• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-943724581310
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "greece/northern-greece",
  "destination": "Northern-Greece",
  "title": "northern-greece",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Mediterranean-Europe",
  "country": "Greece",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Northern Greece

Greece

Greece Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Greece, Thessaloniki, triumphal arch of Galerius

Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

Overview

Diversity should be northern Greece's second name – the region stretches across more cultures and terrains than any other in the country. Mighty civilisations, including Macedonians, Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs and Turks, have left traces here and this is nowhere more apparent than in Greece's second city, Thessaloniki – a magnetic place that breathes history and character, and has the best food in the country.

Meet your new travel partner

Stay connected in Northern Greece

Get unlimited data while you travel with Holafly eSIM. Peace of mind and no hidden fees wherever you go.

LEARN MORE

Take your Greece trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Dreams of Greece: 12 Days in Athens and the Cycladic Islands

highlights

  1. 1Adventuring through antiquity on a guided visit to the relics and ruins of the Acropolis
  2. 2Cruising on a catamaran to the saturated blue waters of Galazia Nera
  3. 3Witnessing an ethereal Naxos sunset from the iconic Portara gate
from $3,750

per person

book this tripsee trip details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-638827929596
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "greece/northern-greece",
  "destination": "Northern-Greece",
  "title": "northern-greece",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Mediterranean-Europe",
  "country": "Greece",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Northern Greece is the mythical home of the ancient Greek gods where you can go swimming in waterfalls and hike through the world's deepest gorge.

Read full article
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-777589509754
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "greece/northern-greece",
  "destination": "Northern-Greece",
  "title": "northern-greece",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Mediterranean-Europe",
  "country": "Greece",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Northern Greece

Northern Greece and beyond

View all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-859700884930
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "greece/northern-greece",
  "destination": "Northern-Greece",
  "title": "northern-greece",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Mediterranean-Europe",
  "country": "Greece",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}