. After a refreshing break at a local café, you will leave the lakeside and wander through the village Kokkalou before heading east to Nea Madytos.
Enjoy the pleasant countryside, cross a few rivers, and catch glimpses of the lake once more along the way. When you arrive at the village square in Nea Madytos, you will hop on a public bus to return to Stavros, where you will again stay the night.
walking time/distance: 5h / 19.0km
ascent/descent: 125m / 115m
start/finish: Loutra Volvis / Nea Madytos
From Nea Madytos to Stavros: charming villages and streams (MK-05/GR00389)
You take the public bus to the village square of Nea Madytos, where you can soak in the local vibe and enjoy a refreshing (ice) coffee.
Today's route takes you along charming country roads through scenic fields. You’ll cross the mostly dry riverbed of the Rematia River. Then you head northeast, meandering through the woods until you reach the Byzantine castle of Rentina. The short climb up to the castle rewards you with fantastic views of Lake Volvi—perfect for a scenic lunch break!
After exploring the castle, you will descend to the shaded riverbed of the Rihios River, where can enjoy a pleasant walk under the canopy of majestic plane trees. The last part is on country roads, until you arrive in Stavros.
walking time/distance: 4h30’ / 16.5km
ascent/descent: 190m / 250m
start/finish: Nea Madytos / Stavros
From Stavros to Amphipolis: discover ancient legends and scenic shores (MK-06/GR00390)
Today a long walk is awaiting you. However, if you would like to fully enjoy the great archaeological site of Amphipolis, it is possible to take a local bus to Asprovalta. This way you cut the route with 7 kms.
You’ll enjoy a 20 km walk along the beach, with a mix of inland tracks, boulevards and sandy stretches. There’s also a 5 km section on asphalt.
Throughout the day you’ll have a constant view of Mount Athos to your right. Known in Greek as Agion Oros, Holy Mountain, this monastic republic is home to 20 monasteries. Male visitors can visit with a special permit, but women are not allowed.
Leaving the sea behind, you’ll stroll through Nea Kardylia village and see the Lion of Amphipolis, a statue from the era of Alexander the Great. After crossing the Strymonas River, you’ll enter the archaeological site of Amphipolis, once a thriving cosmopolitan hub. Perched on a strategic hilltop, this ancient city offers stunning views of the Strymonas River, the sea, and the Pangaia Mountains. It’s also home to an interesting museum.
At the end of the day, you’ll return from Amphipolis to Stavros by public bus, with a stopover in Asprovalta.
walking time/distance: 6h30’ / 26.0km
ascent/descent: 270m / 180m
start/finish: Stavros / Amphipolis
From Amphipolis to Rodolivos: traversing history and rural charm (MK-07/GR00391)
A taxi will take you and your luggage to Amphipolis where your walk starts. It is quite a pleasant hike along the northern contours of the Pangaia mountains.
The route follows the position of the old Via Egnatia route, but there are no remains of the old surface unfortunately. You walk on country roads and paths along shrubs and through fields where all sorts of crops grow, like lavender, sun flowers and grapes.
The Kasta tomb is an ancient grave where excavations still take place. Rumours said it to be the grave of Alexander the Great, but it turned out that it is not.
Well before reaching the town of Rodolivos, you walk past the remains of a Roman bath, a so-called Nympheum.
Rodolivos is a lively village, with a few taverns and one accommodation.
walking time/distance: 5h / 19.0km
ascent/descent: 470m / 220m
start/finish: Amphipolis / Rodolivos
From Rodolivos to Agios Christoforos: hidden villages and scenic landscapes (MK-08/GR00392)
With the Pangaia Mountain in sight, you will walk to the charming village of Proti. This village is built around a large square with a huge statue of Kostas Karamanlis, former Prime Minister and famous native of Proti. He also supplied the modern sports facilities.
As you continue, you'll pass through the sleepy village of Iliokomi—if you’re lucky, the local kafenion might be open for a quick refreshment.
Walking through low vegetation over the foothills of the Pangaia Mountain, you will reach the Kavala-Serres road. The final stretch of the day leads you through a drained plain, crossing fields and drainage canals.
Your walk ends in Agios Christoforos. Here you catch a local bus to Nikisiani, a lovely mountain village known for its great tavernas and cozy hotels.
walking time/distance: 5h / 19.0km
ascent/descent: 470m / 220m
start/finish: Rodolivos / Agios Christoforos
From Agios Christoforos to Ancient Philippi, a historic wonder (MK-09/GR00393)
In the morning you take a local bus to Agios Christoforos to continue your Via Egnatia trek to Ancient Philippi, one of the main highlights of the trip.
Your walk today takes you through picturesque sunflower fields and other crops, with the chance of encountering a friendly shepherd along the way.
Before reaching Ancient Philippi, you might choose to detour to the relaxing mud baths at Krinides. Occasionally, we book a hotel here as an alternative option.
The ancient site of Philippi is truly impressive, dating back to the 4th century BC.
If you stay in Lydia, you’ll walk across this historic site and exit on the Lydia side. Here Apostle Paul baptized the first Christian during his missionary journey, around 50 AD.
walking time/distance: 4h30’ / 18.0km
ascent/descent: 120m / 180m
start/finish: Agios Christoforos / Ancient Philippi
From Ancient Philippi to Kavala: concluding your journey with coastal charm (MK-10/GR00410)
Coming from Lydia or Krinides’ mud baths, you walk across Ancient Philippi and start your last walk of this Via Egnatia section.
As you continue your journey, you will pass a massive monolithic stone that is likely the grave marker of a Roman officer. The route follows the contours of a drained lake, tracing the path of the ancient Via Egnatia. Nowadays, this path is a quiet tarmac road, but you can also choose to walk on the nearby unpaved country roads for a more rustic experience.
In the lively village of Amygdaleonas, you can find plenty of trendy cafes and excellent bakeries—perfect for a lunch break. Afterward, the route takes you to the next village, Stavros, where you begin your ascent to a mountain pass. Just before the pass, you'll walk on a preserved section of the old Roman Via Egnatia, an incredible experience as you step back in time.
The final stretch to Kavala, the 13th station of the Via Egnatia, is one of the best sections of the route, offering a perfect blend of history and scenery. Enjoy your walk through time and nature!
After arrival you may stroll through Kavala. Admire the huge aquaduct, the Kastro and the Old Town!
walking time/distance: 4h30’ / 16.0km
ascent/descent: 340m / 370m
start/finish: Ancient Philippi / Kavala
Departure from Kavala (MK-11)
Your arrangement ends after breakfast. You may want to book an extra night in Kavala to explore this ancient city on foot. It has a lot to offer!
If you continue on the next section of the Via Egnatia -in development-, you stay in Kavala (day 1 of the next trip).
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